When it comes to sharing a house, student energy bills, food and transport are the aspects of life that every uni student should budget for. Which puts you in good preparation for life after uni!
Starting life as a fresher is so exciting but it’s important to grasp an understanding of living away from home and the hidden costs beyond sharing a house and paying rent, including their student energy bills.
There’s also:
Internet access, technology and accessories
For any student, access to the internet both at university and home is pretty much priority. Research, referencing, turning in essays and communication with tutors is all done online these days.
The costs of student broadband deals, a reliable laptop, insurances and software will take a significant chunk out of a student’s yearly income.
Textbooks, journals and literature
For some degree courses the reading list per semester is long and expensive. Large core textbooks can cost as much as £40 (£450 for a law degree!) to purchase new. There is the opportunity to buy second hand ones online and in student unions but the chances of completing your list can seem unrealistic.
To save money, head to the library and rent out the books you need, but don’t forget that there may be a demand for the books you need- so get in there early!
Printer credit
Depending on your degree (science and geography under-graduates take note) the cost of printing can reach £100 a year. Most universities operate printers on a top up card system and while some printer credit is issued, it is never enough for the amount required for each course module.
An English Language student may have to print the odd monochrome essay which will cost very little. A geography student who has to print out coloured and annotated maps and diagrams will find their printing cost much, much higher.
Sharing a house with other students may help to cut costs a little. Sharing rent, student energy bills and student broadband deals across two or three other people is clearly cheaper than living alone.
Should you share with people in your course and who study on your area of the campus could mean shared book and transport costs too, winner!
For more information about unexpected costs when sharing a house for students and how to deal with sharing the bills, speak with the friendly team at Glide about a bill splitting service.