With a new term on the horizon, many Brits will be preparing for another year at university. September will also bring a new batch of students, ready to study at a higher level for the first time and enjoy everything that being a “fresher” has to offer.
One of the most challenging parts of being a student is arguably managing finances, particularly if this is a student’s first year away from home where they have more responsibility and a student loan to budget and balance.
That’s why our researchers have collected key statistics and sourced their own data on the costs of varying universities around the UK. We know that money can be a worry for students, so we have also provided some tips on how to save money on your printer during your time at university.
According to the most recent survey from Save the Student in 2022, the average student’s living costs are £924 per month. They found that rent costs £418, on average, and bills cost £64 per month. As this survey was conducted in 2022, we expect that costs will be greater this academic year in line with rising prices across the country.
Students are eligible to receive a Maintenance Loan from Student Finance England (SFE) to help with costs. The amount that a student will receive depends on their household income but, in the 2023 to 2024 academic year, students can expect to get a minimum of:
The most recent survey from Save the Student in 2022 uncovered that the cheapest region in the UK for students is the West Midlands, where students spend, on average, £822 per month. London is, as expected, the most expensive area of the UK for a student to live in, where the average monthly spend last year was £1,089.
Based on accommodation costs alone, StudentCrowd has ranked 71 universities according to which is cheapest. The top ten cheapest universities for accommodation, on average, were found to be:
Our researchers investigated the top 50 universities in the UK to find out which Student Union Bars offer the cheapest draught pint.
We found that Durham University, Imperial College London and Queen’s University Belfast- have the cheapest offering, where a draught pint of Carling costs £2.80.
Mully’s Bar, at University College London, has the cheapest draught pint in the country, at just £2.40 on a Tuesday between 9-11pm.
Regardless of the course that you’re taking, students will likely need to print documents throughout the duration of their studies. There should be printing facilities available to use at your university, likely in the library, but if you have opted to take a printer with you, there are ways that you can keep costs down.
Here are five ways to reduce printer costs at university:
1. Cut down on coloured ink
Coloured ink is typically more expensive than black ink so try to avoid it, where possible.
2. Proofread before printing
Ensure that there are no pesky typos in your document before you press send to avoid having to reprint your work and waste paper and ink.
3. Let your printer rest
To avoid your printer using too much energy and raising your bills, make sure to switch it off regularly when not in use.
When you need to refill ink, toner and paper, do your research to make sure you’re getting the best deals out there.
5. Make the most of sales
Equally, make the most of notable sale days such as Black Friday to get a bargain when you can.