Managing your money while studying
If you’re moving to York for your studies, getting to grips with your spending will help you plan ahead.
If you have any concerns about managing your money, let us know. Times Higher Education shortlisted us for Uni of the Year 2023 for our cost-of-living support, so we'd love to show you what's possible.
In the meantime, take a peek at some of our students' top tips…
Outside of tuition fees, living in rented accommodation will likely be your biggest expense.
Most York students choose Uni-managed accommodation in their first year. We have plenty of options for different budgets, so prices will vary with your room choice – size, location, bathroom type, and so on.
💎 Tip: All our accommodation includes bills (electricity, water, high-speed internet, etc) and other protections (contents insurance, 24/7 security, etc). It goes a long way to simplifying your experience as a first-time budgeter.
Usually, students look for private accommodation from their second year of study onwards. Again, York has options to suit, and we’re always on-hand to help you through the process.
💎 Tip: You’ll likely be eligible to pay less or no council tax as a student here. Make sure you talk to City of York Council when you’re moving in to avoid paying what you don’t need.
Like your rent, how much you spend on food will vary a good deal based on where you shop and what you eat.
York is home to all major supermarkets (with two Nisas on campus), and all kinds of cafes, bars and restaurants, so you’re well covered for choice.
💎 Tip: Lots of our accommodation options are catered, which means you’ll get ten meals a week included in your room price.
💎 Tip: Our Meals in Advance Deal gives all students the chance to get in on the action, too. They’re another good way to take some stress out of your spend.
You’ll likely want to set aside some money for shopping (clothes, homeware, etc), and socialising (activities, sports, etc).
York’s high-street brands and independent shops have all bases covered. The city hosts plenty of cultural festivals, too, so there’s usually a cheap (or free) activity to get stuck into all year round.
💎 Tip: A lot of York’s businesses give student discounts. Apps like UNiDAYS, Student Beans and TOTUM will keep you in the loop about what’s on offer where.
💎 Tip: Our hundreds of student-led groups are your gateway to affordable socialising, helping you keep fit and connected while you’re with us.
As a close-knit, sustainable city, York is well suited to walking and cycling. Plenty of York students get around without cars, cutting out plenty of travel costs entirely. We have secure storage and free maintenance for bikers in need.
💎 Tip: There are free shuttle buses between Campus West and Campus East, and cheap fares into the city centre.
York is one of the most connected cities in the UK, with regular trains to help you visit home.
💎 Tip: If you’re looking to travel by train regularly, think about buying a Student Travel Card. They’ll likely save you money in the long run.
Depending on your degree, you’ll want to factor in the cost of study materials: any required reading for your course, and anything else to help you along.
💎 Tip: Before you buy, see if you can borrow. We have over a million books and other resources in our main library, and more for specialised topics across other archives on campus and in the city.
Last up, keep in mind any trips and other study opportunities you might want to get involved in. Our course pages will let you know more about what’s on offer, and what help we can give you.
💎 Tip: When you’re a student, you can apply for our York Futures Scholarship to help with the cost of course expenses, like travel to placements, and other programmes to grow your skills.
Extra support
- Our cost of living hub is always on hand to give York students a huge range of support and advice.
- Our funding opportunities and government loans can help cover your living expenses while studying.
- Part-time jobs and paid internships on campus and across the city can give your finances a boost.
- UCAS’s budget calculator is a good way to work out how much you'll spend when living independently.
