I'm scared about budgeting and my finance for uni
I'm fortunate for my parents to help me with my accommodation and tuition fees bc they've been saving up for me pretty much since i was born. This is a massive weight of my shoulders and i know im extremely lucky to have this bc many people wont be in the situation but im scared that i wont have enough money for everything else like food,car,shopping/hobbies etc.
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Original post by Anonymous #1
I'm fortunate for my parents to help me with my accommodation and tuition fees bc they've been saving up for me pretty much since i was born. This is a massive weight of my shoulders and i know im extremely lucky to have this bc many people wont be in the situation but im scared that i wont have enough money for everything else like food,car,shopping/hobbies etc.
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Hi there!
I'm in a similar situation to what you've described. I'm a second year student, and I receive my maintenance loan and help from family if I need it, but this money goes towards my rent and food.
I have a part time job while I'm studying, and I'd definitely recommend having some type of work while at uni. I work at a job on a 5 hour contract, meaning I must work 5 hours every week, but I can ask for more shifts if I'm available and want to earn extra. This works best for me as I still have plenty of time for uni work.
I also work as a student ambassador for BCU, which is a paid job role and most universities offer this sort of position to students. This generally means I help out at open days or events to help run the day, and again, this fits nicely around my studies.
So in regards to a job, I would recommend getting one while at uni, but try to get something that is flexible so you've got a good balance between work, uni and free time.
Thinking about free time and hobbies, I do like to treat myself every now and again. Make use of your student discount! If you're meeting some friends for food, see if there's a restaurant that offers discount, or freebies for students. Look out of clothing offers too. I use Unidays and Student Beans mostly, but I also love reward apps like Tesco Clubcard. The Mcdonald's app is great too and easily mounts up your points so you've got a free meal! And save your receipts and fill in their questionnaire fora discounted meal.
In Birmingham, there's always loads of things to do for free or on a cheaper budget. The Christmas market is on at the moment here, and it's free to walk around it. Obviously if you want any food, gifts, etc., it becomes more expensive, but for me, I love a wander round the market all wrapped up to start feeling festive. Or see if there are any events at uni that are free, or cheaper. Our quiz at The Eagle and Ball student pub hosts a quiz once a week - it's £1 per person entry and you can simply attend just the quiz, or have some food and drinks too.
I think you will be okay to still go travelling in the summer. If you start budgeting from when you first arrive, or at least try to keep your unnecessary spending to a minimum, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to go. It is a challenge at first to restrict yourself and to think about "needs" and not "wants" when thinking about your budget, but if your goal is to go travelling, set it up as a savings goal! Think about how much money you'll need for it and track your spending so that you're on track to hitting that goal.
I hope this helps, and try not to worry about money. It can be an intimidating subject, but if you are wise and allow some treats for yourself too, you should find a nice budgeting balance.
Emily
Student Ambassador at BCU
Original post by Anonymous #1
I'm fortunate for my parents to help me with my accommodation and tuition fees bc they've been saving up for me pretty much since i was born. This is a massive weight of my shoulders and i know im extremely lucky to have this bc many people wont be in the situation but im scared that i wont have enough money for everything else like food,car,shopping/hobbies etc.
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Anon,
Not everybody works at university. If your university is in the town centre, then it makes sense to work there or anywhere that is a reasonable commute, though some people just work for the university to make their life easier, as hours also tend to be more flexible.
Ideally, if it's not necessary to work while you are at university then that is the best, as it then means that you're free to focus on your studies, pursue different sports or societies and to manage your day-to-day life without having to think about work.
All that being said, if you know that there is certain lifestyle that you want to pursue at university, then even though you have money for accommodation and tuition fees then it may be useful to have a job. How much you will need will really depend on what you're willing to live without and what you feel is a necessity.
I think you will have to prioritise what you want to do most, i.e. you can just enjoy yourself at uni and not worry about money and then work over the summer, or you could try and budget at uni so that you can save money to travel.
It's really up to you.
