Cost of living in the UK
The costs given below are to be used as
guidelines only. However, we highly recommend
that you budget to have at least £800 per month of
study. This should be enough to cover your rent,
entertainment, travel housing and bills.
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Bedding, clothes and basic essentials at the beginning of your
stay.
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£400 total
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(to include bills such as Electricity/ Gas)
Private rented accommodation in Zone 2
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£85-150 per week
£80-£150 per week
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These costs are based on a one month travelcard including a
30% student travelcard discount*.
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Varies between £25 - £100 per month
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No meal plans are available at the University, however all the
main sites have cafes offering meals and snacks.
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£40 - 70 per week
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There are fully equipped libraries, however you may need to
some additional books and texts.
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average £50 per month
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London hosts a wide range of entertainment venues
catering to all groups of society and religions.
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average £250 per month
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Clothing
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This will vary enormously depending on lifestyle.
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average £43 per month
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Laundry
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average £34 per month
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Start up costs
£400 one off
Most students will have to buy bedding, clothes and basic
essentials at the beginning of their stay. London is, in general,
milder than other parts of the UK. The summer tends to be warm;
winter is usually cold and damp; spring and autumn are somewhere in
between. £300 should be enough for additional clothing needs.
Accommodation
University Halls of Residence
£85 - £150 per week (single room)
The fees for Halls are inclusive of all bills (heating, hot
water etc). All University of Westminster accommodation is
self-catering and prices vary between Halls. Please note that
minimum tenancy is for one full semester.
top
Private Rented (Zone 2)
£80 - £150 per week
Prices will vary greatly depending on the area of London,
quality of accommodation, number of people sharing etc. Most rental
costs do not include bills and minimum tenancy can often be six
months.
Public Transport
£25 - £100 per month
For the most up-to-date information students should visit the
Transport for London website.
Students may apply for a special Student Discount Travelcard
which entitles the holder to a 30% reduction on the cost of a
weekly or monthly travelcard. After enrolled at the university you
should visit the
Students Union at
Marylebone or Harrow
to collect the application form. You will need
to supply a passport photo and pay a £5 fee. Please note
that the card may take between 4-6 weeks to be processed.
Food / Household shopping
£40 - £70 per week
There are no meal plans available at the University, however
all the main sites have canteens offering meals and snacks.
Obviously how much you spend on food depends on your eating habits,
but sharing food shopping and meals with others will help cut
costs.
Books and Equipment
£50 per month
Although you will be able to use the University libraries, you
may be required to purchase certain books and texts for your
modules. You can save money by looking in second hand bookshops, or
buying stationery from shops with student discounts.
Entertainment
£250 per month
London hosts a wide range of entertainment venues catering to
all groups of society and religions. Dinner out can cost from as
little as £5.00 to £250.00+. Cinemas in central London cost
around £8.00 while a theatre ticket would typically cost £15 - 30.
However, there are special discounts available to students
throughout the city, so make sure you ask!
Student discounts
London can be a very expensive place - but it is also very
student friendly. There are lots of cheap places to eat, 'party'
and indulge in cultural pursuits. It is just a question of looking!
Special reductions are offered for students at many shops,
theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries; and special student fares
are available on buses and trains. Many of these discounts are
negotiated by the
National Union of Students (NUS),
an organisation that represents the interests of all students in
the UK. As a student at Westminster you automatically become
an NUS member. Alternatively ask at the Westminster
students' union for
details of the latest student discounts.
Useful websites
Additional information
Try not to stay just in Central London - it's a huge diverse
city which you should try and explore. Think of the districts of
London as a series of villages all with their own distinct and
unique characters. Why just see one when you can explore them
all?