Postgraduate Living Costs in the UK
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Average University Living Costs - How Much Does it Costs to be a Student in the UK?

Written by James Tippett

The average living cost in the UK is £1,400 per month. Various factors impact this, including your university and where you live, the type of accommodation you’re in and your lifestyle.


As a postgraduate student, your expenses will include tuition fees, accommodation, food, transportation, and the occasional (or frequent) coffee to fuel those late-night study sessions. While tuition fees are a significant chunk of your budget, living costs can vary widely depending on where you choose to study.

In this guide, I’ll show you some average living costs for UK university cities as well as average rent prices for the same cities. I understand that finances and budgeting are something that worries every student at some stage, so let’s look at this together to help prepare yourself.

Average living costs in UK university cities

The most important factors shaping your living costs during a Masters will be related to your lifestyle and circumstances. What kind of accommodation will you be living in? Do you go out often? How often will you need to travel away from your university?

We can’t predict these, but we can give you some sense of representative student living costs in different UK university cities. You can use this information to broadly compare options for postgraduate study. It could also help you decide whether living near your university will be more expensive than commuting from home (or opting for a distance learning Masters).

The following table is based on crowdsourced data for what we think are typical student living costs in different cities (there’s more detail on how we’ve calculated these below).


Living costs in UK university cities
City Monthly Cost City Monthly Cost
Aberdeen £1,157 Hull £1,015
Aberystwyth £1,000 Inverness £1,226
Bath £1,611 Lancaster £974
Belfast £1,142 Leeds £1,326
Birmingham £1,279 Leicester £1,097
Bolton £758 Lincoln £956
Bournemouth £1,736 Liverpool £1,320
Bradford £941 London £2,368
Brighton £1,596 Luton £1,150
Bristol £1,504 Manchester £1,454
Buckingham £915 Middlesbrough £929
Cambridge £1,666 Newcastle £1,171
Canterbury £1,300 Northampton £1,166
Cardiff £1,282 Norwich £1,293
Carlisle £1,000 Nottingham £1,163
Chelmsford £1,400 Oxford £1,641
Cheltenham £1,189 Plymouth £1,200
Chester £1,216 Portsmouth £1,229
Colchester £1,078 Preston £1,109
Coventry £1,187 Reading £1,455
Derby £1,103 Sheffield £1,231
Dundee £1,065 Southampton £1,376
Durham £1,270 St Andrews £1,257
Edinburgh £1,553 Sunderland £1,043
Exeter £1,316 Swansea £1,085
Glasgow £1,407 Wolverhampton £1,131
Guildford £1,469 Worcester £914
Huddersfield £949 York £1,313

Understanding postgraduate accommodation

You could have a few different housing options available for your Masters, including postgraduate-specific halls as well as general student dormitories and various types of privately rented accommodation. Our guide to choosing postgraduate accommodation provides more information.

The information is based on crowdsourced data submitted to Numbeo and calculated using their cost of living estimator.

We’ve based our examples on an individual student sharing in a three-bedroom city centre property, purchasing a monthly travel pass and going out approximately once a week with other optional expenses (eating out, coffee, clothing purchases, etc) kept to a minimum.

Needless to say, this information is only meant as a very general guide. Most universities have their own pages dedicated to student living costs in their city, so it’s worth looking those up.

Accommodation costs

If you’re not living at home during your Masters, the biggest financial outlay (other than your tuition fees) will be on accommodation. You’ll want to know that you’re getting good value for money – and that your property meets your needs as a postgraduate.

The big choice you’ll have to make is between university-owned accommodation and the private rental market. We’ve covered the main differences between them below.

University-owned accommodation

Many UK universities offer halls of residence specifically for postgraduates. The cost of this will normally be around £125-175 a week (expect higher in London). Although postgraduate university accommodation is usually more expensive than the private equivalent, remember that bills are normally included in the price.

The cost of university-owned accommodation typically depends on how many people you’re sharing the flat or studio with and whether you have an en-suite bathroom, as well as whether the accommodation is catered or self-catered.