All the best,
Oluwatosin – 3rd year student – University of Huddersfield
Original post by Anonymous #1
I'm fortunate for my parents to help me with my accommodation and tuition fees bc they've been saving up for me pretty much since i was born. This is a massive weight of my shoulders and i know im extremely lucky to have this bc many people wont be in the situation but im scared that i wont have enough money for everything else like food,car,shopping/hobbies etc.
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Hi!
With how crazy living expenses are nowadays everyone is feeling the strain so please don't worry that you're in this alone and don't feel guilty if you're worried about it, it is great that your parents can help you out and some people will have it harder but that doesn't make your concerns any less valid. 😊
I would recommend looking into living expenses guides for the city you're going too. Then you can work out how much you'll have to spend a week and how much you need. I would also recommend adding in a little money to the budgets for sports clubs if you want to join any or nights out. While uni is about doing work you also need time to chill and destress from the work so if you can afford to put that in then it'd be worth it.
Most people do get a part-time job whilst at Uni. I work for at University doing Student Ambassador and similar roles which I'd highly recommend if you can become a part of that because they're extremely understanding if you can't do certain things because of a test coming up etc and from my experience it's such a fun job and I've met some awesome people! However, that's not the only jobs that universities have for students, normally (and at Heriot-Watt) you have students working in the student shop, student union and more - so there's lots of options!
A lot of people also get jobs in town too. Coffee shops are a big one or bartending, retail also normally hire a lot of students. For getting to work because I'm in Scotland (sorry I'm not sure where you'll be heading) we have the young scot card which allows us to travel on all day-time buses for free whilst you're under 22 years old, this is amazing! But if you're not coming up to Scotland then you can normally get a yearly bus pass which will really reduce what you're paying. A couple people do drive about but that is a cost that can add up very quickly.
For summer vacations, it is definitely possible, a lot of people grab extra shifts when it isn't exam season and save throughout the year but it depends if you'd rather have more money during semester time or save that for a holiday - but that's something that you can balance and maybe change when you get to university and see if you need that extra money or if it can be saved.
I hope this helps!
- Jessica
2nd year, Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)
Original post by BCU Student Rep
Hi there!
I'm in a similar situation to what you've described. I'm a second year student, and I receive my maintenance loan and help from family if I need it, but this money goes towards my rent and food.
I have a part time job while I'm studying, and I'd definitely recommend having some type of work while at uni. I work at a job on a 5 hour contract, meaning I must work 5 hours every week, but I can ask for more shifts if I'm available and want to earn extra. This works best for me as I still have plenty of time for uni work.
I also work as a student ambassador for BCU, which is a paid job role and most universities offer this sort of position to students. This generally means I help out at open days or events to help run the day, and again, this fits nicely around my studies.
So in regards to a job, I would recommend getting one while at uni, but try to get something that is flexible so you've got a good balance between work, uni and free time.
Thinking about free time and hobbies, I do like to treat myself every now and again. Make use of your student discount! If you're meeting some friends for food, see if there's a restaurant that offers discount, or freebies for students. Look out of clothing offers too. I use Unidays and Student Beans mostly, but I also love reward apps like Tesco Clubcard. The Mcdonald's app is great too and easily mounts up your points so you've got a free meal! And save your receipts and fill in their questionnaire fora discounted meal.
In Birmingham, there's always loads of things to do for free or on a cheaper budget. The Christmas market is on at the moment here, and it's free to walk around it. Obviously if you want any food, gifts, etc., it becomes more expensive, but for me, I love a wander round the market all wrapped up to start feeling festive. Or see if there are any events at uni that are free, or cheaper. Our quiz at The Eagle and Ball student pub hosts a quiz once a week - it's £1 per person entry and you can simply attend just the quiz, or have some food and drinks too.
I think you will be okay to still go travelling in the summer. If you start budgeting from when you first arrive, or at least try to keep your unnecessary spending to a minimum, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to go. It is a challenge at first to restrict yourself and to think about "needs" and not "wants" when thinking about your budget, but if your goal is to go travelling, set it up as a savings goal! Think about how much money you'll need for it and track your spending so that you're on track to hitting that goal.
I hope this helps, and try not to worry about money. It can be an intimidating subject, but if you are wise and allow some treats for yourself too, you should find a nice budgeting balance.
