Can't afford uni
So I really want to move away for uni since my parents are quite strict and I feel like I need to experience a new environment and get out of my comfort zone a bit. But my maintenance loan will not cover my accommodation costs, and I feel like I wont be able to work much during uni as my course is quite intense and I may get overwhelmed. So my options are:
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
Reply 1
Original post
by AnonymousSo I really want to move away for uni since my parents are quite strict and I feel like I need to experience a new environment and get out of my comfort zone a bit. But my maintenance loan will not cover my accommodation costs, and I feel like I wont be able to work much during uni as my course is quite intense and I may get overwhelmed. So my options are:
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
Hey,
This is one of those situations which isn’t black or white, there’s no right or wrong here.
Staying in your hometown/ moving into accommodation can be a good middle ground. You can still gain independence, personal space, and freedom, all whilst keeping costs lower. For intense courses, this option is especially good, as it reduces financial and mental stress, which can better your uni experience.
Taking a gap year doesn’t mean you’re going to be behind, it’s just an investment for your future in a way. Many return more focused and less anxious. The key is intention, if you end up taking the gap year, it’s important to have a plan (work, save, gain skills). Unis are used to this, you won’t be behind in any way.
Whatever you end up choosing, it won’t close any doors, it’ll just make your journey different.
I hope this helped, good luck!
Sabina
Reply 2
Hi there 😊
I can see that you're trying to juggle a decision based on independence and a fresh start vs financial stability and not burning out. These are both valid and are just as important.
Staying in your hometown means that you get your independence, cheaper cost of living, somewhat easier transition to living alone with your familiarity of the area. However you may feel like you know the area too well or may feel like you've not moved out fully. With most universities, a lot of them offer flexible jobs like being a student ambassador or working in the eateries which are a great option as well as finding work in the city centre.
The second option allows for you to save up and choose a city without finances being a barrier. It is also a year where you can grow, develop and mentally prepare yourself for university. I personally took a gap year and I was initially worried about the feeling of being behind and being too old alongside my other peers. However you will find that gap year students are quite common and being at university a year later doesn't put you at a disadvantage. I think initially I did lose a little momentum of studying but because it was a subject I enjoyed it didn't take long before I fully immersed myself back into the study life.
Have you looked at what potential financial support you could take up as with different universities they may offer different bursaries or scholarships?
I would say university is not a race and you should feel comfortable starting when you feel ready and want to study in the place that you feel like you would excel in. Even if you decide to stay in your hometown, there will be people coming from all over the UK and internationally so it won't just be the people from your hometown. You could apply for opportunities like internships during the summers if you wanted to try out a new city.
I hope this helps and good luck in your decision!
University of Bath
I can see that you're trying to juggle a decision based on independence and a fresh start vs financial stability and not burning out. These are both valid and are just as important.
Staying in your hometown means that you get your independence, cheaper cost of living, somewhat easier transition to living alone with your familiarity of the area. However you may feel like you know the area too well or may feel like you've not moved out fully. With most universities, a lot of them offer flexible jobs like being a student ambassador or working in the eateries which are a great option as well as finding work in the city centre.
The second option allows for you to save up and choose a city without finances being a barrier. It is also a year where you can grow, develop and mentally prepare yourself for university. I personally took a gap year and I was initially worried about the feeling of being behind and being too old alongside my other peers. However you will find that gap year students are quite common and being at university a year later doesn't put you at a disadvantage. I think initially I did lose a little momentum of studying but because it was a subject I enjoyed it didn't take long before I fully immersed myself back into the study life.
Have you looked at what potential financial support you could take up as with different universities they may offer different bursaries or scholarships?
I would say university is not a race and you should feel comfortable starting when you feel ready and want to study in the place that you feel like you would excel in. Even if you decide to stay in your hometown, there will be people coming from all over the UK and internationally so it won't just be the people from your hometown. You could apply for opportunities like internships during the summers if you wanted to try out a new city.
I hope this helps and good luck in your decision!
