Cost of Living

Luckily for students, Northern Ireland is a relatively inexpensive place to live and study. Most students will be able to live comfortably on a budget of around six hundred pounds a month, not including tuition fees.

This budget allows around £250 a month for accommodation, £70 a month for transport, around £150 a month on food, around £50 a month on extra costs (utility bills, insurance, telephone, TV and internet) and £80 a month for clothes, toiletries, books and entertainment.

Naturally, the exact amount of money that a student needs to live and study will depend on the choices they make with their money. If you are happy to buy staple foods in bulk, shop at cheaper supermarkets, buy new clothes in the sales and buy second hand course books, to name just a few money-saving methods, you should be able to live on a much smaller budget. If you choose to buy ready meals, shop at convenience stores, buy new clothes and books and go out with friends several times a week, you will probably need to budget significantly more for your expenses.

It is a good idea to work out a monthly budget for your outgoings, based on your income. For details, advice, money-saving tips and help calculating your budget, see Money Management for Students.