Living and accommodation costs

It’s important to think about the cost of living. Use our living costs table as a guide for how much you might need to budget for as a Sussex student, including accommodation costs.

Two students talking in a cafe at the University of Sussex

Student living and accommodation costs

You may need to budget for more or less money depending on your lifestyle. Accommodation rates may increase in future years. Costs are based on 52 weeks in a calendar year.

Accommodation costs

OutgoingsCost per weekCost per month
Rent for single room on-campus (en-suite or shared bathroom) £123.20 to £214.83 £533.87 to £930.93

Most bills are included in university accommodation rent, and our accommodation rates will increase in future academic years.

Everyday costs

OutgoingsCost per weekCost per month
Mobile phone contract sim only (average) £1.03 to £6 £4.46 to £26
Food (average) £40 to £60.77 £173.33 to £263.34
Laundry on campus (average) £6.10 to £10 £26.43 to £43.33
Books, course materials and other costs (average) £10 to £15 £43 to £65
Personal care and toiletries (average) £7.03 £30.46
Going out, socialising and hobbies (average) £30.40 to £49.05 £132.12 to £212.55
Clothes, shoes and accessories (average) £30 to £60 £130 to £260
Student content insurance £8.16 £35.36
Total* £246.01 to £415.84 £1,066.04 to £1,801.97

 

You may need to budget for more or less money depending on your lifestyle. Costs are based on 52 weeks in a calendar year.

OutgoingsCost per weekCost per month
Rent for a room in a shared house in Brighton without bills £124 to £285 £537.33 to £1,235
Households bills (average for 2 - 5 bedroom houses)
  • Energy
  • Water and Sewage
  • Broadband
£34.98 to £53.34 £151.58 to £231.14
Mobile phone contract (average) sim only £1.03 to £6 £4.46 to £26
Food (average) £50 to £70 £216.67 to £303.33
Laundry (average) £8 to £14 £34.67 to £60.67
Books, course materials and other costs (average) £10 to £15 £43.33 to £65
Personal care and toiletries (average) £25 to £35 £108.33 to £151.67
Going out, socialising and hobbies (average) £10 £43.33
Clothes, shoes and accessories (average) £30 to £60 £130 to £260
Student content insurance £8.54 £37.06
Total* £294.04 to £554.70 £1,274.21 to £2,403.75

One-off costs

OutgoingsCostCost per week
12 month network saver bus ticket £650 £12.50
Insurance £174.50 £3.36
TV Licence £174.50 £3.36
Bedding £38 £0.73
Basic kitchen utensils £58 £1.12
Laptop (average) £865 £16.63
Total* £1,785.50 £34.34

*Total is a rounded figure

Check our living costs sources section below to see how we generated these amounts.

A guide to campus and Brighton costs

ItemCost
Cup of tea / coffee on campus £2.30 to £3.70
Main course on campus (without a drink) £7
Meal deal (sandwich, snack and drink from campus shop) £4.10
Printing a sheet of A4 (black and white / colour) 5p / 36p
One-day city saver bus ticket £4.40
Student railcards either 16-25, 26-30 yeards old or Network railcard. £30
Return train fare to London (off peak 16-25 railcard) or return train fare to London (off-peak 26-30 railcard) £21.55 to £48.25
1 day in onsite nursery (20% discount for students) £47.60-54.80
Cinema ticket £6-£10.50
University gym membership (silver) £145
Total £268-308.11

Security deposits and guarantors when renting in the private sector

Students who are not living in University accommodation may incur set up costs for their housing. This will include a security deposit of 5 weeks’ rent. You should ask the landlord or agency which of the deposit protection schemes they use.

Students without a UK guarantor for their rent may be asked for up to 6 months’ rent in advance. There are some additional guarantor options – find out more information about looking for a guarantor.

Costs and budgeting advice

Our Student Funding Team can help you resolve problems or concerns relating to your finances during your studies. Email studentfunding@sussex.ac.uk for support.

You can also get information on funding sources, expert financial advice and practical support, so you can make the most of your time at Sussex. You can request an appointment with a Student Money Adviser by emailing moneyadvice@sussex.ac.uk.

To find out more about costs and budgeting, check:

Money skills for life

As a Sussex student, you can learn money saving skills during your university life and gain knowledge for the future. The Blackbullion platform is available to current students and recent graduates.

For more information, see our money skills guidance on the Student Hub.


Living costs sources

Costs are calculated from a range of sources, including University accommodation pages, Natwest Student Living Index 2024, Save the Student, Money Saving Expert, Student Cost of Living Calculator 20224/2025, Discover Uni and various student surveys.

Due to the current high rate of inflation, you should check the most up-to-date information and budget for price increases. We update our costs information periodically to help students with budgeting.

Costs are correct as of May 2025.


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