Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

University living costs

280 replies

Tevion28 · 15/08/2021 20:52

Hi posting here for traffic but do any of you have dc going off to university this year and will be subsidising them or leaving them to it.
Have found that my ds will have £179 a month left for first 3 months after he has paid his rent. This is supposed to cover food, travel clothes. Whats your experience of any dc you already have at uni.

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 16/08/2021 11:55

When I was at university at the beginning of the century...
There were those who expected to go out every night to the premium clubs
Those who went to the more expensive places once a week or fortnight and to the student places the rest of the time
Those who were working at the 24hr supermarket every night

And everything in between. Some started out the first type and soon realised money didn't grow on trees. Most were in the middle... worked for money when we could, economised on everything we could to afford fun... and basically learnt to stand on our two feet.

Obviously cost of living has increased... but the Money doesn't grow on Trees lesson still applies. Big difference between making sure there is enough money for rent, bills, food and books and still having enough time for lectures and study, and funding a multiple party lifestyle.

Work out the minimum he needs to live, add a bit extra for fun... and encourage him to learn to live within his means.

Comefromaway · 16/08/2021 11:55

In my experience (my son recently left uni) the loan was more than sufficient to pay his rent. He ran a car and never needed any family support. His loan was enough to cover everything.

But how much loan did your son actually get? Some students get £9k loan, some get £6k. Others something in between. There is a big difference.

Jerseygirl12 · 16/08/2021 11:56

My DC got 4K.

choirmumoftwo · 16/08/2021 12:00

DS and DD both had minimum loan. We paid their rent then they lived off the loan, which is around £100 per week in term time. DS worked and DD has a scholarship. They haven't needed anything from us other than rent.

TractorAndHeadphones · 16/08/2021 12:00

@BarbaraofSeville

I also think that parents comparing their own student life experiences with now is irrelevant. The world has changed

But there's still the same number of hours in a week and surely still the same expectation that if you want 'extras' like multiple nights out a week that are a taxi ride away that you work to fund these rather than solely relying on your parents and student loans?

The difference is that some degrees require a lot more effort for the same reward. If my DC was aiming for a career that requires lots of out of classroom work for their degree I’d be happy to support so that they didn’t have to work. With a reasonable amount for extras such as a couple of nights out a week, takeaways every now and then etc.

If they’re that hardworking they’re mature and will have a demanding professional job once they graduate anyway. I don’t need to withhold money to ‘school’ them

Oblomov21 · 16/08/2021 12:01

Mn spectrum of parents never ceases to amaze me.
No student working. This is the norm these days?

I did loads of jobs at Uni, bar work, anything, admittedly donkeys years ago. I expect Ds1 to manage one shift at Sainsbury's on a Saturday day. Not exactly a hardship is it?

Comefromaway · 16/08/2021 12:05

@Oblomov21

Mn spectrum of parents never ceases to amaze me. No student working. This is the norm these days?

I did loads of jobs at Uni, bar work, anything, admittedly donkeys years ago. I expect Ds1 to manage one shift at Sainsbury's on a Saturday day. Not exactly a hardship is it?

I expected the same. But no shop or supermarket would take my daughter for 1 shift a week on a Saturday. They all wanted full flexibility throughout the week or to commit to 5 overnight shifts shelf stacking/picking.

The job dd just got requires a minimum of 20 hours per week.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 16/08/2021 12:08

@Tevion28

Ds reckons he wants at least 3 nights out a week and with that comes taxis
Pardon?

Give him a blunt pair of scissors and advise that he cuts his cloth according to his circumstances.

Maybe get a job in bar and combine a night out with earning?

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 16/08/2021 12:14

@Comefromaway

In my experience (my son recently left uni) the loan was more than sufficient to pay his rent. He ran a car and never needed any family support. His loan was enough to cover everything.

But how much loan did your son actually get? Some students get £9k loan, some get £6k. Others something in between. There is a big difference.

Exactly

My children’s maintenance loan would be under 4k…wouldn’t even cover rent

RampantIvy · 16/08/2021 12:15

@Oblomov21 I think the days of working just Saturdays, especially in retail, aren't as widely available these days with zero hours contracts and expectations of flexible working.

chaos76 · 16/08/2021 12:17

there are lots of other costs depending on the course, law books cost a fortune and some IT/ media courses need expensive equipment that isnt always supplied by the uni.

my dd was really good with her money but sometimes too good so i would tell her of for not relaxing and treating herself a bit even if it was just a take away when she was up to her eyes studying.

