Bournemouth is one of the lower-cost-of-living cities in the UK, especially in England. Suppose you’re looking for price-friendly destinations to study in the UK, or you are struggling with finances and looking forward to finding an affordable lifestyle or student accommodation in Bournemouth. In that case, I hope this article will provide some useful advice to help you save money in Bournemouth.
Is Bournemouth a Cost-Friendly City for Students?
Definitely, yes!
Bournemouth is a port city bordering the English Channel in the south of England with a pleasant climate. It is a mecca for seaside excursions featuring abundant scenic areas such as parks, beaches and pine forests. And, most importantly, the cost of living here is low.
NatWest (one of the UK’s leading retail and commercial banks) recently ranked towns and cities across the UK in the ‘Student Living Index 2023’. NatWest polled 3,052 students in 63 university towns and cities for the survey. Then, they calculate the Student Living Index by considering the average monthly cost of accommodation, activities and goods, as well as the average monthly income of students. The final rankings show that Bournemouth is the best value-for-money university city. And the city with the highest cost of living turned out to be Edinburgh.
Top 10 Cities with The Lowest Student Living Index
*Calculated by dividing students’ average monthly cost of accommodation, activities and goods by the average monthly income.
1. Bournemouth
2. Cardiff
3. Lincoln
4. Portsmouth
5. Newcastle
6. Manchester
7. Leeds
8. Birmingham
9. Oxford
10. Leicester
So, Bournemouth is definitely a study-abroad destination worth considering. It offers a variety of affordable accommodations, dining options, and transport services. You can always find something that suits your lifestyle and budget.
How to Save Money in Bournemouth?
To save money in Bournemouth, you need to plan your spending wisely. And it is essential to widen your access to information about life. Many students who have lived or studied in Bournemouth offer much experience in saving money.
1. Shopping
Online Shopping
Unidays is a popular discount app updated with discounts from major shopping malls. It contains furniture, daily necessities, clothing, shoes and bags, electronics and more. Sometimes, Unidays also issues exclusive coupons. There are also a lot of discount websites that offer discounts, including Look Fantastic. It is very convenient to get the discount code directly if you need it.
Offline Shopping
The main shopping centres in Bournemouth with relatively low price points are Primark and TK MAXX, but when shopping for goods, make sure you compare them and choose goods and brands with guaranteed quality. You can also visit charity shops, where other people donate goods, so the prices are reasonable. And the shop’s proceeds are donated, which is a good act of charity.
2. Supermarkets
Lidl is one of the more student-friendly supermarkets with fresh and affordable products. People can do their weekly shopping here. Before you buy something, you can make a list in advance.
ASDA and Lidl are similarly positioned as affordable supermarkets that meet your daily shopping needs. You can choose which one you want to visit according to your needs.
Iceland is a shop that specialises in fast food and frozen food, a place that lazy people will love. This shop is large and has a full range of products. And since the supermarket is positioned as a franchise, the prices are cheaper than regular supermarkets.
Poundland is a British variety store chain which will sell more living and school supplies. Most of the goods are cheap and practical, very popular with students.
3. Accommodation
Although schools in Bournemouth will offer some residence halls for students to apply for. However, the number of rooms in school halls of residence is limited. Some students also look for accommodation off campus. The following student accommodations are all close to the school and relatively affordable. If you didn’t apply for an on-campus flat, or prefer to live off-campus, take a look at these options!
17a Christchurch Road, Bournemouth
Price: From £175/week
Newly built in 2023
10-minute walk to Bournemouth University Lansdowne Campus
15-minute cycle to Talbot Campus and Arts University Bournemouth
Oxford Point, Bournemouth
Price: From £200/week
Multiple room types
2-minute walk to Bournemouth University
2-minute walk to the nearest bus stop
Asda is 0.4 miles away
Study room
Mercury House, Bournemouth
Price: From £230/week
In the heart of Bournemouth
Diverse studio options
Large room space
Bike Storage
4. Part-time jobs
Some universities offer on-campus positions for students to apply for. Take Bournemouth University, for example. Students can work in various jobs with many organisations at the University, such as the Students’ Union branch and the Students’ Union Bar. Also, they can get involved with the Bournemouth Student Ambassador Scheme.
The benefit of these on-campus jobs is that employers understand students’ needs more and offer extra breaks before and after exams. Also, working on campus means not having to travel long distances to work. Bournemouth University students can visit the website MyCareerHub to view these part-time and holiday jobs.
Conclusion
With all the expenses that come with college, it becomes crucial for students who are going to college soon or are currently in college to be aware of their budget and plan their expenses and income wisely. I hope you all find a lifestyle that works for you and enjoy your college experience.
FAQ
International students can work part-time in the UK. However, there are certain restrictions for international students to work part-time in the UK. For example, when it comes to working hours, international students are allowed to do a maximum of 20 hours of paid/unpaid work per week. If international students do not follow the rules set out by the UK Border Agency, they risk deportation.
In addition to the jobs provided by the school, international students can also find part-time jobs through the following ways:
Social media: such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc;
Online job boards: e.g. Indeed, Totaljobs, etc.
Local information: pay more attention to job advertisements posted in local shops, pubs, etc.
If you are an international non-EU student, it’s unlikely you will be able to get a student loan from the UK Government. But you can consider applying for a loan in your place of citizenship or permanent residence.
