Budgeting for uni

Going to uni is an expensive business, but being aware of the costs and planning ahead can stop your bank balance plunging too far into the red.

How much will it cost?

The cost of basic student life varies from town to town, and from college to college. Your student union will be able to give you advice specific to your area, and the housing office can give you more information about what to expect to pay in rent. Here's an overview of what you need to take into account:

Rent

The biggie. Student halls might charge an all-in fee that includes rent, electricity, cleaning, and food. Increasingly, they are becoming self-catering flats where you make your own grub and everything is metered. If you don't have a washing machine, figure in some extra money for trips to the laundrette. And don't forget so set aside some money for a TV licence (they will catch up with you sooner or later).

Bills

If you're in a student house, you may have meters for electricity and gas, or quarterly bills. Then there will be phone, and possibly broadband or cable, charges. Organise a system so that everyone pays their fair share.

Food and other groceries

This should cover everything from cooking at home to eating out, snacks, coffees, toiletries and cleaning products. If you live with a group of friends, try clubbing together to buy staples like rice, potatoes and pasta – it works out much cheaper to buy in bulk.

Tuition fees

If you're unlucky and have to cough up for these, it's a maximum of £3225 for the academic year 2009/10, usually payable in two or more instalments. More fortunate souls are only forced to pay part of it, or get off the hook completely depending on their parents' income. Contact your Local Educational Authority (LEA) to find out where you stand.

Books and equipment

You don't have to buy everything on the reading list, or get the brand new books, but you will need to get a few useful books and whatever else is on your equipment list. Some stuff can be bought cheaper second-hand, so it may be worth waiting to buy the non-essential books until after term starts. That way you can work out what you really need, and use the library as much as possible to keep costs down.

Stationery and photocopying

Computer disks, paper, folders, photocopies of research papers and chapters in books you don't want to buy - it all adds up. Your university department may offer free or subsidised photocopying and equipment, so find out.

Going out

Figure in enough for a social life, and stuff for sports, clubs and other interests. Otherwise you'll end up bored and lonely, which is not the point of going away to uni.

Travel costs

This covers bus fares, petrol, train tickets, late-night taxis and more. Get hold of discount cards and season passes as early as possible. Book fares in advance to get the best deals.

Clothes

Many stores offer a 10% discount when you can prove you're a student. And remember the golden rule: if you don't ask, you don't get. Not all shops advertise their discounts, but once you flash your student ID their generous sides might get the better of them.

Phone and internet bills

Keeping in touch can be costly, whether it's paying off your internet service provider (ISP) or topping up the credit on your mobile. Shop around for the best deals.

Insurance

This is well worth having, especially if it's a student deal, since student houses are often the target for burglaries. Think about how much it would cost to replace everything you own.

Interest and fines

It is better to take things back to the library, and avoid upsetting the bank manager by going over your overdraft limit unexpectedly, but sometimes it can't be helped. So, if you're absent minded, or cavalier when it comes to cash machine withdrawals, allow a little bit to pay the price for it.

There's a range of financial help available to you if you want to study at university. Check out our article on funding options for higher education to find out more.
If you add all those bills together, what do you get? Find out how much money you'll have left at the end of the month with this budget planner.
Are you going to survive? If not, read our article about getting part-time work to see if that could help.
If you find yourself in financial trouble, you don't have to starve. All universities have hardship funds – speak to your tutor to find out find out how to apply.
If going away to uni seems like too much of a stretch, find out about home studying.

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