Is study at Oxbridge more expensive than elsewhere?

This is something I'm curious about. I'm going on both open days soon (I like Archeaology and Anthropology at Cambridge and English at Oxford, and I need to make a decision), and my friend keeps saying that they're the most expensive universities in the country-she said something about studying maths at Cambridge being twice as expensive as maths at Durham.
So, for anyone currently studying at Oxford or Cambridge, or for anyone who has done more research than I have, do you know if it's more expensive to study there than elsewhere?

(Sorry if this is in the wrong place, I just thought that there might be more Oxbridge students able to tell me about it in this forum)

Reply 1

learner_dancer

12

OpalMoonflower

This is something I'm curious about. I'm going on both open days soon (I like Archeaology and Anthropology at Cambridge and English at Oxford, and I need to make a decision), and my friend keeps saying that they're the most expensive universities in the country-she said something about studying maths at Cambridge being twice as expensive as maths at Durham.
So, for anyone currently studying at Oxford or Cambridge, or for anyone who has done more research than I have, do you know if it's more expensive to study there than elsewhere?

(Sorry if this is in the wrong place, I just thought that there might be more Oxbridge students able to tell me about it in this forum)

Nope, it's the same price for every single uni in the country.
However living costs vary depending on your location...

Reply 2

*Sparkle*

17

The tuition is the same.

Accommodation would be a bit more because it's southern.

and it'd feel a lot more because you're not allowed a job.

Reply 3

xxcherry-popxx

6

Nope, the tuition is same anywhere, i think whe whole college accomodation is a tad more pricy but so worth it, in my opinion, its stunning!
The rest i guess depends on personal expenses..like how much alcohol you want to consume :wink:

and food u want to eat.

Reply 4

Andy the Anarchist

10

*Sparkle*

The tuition is the same.

Accommodation would be a bit more because it's southern.

and it'd feel a lot more because you're not allowed a job.

I believe richer colleges may subsidise accomodation

And many colleges have pretty sweet bursaries if you are genuinely in financial need.

Reply 5

eve_22

18

Well, for starters the tuition fees are the same as at other universities.

Secondly, if you qualify for maintenance grant, you might be entitled to Oxford Opportunity Bursary, which is around £4000 in your first year and £3000 in remaining two. Compare this to, for example, KCL bursary, which I think is around £1500. So even if it is slightly more expensive to study at Oxford (which I really don't think it is, especially compared to London), you will essentially get more support then at other universities.

I don't know about Cambridge, but I would guess it's similar to Oxford in that respect.

Reply 6

Brenna

6

The actual costs of studying are pretty similar to other uni's. However, Oxford is now considered to be one of the most expensive places to live thought this is not related to or a decision of the university.

Reply 7

Craghyrax

17

Nope, its cheaper. Being in a college subsidises your food and your rent and vital bills, and the bursary system of both Universities is the most generous of any in the country. Plus individual colleges can provide extra money for a number of different things. So tell your friend she's talking crap.

Reply 8

The West Wing

18

The town itself is a bit of a ripoff because of tourists and them generally ripping us off, but the basics like rent, food, study are about the same as everywhere esle.

Reply 9

J234

Well, the fact you get 30-week rents every single year should help keep those costs down.

Reply 10

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Oxford has huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge bursaries, as has been mentioned above, and the city centre is full of student discounts. Plus colleges have hardship funds, book funds, travel funds, etc :yeah:

Reply 11

0404343m

17

Durham is probably a bad example, as private rents there are about £60 a week, which is pretty low in the grand scheme of things. While it'd be cheaper in the top-up free land of Scotland for fees, Aberdeen and St Andrews have astronomical rental costs- so they'd be at least comparable. If you lived in central London, you'd also be looking at a packet. They aren't the cheapest places to live privately in, but there are more expensive places to stay than Oxford and Cambridge.

Reply 12

Blatant Troll

15

winner91

crap uni who cares

again?! you, sir, would appear to dislike the place with a passion

Reply 13

nexttime

22

*Sparkle*

The tuition is the same.

Accommodation would be a bit more because it's southern.

and it'd feel a lot more because you're not allowed a job.

noooo I hear costs for accomodation of like 4000-6000 at other unis - its costing me 2700 per year.

Much cheaper, and better subsidies are available if you need them. I'm not sure i could have afforded to go to another university (well, not without working loads of hours a week, which is what i guess other people do).

Reply 14

nexttime

22

J234

Well, the fact you get 30-week rents every single year should help keep those costs down.

24 week...

Reply 15

DaveParlour

13

The fact that I am entitled to all bursaries and grants means that Cambridge will actually be the best for me money wise. The £3000 bursary I get is far higher than at most Uni's which, added to grants and loans will give me £9500 a year straight away. Add to this savings and whatever I can earn during the summer will mean for a student I should be in a fairly comfortable position with ~£250 a week to spend all year round. Considering the terms are alot shorter, and accomodation is fairly reasonable at £80 or so a week I am very much looking forward to Uni. :smile:

Reply 16

soffeee

1

tuition fees are exactly the same they have lots of bursaries and scholarships to offer... price of living... maybe slightly higher than up north but definately not the most expensive in the country

Reply 17

Melz0r

16

If I get to Cambridge this October I'm going to be getting a fairly large bursary which is linked directly to the sliding scale used by the student loans people.

Also they say they are committed to nobody being put off/having to drop out on the grounds of cost.

So, don't be put off on the grounds of cost.

And Winner91 you're really helpful, aren't you?

Reply 18

Elles

17

nexttime

24 week...

As a medic - when do you get a year (even at preclinical) that is actually only 24 weeks..? (Preclinical exams in 9th week, clinical anatomy in 3rd year & back in time for collections - no? :p:

)

Reply 19

Zhen Lin

12

nexttime

24 week...

While it is true that the terms are only about 8 weeks long (it's actually 8 and a half in Cambridge), the actual normal period of residence is often longer by more than a week per term.

Is study at Oxbridge more expensive than elsewhere?

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