10 Most Cost-Effective Places to Study in the UK

Guest post: Bekah Edwards

We all know that university can be expensive. But where you choose to attend university, even within a single country, can have a significant financial impact. For those keen to keep costs down, the recently published 2016 Student Living Index, compiled by Natwest, highlights the most (and least) cost-effective places to study in the UK.

The index asked over 2,500 students in the UK where they get their money and how they spend it. It shows how much students are spending on essentials such as weekly rent, groceries and bills, as well as the average term-time income in 25 of the UK’s most popular university cities.

It found that whilst student loans – contributing around £161.14 a week – make up the bulk of a student’s income, the second-biggest source of student finance comes from parents and relatives, followed by part-time work.

Here’s a list of the top 10 most cost-effective places to study in the UK, with a breakdown of average student income and expenditure.

1. Portsmouth

Average term-time income: £1,516.98

Rent (weekly): £101.61

Bills (weekly): £12.93

Going out (weekly): £7.42

2. Liverpool

Average term-time income: £1,425.01

Rent (weekly): £99.35

Bills (weekly): £8.90

Going out (weekly): £6.81

3. Newcastle

Average term-time income: £1,421.36

Rent (weekly): £101.55

Bills (weekly): £9.05

Going out (weekly): £7.81

4. Belfast

Average term-time income: £1,171.86

Rent (weekly): £73.81

Bills (weekly): £10.77

Going out (weekly): £7.84

5. Exeter

Average term-time income: £1,405.53

Rent (weekly): £117.25

Bills (weekly): £8.48

Going out (weekly): £6.59

6. York

Average term-time income: £1,357.38

Rent (weekly): £113.92

Bills (weekly): £9.38

Going out: (weekly) £6.42

7. Cardiff

Average term-time income: £1,136.52

Rent (weekly): £81.47

Bills (weekly): £10.45

Going out (weekly): £4.69

8. Nottingham

Average term-time income: £1,270.57

Rent (weekly): £105.72

Bills (weekly): £6.52

Going out (weekly): £7.36

9. Birmingham

Average term-time income: £1,284.29

Rent (weekly): £104.62

Bills (weekly): £9.56

Going out (weekly): £5.02

10. Dundee

Average term-time income: £1,319.89

Rent (weekly):  £94.49

Bills (weekly): £12.99

Going out (weekly): £5.97

Discover more of the most (and least) cost-effective places to study in the UK with the full 2016 Student Living Index.

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