University of Bath
Reply 3
Original post
by AnonymousSo I really want to move away for uni since my parents are quite strict and I feel like I need to experience a new environment and get out of my comfort zone a bit. But my maintenance loan will not cover my accommodation costs, and I feel like I wont be able to work much during uni as my course is quite intense and I may get overwhelmed. So my options are:
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
Hi,
It sounds like you’ve already thought carefully about your options, and wanting independence and a new environment is completely understandable.
Staying in your home town but moving into accommodation could be a good middle ground, as it still gives you independence while being more affordable.
Taking a gap year can also be a great option to work and save money, learn new skills, travel, and feel more prepared and confident before starting university.
It may help to think about which option you’d prefer day to day, and whether particular universities or cities stand out to you. Whichever you choose, there isn’t a wrong decision, it’s about what works best for you.
Hope this helps,
Tayba
Student Rep
Original post
by AnonymousSo I really want to move away for uni since my parents are quite strict and I feel like I need to experience a new environment and get out of my comfort zone a bit. But my maintenance loan will not cover my accommodation costs, and I feel like I wont be able to work much during uni as my course is quite intense and I may get overwhelmed. So my options are:
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
Finding the balance between the need for independence and a new environment, and financial stability can be tough especially since going to uni is most people's first time doing so.
It’s already a good start that you are weighing up your options.
As I understand, your options suggest you choose between staying in accommodation for 3 years in your home town while studying
Or
Staying one year at home before moving out of your home town to study.
So I suppose you need to ask yourself if 3 years in your hometown is what you want, or if you’d rather spend an extra year living at home before moving away.
Now for the financial side,
If you move into accommodation in your home city how much money do you have to cover food and activities?
Would you be living on baked beans on toast with no spending money, or could you have a balanced diet and go out to socials once a week/buy decorations for your room?
If you do stay at home for a year you want to have a clear monetary goal to reach, how much money do you need to save to cover 3 years accommodation elsewhere?
Could you realistically make that much in the year? Or would you still need a part time job, even just 1 day a week, while at uni?
I know you said your course is rather intensive but have you had the opportunity to talk to any students currently studying on the course. They will have a much firmer grasp on whether working alongside your studies is do-able.
There is also the option of getting summer and vacation work, plenty of students do this to make up the difference that their maintenance loan won’t cover and for basic necessities. So whichever option you choose this could be really helpful.
Going straight into uni can be great. Lots of people are in the same boat and just as new to independence as you, but plenty of people take gaps before uni. Either to work so they can focus on studies, not money while at uni, to travel or to gain work experience to get on the course they want.
A gap year can actually help people transition easier sometimes. Having a job and gaining some financial independence, along with being in an environment where people's perception is built solely on your capacity to be a mature individual, while still at home can make moving to uni less anxiety reducing.
Hope this helps you sort your thoughts,
Eleanor
University of Salford Student Rep
Reply 5
Not sure if this will notify everyone but thank you much for your replies, they've helped me feel a lot better 🙂 I think for now I will focus on getting the grades first and when the time comes I can think about what decision to make!
Take the gap year, work, and save hard.
Then go to uni.
Then go to uni.
Reply 7
Original post
by AnonymousSo I really want to move away for uni since my parents are quite strict and I feel like I need to experience a new environment and get out of my comfort zone a bit. But my maintenance loan will not cover my accommodation costs, and I feel like I wont be able to work much during uni as my course is quite intense and I may get overwhelmed. So my options are:
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
Are you parents refusing to top up your maintenance loan as they are supposed to?
Reply 8
Original post
by AnonymousSo I really want to move away for uni since my parents are quite strict and I feel like I need to experience a new environment and get out of my comfort zone a bit. But my maintenance loan will not cover my accommodation costs, and I feel like I wont be able to work much during uni as my course is quite intense and I may get overwhelmed. So my options are:
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
Hiya,
Just to add on to the amazing advice, you might want to look into any student support fund or bursary that you might be eligible from your uni 🙂
There are also part-time flexible work opportunities in uni such as being a student ambassador or library reception that might be a good way of earning some income on the side while studying ☺️ Such uni employment schemes give you the opportunity to learn valuable soft skills alongside your studies and may pay above the minimum wage. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck in your decision.
