Cost of living
Manchester's affordable cost of living makes it an ideal choice for those who want to enjoy a major city on a budget. It is consistently shown to be one of the cheapest places in the UK for students to live.
You can enjoy some of the cheapest travel costs in the country and with a total student population of more than 80,000 to aim at, local businesses, services and nightlife venues compete for your custom with countless offers and promotions.
While accommodation is likely to be your main expense, opting for a room in a University hall of residence will simplify your costs, as our hall fees include contents insurance, all utility bills (usually gas and electricity) and most have a free internet connection.
Below are breakdowns of spending for the average Manchester undergraduate and postgraduate student for one academic year.
Estimated living costs 2022/23 for undergraduate students
| Costs 2022/23 | Undergraduate year (41 weeks) | Weekly cost (based on 41 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (self-catered)* | £6,095** | £148.66 |
| Meals (excluding meals out) | £2,050 | £50 |
| Clothes | £400 | |
| Transport (including local transport and travelling home/visiting friends)*** | £460 |
Weekly, monthly and annual bus passes available |
| Other (for example, books, equipment, mobile phone bill, socialising, laundry, photocopying and printing) | £2,460 | £60 |
| Total | £11,465 |
*For catered accommodation (breakfast and an evening meal on weekdays) add approximately £950 to the annual total – the ‘meals’ total will be less if the student chooses catered accommodation.
** The University of Manchester self-catered accommodation can range in price from £4,527 to £7,224 a year. Further information on accommodation provision and the annual cost of accommodation at The University of Manchester.
***Based on cost of annual bus pass.
Estimated living costs 2022/23 for postgraduate students
| Cost | Postgraduate year (52 weeks) | Weekly cost (based on 52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (self-catered) | £7,700 | £148.08 |
| Meals (excluding meals out) | £2,600 | £50 |
| Clothes | £520 | |
| Local transport (excluding travelling home/visiting friends)* | £535 | Weekly, monthly and annual bus passes available |
| Other (eg mobile phone bill, socialising, laundry, photocopying and printing) | £3,120 | £60 |
| Total | £14,475 |
*Based on cost of weekly bus pass.
These costs are intended as a guide only.
It’s important to bear in mind that all estimates made by the University are for single students. If you intend to bring your family, you should also account for family living expenses as well.
Some courses will require you to pay for specific items, materials or activities not covered in the tuition fees, such as field courses. In these cases the University endeavours to keep these additional costs as low as possible.
International students
If you require a visa to come to the UK, you're granted it on condition that you can pay your tuition fees and living expenses (for you and your family, if they are accompanying you) without having to depend on finding work in the UK.
Find out more about the cost of: