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Student living costs

Learn more about managing the cost of living at university. Student living costs are the expenses you have aside from your tuition fees, including accommodation, travel, food and study materials. Make your money go further and study without worrying about your costs. 

How much does living at university cost? 

Liverpool is one of the most cost-effective cities in the UK, making it the ideal place to live, study and work. However, it’s always important to manage your finances so you can make the most of your university experience. There’s much more to consider than your tuition fees, and effective budgeting can help make sure you can study and live at university without having to worry. 

See a full breakdown of UK student living costs and international student living costs.  

Accommodation 

We offer accommodation to suit all budgets, so you can find the perfect home-from-home. Students in receipt of a qualifying award can also access the accommodation discount (a value of 15% of your total accommodation fee in Academic Year 2024/25). 

The estimated monthly cost of accommodation depends on your lifestyle and where you choose to live. For more on the cost of accommodation, you can browse our campus accommodation and our list of University approved private accommodation. 

Bills and utilities 

If you choose to live in University halls, your gas and electricity bills will be included in your rental package. If you choose to live in private accommodation or shared housing, you may have to pay your bills separately.  

Visit our utilities and bills web page for more information on managing your payments. 

Travel 

Liverpool has extensive transport options with reduced travel prices for students and regular commuters. Plus, the city centre is walkable and easy to get around by bike, so you needn’t rely on public transport.  

Find out more about saving money on travel.

Study materials 

With extensive access to software, textbooks, E-Resources and media through our library services, the cost of study materials should be minimal. There are 2,000 computers available across campus, and all our students can install Microsoft Office on their personal devices for free. If required, Student Services can loan assistive technology if you’re not entitled to external disability-related funding. 

We recommend shopping second-hand for study materials. Find out more on our study costs web page. 

Food and drink 

There are lots of low-cost supermarkets in Liverpool, so you can prepare cheap and tasty meals on a budget. To reduce your weekly food costs, you can: 

  • Shop own-brand goods 
  • Buy items that can be frozen to extend their use-by date 
  • Buy in bulk and stock up on long-lasting items such as pasta and tinned goods 
  • Make a meal plan and prep weekly lunches that you can bring to campus. Find inspiration by searching for budget recipes for students. You can heat up your food using the microwaves in the Guild Shop and in Activity Space 4 next to Starbucks. 

Find out more about reducing your food shopping bill.  

If you fancy dining out with friends, there’s lots of great places to eat and drink across campus, with discounts and offers throughout the year with Loyalty Plus. If you’re looking to dine out in the city, you can browse the discounts and deals available to students and Liverpool locals. 

Entertainment 

There’s plenty of exciting things happening on campus, so you can have a great time with friends without spending much. You can join a sports club or society, book onto exciting events, and enjoy gigs and entertainment hosted by the Guild. There’s also Tung Auditorium, our new state-of-the-art concert hall, where you can attend live music events.  

The University is also just a 10-minute walk from Liverpool City Centre, which means you can easily access bars, galleries, museums and entertainment venues that offer free entry or student discounts.

Find out more about life in Liverpool. 

Cost of living in Liverpool 

The cost of living in the North West is significantly lower than areas such as the South East or London. Not only is Liverpool a hub of industry, creativity and entertainment, it’s also within the top 15 most affordable places to live in the UK. There’s countless fun and inspiring things to do at a minimal cost, making the city the ideal place to live. 

Budgeting for life at university 

There are lots of simple ways to manage your student finances. Creating a budget plan is one of the best ways to save money at university. 

Prepare a budget plan 

To prepare a budget plan, you should consider: 

  1. Your total income 
  2. The total cost of essentials such as rent, transport, food and study materials 
  3. How much money you have left when you take away your essential expenses. This will give you an estimate of what you have left to spend on activities such as going to the gym and dining out. 

You can use budgeting apps and websites to help you estimate your weekly budget, such as: 

Use student discounts 

There’s lots of discounts and deals available to UIniversity students and Liverpool locals. This can help you save money on food, clothing, travel and entertainment. Keep your Unicard to hand, and always ask if student discount is available in stores. Some great places to access discounts include: 

Find a student job 

Working alongside your studies can be one of the best ways to maximise your budget. It also allows you to develop transferrable skills and experience, so you can boost your career prospects. Our dedicated team of career coaches and employability experts can help you find the ideal part-time position. 

There are also great opportunities on campus, so you don’t have to look far to find work. Explore job opportunities through our careers platform, Handshake, and stay up to date with University of Liverpool Part-Time Jobs on X. 

Paying for your studies 

For most students, tuition fees are the biggest cost of going to university. We offer competitive tuition fees and scholarships packages to support you with your studies. Eligible students can also access government support via a range of loans and grants to help with tuition fees and living costs. 

Find out more about paying for your studies. If you’re the parent or supporter of a prospective student, you can access your dedicated fees and finance guide for more information. 

Non-fee cost of studying 

Some courses may require you to purchase specific items such as art materials and clinical equipment. Find out more about the cost of studying.

How to pay your fees 

There are a number of ways to pay your tuition fees. You can: 

  • Self-finance 
  • Pay your fees in whole or in part with a student loan and/or scholarship 
  • Arrange for an external sponsor to pay your fees on your behalf. 

Find out more about paying your fees. It’s important that you pay your fees on time, so remember to note the relevant deadlines. 

Money advice and support 

We understand that managing your student living costs can be a challenge, even with prior planning. That’s why the University and Student Services are here to help you throughout your student journey, no matter what your money worries are. Discover how Money Advice and Guidance can support you.