Cost of living

Living costs

Some of the costs you will need to consider when coming to university.

Manchester is one of the best student cities in the UK and with a total student population of more than 90,000, there are lots of local businesses, services and nightlife venues that cater to a student budget.

While accommodation is likely to be your main expense, a room in a University hall of residence will simplify your costs, as our hall fees include contents insurance, utility bills (usually gas and electricity) and free internet access.

To help you work out your own budget, we've pulled together the following breakdowns of spending for the average Manchester undergraduate and postgraduate student during the course of one academic year.

Cost	Undergraduate year (41 weeks)	Monthly cost (based on 41 weeks)
Accommodation (self-catered)*	£7,875 (£7,985 catered)	£787.50 (£798.50 catered)
Groceries**	£1,700	£170
Takeaways	£580	£58
Transport (including local transport and travelling elsewhere)	£700	£70
Going out and socialising	£1,100	£110
Mobile phone contract/payments	£350	£35
Clothes	£460	£46
Health and wellbeing	£130	£13
Course materials	£160	£16
Holidays and events	£140	£14
Gifts and charity	£210	£21
Relatives or friends who you support financially	£280	£28
Total	£13,685	£1,368.50

Sources:

Accommodation figures taken from our accommodation website.
Grocery figures based on a weekly budget supermarket shop in April 2025.
All other costs obtained from savethestudent.org and their National Student Money Survey, with costs increased in-line with inflation as of February 2025.

*The University of Manchester self-catered accommodation can range in price from £4,853 to £12,096 a year. Read more information on accommodation costs at The University of Manchester.

** The ‘groceries’ total will be less if the student chooses catered accommodation.

Cost	Undergraduate year (41 weeks)	Monthly cost (based on 41 weeks)
Accommodation*	£6,925	£578
Groceries	£1,700	£170
Takeaways	£580	£58
Transport (including local transport and travelling elsewhere)	£700	£70
Going out and socialising	£1,100	£110
Mobile phone contract/payments	£350	£35
Clothes	£460	£46
Health and wellbeing	£130	£13
Course materials	£160	£16
Holidays and events	£140	£14
Gifts and charity	£210	£21
Relatives or friends who you support financially	£280	£28
Total	£12,735	£1,273.50

*Accommodation based on the average cost for private accommodation evidenced in a sample of students who applied to the University’s Cost of Living Support Fund. This annual figure is on a 52-week basis as these tenancy contracts are usually renewed yearly.

Cost	Postgraduate year (52 weeks)	Monthly cost (based on 52 weeks)
Accommodation (self-catered)	£9,880	£823 (approx.)
Groceries	£2,040	£170
Takeaways	£696	£58
Transport (including local transport and travelling elsewhere)	£840	£70
Going out and socialising	£1,320	£110
Mobile phone contract/payments	£420	£35
Clothes	£552	£46
Health and wellbeing	£156	£13
Course materials	£192	£16
Holidays and events	£168	£14
Gifts and charity	£252	£21
Relatives or friends who you support financially	£336	£28
Total	£16,852	£1,404

Sources:

Accommodation figures taken from our accommodation website. This annual figure is based on our self-catered accommodation.
Grocery figures based on a weekly budget supermarket shop in May 2024.
All other costs obtained from savethestudent.org and their National Student Money Survey with costs increased in-line with inflation as of March 2024.

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 one on condition that you can pay your tuition fees and living expenses (for you and your family, if they're accompanying you) without having to depend on finding work in the UK.

Support and initiatives

The University provides a range of resources to help you manage your finances.

We recognise the concerns you may have about money during your time at university

We offer a range of financial support and places you can go to ask for advice or seek help with financial difficulties;

a variety of bursaries and scholarships are available to help with living costs, and can help your money go further.
if you face unexpected expenses, there are initiatives designed to help and give you peace of mind, such as the cost of living support fund.
many students choose to work part-time while studying. Our Careers Service can help you find a role that fits around your studies, providing extra income and valuable experience.
The Students’ Union can also provide cost of living support, so you don’t have to worry about money alone.

Student money diaries

Hear from three students who all have different circumstances when it comes to studying at the University.

They discuss money management, budgeting while studying, and provide some great top tips for other students when it comes to finance.

Saving money while you study

There are plenty of budget-friendly things to do in Manchester.

Our students share the best places to go on campus to help you save money while you’re here.

Budget friendly ideas in Manchester

Saving at university – top tips

The Bee Network provides some free bus services around the city and there’s an approved taxi supplier which provides student discount.
Explore some of Manchester’s free offerings, including museums and galleries, and take advantage of student discount cards like TOTUM and UNiDAYS.
Stretch your budget further by shopping at local markets and budget-friendly supermarkets, using student discounts whenever possible.
We have lots of microwaves across campus that you can use to heat up your packed lunch or leftovers.
If you treat yourself to a meal on campus, there are deals available at a wide range of outlets.