DS eventally learnt how to budget he and his flat mates all bought the shoping together to cover the 5 of them as it was cheaper than everyone shopping individually

just be prepared that basics for uni can be more expensive than you think and nights out shouldnt be at your cost so if he is spending all his money on more expensive things than he should and nights out i wouldnt top him up (unless he was really struggling for food im not a monster )

Comefromaway · 16/08/2021 12:17

Dd studied near to a very well known retail park. She was willing and able to work Saturdays and Sundays but was not available in the week as her course hours were 8.30am to between 4-6pm Mon-Fri.

Everwhere wanted at least 2 weekdays at times she was not available in addition to weekends and also the flexibility to cover for absences.

Intercity225 · 16/08/2021 12:21

I expect Ds1 to manage one shift at Sainsbury's on a Saturday day. Not exactly a hardship is it?

Good luck with that! DD1 applied to work 3 x 6 hour shifts in a major supermarket in her gap year. She was offered a zero hours contract and ended up working 55 hours over 6 days a week! Even then, they wanted her to work the 7th day!

Limewine · 16/08/2021 12:25

I’m happy to pay for a few nights out - it’s an essential part of the uni experience IMO. I want them to enjoy their time a uni - within reason of course!

Yourownpersonaljesus · 16/08/2021 12:27

@Tevion28

Thanks for input i acknowledge that I'm probably more giving than alot of parents bit of a soft touch I am. I want him to have a good life at uni. Just to ask regarding ds getting a job how the hell do they get one that will work around thier studies as alot ask more specific hours.
My DD has just finished her degree and had a job on campus throughout. She worked in a cafe and a bar and loved both jobs. They were were very flexible, allowing her to work less hours when she needed to. There will be someone he can contact at the uni regarding campus jobs.
justasking111 · 16/08/2021 12:27

We're not paying for drinking taxis. DS walks everywhere as do his flat mates.

All Three of ours got jobs at sixteen. I worry how students who have never interacted in the workplace will fare in their first job

Caspianberg · 16/08/2021 12:58

It’s very unfair system. My parents earnt higher but wouldn’t pay any contributions. Therefore I would have received a low grant, but no top up.
I didn’t go to university in the end for this reason.

If Ds in future wants to go to uni ( it’s currently still free where we now live), I would try and give him a reasonable amount if we can afford it, simply to make those few year easier.

TractorAndHeadphones · 16/08/2021 12:59

@justasking111

We're not paying for drinking taxis. DS walks everywhere as do his flat mates.

All Three of ours got jobs at sixteen. I worry how students who have never interacted in the workplace will fare in their first job

Paid work isn’t necessarily the most workplace relevant. Running student clubs, volunteering, projects etc can all be of higher value. My university mates who ran student society events (involving external sponsors), or worked with charities had more relevant organising/stakeholder management skills compared to their peers. They had to influence people, balance conflicting priorities , coordinate between various groups etc.

It’s a lot harder than bar/supermarket work in terms of succeeding and that’s why it’s so attractive to employers. I’d rather my DC spend their time on the above than working when they don’t need to

Annietheangst · 16/08/2021 12:59

Grateful for this thread! Our DS is starting uni next month. He won't be working & his maintenance loan doesn't completely cover the accommodation rental. We were planning on giving him £50 a week for food & laundry. He's worked the last year to have funds for his own socialising & clothes. Though we have bought all his 'stuff' Like bedding etc & kitchen things too of course. Maybe we should up it a bit? He's going to keep us posted though as to whether it is enough .I just want to be funding broccoli not beer GrinAnyone else's kids going to Bournemouth?

KatieB55 · 16/08/2021 13:01

Mine all worked at uni doing shop, events or bar work. For one it meant staying at uni during holidays and swapping shifts to get home for Christmas. Three years continuous employment and a great reference were really valuable, as well as having his own money to run his car.

gogohm · 16/08/2021 13:17

My dcs rent is £1000 more than her loan, this isn't new, my parents had to give me money 24 years ago. The living cost loan has been means tested since at least the late 80's

gogohm · 16/08/2021 13:17

Well was grant but still means tested

gogohm · 16/08/2021 13:28

Good luck with you negotiations @Tevion28

3 nights a week and taxis, no I don't pay for that. My dc have £75 a week after rent. They both seem to have plenty of cash this summer, more than me!

justasking111 · 16/08/2021 13:30

@TractorAndHeadphones well all mine did bar, farm work, two are on six figure salaries third still at university. It's about work ethic . Two employers said to us they're a credit to your parenting. Well no they're a credit to their own efforts

user1487194234 · 16/08/2021 13:38

This year we will be paying £1100 per month for each of them,
Rent around £600
Leaving £100 a week for everything else

We pay phone contracts ,contact lenses and do a big shop every term

They don't have loans (Scotland) and don't work term time