(2013 entry)
You should ensure that you have adequate finance to cover your period of study. We estimate that to cover the cost of accommodation and other living expenses, a single self-supporting student (with no children) should budget for between at least £820 and £1,175 each month for the full academic year 2013/2014 (39 weeks including vacation), in addition to tuition fees.
If you require a visa to study in the UK, you will need to show you have enough money to meet the maintenance requirements set by the UK Border Agency. Note that actual living costs are likely to be higher than this amount.
The following is a very generalised breakdown of how your living expenses might be allocated on a monthly basis. This figure is for guidance only. You may find that – depending on your lifestyle – you require more or less. The cost of University-managed accommodation varies. The rent stated below is an estimate. For a breakdown of accommodation costs, refer to the table, below.
Note that international students may incur higher insurance, travel and telephone costs. For reference and to help you plan and manage your studies in the UK, visit Budget planning in the UK and the International Student Calculator.
| Living expenses per month | |
|---|---|
| Rent on campus✰ | £260-£595 |
| Mobile phone | £20-£40 |
| Food, laundry and household goods | £220 |
| Local travel | £45 |
| Insurance (personal) | £5 |
| Books, equipment, photocopying, stationery | £60 |
| Clothing | £45 |
| Socialising/leisure | £110 |
| Miscellaneous (healthcare, etc) | £55 |
| Total | £820-£1,175 |
✰This is the range of rents for the academic year 2013/14 and will increase in future academic years. This table includes the cost of a shared room but excludes studios and family flats. Refer to the table, below, for more information about University accommodation costs.
Student discounts
Price reductions are available to students at many shops, cinemas, museums and galleries, and on national and local bus and train travel. Many of the discounts are negotiated by the National Union of Students (NUS), which represents the interests of all students in the UK.
University accommodation costs
The guideline rents below are per week for the 2013/14 academic year. You can find up-to-date costs on Residential Services.
On-campus accommodation
| Tenancy type and length | Single room (shared bathroom) | Shared room | En-suite room | Family flat | Studio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighthelm | Undergraduate/postgraduate 39 weeks |
£121.30 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Lewes Court | Undergraduate 39 weeks |
£116.50 | n/a | £133.20 | £192.50 - £198.00 | £134.20 |
| East Slope | Undergraduate/postgraduate 39 weeks |
£81.40 - £83.00 | £60.00 - £71.00✰✰ | n/a | £120.00 - £155.00 | n/a |
| Northfield | Undergraduate/postgraduate 39/50 weeks |
n/a | n/a | £137.40 | £195.00 - £210.00 | £140.50 |
| Park Houses | Undergraduate 39 weeks |
£105.20 | n/a | £130.00 | n/a | n/a |
| Park Village | Undergraduate 39 weeks |
£90.20 | n/a | n/a | £148.00 - £188.00 | n/a |
| Stanmer Court | Undergraduate/postgraduate 39/50 weeks |
n/a | n/a | £131.30 | n/a | £137.00 - £143.00 |
| Swanborough | Undergraduate 39 weeks |
n/a | n/a | £137.20 | n/a | n/a |
Off-campus accommodation
| Tenancy type and length | Single room (shared bathroom) | Shared room | En-suite room | Family flat | Studio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King's Road | Final-year undergraduate/postgraduate 39/50 weeks |
£115.50 - £117.50 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Small houses off campus | Undergraduate/postgraduate 39/50 weeks |
£75.00 - £105.00 | £70.30✰✰ | n/a | £159.00 - £176.80 | n/a |
✰✰Rents for shared accommodation are quoted per person.