Emily
Student Ambassador at BCU
I'm in a similar situation to what you've described. I'm a second year student, and I receive my maintenance loan and help from family if I need it, but this money goes towards my rent and food.
I have a part time job while I'm studying, and I'd definitely recommend having some type of work while at uni. I work at a job on a 5 hour contract, meaning I must work 5 hours every week, but I can ask for more shifts if I'm available and want to earn extra. This works best for me as I still have plenty of time for uni work.
I also work as a student ambassador for BCU, which is a paid job role and most universities offer this sort of position to students. This generally means I help out at open days or events to help run the day, and again, this fits nicely around my studies.
So in regards to a job, I would recommend getting one while at uni, but try to get something that is flexible so you've got a good balance between work, uni and free time.
Thinking about free time and hobbies, I do like to treat myself every now and again. Make use of your student discount! If you're meeting some friends for food, see if there's a restaurant that offers discount, or freebies for students. Look out of clothing offers too. I use Unidays and Student Beans mostly, but I also love reward apps like Tesco Clubcard. The Mcdonald's app is great too and easily mounts up your points so you've got a free meal! And save your receipts and fill in their questionnaire fora discounted meal.
In Birmingham, there's always loads of things to do for free or on a cheaper budget. The Christmas market is on at the moment here, and it's free to walk around it. Obviously if you want any food, gifts, etc., it becomes more expensive, but for me, I love a wander round the market all wrapped up to start feeling festive. Or see if there are any events at uni that are free, or cheaper. Our quiz at The Eagle and Ball student pub hosts a quiz once a week - it's £1 per person entry and you can simply attend just the quiz, or have some food and drinks too.
I think you will be okay to still go travelling in the summer. If you start budgeting from when you first arrive, or at least try to keep your unnecessary spending to a minimum, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to go. It is a challenge at first to restrict yourself and to think about "needs" and not "wants" when thinking about your budget, but if your goal is to go travelling, set it up as a savings goal! Think about how much money you'll need for it and track your spending so that you're on track to hitting that goal.
I hope this helps, and try not to worry about money. It can be an intimidating subject, but if you are wise and allow some treats for yourself too, you should find a nice budgeting balance.
Emily
Student Ambassador at BCU
omds i completly forgot about club cards and reward apps, thats so useful tysm!
Original post by Anonymous
I'm fortunate for my parents to help me with my accommodation and tuition fees bc they've been saving up for me pretty much since i was born.
Are you going to apply for student finance?
Original post by Anonymous #1
omds i completly forgot about club cards and reward apps, thats so useful tysm!
No worries!
It's always worth having one for most shops.
One of my faves, which may not seem like an obvious choice for students, is actually an M&S Sparks card. You can sign up and get the app on your phone, and as you shop, you end up with vouchers for items usually related to what you have bought previously.
I know M&S seems like an expensive choice, but there's actually some great deals in the food hall - like their £12 meal deals for two. You can get pizza ones, or gastropub ones and share them with a friend, or freeze some bits for another day, and they're much cheaper than a takeaway.
Also, with the Sparks app, I often get freebies! I got a free bag of Percy Pigs the other day, I've had free croissants and donuts - so maybe it's one to try!
Best of luck!
Emily 🙂
Original post by Anonymous #1
I'm fortunate for my parents to help me with my accommodation and tuition fees bc they've been saving up for me pretty much since i was born. This is a massive weight of my shoulders and i know im extremely lucky to have this bc many people wont be in the situation but im scared that i wont have enough money for everything else like food,car,shopping/hobbies etc.
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Hiya!
It is so lovely of your parent that they are such a great support 🙂 I can assure you that you can earn enough money to manage and with good money management you can even gain some savings for travel!
It is quite common at uni that students have a part-time role as they either need money to manage or want to gain relevant work experience to support their education.
In Leicester, we can find work both in the city centre and on the outskirts. However, I am living close to the campus in the heart of Leicester, so all my jobs were there. If you can find a job near the place you are staying in, it just makes things easier for you. And you save money on commuting!
