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The cost of a degree is a huge consideration, and it is important to know what you’ll need to budget for before you set off on your postgraduate journey. Obvious expenses like tuition, rent and visa (if you need one) costs, even though they are the biggest, are not the only places you’ll be using your student budget.
We’ve taken a look at some smaller but often overlooked costs you’ll have to bear as a postgraduate student.
Even though being a member of a university student society is mostly free, there might be some hidden costs you might not be expecting. Equipment, membership to sport centres and entry to specific events might come out of your own pocket. For example, if you’re in the football club, you’ll have to buy your own sports kit, shoes and contribute to the cost of booking the football field at a sports centre.
This shouldn’t put you off joining a society, but some wise decisions like sticking to one society instead of joining lots, or continuing something you have already been taking part in, can bring costs down significantly.
Students usually have to pay a nominal fee per page for using the university printers. If you’re someone who prefers to have physical copies to highlight, you’ll soon realise that these costs can add up. Sometimes, printing can be essential if it is for assessments or official documents. Getting into the habit of taking digital notes can help bring costs down. Universities have also moved to online submissions for most assessments. It’ll save you money and also help the environment!
You’ll need to source essential reading material for your course yourself, and academic books can be expensive. Buying books second hand or loaning them from the university library are cheaper and eco-friendly alternatives. If you do end up buying new ones, you can always make the money back by selling them once you graduate.
Depending on where you live, you might have to take some form of transport to university and every trip can add up. Buses, trams and trains usually offer student tickets at reduced prices and if you travel often enough, monthly passes are a good way to save some extra bucks. If you are close enough to campus, you can choose to walk instead (and get your daily steps in!).
Despite most university campuses having wi-fi, you’ll need to be able to make calls and access the internet when you’re out and about. This can turn into a major cost for international students due to expensive international rates. The best thing to do is to get a local SIM as soon as you arrive. Service providers are likely to provide discounts and offers to students.
It’s the end of your time at university, all your hard work has paid off and you’re ready to get your degree! Apart from the money you spend celebrating with family and friends, there might be some essential costs attached to your graduation ceremony. You’ll have to pay for a robe hire and for any extra guest tickets. These might be costs you can’t really get out of, but knowing how much you’ll need will definitely help you budget and save through the year.
Concern about the costs of studying is growing (especially in the current cost-of-living crisis) but some intelligent budgeting and support from your university can help reduce the pressure a little bit.
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