Living costs

  • Your living expenses will depend on a variety of things, including your accommodation choices and your lifestyle.

    Calculating your living costs

    As a guide, most students at Oxford Brookes spend in the region of £9,800 - £11,900 a year on living expenses, including accommodation. These figures take into account the amount of money that most students spend on food, course materials, social activities, household goods and other expenses. If you have expensive hobbies, you'll need to factor these into your budget. Living cost calculators such as Student Calculator can help you with your budgeting.

  • Breakdown Weekly expenditure
    Accommodation 
    (Based on the range cost for a self catered room in University halls of residence. Includes cost of heat and water. See the University's accommodation pages for specific prices.)    		 £116 - £171
    Telephone * £12
    Food £53
    Household goods ** £12
    Books £12
    Other (estimated) £53
    Total weekly expenditure £258 - £313
    Total per year (38 weeks) £9,804 - £11,894
    Total per year (52 week course, e.g. postgraduate study) £13,416 - £16,276

    * dependent on your contract

    ** such as toiletries, cleaning products, laundry

    Depending on your lifestyle and living arrangements, you may need to add to your budget for items such as:

    • Additional travel (a Brookes Bus Pass is included in most hall and tuition fees)
    • Additional leisure, sport, hobbies
    • Insurance and/or Internet costs (additional to that already included within hall fees)

  • Additional information about accommodation

    If you choose to stay in halls, you can pay your rent in 1, 3 or 6 instalments. If you choose the 3 instalment option, payments are scheduled for when you will receive your student loan. You will not be able to pay for halls accommodation on a monthly basis.

    Accommodation in a shared house in Oxford costs on average £94 - £130 per week. You should also expect to pay an average of £29 per week for gas, electric and water bills. Most students opt to stay in halls for their first year and then choose to move to a shared house for the remaining years of their course.

    Extra expenses

    If your partner is living with you, you need to double the living expenses. You will also have to pay for the living costs of any children who come with you.

    PG research students may also need an extra £600-£1,500 for expenses such as final hard-bound thesis, travel / field work / conferences, and associated project costs as agreed with your supervisor.  

    If you are registered with the University as a part-time student, you may also have to pay council tax if you don't live in student accommodation. Visit the Oxford City Council's council tax web page for more information.

    Mollie's budgeting tips

    • Look into scholarships: I got a Community Scholarship for volunteering during Sixth Form which entitled me to a £1000 bursary.
    • Get a job, especially during the summers: I work as a Student Ambassador for Brookes, a job which pays well and provides me with lots of experience.
    • Use a budget: I've got a huge spreadsheet with all my income and outgoings. It means I know when I can treat myself to that much-needed chocolate/pair of shoes/wine.
    • Plan your meals and do your food shop online, that way you are less likely to impulse buy.
    • Don't go on a spending spree when your student loan comes through, that money needs to last a long time!

    Check out Money Saving Expert's 50+ tips for student budgeting

    Mollie Huckin

    The National Union of Students (NUS) has a web page with information on money and funding as a student.

    See also...

    Brookes Union Advice Service

    The Brookes Union has an advice centre providing finance information to all students.