money and budgeting

Financing your studies

“How do I pay for university?” is a common question we get at Open Days and Applicant Days. The answer is that there are lots of funding options out there, so take the time to find out what you are entitled to. Our Student Money Advice Team can help you with all things money related. They will provide you with all the information you’ll need about funding available to you, as well as tips for student budgeting or support with debt.

Money advice presentation Hear from our Money Advice team as they talk you through funding and support that is available to you.

Managing your money as a student isn't as scary as you think. And remember, we are here to help you.

Top five tips for getting part-time work Getting a part-time job while you're studying can help you boost not only your pocket but also your CV.

Having a plan to manage your money at university means there’s less chance of you being caught short and more chance of enjoying your experience.

You will find a student finance timeline below to help ensure your funding is in place for your university start date. It's also important to plan your student budget. Budgeting is as simple as looking at the money you’ve got coming into your account and what you need to spend. To help you with this, we’ve created a student budget calculator for you below.

Hello there!

Budgeting for university can feel like a complicated process. We've created this handy budget calculator to make it easier for you to plan for your exciting university adventure.

Rent
Utilities
Other
Budget
Section 01

Rent


This section focuses on your rent which will vary depending on which accommodation option you decide to choose.



Please select an accommodation type

Deciding what type of accommodation to live in can be a big decision. There is lots to think about. Remember while university accommodation may look more expensive than a private house your bills will normally be included in the overall price and you may even get services included such as cleaning! It is also a great way to mix with people from a range of courses.

Many students save money by living at home but be sure to think about planning your journey and if there may be additional costs such as buying a car and paying for parking. You may also need to speak to your parents to see if they will be expecting you to contribute finically. Also bear in mind you will also receive a lower amount to maintenance loan.

There are lots of private providers who rent to students with a wide range of accommodation options from large apartment complexes to individual houses. It is always important to understand what you are paying for and who you will be sharing with. We would recommend you speak to Unipol the student housing charity before signing any contracts.

Section 02

Utility & Bills


Add the amount that you expect to spend on bills, each month. Remember if everyone in your house is a student you don't pay council tax.

Bill is included in your University rent.

On average our student ambassadors said they spent £20 a month on electric.

Bill is included in your University rent.

On average our student ambassadors said they spent £20 a month on gas.

Bill is included in your University rent.

On average our student ambassadors said they spent £10 a month on water.

Bill is included in your University rent.

On average our student ambassadors said they spent £5 a month on internet.

Section 03

Other Bills


This section focuses on your rent which will vary depending on which accommodation option you decide to choose.

On average our student ambassadors said they spent £30 a week on groceries.

On average our student ambassadors said they spent £25 a month on their phone bill.

Transport costs will depend on exactly where you live and how much you travel. A student's bus pass costs approximately £1 per trip.

Student gym membership available from £9/month at our sports centres.

On average our student ambassadors said they spent £25 a week on entertainment & going out.

Many courses have no additional costs but you can check this on our course finder.

Outgoings:

Income:

*

Total monthly outgoings

Total monthly income

Total weekly outgoings

Total weekly income

Work out your income

You can now compare how your required budget compares to your student loan and other sources of income (https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator).

Don't forget there are lots of deals available to students, speak to the Leeds Beckett Students' Union about getting a TOTUM card to access these.

Income:

Total monthly income

Total weekly income

student view

Take a look through our Blog Squad pages to find out how our students have budgeted while at university.

Student vlog Feeding four people for five pounds

Learning to budget doesn't have to be a scary prospect. It simply requires setting out what you NEED to spend money on and what you want to. You should be able have enough money for accommodation, food, university equipment/books and still have a fair amount leftover to do things that you enjoy.

CHAT TO A STUDENT

What better way to find out about university life than from our students? They can give you first hand insights about your chosen course, accommodation, student life in Leeds, what to expect and how to prepare. Send them a message on our online chat platform and they will be happy to help.

next steps

get in touch

If you want to know more about student finance or managing your money, you can call or email our Student Money Advice team. Or, if you want more information about university life, our courses or what to expect when you get here, you can chat to one of our amazing Student Ambassadors or stay in touch by providing us with a few contact details.