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
Reply 9
Original post
by AnonymousSo I really want to move away for uni since my parents are quite strict and I feel like I need to experience a new environment and get out of my comfort zone a bit. But my maintenance loan will not cover my accommodation costs, and I feel like I wont be able to work much during uni as my course is quite intense and I may get overwhelmed. So my options are:
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
1. Stay in my home town but move into accommodation(cheaper accommodations here than in other cities)
2. Take a gap year/defer entry and make money for a year so I can have financial freedom during uni
I worry that I may lose momentum or feel behind if I take a gap year, but if i stay i feel like I would also be missing out on an opportunity to experience something new
I really get this dilemma… and honestly it’s such a common one, especially with how expensive uni is now. I felt the financial pressure a lot myself, especially as I was a mature student, so money was always on my mind alongside studying.
Loads of people worry about whether they’ll be able to make money during uni, particularly on intense courses, but it genuinely is 100% doable and so many people do it. I studied a really intense course myself which involved full-time placement throughout all three years alongside uni days, assignments, exams, everything… and I still managed to work alongside it. It wasn’t always easy, but it was possible.
One thing that helped me loads was working as a student ambassador. It’s great because it’s super flexible, you pick up shifts when you can, and unis are generally really understanding that your course comes first. On my course, a lot of people actually worked more than I did and had jobs in care, retail or hospitality. It was intense at times, yeah, but if you’re reasonably good with time management it’s absolutely manageable.
A diary honestly saved me. Planning my days and weeks ahead helped me keep on top of uni work, but also meant I could actually schedule in social time and proper downtime for myself too. That part is so important, because if you don’t protect time to rest and enjoy yourself, burnout creeps up fast.
I also don’t think a gap year is a bad option at all, despite how it’s often made to seem. A year to work, save, breathe, and go into uni with more financial freedom and less stress can be a massive advantage. You won’t be behind in any real sense… people start uni at all ages, and once you’re there, no one cares. If anything you might feel more prepared and confident.
That said, wanting to move away, experience something new, and get out of a strict home environment is also completely valid. Uni is about more than just the degree, and that independence can be huge for personal growth.
There isn’t really a wrong choice here. Staying local might ease the financial stress but feel a bit limiting, while a gap year could give you breathing room and freedom later. It might help to think about which option reduces your stress the most long-term, not just right now.
Whatever you choose, you’re clearly thinking it through properly, and that already puts you in a good position. You’re not missing out or failing either way… you’re just choosing the version of uni that works best for you right now!
Good luck whatever you decide! Sophie 🙂
Reply 10
Original post
by Muttley79Are you parents refusing to top up your maintenance loan as they are supposed to?
They aren’t refusing, but we don’t have as much financial freedom as suggested by the estimated SFE amount. My parents have other financial commitments aside from my family, and I’m generally just not keen on the idea of my parents having to cough up around 3k each year to cover my rent. That being said we have spoken about it and it may be doable, I think my main concern would be my own personal day to day expenses.
Reply 11
Original post
by Kingston Zhi EnHiya,
Just to add on to the amazing advice, you might want to look into any student support fund or bursary that you might be eligible from your uni 🙂
There are also part-time flexible work opportunities in uni such as being a student ambassador or library reception that might be a good way of earning some income on the side while studying ☺️ Such uni employment schemes give you the opportunity to learn valuable soft skills alongside your studies and may pay above the minimum wage. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck in your decision.
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
Just to add on to the amazing advice, you might want to look into any student support fund or bursary that you might be eligible from your uni 🙂
There are also part-time flexible work opportunities in uni such as being a student ambassador or library reception that might be a good way of earning some income on the side while studying ☺️ Such uni employment schemes give you the opportunity to learn valuable soft skills alongside your studies and may pay above the minimum wage. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck in your decision.
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
I have heard about such jobs, thank you for letting me know!
Reply 12
Original post
by ARU GraduateHey!
I really get this dilemma… and honestly it’s such a common one, especially with how expensive uni is now. I felt the financial pressure a lot myself, especially as I was a mature student, so money was always on my mind alongside studying.
