What is the right amount of living expenses to prepare for studying in the UK? Southampton Solent University is in the city centre of Southampton, UK, with rich educational resources and a convenient living environment. When you study here, you can enjoy student accommodation, food, shopping and entertainment that matches the quality and price. Although everyone has different lifestyles and spending habits, we’ve thoughtfully delivered a Solent University study costs reveal for our students to help students prepare financially. We take one academic year as the unit of estimation, including the basic expenses such as food, clothing, housing and transport, to provide you with an estimate of the cost of living at Southampton Solent University. Still, the specific consumption varies according to individual circumstances.
Accommodation
Rent takes up a large proportion of the cost of studying abroad, so planning for this expense is vital. Taking student accommodation at Southampton Solent University as an example, the average price per academic year ranges from £4649.40 to £6127.45, which includes WiFi, gas, water, electricity and other bills, so it can be considered cost-effective student accommodation. If you are a full-time student in your first year of study, the university will reserve a place for you in the student residence.
Clothing and Food
The amount of money you spend on food and shopping depends mainly on your personal preferences. For those who prefer to cook for themselves, Southampton Solent University has shared kitchens in all residence halls so you can cook to your heart’s content. On the other hand, to ease the burden of travelling across the ocean, you can also choose to buy your clothes in the UK. Many brands offer discounts on a regular basis, so you’ll be able to pick up big-name items at a fraction of the price. Excluding large purchases, you can spend as little as £1,200 per year on food and clothing.
Transport
Thanks to the excellent location of Southampton Solent University, students can reach their daily journeys on foot. To travel to other cities, you can choose to travel by train. By paying an annual fee of £30 for a 16-25 Railcard, you can take advantage of the exclusive offer for 16-25-year-olds and save 1/3 of the ticket cost for each journey. Over 25s can also apply for the 26-30 Railcard, Network Railcard and Two Together Railcard as long as they are on a full-time course.
Other Expenses
Embarking on your journey at Southampton Solent University is not just about academics. It’s also about experiencing a new way of life. This includes managing your everyday expenses beyond food, clothing, housing, and transportation. You’ll discover that various incidental expenses form part of your day-to-day living. These include essentials such as buying groceries and study materials, laundry costs, topping up your phone bill, and engaging in social activities. These seemingly small expenditures can add up, significantly impacting your overall budget. But fear not! With thoughtful planning and mindful spending, these costs can be managed effectively. On average, you might spend around £1,280 per year on these additional expenses.
Saving Tips
Overall, students will need at least £7,000 per academic year to cover the most basic living needs for studying in Southampton Solent. If you want to save money, we recommend these tips:
Coordinating and planning the budget: organising a budget is necessary for students before they travel to study abroad. At the same time, one needs to know which items one is about to spend. Once you have a clear breakdown of all the money received and spent, you can calculate the monthly disposable living expenses. When you are struggling with whether to spend this money, you can think well about cost-effectiveness and practicality.
Refrain from spending in advance: students can open a bank account when they arrive in the UK. Many student accounts are entitled to interest-free overdrafts, but students need to be aware of their repayment ability and use the limit in a restrained manner; otherwise, it may impact their credit score.
Reasonable use of credit cards: In addition to the overdrafts mentioned above, students may also use credit cards with interest attached to the repayment of the advanced funds. We do not recommend excessive use of credit cards during your study period, as repayment of debts can be overwhelming for students with no income.
Attention to property safety: Studying in a foreign country, the surrounding environment is full of unknown factors. Therefore, we strongly advise students to check that doors and windows are closed before leaving home and to always take care of their valuables when they are away to avoid extra expenses on re-issuing documents and purchasing lost property. As there is no need to enter a payment code for small purchases overseas, we would like to remind students to beware of the problem of bank card fraud.
Make the most of student discounts: Apply for a TOTUM card and pay just £24.99 a year to unlock over 350+ student discounts in the UK, in-store and online. You can also register for a student account with Student Beans to take advantage of the wide range of student discounts available in the UK.
Free software: Students can use the school’s student account to access the Microsoft Office suite, the full suite of Adobe professional software and other essential software for their studies for free. Making full use of the teaching resources provided by the school will save you a lot of study costs.
FAQ
How much does accommodation cost at Southampton Solent University?
Accommodation costs at Southampton Solent University can vary depending on the type of residence chosen. The cost for a room in self-catered halls ranges between £129 and £240 per week.
What is the employment rate at Solent University?
According to the university’s data, 91% of its students are employed or in further study. Another source suggests that this figure could be as high as 95% for full-time degree graduates.
Are there any scholarships or financial aid available to help with the cost of living?
Yes, Southampton Solent University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries for students. These can be based on academic achievements, financial need, and other criteria. It is recommended that students research and apply for these opportunities as early as possible.
