The maximum maintenance loan for UK students is around £10,227 per year (£13,762 in London), paid in three termly instalments. That needs to cover rent, food, books, transport, socialising, and everything else. It's tight. Really tight. But with smart budgeting, it's manageable. Here's how to make every pound count.
Budget Before Term Starts
Accommodation: Your Biggest Cost
- •Halls vs private: University halls are convenient but often expensive. Private rentals with friends are usually cheaper per person after first year.
- •Location matters: Living 15 minutes further from campus can save £20-£40 per week on rent. Factor in transport costs, though.
- •Bills included: Halls usually include bills. Private rentals often don't — budget an extra £40-£60/month for energy, water, and broadband split between housemates.
- •Don't live alone: Solo living is the most expensive option. Sharing with 3-5 people is typically cheapest per person.
Food on a Student Budget
- •Meal prep on Sundays. Batch cook chilli, curry, pasta sauce, and soup. Freeze portions for the week.
- •Shop at Aldi or Lidl for staples. Their prices are 30-40% lower than Tesco or Sainsbury's on basics.
- •Buy own-brand everything. There's no taste difference in pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes, or flour.
- •Learn 5-10 cheap, filling recipes: jacket potatoes, stir fry, dal, pasta bake, omelettes, bean chilli.
- •Use Too Good To Go for discounted food from local shops and bakeries.
- •Never buy pre-made sandwiches or meal deals daily. A £3.50 meal deal five days a week is £70/month — you can feed yourself for a week on that.
Student Discounts You Should Be Using
- •TOTUM card (£14.99/year): Discounts at hundreds of retailers including ASOS, Co-op, Domino's, and more.
- •UNiDAYS: Free — discounts at Apple, Nike, Samsung, ASOS, and many fashion brands.
- •Student Beans: Free — similar to UNiDAYS with different partner brands.
- •Amazon Prime Student: Half-price Prime membership (£4.49/month) with free delivery and Prime Video.
- •Spotify Student: Half-price Spotify Premium (currently around £5.99/month).
- •Apple Music Student: Discounted rate with free Apple TV+ included.
- •Software: Many companies offer free software to students. Check your university's IT page for Microsoft Office, Adobe, and specialist tools.
- •Transport: 16-25 Railcard (£30/year) saves a third on rail fares. Many bus companies offer student passes.
Earning Extra Money
FAQ
Should students open a savings account?+
Yes, even a small one. Even saving £20/month into a separate account means you have £240 at the end of the year for emergencies or summer living costs. Student bank accounts often come with interest-free overdrafts — don't confuse that with free money.
Is the student overdraft 'free money'?+
No. It's interest-free while you're a student, but after graduation the interest-free period reduces over 1-3 years, then you're charged interest. Treat it as an emergency buffer, not spending money. Many graduates struggle for years with overdrafts they ran up at university.
Do I need to pay council tax as a student?+
Full-time students are exempt from council tax. If you live only with other full-time students, the property is exempt. Get a council tax exemption certificate from your university and send it to your local council.
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