Budgeting for life in the UK

Living in Exeter or Falmouth is comparable to living in any other major UK town or city and your cost of living will depend a great deal on your lifestyle. It is estimated that a single student living in Exeter or Cornwall will need approximately £900 – £1,300 a month to meet basic living expenses such as accommodation costs, food, books, equipment and other necessities. The information below should help you begin to plan your finances for living in the UK. Another easy way to understand costs and budgeting in the UK please look at Cost of studying in the UK | Study UK (britishcouncil.org) and Cost of Living Estimator in Exeter, United Kingdom (numbeo.com).

You will find that your student status will give you discounts at a wide variety of shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and more besides. These discounts are usually advertised but don’t be afraid to ask!

If you do not live in catered halls, you will need to budget for food. Prices are rising at the time of printing and so we would recommend looking at any of the large supermarket retailers online sites to understand costs. There are many outlets for buying food on campus and a hot meal ranges from £2.00 – £9.00. Food prices are very different depending on where you shop and what products you buy. Supermarkets often have ‘own-label’ brands which are cheaper than more recognised brands and reward cards which can make items cheaper. You could also explore local markets or bulk buying.

Food from overseas

British shops and larger supermarkets stock a wide range of products including food imported from other countries and food meeting religious requirements, for example, Halal. There are also many local ethnic stores where you can find food you are used to eating at home. Please note, however; prices are often much higher than at home.

If you choose to live in private rented accommodation, the cost of heating may not be included in your rent. If you are not used to cold or damp weather, you may need to keep the heating on for eight months of the year and this may add significantly to your bills. Allow a minimum of £700 for the year. Heating and lighting is included in the cost of university accommodation.