Living Costs

Living costs

Accommodation

Accommodation costs will vary depending on whether you choose standard, premium or private accommodation, and how long you are staying. Prices can vary from around £160 to £350 per week.

See a full breakdown of accommodation costs for 2024-25 and 2025-26.

What's included in your accommodation fees?

All utility bills (heating, electricity and water)
Internet access
Basic contents insurance
Welfare support
Maintenance and cleaning of communal areas

Other living costs

Your living costs will vary depending on your lifestyle, but here is a rough guide:

Expense	Cost per week
Food/Household bills	£55.00
Mobile phone/Internet	£9.00
Travel	£18.00
Books and stationery	£14.00
Clothing and personal care	£19.00
Entertainment	£35.00
Total	£150.00

Other living costs

Students studying at the sunny union cafe

Extra costs for international students

If you are an international student, you should also budget to cover the cost of your visa application and the Immigration Health charge, and make an extra allowance of up to £600 for other expenses on arrival.

For more information on visas, see our international student pages.

Living with inflation

With living costs rising in the UK due to inflation, we have compiled a list of resources and advice that you may find useful.

Managing your money is something you get used to over time. I have money from my part-time job which sees me through every month, which is very handy. You get used to having to live on a budget and because everyone around you is doing the same you can help each other.

Getting a TV licence

You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer.

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder. If you do any of the above without a valid licence, you risk prosecution and a maximum penalty of up to £1,000, plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay. You will also still have to buy a TV Licence if you need one.

To find out more, go to tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo

How can I buy a TV Licence?

There are lots of different ways to buy a TV Licence . Whether that’s through weekly cash payments, using your nearest PayPoint outlet, spreading the cost with monthly, quarterly or yearly direct debit, credit/debit card or by post – just choose the one that suits you best.

For more information on the ways to pay, go to tvlicensing.co.uk/payinfo

If I live in halls, won’t I already be covered by a TV Licence?

Your room needs to be covered by its own licence if you're plugged in to watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or if you download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer. If there are TVs in communal areas, check with your halls' manager to see if they’re covered by a halls' licence.

What if I live in a shared house?

You'll probably only need one licence between you if you have a joint tenancy agreement for the whole house – this is the most common type of shared house arrangement. You might need your own licence if your accommodation is self-contained. That means you have exclusive access to washing facilities, or your own entrance to the property. You will also need your own licence if you have a separate tenancy agreement for your own room. If you're not sure, check our advice for tenants and lodgers.

Won't my parents' licence cover me?

Your parents' licence will not cover you while you're away at uni unless you only use a device that's powered solely by its own internal batteries and not connected to the mains.

What if I'm not at uni for the summer?

If you're leaving your halls or rented accommodation and moving back home for the summer, there's a good chance you won't need your TV Licence if there's one at home. You can see our policy and apply for a refund online.

What if I don’t need a licence?

If you don’t need a TV Licence, we would ask you to let TV Licensing know so that they can update their details. They won’t then send you any letters for approximately two years.

Frequently asked questions

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Living costs

Living costs

Extra costs for international students

Living with inflation

Getting a TV licence

How can I buy a TV Licence?

If I live in halls, won’t I already be covered by a TV Licence?

What if I live in a shared house?

Won't my parents' licence cover me?

What if I'm not at uni for the summer?

What if I don’t need a licence?

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Living costs

Extra costs for international students

Living with inflation

Getting a TV licence

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