Living costs and budgeting Plan your budget
To make sure you have enough money for your accommodation, living and study costs at university, it’s a good idea to plan your budget early.
The information on this page is provided as a guideline only, based on average spending. You should calculate your own budget.
- If you are an international student, and you have met financial requirements for your visa, you should still work out a personal budget separately.
- Budget for the amount you would need without getting a job. You may be able to work during your studies, but it will depend on the demands of your course and, if you are an international student, whether your visa allows you to work in the UK.
- Be aware that living costs may change and be affected by changes in currency exchange rates.
Estimated costs per week
The following tables are estimates for 2024 based on the latest data available. The actual amount will depend on your accommodation and lifestyle. They don’t include tuition fees.
| Accommodation | Estimated cost per week |
|---|---|
| University accommodation, self-catered | £114 to £229 |
| University accommodation, catered | £200 to £261 |
| Private accommodation, self-catered | £103 to £225 |
| Living expenses | Estimated cost per week |
|---|---|
| Groceries: food, toiletries and cleaning products | £30 to £35 |
| Household bills: gas and/or electricity, water and broadband internet (these are included in most university accommodation and some private accommodation) | £13 to £16 |
| Personal costs: transport, socialising, restaurants/takeaways, clothes and mobile phone | £42 to £63 |
Estimated total budget per week: approximately £188 to £324
Start your research
Calculate your own budget
Visit the Save the Student website to find budget calculators and advice.
You can use the following list to start researching costs you might need to budget for:
- Tuition fees.
- University accommodation or private accommodation. If you plan to bring your family, read information on family accommodation and the costs.
- Furniture and household items, for example for cooking, if you choose private accommodation that doesn’t include them.
- Household bills, including energy (gas and/or electricity), water and internet, if not included in your accommodation. These are included in most University accommodation and sometimes included in private accommodation, but not always, so you should check.
- Groceries such as food and cleaning supplies.
- Immigration-related costs and your flight to the UK and travel to Leeds, if you’re an international student.
- Travel to visit home or family during breaks (which may include international travel) and local transport around Leeds.
- Childcare costs, if you plan to bring your family.
- General study costs, such as printing, photocopying and stationery. You can borrow books from our libraries and use University PCs and laptops for free but you may wish to buy your own.
- Costs associated with your course. Some will be optional and depend on your modules, but may include: studying abroad, placements and field trips, conferences and skills days, professional body membership fees, specialist clothing, equipment and project materials. You can check Course Search for details.
- Mobile phone.
- Activities on campus and in the city. There are also free activities organised by the University and Leeds University Union.
- A TV licence, if you watch or record live programmes on TV and streaming services or use BBC iPlayer. You won’t need one for on-demand only streaming services such as Netflix but you will need a subscription. Check if you need a TV licence.
- Most full-time students don’t need to pay council tax, unless your course is for less than a year or you live with part-time students or non-students (including a non-British partner).
Tips on saving money and financial support
- Visit our cost of living hub for tips on how to budget, save money and financial support.