The cost of living for students in 2026

This year, tuition fees in England have gone up to £9,790 for a standard full-time undergraduate course. Tuition fees can be different across the rest of the UK, but they're only part of the picture when it comes to the cost of university.

In 2026, student living costs in London are estimated at nearly £1,800 a month, making it the UK's most expensive city to study in. At the other end of the scale is Belfast, where students could expect to spend just over £1,100 a month.

Last year, research suggested students in England need £61,000 over a three-year degree ‘to have a minimum socially acceptable standard of living’.

Your student living costs will depend on your choices and circumstances. Where you live, the type of accommodation you choose, how you get around and how often you go out all make a difference.

Some costs will stay fairly consistent each month, while others will change. And it's often the smaller, regular purchases that are the easiest to overlook – but they can soon add up.

For more information, see our guide on how to budget for student life.

The cost of rent at universities across the UK can vary dramatically depending on where you are. At some universities you could be paying around £400 in rent each month, compared to over £900 at others.

The price you see isn't always the full story either. Uni halls might include bills, which makes budgeting simpler. Private rentals on the other hand usually separate out gas, electricity, water, and broadband. So a cheaper room on paper doesn't always mean you'll pay less each month overall.

The type of room you choose matters too. An en-suite, studio, or newer room will usually cost more than a standard shared flat or house. Plus, location changes the price fast – especially if you want to live close to campus, the city centre, or major transport links.

When you're comparing options, check:

• what bills are included
• how long the contract lasts
• how much the deposit is
• whether you'll need to pay rent over the summer.

Lots of freshers focus on weekly rent, but the smarter move is working out the cost across the whole tenancy to get a better idea of what you'll pay.

Food costs can look small next to rent, but they add up fast and can still take up a big part of your budget. Students in the UK spend around £146 on average a month on groceries, and about £49 a month on takeaways and eating out.

Cooking at home most days is usually the cheapest option, and batch cooking can make a real difference when deadlines hit.

There are simple ways to make your food budget go further, like:

• planning your meals before you shop
• trying own-brand products
• comparing prices between supermarkets
• freezing extra portions when you can.

Remember to leave a little room for everyday essentials like toiletries and cleaning bits too.

If you're looking for a student bank account with tasty perks to help you save, see our freshers offer.

On average, students in the UK spend around £20 a month on course materials. What you'll need depends on your course, but costs could include:

• textbooks
• printing and software
• lab kits or specialist equipment
• art supplies
• field trips.

Your uni might provide some of these or give you access to digital resources, so check what's included before you buy anything. Using the library, buying second-hand books or sharing resources with classmates can help your money go further.

In 2025, students spent around £67 a month on transport. If you live in halls near campus, you might walk to most lectures and keep costs low. If you live further away, you could rely more on buses, trains, or the Tube.

City choice matters, but so does your daily routine. There are a few ways you could spend less on getting to where you need to be:

• check for student bus passes or travel discounts
• use a railcard if you travel by train regularly
• walk or cycle when you can.

It's worth leaving some room in your budget for occasional journeys, like buying a last minute train ticket or getting a late night taxi when you need a safe way home. A little flexibility can come in handy when your travel plans change.

For some students, their student loan could cover most of their living costs. For others, it might not stretch across the full academic year.

How much maintenance support you get depends on household income, where you study, and whether you live at home or away. Two students on the same course may have very different budgets.

The table below gives maximum and minimum rates of loans for living costs, in the 2026/27 academic year. This is for full-time undergraduate students who are not eligible for benefits and are studying in England.

Once you know how much you'll get, compare it with the costs you're likely to have over the year. If there's a gap, it's worth seeing what other money or support's available, like bursaries and scholarships, hardship funds or income from a part-time job.

There are plenty of practical ways to make your money go further at uni without missing out on student life.

A few small changes like these can make all the difference:

• compare accommodation costs and check what's included before you commit
• plan meals at home when you can
• make the most of student discounts, travel passes and railcards
• borrow course materials or buy second hand when you can
• keep an eye on spending on things like nights out and subscriptions.

You don't have to cut out everything you enjoy. Focus on the changes that work for you and leave some room in your budget for having fun too.