Leeds is a historically charming city in the UK that attracts students from all across the globe. With its planned urban structures and decades-old standing buildings, it is a famous destination for study abroad. The dynamic city also has an expensive cost of living, for which you need to plan if you want to move here. From the rent for your student accommodation Leeds to the tuition, everything needs to be managed. This will help you make the most of your time here and enjoy your college years.
In this blog, you can learn more about it and also how to manage it.
Finding the Living Expenses
With a budget, you can explore the new culture and landscapes without going into debt. For this, you first need to know the cost of living and account for it.
Leeds is an affordable city if you have a lifestyle that keeps savings as non-negotiable. As compared to other areas in the UK, like London, it is extremely easy to survive here on your wages. This is highly reflected in its rental market, where the prices for one of the major expenses are relatively lower. While the prices of student accommodation in UK have seen a steady rise in recent years, in Leeds, it remains budget-friendly. Students on an average income can expect to spend anywhere from £800 to £1,500 per month, apart from tuition fees. However, it does heavily depend upon their lifestyle and housing choices.
Breaking Down the Cost
Let us dive into the key expenses that you can incur while living you student life in Leeds:
1. Housing [The most influential piece of the puzzle]:
Renting a student lodging will likely be the largest factor in increasing the cost of living in Leeds. The prices here vary significantly based on proximity to campus, housing type, and bill inclusion.
- College Halls: These are usually the safest and most convenient option for a first-year student. Covering utility bills like electricity, water, and meals makes settling in easier. Moreover, it simplifies keeping track of one’s money and helps them learn how not to overspend. The fees for this type of student accommodation Leeds can range from £400 to £700 per month. However, it does depend on whether you opt for an en-suite bathroom, single room, etc.
- PBSA: These privately designed and owned apartments often come with a variety of amenities, like a gym. You can expect to pay anywhere from £120 to £200+ per week. Since only a few of them cover utilities, do check with your letting agent about the bills’ inclusion.
- Shared Houses: Another one of the student accommodation Leeds are these private, independent rentals. The rent for it ranges from £300 to £600 per month for one person. However, it does depend upon the size, location, and the property’s condition.
- Single Rooms: For a one-bedroom flat in the city, you will have to pay around £795 to £1,150 per month. It is the most expensive option out of all and has the power to up your cost of livingby almost 30%+.
2. Utility Bills [If not included in rent]
While usually these are covered by your rent, in some private spaces, you might have to foot it yourself. Budgeting becomes crucial here since you need to manage all your expenses on your own, like:
- Electricity, gas, water, and waste: For a shared house, expect to pay between £50 to £100 per person per month. Though this can change with the seasons, like in the winter months, bills increase due to the constant use of the heater.
- Internet: This usually costs £20 to £45 per month, which can be split amongst flatmates.
- Council tax: Full-time students are usually exempt from it, though you need to cross-check with your landlord.
3. Food and Groceries
On average, you can expect to spend around £100 to £150 per month on groceries. And if you like to eat out, the price per meal would range from £50 to £100, depending on your choices.
How to Manage it?
You start by calculating your budget with the following steps:
- Note your rent.
- Add the utility bill costs.
- Cover the food, transport, phone, and other expenses.
- Get the total and multiply it by the number of months you plan on studying in the city.
Then you cover the following:
- Deposit and security: You need to pay this for every lodging you rent, along with the first month’s cost upfront.
- Visa fees: This is currently £524.
- Flight tickets: It is a major initial expense and keeps changing.
- Setting in: Initial grocery shopping, basic housing items, bedding, and more.
And finally, you:
- Create a detailed budget with your expenses matched against your income.
- Make an informed housing choice
- Cook at home
- Use your student ID to get discounts
- Buy second-hand goods
- Search for a part-time work
- Avoid impulse buys
Conclusion
Managing the various factors of a living expense, such as student accommodation in UK is not difficult. All you need is some careful planning and skills to keep your spending in check.
