Chuks gives his tips and advice on navigating the cost of living as a student.
Cost of Living
Need some help with money and budgeting?
Managing your money and sticking to a budget is part of being a student. This might feel daunting but don't worry.
There are plenty of ways to stick to your budget, like tracking your spending, meal planning, and using your student discount. You'll also have opportunities to earn extra money through job roles on campus.
If you need some extra advice and support, our Student Life Team is here to help.
Student discounts
Being a student means that you can get discounts on different things like eating out, clothing, footwear and electronics with participating retailers. To access these discounts, you can use Unidays, Student Beans and Totum.
Discounts on public transport are also available for students. For train journeys, a Railcard by National Rail gets you 33% off original tickets prices. For busses, students get discount on termly and annual tickets with First and Arriva.
Discounts on campus
There are many ways you can save money on campus, including:
- up to 50% off memberships at our on-campus gym, Unique Fitness
- free eye tests with our final-year optometry students under staff supervision at our on-campus Eye Clinic
- free health checks and cheap physio sessions at our student-led Physiotherapy and Sports Rehabilitation Clinic
- lunch for under £5.00 at our on-campus food outlets, CURB, Richmond Eatery and Bertie's Street Food
Part-time jobs on campus
Money-making opportunities on campus include:
- Student Ambassador
Gain valuable experience working a variety of events and outreach programmes. - Student Creators Hub
Aspiring social media star or blogger? Create content with our marketing team and get rewarded. - Retail and hospitality outlets
If you're looking for a part-time job, there are cafes, eateries, shops and hospitality outlets on campus that employ students.
If you're already a student at Bradford, our Handshake platform can help you find a part-time job.
Estimated minimum living costs for the 2024-25 academic year
Bradford offers cheaper living when compared to nearby cities like Leeds and Manchester.
Here are a few examples of some typical living costs. These will give you some guidance on how much money you'll need as a student at Bradford. The minimum costs in the table below have been estimated by our support teams.
| Estimated minimum living costs for a single student in Bradford 2024-25 | 42 weeks | 51 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, depending on type | £3,780 to £7,435 | £4,335 to £8,936 |
| Average utilities (if not included in rent) | £1,186 | £1,440 |
| Food (based on £60 per week) | £2,520 | £3,060 |
| Toiletries, laundry and household (based on £15 per week) | £630 | £765 |
| Books, stationery, photocopying and printing (based on £10 per week) | £420 | £510 |
| Mobile phone costs (based on £10 per week) | £420 | £510 |
| Local travel – if required (based on £20 per week) | £840 | £1,020 |
| Set-up costs | £500 | £500 |
| Insurance for personal possessions (included in halls of residence rent) | £70 | £70 |
| Estimated minimum total for guidance only | £10,366 to £14,021 | £12,210 to £16,811 |
Please note:
- These expenses will vary according to lifestyle, circumstances and time of year.
- There may also be additional costs associated with your course, such as lab coats or a driving licence.
Money support at Bradford
If you need any further support when it comes to funding your studies or looking after your money as a student, we're here to help.
Our Student Life Team can give you impartial money advice and guidance, and our Scholarships webpage can help you find other ways to fund your studies.
Student Life Team
If you need additional support with money whilst at university, our Student Life Team are here to give you confidential advice and guidance.
Examples of support they offer include:
- applications to our Student Support Fund in times of financial difficulty (we cannot fund tuition fees)
- advice and guidance in relation to student finance issues
- referrals on to external and internal services
- budgeting
Get in touch
- Email: supportandguidance@bradford.ac.uk / money@bradford.ac.uk
- Telephone: 01274 236504
Scholarships, bursaries and grants
Scholarships, bursaries and grants are extra forms of income that you can apply for to help with university costs. You don't have to pay them back, but you need to check that you are eligible for them before applying. Eligibility criteria can vary, some of the criterion is based on:
- academic achievement
- household income
- background and personal circumstances
- country of residence
- course choice
Search and find scholarships or bursaries available at Bradford.
Cost of living blogs
Read our tips and advice about money and budgeting as a student.
If you're a parent or carer, find out how to help your young person explore their university funding options.