Budgeting advice

Page last updated:
26 Sep 2023

Use this page to help find out if you can increase your income and cut down on spending. 

Budgeting tools and discounts

Spend a little time doing a budget for the year. There are lots of budgeting calculators online; here are two that we find particularly useful:

  1. MAS Budget Planner
  2. Money Saving Expert

What is available?

For a huge range of discounts on loads of great things from food and drink, to clothes, travel and shopping, get a Totum Card.

Totum is the only student discount, proof of age ID and campus life platform recommended by the National Union of Students. It is the new name for what was NUS Extra.

Discount voucher websites can help you save money, but be wary of being persuaded to buy something that you wouldn’t otherwise have bought.


Tuition fees and course costs

Have you taken out a loan to pay your fees?

Most full-time and part-time undergraduate students do not need to pay tuition fees upfront. You can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England. Students from other UK countries can also apply for a tuition fee loan. EU students with settled or pre-settled status and meeting relevant residency requirements can also be eligible for a tuition fee loan.

Apply online for student finance

If you are paying tuition fees yourself, you can find out more about our payment terms from Financial Services.

Tuition fees payment information

Our Tuition Fee Policy can be found on our website under General Regulations.

Leeds Beckett Student Regulations

Before you start your course, ask your course administrator what extra expenses you can expect, for example, field trips or placements, so that you can build them into your budget.

Use Audio-Visual Loans at our university for any AV equipment that you might need.

Where possible use the Leeds Beckett Library for textbooks, or buy second-hand rather than new textbooks.

Work and tax

Not usually as a full-time student, but if you have children or have a disability you might be able to.

There is a possibility you may have overpaid tax. Please find more details about student jobs and tax here.

Earnings from part-time, temporary or casual employment will not affect your student support award.

From April 2023, the minimum wage is £7.49 if you are between 18 and 20 years old, £10.18 if you are 21 or 22, and the National Living Wage is £10.42 if you are 23 or over.

Students, like anyone else, can earn up to £12,570 without paying income tax. Your student loans and grants are not included, because they are not taxable.

Bank accounts

Get all the ins and outs of opening a student bank account on the Money Saving Expert site.

If you require a letter from our university to open a student bank account, you can visit our official letters page for more information and to request a bank letter.

Accommodation, utilities and food

Find out about your rights when buying a TV, internet and phone package using the Which? and Ofcom websites.

What tips do you have?

  • make sure you inform the fuel companies of the day you move in and out of a property
  • take meter readings and keep a record
  • if not already in place, consider a smart meter (many utility companies will offer to provide this for free) to keep close track of daily / weekly usage and help budget
  • arrange to pay bills monthly or weekly so that costs don’t mount up. Check your bills for ways to pay
  • if you live in a shared house, make sure everyone’s names are on the bill – don’t end up liable for the whole bill on your own

Switching supplier?

Find out about switching energy suppliers on the Citizens Advice site: Compare gas and electricity prices

Check out the money-saving tips from the Energy Saving Trust: Energy Saving Trust

Utility bill problems?

Struggling to pay an energy bill: Citizens Advice

What tips do you have?

  • buy fresh produce rather than pre-prepared meals; it is healthier and cheaper
  • buy in bulk and use supermarket own brands
  • take advantage of supermarket offers
  • cook with friends and share meals and costs
  • make your own sandwiches for lunch
  • shop around

Take a look at the Money Advice Service Smarter Shopping web page for more helpful advice.

Do I need this?

Think about insuring your belongings – they could be expensive to replace.

First check to see if you are covered under your parents’ policy.

Endsleigh offers insurance tailored for students and is recommended by NUS, though other companies offer similar services.

Many students move from halls into a shared student house after their first year. Have a look at the web pages below to help you avoid problems and get the best from renting privately.

Find out how your tenancy deposit is protected

Shelter information and advice on all renting issues

What tips do you have?

  • do your research before signing a mobile phone contract
  • ask around to find what the best mobile phone deals are
  • if you have a monthly limit on texts, calls and internet use, find out what it is and stay within it to avoid extra charges
  • make sure you know about what you are being charged for your call; some numbers can be more expensive
  • protect your mobile phone and other property

Do I need one?

You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record recent live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer.

