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Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Higher education

University students and money

58 replies

VioletCharlotte · 28/09/2017 19:42

After initially saying he wants to go to a local uni next year and live at home, my DS has now decided he wants to look at one further away as the course looks more suitable.

I want him to have the choice to go if this is what he wants, but I'm a bit concerned about money. I've calculated the maintenance grant he'll be entitled to - about £6,500 - and I know self catering halls are approx £4,500. My question is, how much money do they need a week to live on? I need to work out if it's affordable for him to go. I'm a single parent, and although my salary is quite good, my outgoings are high, I haven't got a huge amount left at the end of each month.

Any advice greatly appreciated

OP posts:

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Needmoresleep · 05/10/2017 22:34

Bubbles, have your daughters not heard of Tupperware? Mine, without and suggestion from me, both chose to make packed lunches. I assume it is a bit like school where those with packed lunches sit together and are sociable with each other (and relieved they don't have to join the queue.)

kath6144 · 05/10/2017 21:53

Dental is after their 19th birthday. DS booked dentist last year before he turned 19, was free, he went in Sept and had to pay. He was a bit shocked I think.

I have a feeling that eye tests are same but not sure.

optimistical · 05/10/2017 21:08

when they go into higher education does anyone know what age do they stop getting free eye/dental care ,as i thought with being students and still studing this could continue. thanks in advance.

hellsbells99 · 01/10/2017 22:54

Both DDs have been home for the night after 2 weeks. DD2 is surprised by how much she has spent on food shopping as she was catered last year. DD1 has been laughing at her and telling her to batch cook etc. DD1 said 1 of her friends had already spent £300 of her loan on new clothes. She said she much preferred our method of giving them money monthly. A lot of their friends have the set up where parents pay for rental costs, leaving their DCs with their loans to live off.

GnomeDePlume · 01/10/2017 20:24

BubblesBuddy while I agree they need to enjoy their time they do need to learn to manage within their means. In DD1's first year she had a couple of flatmates who quickly developed expensive habits: regular Costa trips, shopping, takeaways. They quickly burned their way through their available funds including overdraft (they boasted about this).

BubblesBuddy · 01/10/2017 17:30

I think that students do like to socialise or university will be lonely. There is nothing wrong with meeting friends for a coffee or tea. The students living further away from university (e.g. Stoke Bishop at Bristol) don't go back for lunch unless they have finished for the day. You need to factor in some entertainment and pleasure! It is how students make friends!

Fffion · 29/09/2017 21:49

DD is only in her first year, so she has that bridge yet to cross.

PUGaLUGS · 29/09/2017 21:48

DS gets minimum maintenance loan, we top it up so he can pay his rent.

We also put £65 a week into his account. He pays for his own phone. If he needs new clothes then I put extra money into his account although he rarely asks for anything.

If he comes home for a visit we pay his train fare. Sometimes we take him back in the car if I have made him meals for the freezer.

Seti · 29/09/2017 21:47

Thanks, I thought Edinburgh was crazy expensive after the first year. I would have thought the same about Surrey too.

It's surprising how much the accommodation costs varies. It's definitely something getting DD to bear in mind.

Fffion · 29/09/2017 21:39

Forgot about laundry, as DD's £4800 accommodation comes with free washer and drier. There are only four in her flat so the washer is fairly easy to negotiate.

VioletCharlotte · 29/09/2017 21:39

Thanks everyone. £75 would be the amount he has in total figure - so what's left of his maintenance loan, plus my contribution.

OP posts:

Fffion · 29/09/2017 21:37

Surrey has ace accommodation, dingit.

dingit · 29/09/2017 21:32

Dd has started with £70. A load of washing cost £4.60

MollyHuaCha · 29/09/2017 21:31

£75 sounds good to me. They will have to pay for food, toiletries, travel, laundry, sports, course materials, printing/photocopying as well as socializing. The occasional day time coffee with friends too -I f people on your course decide to sit in Costa to discuss a group project, it's nice to be able to join in.

dingit · 29/09/2017 21:31

£3500 at Surrey, non catered.

Fffion · 29/09/2017 21:26

No, self-catered.

Edinburgh, although her allocated place is on the expensive side.

She doesn't drink.

lalaloopyhead · 29/09/2017 21:14

Ffion I assume your daughter isn't posting pics of tequila shots on snapchat on a nightly basis like my DD then! I've had quiet word with her about budgeting and things seemed to have slowed down after Freshers week.
£75 sounds a lot to me given based on the loan he would get, but if you feel you can afford it then why not?
My DD is paying £4700 for shared bathroom accommodation so yes, I would be interested to know where these £3k places are??

VioletCharlotte · 29/09/2017 21:10

The self catered rooms with shared facilities at the uni my DS is looking at are £115 a week so £4,255. Most people I've spoken to irl have said they're paying between £4 and £6,500. We're in the SE (not London though) so maybe it's northern unis are cheaper? X

OP posts:

Seti · 29/09/2017 21:04

Can I ask what uni would be low £3k please? I'm definitely encouraging DD to head where it's cheaper.

Seti · 29/09/2017 21:03

Ffion, your DD has only spent £20 in three weeks? Is she in catered?

That's amazing.

Fffion · 29/09/2017 21:02

That's a lot. I've seen rooms starting in the low 3000s.

Seti · 29/09/2017 21:01

Please tell me where these cheap uni rooms are! The lowest we've had with ours is £5800 self catered.

The others were over £6k for a standard hall.

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Fffion · 29/09/2017 20:58

Surely you can work out food and all the other costs. You know your so; we don't.

VioletCharlotte · 29/09/2017 20:55

I give him £15 a week for lunch at 6th form! My parents gave me £35 a week in the 90s. And it's not just food is it, its money for the launderette, toiletries, stationary. I just want to make sure he's comfortable and can manage without running up overdrafts and credit cards .

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Fffion · 29/09/2017 20:36

It's doable. My DS did this in London for four years. If they are on a budget, they can have their lunches in their flat, or take a packed lunch.

My DD, who is a fresher, is already batch cooking and using leftovers. I think she is worried about spending too much too soon. She is also getting a fair few free meals a week. I am sure she will relax a bit soon.

My DCs have actually have plenty of money, but they have chosen to be frugal. No Costa coffee habits here!

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