Support with the cost of living

When deciding to become an undergraduate student there are two main financial costs to consider:

• tuition fees
• your living costs

Factors such as your chosen course, where you are ordinarily resident and where you plan to live while you study may not only affect your living costs, but also the funding that is available to help you meet them.

Student Funding

Most home, undergraduate students are eligible to apply for statutory funding to help towards the cost of tuitions fees and living costs which may include rent, food, travel, socialising, books and equipment, essential bills.

The way in which you apply for student finance and the funding package available to you will depend on where you live and the course that you study.

Find our more about available funding.

If you need any help or have any questions about the funding available please don’t hesitate to contact the Advice and Money Team.

Additional funding

In addition to statutory funding there may be additional funding available to students who choose to study at Cardiff University, including:

• bursaries
• scholarships

Once you have enrolled at the University, we would advise exploring what additional charitable trusts and bursaries you may be eligible for by contacting the Advice and Money Team.

When deciding to become a postgraduate student there are two main financial costs to consider:

• tuition fees
• your living costs

Factors such as your chosen course, where you are ordinarily resident and where you plan to live while you study may not only affect your living costs, but also the funding that is available to help you meet them.

Student Funding

There may be statutory postgraduate funding available to contribute towards the cost of tuitions fees and living costs. Please note that this is often quite different to undergraduate student funding.

The way in which you apply for student finance and the funding package available to you will depend on where you live and the course that you study.

Find our more about available funding.

If you need any help or have any questions about the funding available please don’t hesitate to contact the Advice and Money Team.

Additional funding

In addition to statutory funding there may be additional funding available to students who choose to study at Cardiff University, including:

• Together at Cardiff bursary
• scholarships
• course-specific funding

As an international student coming to Cardiff University it’s important that you have funding in place to help you meet the cost of your tuition fees and living expenses while you study in the UK.

Our website provides lots of useful information around setting up your finances as an international student so that you can get the best out of your experience here at Cardiff.

Before coming to study in the UK, you can find out about the funding and fees for international students. There may also be specific information based on the country that you normally live in.

To help student’s plan how they will cover their costs whilst studying, the University has created a living cost calculator. The purpose of this tool is to give an example of average living costs for students. Whilst all costs are quoted as reasonable estimates, actual living costs will vary from student to student.

When you arrive in the UK, some of your priorities related to money will include:

• opening a UK bank account
• setting up your tuition fee payment
• finding accommodation, such as University residences or getting advice on how to secure housing in the private sector before you sign and commit to a contract

When it comes to money there are also important messages around financial security for international students to ensure your safety and security when coming to the UK.

International students can access help and advice from the  Advice and Money Team in the Centre for Student Life.

For the students living away from home, accommodation is often the largest expense when attending university.

When choosing your accommodation, is it important to consider:

1. Affordability when determining which accommodation you will choose. As Cardiff holds a wide range of accommodation options with varying costs, we would recommend choosing an accommodation in line with your budget plan.
2. The location of your accommodation, which can have an impact on its price. It is important to note how far away your accommodation is from your campus, as this may increase your travels costs to and from university.
3. Specific amenities or features within an accommodation. Features such as an en-suite or larger living area will often come at a higher price.

When choosing accommodation consider what is a necessity and what is a nice to have, bearing in mind your budget.

University accommodation

Explore University managed halls of residence options available to students and what it is like to live in student accommodation. When you are applying for a room, make sure to consider your budget, interests and preferences for your accommodation.

Private Sector Housing

Some students may choose to look for accommodation in the private sector. You will also need to consider your budget and location.

Cardiff University Students Union also offers advice about finding accommodation in the private sector. It is also important to understand your legal responsibilities before signing a contract for private accommodation.

Many students opt to work part time while they study. This helps boost their income for their day to day living costs, while also helping to gain experience for their CV and develop their employment skills.

You can find out more information about the Jobshop run for students by the Students’ Union, and how the Student Futures team can help you to improve your CV and prepare for interviews.

Funding bodies don’t always make it clear that, depending on your legal guardians’ household income, a financial contribution from them may be expected. We understand that this is not always possible. However, it is still worth speaking to your parents/guardian to see if they can help. Family finances aren't something that is commonly discussed, and the way student finance works is unique; so having a conversation about them might be useful.

Our wellbeing can influence many daily and long-term habits including how we interact with, or spend our money. Likewise, our feelings towards our money can have a direct impact on our daily life.

As a student, when our finances and wellbeing are out of balance this can have an effect on our ability to study and engage with our course.

There is a wealth of support available to support students via the Centre for Student Life including:

• Health and Wellbeing Team who offer registered students a range of support to look after their physical and mental health
• Advice and Money Team who can help prospective and current students establish their funding entitlement and offer advice on money management as a student

To find out more, or to get in touch with one of the teams above, please contact Student Connect.

As a student you will be able to get discounts on some of your regular purchases.

TOTUM Card

As a student you are able to buy a TOTUM card if you'd like one. If you do, you'll find that a lot of things, from cinema tickets to clothing to travel, can be bought at discounted cost. If you're ever unsure if somewhere offers a student discount, just ask.

CUFoods Club

All students can become a CUFoods Club member. It offers a flexible way to pay for food and drink, and incorporates enhanced discounts and rewards at on campus restaurants and cafes.

Loyalty cards

Make the most of loyalty cards. Save the Student has compared the best cards for you.

A student bank account is a good idea for all students. They are only offered to students and can offer free gifts to open an account with them. Subject to your credit rating, you may also be able to access an interest free overdraft. If your funding is ever delayed, or you have a cashflow issue, an overdraft can be a useful resource to allow you to get by until you next have money. However, make sure you know what you are signing up to and understand how this type of credit works.

The Money Saving Expert website has a good article comparing student bank accounts and overdrafts.

Cardiff is a small city and travel should be relatively cheap if you live and study here.  Generally, you don’t need a car, but individual circumstances may vary.

The cheapest way to travel is by walking or cycling (if you live close enough and can do it safely).

If your home is outside Cardiff, then you could save money on train or bus travel. Please check with your transport provider.