What does it Cost to Live in London
as a Student?

Student living costs in London

According to one of London’s universities – King’s College London – the estimated average London cost of living for a student is around £1334 per month. This is, of course, in addition to any tuition fees you may pay (if you don’t have a student loan), and also depends on the area you choose to live in, as some areas have a higher price for their student accommodation.

For example, the National Union of Students, known as NUS, has estimated that student accommodation in London can cost between £1200 a month to £2500 per month, but this can vary depending on the area and type of housing you choose. So, it’s clear that the living cost in London for students is higher than in other areas in the UK, but that doesn’t mean that studying in this incredible city isn’t worth it.

However, it’s not just rent costs you should consider when thinking about your cost of living and how to budget for it. Keep reading to learn more about what other living expenses you might still need to think about!

Transportation

I’m sure you know by now, but London is a big city. Whether you live in central London or just on the outskirts, you’ll need to get around easily. If you’re a driver, you need to consider the cost of running and filling up your car with fuel and the cost of possible parking charges. On the other hand, if you don’t drive, you can quickly get around on London’s well-known tube, or take the bus.

London caters to students well in terms of offering cheaper travel and discounts, so you should be able to get around with ease without breaking the bank.

Plus, if you know you’ll be using public transport a lot, it could be handy for you to get an Oyster card. If you apply online, you can save 30% on travel cards and bus and tram pass season tickets just for being a student. Alternatively, you can use the pay-as-you-go system to top up your card when needed.

Food shopping

Making sure you have a fully stocked fridge/freezer and cupboards are essential. It’s easy to forget about buying groceries and think eating out is tastier and more convenient. However, you’ll soon find that you’re burning through your monthly budget faster than you anticipated.

You might also find that you’ve started to feel groggy and lack energy. Believe it or not, eating out every night and eating fast food and/or solely microwave meals, although they can taste great at the time, can slowly drain your money and energy. Eating a balanced diet is essential to ensure you’re in top form, not just for your studies but for your own peace of mind and mental and physical health.

On average, a food shop in London costs about £23 per week. Of course, this depends on where you buy your food shop and what items you buy. But, if you’re smart and shop at cheaper supermarkets like Aldi or Lidl, you can save quite a bit on your weekly food shop! Plus, you can even pick up some of your toiletries and essentials there cheaper too!

Having fun!

There’s a whole heap of stuff to do in and around London, and it’s easy to get lost in the sense of adventure when you first move there. You’ll never run out of things to do and find new places to explore… but remember to budget for them!

Of course, you can explore the city and go for a nice walk in the park without having to spend a penny (unless you have to pay for travel), but when you want to get involved in activities with your pals, you’re going to need some money!

On average, you’ll need around £59 per month, so you can go out and have a good time. However, it’s a general rule that the closer you get to the city centre, the more expensive things will become. Try to keep this in mind when you’re planning your next day trip or night out. Making sure you have enough money for the things you want to do will help you to relax and enjoy the student experience.

University supplies

This one can easily slip your mind and catch you off guard if you’re not careful! Most uni courses require you to purchase study materials such as textbooks and software to complete your course. The bad news is that most of these don’t come cheap. You can scour the library for a copy or even the internet for a PDF version, but you’ll have to purchase some books yourself.

Depending on the book needed and the course you take, you may be able to grab a great deal and get it secondhand. So, it’s always worth a look around before you buy a brand-new copy. The average amount of money spent on university supplies varies on how much the course supplies you with and how much they expect you to source yourself. To ensure you don’t get caught out, it’s a good idea to have an “emergency supply fund” for cases like this.