Cost of living in London

[Nicmarmum]

DD is going to start her first year of university studies in London. She won't be eligible to any government grant and loan. May I know how much will be a reasonable cost of living per week in London for. university student? (excl. rents and school fees). She knows how to cook and will be cooking most of her dinner in the dormitory.

There is a lot of helpful info on the UCAS website.

I won’t lie, it’s pricey.

dd went to drama school 3 years ago & wasn’t eligible for any student finance. We paid her rent in a gritty shared house which was £550 per month plus bills. It’s now gone up to at least £700-750 per month plus bills.

Her halls might be subsidised in the first year but be aware of costs in subsequent years. You could be looking at £230-£250 per week in private halls.

as for living costs dd worked to fund that. I’d say you need at least £70 per week to live on. More if you live further away from your halls/too far to walk/cycle.

in order to get to her job dd spent about £30 per week on travel.

The Government for English students studying in London with parents with very little money gives a loan of £13,348 a year so take off her rent from that and that is what students with parents who don't work or have very little income will have.

@Nicmarmum

Do you know in which part of London she would be living, OP?

@TheSquareMile She will be living in Central London - North bank of River Thames.

That's a big area, though.

Do you know more precisely?

One of DD's friends is in one of the cheapest halls at UCL and it costs £300 per week. This is just for the room. Food is on top of that.

This thread has just started and may be useful to you as some will self fund.

Thrills and spills of studying in London www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/5144963-thrills-and-spills-of-studying-in-london

Even if they get the full loan it isn't going to be enough to live - they will need to have the loan subsidised by parents or by working.

University halls for my dd are 11.5K alone for the year- that is for a small single room without ensuite and uncatered. They are also out of central London near Camberwell so will have to travel into London daily to attend the university.