EXAMPLE WEEKLY LIVING COSTS
Self-catered halls of residence
Accommodation £ 112 –£ 186 Utility Bills
Included in halls rent Food / Housekeeping £ 40 Travel
£ 5 –£ 10
Social Costs £ 30 –£ 40
Private rented accommodation
£ 90 –£ 130 £ 40
£ 40 £ 5 –£ 10
£ 30 –£ 40
SUPPORT from Portsmouth .
Finance support
You can start talking to our award-winning Student Finance Team long before you start your course . They ’ re Matrix accredited , and recently won the Stand Alone Pledge Award 2022 for innovation and creativity in supporting estranged students ' emotional wellbeing , so you know their advice will always be supportive , and to the highest standard .
They can advise you on :
We know if you are estranged from your parents , leaving care , a young carer or seeking asylum in the UK , you might find it more difficult to get the personal and financial support you need to go to university . There are a number of ways we may be able to help , including non-repayable bursaries , a year-round guaranteed place in halls , and a personal support finance adviser , so you can focus on being a student .
To find out more , visit port . ac . uk / bursaries .
OUR TIPS FOR STARTING OUT ON A STUDENT BUDGET
First things first : get a student bank account . They ’ re usually free and always a life saver . You can stick with your current bank or shop around , but keep a lookout for the best deals on overdrafts , late payment fees and low interest rates .
Make a budget , and stick to it . Being aware of exactly how much money you need to set aside for essentials like rent , bills and food , means you ’ ll also know exactly how much you can spend on going out , shopping or a nice restaurant . Seems simple , but can be the hardest to master !
A great way to make your weekly food shop ( and money generally ) go a lot further is batch cooking and meal prepping . Cook up a big portion of your favourite recipe , and freeze the leftovers for the rest of your week ’ s lunches and dinners . A takeaway might feel like the easiest option , but a bit of preparation in your cooking and you ’ ll feel a lot healthier physically , and financially .
It ’ s amazing what you can find people giving away or selling for close to nothing in local charity shops and community groups online or on social media . From vintage clothes , to furniture to sports gear , there ’ s always a great deal to be had for the keen-eyed bargain hunter .
If you want to make new friends , get to know the city , boost your bank balance and get work experience all at the same time , then you can ’ t do better than getting a part-time job . It won ’ t affect your loan , and you may even be able to work remotely too .
Identifying and applying for funding How to budget and manage your money Benefits you might be entitled to claim
For any students who encounter financial difficulties during their studies , we have a Support Fund to provide additional financial help . You will need to take care of your money as a student – but at Portsmouth , you can rest assured we will also take care of you .
If you ’ re an international student
You can find information about tuition fees , scholarships and bursaries at port . ac . uk / international-fees-and-funding .
One of the ( many ) perks of being a student is the huge array of discounts on offer to you . From railcards , to cheaper cinema or live sport tickets , to discounts at your favourite high street brands and even cheaper food at certain restaurants , it ’ s always worth asking if there ’ s a student discount available .
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