Since I came to study in the UK, I have been paying independently for my living. I have always worked for around 20 hours per week. It was sufficient to pay for the student accommodation next to the campus and city centre, grocery shopping, flights to Poland (2-3 times a year), and student life (like going out from time to time). I could also occasionally afford to buy myself some clothes or other stuff I desired. Finally, I have also been saving a small part of my salary for my dream American summer trip.
Therefore, it might seem difficult, and sometimes it is, but overall, a part-time role is good enough not only to survive, but also to have a life. The crucial element of my successful money management is budgeting and using student deals. There is so much you can do starting with planning your grocery shopping and buying in Lidl or Aldi (as they are the cheapest) to using cashback apps and opening a savings account. I shared my top 7 budgeting tips here, and I recommend you to check them out!
One final tip is to research whether the university of your interest has a student ambassador role, as it is the best job a student can have. You work with diverse people, have a variety of skill development opportunities, and very flexible schedule so that you can prioritise your university responsibilities.
I hope it was helpful! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions 🙂 You can also chat with me or other student directly through The Ambassador Platform.
Take care,
Julia
Psychology student
De Montfort University
(edited 5 months ago)
Original post by Anonymous #1
I'm fortunate for my parents to help me with my accommodation and tuition fees bc they've been saving up for me pretty much since i was born. This is a massive weight of my shoulders and i know im extremely lucky to have this bc many people wont be in the situation but im scared that i wont have enough money for everything else like food,car,shopping/hobbies etc.
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Hi,
Budgeting at university can be a really tricky task, especially in the first year as you start to get used to it and for most of us this is the first time we've had proper freedom.
I would recommend getting a part-time job to help support your studies and there are many options available that will work around your studies. A zero-hour contract is a great idea as it allows you to make yourself available only when it suits you. I've been a Student Ambassador here at LSBU for the past year and it has been a great way of earning some money while also getting to do a job that I enjoy. Most student ambassador jobs allow flexible working around your studies meaning you won't have to jeopardise your studies and grades.
Another tip would be to create a budget at the beginning of the year and stick to it. Make sure you have enough money to eat well and support your rent but also ensure that you can treat yourself from time to time. As others have said make sure to make the most of your student discounts through apps like UniDays and StudentBeans as they offer some amazing deals on luxury items as well as day-to-day items. If you are a healthcare student, you will also be eligible for a BlueLights discount which also offers some amazing savings. Make sure to allow yourself to have a good time with socialising and days out but also don't forget to enjoy the free events that your town/city has to offer such as museums and nature parks.
As for travelling during the summer, try saving a little bit of money each week and putting it in your savings account to go towards your travelling. It should be feasible but it may involve being a little stricter on yourself with luxuries throughout the year but it will be so worth it when you are off travelling!
I hope this is of some assistance,
Mary
London South Bank University Student Rep (3rd-year Children's Nursing)
Original post by Anonymous #1
I'm fortunate for my parents to help me with my accommodation and tuition fees bc they've been saving up for me pretty much since i was born. This is a massive weight of my shoulders and i know im extremely lucky to have this bc many people wont be in the situation but im scared that i wont have enough money for everything else like food,car,shopping/hobbies etc.
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Is it common that everyone in uni has a job and if yes, is it usually in the nearest town centre and they get a bus there or smt? Also how much money to they spend on luxuries for themselves? Of course i'm going to get a job and work hard throughoutthe year but i wanted to do travelling in the summer holidays and i was wondering if this could actually be possible or is it a faint dream bc of how broke i'll be
Hi there!
It sounds like you've really thought about your finances which is a great start! It can be common for students to work along side their studies but there is a massive variety of jobs that people have!
Lot's of universities have opportunities to work as a paid ambassador which fits in really well around your studies. I do this and pick up about 1 shift a week, as well as having flexible online working and picking up lots of extra shifts in the summer!
It's worth seeing if your university has a careers department as they are often in touch with local businesses who understand the difficulties that students have working around their studies and are more flexible!
For summer holidays - saving little and often is the best way to do this and then you can see what you can afford based on what you have been able to save!
I hope these tips help!
-Rebecca, UCLan
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