TV Licensing rules and regulations

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD / VHS recorder. If you do any of the above without a valid licence, you risk prosecution and a maximum penalty of up to £1,000, plus any legal costs and / or compensation you may be ordered to pay. You will also still have to buy a TV Licence if you need one.

Find out more about TV Licence rules for students

There isn’t a student discount, but if you don’t need your licence for a full 12 months, you can apply for a refund for any unused months.

How can I buy a TV Licence?

There are lots of different ways to buy a TV Licence. Whether that’s through weekly cash payments, using your nearest PayPoint outlet, spreading the cost with monthly, quarterly or yearly direct debit, credit / debit card or by post. There are different ways you can pay for a TV Licence.

If I live in halls, won’t I already be covered by a TV Licence?

Your room needs to be covered by its own licence if you’re plugged in to watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or if you download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer. If there are TVs in communal areas, check with your halls’ manager to see if they’re covered by a halls licence.

What if I live in a shared house?

You’ll probably only need one licence between you if you have a joint tenancy agreement for the whole house – this is the most common type of shared house arrangement. You might need your own licence if your accommodation is self-contained – that means you have exclusive access to washing facilities or your own entrance to the property. You will also need your own licence if you have a separate tenancy agreement for your own room. If you’re not sure, check TV Licence rules for tenants and lodgers.

Won’t my parents’ licence cover me?

Your parents’ licence will not cover you while you’re away at uni unless you only use a device that’s powered solely by its own internal batteries and not connected to the mains.

What if I’m not at uni for the summer?

If you’re leaving your halls or rented accommodation and moving back home for the summer, there’s a good chance you won’t need your TV Licence if there’s one at home.

Refund policy and apply for a refund online

What if I don’t need a licence?

If you don’t need a TV Licence, let TV Licensing know so that they can update their details. They won’t then send you any letters for approximately two years.

Do I pay for water?

Water may be included in your rent. If not, inform Yorkshire Water of the day you move in and the day you move out, so that you do not end up paying someone else’s bill.

You can make arrangements to pay by instalments, both for metered and unmeasured supplies.

Contact Yorkshire Water (if within their customer area)

 

Overdue water bill?

You can't be cut off, but you can be taken to court.

For further information when there are problems with your bill contact Ofwat.

Travel

Student MCard

A 19-25 or Student Photo MCard from Metro allows countywide travel and costs £25.60 per week or £95.10 per month and allows unlimited travel on bus and limited rail travel in West Yorkshire. Or, a bus-only Photo MCard will cost £16.50 per week or £61.30 per month.

First Buses

You can get special student rates for bus travel around Leeds on First Buses. Take a look at the offer of a £35 monthly pass on the First Bus App.

There is a £1.20 fare per journey on the First Bus App on buses running between Headingley and Leeds University on services 1, 6/8, 27, 28 and 56; the University Single Fare Journey.

16-25 Railcard

 If you are aged 16-25 or a full-time student over 25 you can get a 16-25 Railcard and save a third on train fares in the UK.

There is a free shuttle bus which runs from City Campus to Headingley Campus during the week. see Public transport | student information | Leeds Beckett University for bus times.

Our university can offer students free comprehensive travel insurance for university-related travel outside of the UK, such as placements, field trips and university volunteering trips. University-related insurance cover can be provided for up to four-week holidays if a student is staying in the same country as the university-related travel.

NHS charges

Use the NHS Eligibility Checker to find out if you can full help with healthcare costs.

If you can't get full help then use Claim Form HC1 to apply for help to reduce the cost of NHS charges through the Low Income Scheme

You can get an HC1 from your doctor, dentist or optician, or online.

Consumer rights

How can I find out more about my rights?

Knowing your rights under consumer law could save you money: visit the Government Consumer Rights page

To get help and advice about your rights, phone Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133

Citizens Advice Consumer Service

Students in higher education also have consumer rights: Higher Education: Guide to Consumer Rights for Students

Contact money advice

We offer advice about student funding, benefits, budgeting and debt, over the phone and at appointments. We run a Money Advice Line on 0113 812 5593. It is open Monday to Thursday between 10:00 and 12:00.

Looking for something else?

There's lots of helpful advice and guidance on our student information pages. Try searching if you know what you're looking for or if you're not sure where to go, you can browse our A-Z.