Costs of Living
Living expenses in the UK might be higher than what you are used
to, but with some planning and a sensible budget, you will find
that living in the UK can be affordable. In addition to tuition
fees, you will need to budget for living expenses such as
accommodation, food and travel. We recommend you budget about
£7,200 per year to cover these costs.
From the moment you accept your offer to study with us it is
important to start thinking about money and how you will support
yourself whilst in the UK. The earlier you start saving
money for your studies, the better! On this page we will try
to provide a bit of information about money and finances, so
hopefully there will not be any unpleasant surprises once you
arrive in York.
Can I work while studying?
If you are on a degree programme and have a Tier 4 visa, you
will normally be able to work 20 hours per week during term time
and 40 hours per week during holidays only (Christmas, Easter, and
summer breaks). You must not work more than your visa specifies,
doing so is illegal and could cause you serious problems.
If you are in the UK on a Student Visitor visa or for less than
6 months, then NO, you will not be able to work at all. This means
you must have access to funds to support yourself while you are in
the UK.
For the reasons above, you must not rely on work to support
yourself. Even if you are allowed to work, it may take time to find
a job, so it is very important that you have enough money to
support yourself without working.
You must always remember that studying is your main priority!
You must make sure your job fits AROUND your studies. It is
not acceptable to miss class because of a job. Students' attendance
is monitored, especially if you have a Tier 4 visa!
Cost of Living
University accommodation prices can be found online here:
University Accommodation. Private
accommodation is also available locally, with rent generally
averaging approximately £70 per week.
York is a tourist city, so there is a huge variety of choice
when it comes to things to see and do and especially with places to
eat and drink! There is everything from coffee shops and fast food
to many sit-down, gourmet restaurants, so it's always a good idea
to read menus before you go into a restaurant. A meal for 2
people at an average sit-down restaurant can easily come to about
£50 if you have a starter, drinks, and a main course. Pub meals are
often around £7-£9 each, so a bit cheaper.
Cinema tickets cost around £7 per person now. Theatre tickets
can cost from £8-£20, depending on where you sit.
Train travel can be very expensive for longer trips (to London
or to Edinburgh, for example) but you can get cheaper tickets if
you purchase them as far in advance as possible. Plus, you can
apply for a Young Person's Railcard when you arrive, and that will
save you up to 33% on train fare! Commuting on a train or bus every
day for class can get VERY expensive, so it is important to find
accommodation IN YORK for your studies!
York is easy to walk around, but there is also a good bus
network which can take you to places like shopping centres outside
the city. There are weekly and month passes and student discounts,
all of which can save you money on bus travel.
You should plan to spend at least £25 per week on food
and groceries, depending on where you shop. Sainsburys and
Morrisons are 2 of the large supermarket chains which are located
near the University campus. Netto is a smaller discount
supermarket. ASDA (discount) and Tesco are the other large chains,
but you have to take a bus to get to those shops.
You will need to cover the cost of contacting home, which can
vary greatly depending on your phone/internet package and where you
are contacting. Comparison sites such as Cable.co.uk offer
information on the best
student internet deals and guidance on making
cheap international calls.
There are shops like Boyes and Poundland where you can get very
cheap household items like clothes hangers, so many students choose
to visit these shops during their first few days in York!
Remember that there are student discounts available for many
things. You can apply for an NUS card from the Students' Union, plus
many tourist locations and restaurants offer student discounts, so
just remember to ask! You will receive more detailed information
about shops, restaurants, and things around York in your Arrival
Pack at the start of Welcome Week.