How to study in the UK on a budget
Studying in the UK is a dream for many but many students are discouraged after researching universities’ tuition fees in the Uk. The good news is, studying in the UK doesn’t necessarily have to be heavy on your pockets. Whether you’re focussing on being amid the city hustle-bustle or planning to study in the calm countryside, there are always ways to put a little more effort and save some bucks.
We recognized some common points where most international students slip and may spend more than what might be needed for not just a basic survival in the UK, but also live the life you always desired, in a budget-friendly way.
Things you can do to save money while studying in the UK
Get into a habit of cooking your meals
It is no brainer than takeaways and eating out costs more than cooking your meals, no matter where you are based in the world. However, this is especially true when it comes to the UK, where takeaways, ordering food and dining out costs significantly more than cooking your food at home. While ordering food online can cost you somewhere between 10 – 20 GBP for one, per meal, you can easily make three meals and still save some money in the same amount if you cook it yourself.
Our tip? – Make a grocery list, allocate a budget to it, follow it strictly, and treat yourself from time to time by dining out. Have the best of both worlds!
Leverage your student discount codes
One of the best parts about being a student is having special offers/discount codes on plenty of things from eating to travelling. You can use websites such as Student Beans, Save the Student or Unidays to plan and take advantage of cheaper offers for students. You can also get student deals on Oyster cards to travel at a discount, use them in stores such as Superdrug, and many more. Keep an eye out on student deals everywhere you go!
Work part-time
Different cultures have different notions about working part-time as a student, however many international students chose to work part-time for reasons beyond earning money. Part-time jobs not only provide you with an opportunity to earn more but also give you exposure and can be a great addition to your CV! Part-time jobs in London have a slightly higher pay than part-time jobs in UK. You can socialise, build networks, and gain some experience while working part-time along with your degree. If you will be in the UK on a Tier 4 visa, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
Our tip?: Try and find part-time jobs with the help of your university, and sign up to websites such as Unitemps, etc. and get updates about all of the recent job openings that your university offers. Alternatively, you can also find part-time jobs via LinkedIn, Indeed, and other recruitment websites. Do your research and prepare your CV in advance!
Sell the stuff you do not use anymore
What is better than getting rid of the stuff you do not need, and getting paid for it? We all love our belongings and always shy away from getting rid of them, but if you have a lot of things that you don’t use anymore, you might think of selling them. Websites such as eBay, craigslist, Vinted, Depop, and many more are very popular in the UK right now. Set up an account, and sell off all of the extra stuff that is just sitting in your closet and not being used, and increase your bank balance!
Keep a track of your spending
It is always good to be mindful of what and how you spend and track your spending and saving. This will make yourself aware of your spending habits and even potentially avoid any unnecessary spending you may not realise you do. You can use a variety of apps to do the tracking for you. Mint, Level Money and Good Budget are some of the students’ favourite apps. These can help you manage all your accounts in one place, ensuring timely payment of invoices.
If you follow these steps, and be on the lookout for opportunities to save money, you will not need to apply for the cheapest unis in UK, and will still be able to study in UK on a budget!
Let us know in the comment section below on how you plan to study in UK on a budget!