Demand for postgraduate accommodation often outstrips supply, so you should apply as soon as possible and have a plan B in case you don’t manage to secure housing through your university.

Private accommodation

If university accommodation isn’t available (or desirable) you’ll need to rent privately. The cost for this will vary dramatically between different cities and even within them.

Even though private accommodation may sometimes be cheaper than university housing, bear in mind that the rent won’t usually include any bills. You should also take care to make sure that you’re renting from a reputable landlord. Some universities maintain a list of approved, reliable landlords and agencies, so it’s a good idea to talk to them about that.

In the table below we’ve included average rents for someone sharing a three-bedroom, city centre property, based on crowdsourced data from Numbeo.

Rent in UK university cities
City Monthly Cost City Monthly Cost
Aberdeen £383 Hull £420
Aberystwyth £333 Inverness £533
Bath £808 Lancaster £330
Belfast £466 Leeds £590
Birmingham £590 Leicester £422
Bolton £416 Lincoln £391
Bournemouth £1,041 Liverpool £590
Bradford £233 London £1,424
Brighton £791 Luton £483
Bristol £744 Manchester £665
Buckingham £833 Middlesbrough £250
Cambridge £862 Newcastle £471
Canterbury £542 Northampton £450
Cardiff £597 Norwich £577
Carlisle £267 Nottingham £472
Chelmsford £677 Oxford £860
Cheltenham £550 Plymouth £566
Chester £520 Portsmouth £514
Colchester £407 Preston £461
Coventry £483 Reading £727
Derby £383 Sheffield £511
Dundee £360 Southampton £666
Durham £637 St Andrews £658
Edinburgh £751 Sunderland £333
Exeter £633 Swansea £386
Glasgow £647 Wolverhampton £466
Guildford £666 Worcester £338
Huddersfield £303 York £650

Keep in mind, these are averages, and actual rents can vary based on location and property condition.

Estimating your personal living costs

Your personal expenses will depend on your lifestyle. For instance, if you're a fan of dining out or frequenting the local pub, your budget will need to accommodate that. However, if you're more of a homebody who enjoys cooking, you might save a bit more.

Postgraduate budgeting

Struggling to get through the month financially? Masters graduate Kristine gives her strategies for cutting costs as a student to help you make ends meet.

Tips to manage living costs

  • Budget wisely: Create a monthly budget to track your spending. Apps like Plum or Emma can be lifesavers.
  • Cook at home: Embrace your inner chef. Cooking at home is not only cheaper but also healthier.
  • Use student discounts: Always carry your student ID. Many places offer discounts, from cinemas to restaurants.
  • Consider part-time work: If your visa allows, a part-time job can help cover extra expenses.

Tips from the author

It's great that you're considering postgraduate study, but concerns about finances are absolutely normal and completely valid. While it can feel intimidating, it's absolutely doable with the right tools.

When I was a student, budgeting apps like Plum and Emma didn't exist, but I really wish I did. Plum, in particular, is an amazing tool that will help you save money without even realising it. Connect your current account to Plum and you can set 'rules', such as round-ups (or 'pound-ups' if you're feeling particularly up for it) that round any purchases you make up to the nearest pound and put that money automatically into a savings pot. These are great for putting little bits of money aside to help for any unexpected expenses.

I absolutely recommend checking out tools like this. It's easy to put yourself down for not saving as much money as you'd like, but these apps make things a lot more straightforward. Don't believe me? Give one a try, and see for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

How can I reduce my living costs as a postgraduate student?

Are there scholarships or grants available for postgraduate students?

Yes, many universities and organizations offer scholarships and grants. It's advisable to check with your chosen university's funding office for available opportunities.

Is it cheaper to live in university accommodation or private rentals?

University accommodation can be more expensive but often includes bills. Private rentals might be cheaper, but you'll need to budget for utilities separately.

How can I find affordable accommodation?

  • Start your search early.
  • Consider areas slightly outside the city center.
  • Use university accommodation services and reputable rental websites.

What are the average living costs for postgraduate students in the UK?

Living costs vary by city. For example, London averages around £2,196 per month, while cities like Hull average £690.

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Last updated: 19 February 2025