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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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hugoagogo · 29/09/2017 08:38

I worked out how much to send ds by looking at how much I gave him at 6th form ( bus fare, lunch money, pocket money) and added on £35 a week for food, toiletries and books.

GnomeDePlume · 29/09/2017 10:40

Do look at bursaries as well. Many universities do have discretionary funds available for the price of an application.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 29/09/2017 17:17

We pay the difference between the maintenance loan and DDs rent and then give her £250 pm to live on. She is very good at budgeting and isn't much of a drinker. From what we give her she pays for her phone, travel, gym membership, books etc. We do sometimes send her treats and generally do an online shop for her at the start of each term. But so far she hasn't dipped into overdraft (which most of her flat mates seem to have done).

Fffion · 29/09/2017 18:16

I don't think you can generalise about the costs regionally.

DS2 paid more for accommodation in Bristol than DS1 paid in London, and it was easier to live cheaply in London (no public transport costs). DS1 got £5000 student loan (as does DD1), but DS2 and DD2 only £3500.

DD2's accommodation is £4800 for self-catered shared bathroom. It's close to campus and in the city centre so no fares. She eats lunch in her flat. She's been there three weeks and spent about £20 so far.

We are paying for DD's accommodation and flights/train home. She is paying for everything else.

TheFairyCaravan · 29/09/2017 18:24

We pay for DS2's phone, insurance, food, books and equipment. If he needs extra money he asks for it but it's rare that he does.

He gets a bursary and a small loan, as he's a student nurse. It's not enough to live on so he's been working from 3 weeks into his first year. He's never come home at Easter, he only comes home for 2 weeks in the Summer but does come home at Christmas. He's done really well with his money tbf. He's got savings behind him and doesn't have an overdraft despite being in the third year.

VioletCharlotte · 29/09/2017 20:00

Thanks everyone. I guess what I'm trying to work out is how much does he need to live on? I'll continue to pay for his phone, and on top of that I'd want to cover books and food. Does about £75 a week sound right?

OP posts:

Fffion · 29/09/2017 20:03

Is £75 just for books and food?

Books will be an upfront cost, not weekly. Food would be more like 15 -20 per week.

hugoagogo · 29/09/2017 20:30

£15 a week for food, sounds awfully mean.
That's only a bit more than I give my dd for lunches over five days.

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!

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 .

OP posts:

Fffion · 29/09/2017 20:58

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

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.

Fffion · 29/09/2017 21:02

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

Seti · 29/09/2017 21:03

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

That's amazing.

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.

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:

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??

Fffion · 29/09/2017 21:26

No, self-catered.

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

She doesn't drink.

dingit · 29/09/2017 21:31

£3500 at Surrey, non catered.

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 21:32

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

Fffion · 29/09/2017 21:37

Surrey has ace accommodation, dingit.

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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 21:39

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.

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.

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