Loads of people worry about whether they’ll be able to make money during uni, particularly on intense courses, but it genuinely is 100% doable and so many people do it. I studied a really intense course myself which involved full-time placement throughout all three years alongside uni days, assignments, exams, everything… and I still managed to work alongside it. It wasn’t always easy, but it was possible.
One thing that helped me loads was working as a student ambassador. It’s great because it’s super flexible, you pick up shifts when you can, and unis are generally really understanding that your course comes first. On my course, a lot of people actually worked more than I did and had jobs in care, retail or hospitality. It was intense at times, yeah, but if you’re reasonably good with time management it’s absolutely manageable.
A diary honestly saved me. Planning my days and weeks ahead helped me keep on top of uni work, but also meant I could actually schedule in social time and proper downtime for myself too. That part is so important, because if you don’t protect time to rest and enjoy yourself, burnout creeps up fast.
I also don’t think a gap year is a bad option at all, despite how it’s often made to seem. A year to work, save, breathe, and go into uni with more financial freedom and less stress can be a massive advantage. You won’t be behind in any real sense… people start uni at all ages, and once you’re there, no one cares. If anything you might feel more prepared and confident.
That said, wanting to move away, experience something new, and get out of a strict home environment is also completely valid. Uni is about more than just the degree, and that independence can be huge for personal growth.
There isn’t really a wrong choice here. Staying local might ease the financial stress but feel a bit limiting, while a gap year could give you breathing room and freedom later. It might help to think about which option reduces your stress the most long-term, not just right now.
Whatever you choose, you’re clearly thinking it through properly, and that already puts you in a good position. You’re not missing out or failing either way… you’re just choosing the version of uni that works best for you right now!
Good luck whatever you decide! Sophie 🙂
I really get this dilemma… and honestly it’s such a common one, especially with how expensive uni is now. I felt the financial pressure a lot myself, especially as I was a mature student, so money was always on my mind alongside studying.
Loads of people worry about whether they’ll be able to make money during uni, particularly on intense courses, but it genuinely is 100% doable and so many people do it. I studied a really intense course myself which involved full-time placement throughout all three years alongside uni days, assignments, exams, everything… and I still managed to work alongside it. It wasn’t always easy, but it was possible.
One thing that helped me loads was working as a student ambassador. It’s great because it’s super flexible, you pick up shifts when you can, and unis are generally really understanding that your course comes first. On my course, a lot of people actually worked more than I did and had jobs in care, retail or hospitality. It was intense at times, yeah, but if you’re reasonably good with time management it’s absolutely manageable.
A diary honestly saved me. Planning my days and weeks ahead helped me keep on top of uni work, but also meant I could actually schedule in social time and proper downtime for myself too. That part is so important, because if you don’t protect time to rest and enjoy yourself, burnout creeps up fast.
I also don’t think a gap year is a bad option at all, despite how it’s often made to seem. A year to work, save, breathe, and go into uni with more financial freedom and less stress can be a massive advantage. You won’t be behind in any real sense… people start uni at all ages, and once you’re there, no one cares. If anything you might feel more prepared and confident.
That said, wanting to move away, experience something new, and get out of a strict home environment is also completely valid. Uni is about more than just the degree, and that independence can be huge for personal growth.
There isn’t really a wrong choice here. Staying local might ease the financial stress but feel a bit limiting, while a gap year could give you breathing room and freedom later. It might help to think about which option reduces your stress the most long-term, not just right now.
Whatever you choose, you’re clearly thinking it through properly, and that already puts you in a good position. You’re not missing out or failing either way… you’re just choosing the version of uni that works best for you right now!
Good luck whatever you decide! Sophie 🙂
Thank you for your response!
Reply 13
Original post
by AnonymousThey aren’t refusing, but we don’t have as much financial freedom as suggested by the estimated SFE amount. My parents have other financial commitments aside from my family, and I’m generally just not keen on the idea of my parents having to cough up around 3k each year to cover my rent. That being said we have spoken about it and it may be doable, I think my main concern would be my own personal day to day expenses.
They will be saving money by not feeding you so can give some support. My food bill went down quite a lot when my son was at uni as did my petrol costs -
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