Student finance
Cost of living
This page is to help students who are thinking about the cost of living
while at University.
Undergraduate
For an undergraduate student living on the University campus for the 39
week academic year, a student will need in the region of £6,500 to £8,500 to
cover living expenses. The table below gives a sample budget, per term, for
an undergraduate student at the University of Essex.
|
Living cost |
Cost per year |
|
Accommodation (Single Campus Room)
|
£2,550 - £4,525 |
|
Food
(@ £49 per week) |
£1,470 |
|
Books/study equipment
|
£450 |
|
Leisure
|
£850 |
|
Clothes
|
£475 |
|
Local Travel
|
£300 |
|
Miscellaneous
|
£350 |
|
Total |
£6,445 - £8,420 |
Postgraduate
Taught Masters and research degrees require attendance on campus for
50 weeks of the year, so the living costs will be higher for
postgraduates. An estimate of likely living costs for a
single student living in a single room on campus is provided below:
|
Living cost |
Per 50 weeks |
|
Single campus room
|
£3,717 to £5,800
|
|
Food (@ £49 per week)
|
£2450
|
|
Books and stationery
|
£600
|
|
Clothing, toiletries etc
|
£600
|
|
Local travel
|
£400
|
|
Leisure (CDs, cinema etc)
|
£600
|
|
Range |
£8,367 to £10,450
|
|
Average |
£9,410 |
Based on our and our students' experience, The University of Essex
believes that, to study at one of our campuses, students living in a
single campus room will need
between £6,500 and £8,500 for a 39-week course or between £8,370 and
£10,450 for 50 weeks.
For applicants accompanied by dependants, the cost of living will be
considerably higher depending on the choice of accommodation, size of
family and individual requirements.
For students who will require a student visa the UK Border Agency is
currently quoting £600 per month or £5,400 per year for living expenses in
the UK and therefore student visa applicants will be required to show
availability of this level of funds in making a visa application.
Please note that this amount is for single students. If you have a spouse
and/or dependants you will need to provide evidence of further income.