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Money Matters Living on a student budget is easier at York than at many universities. Accommodation costs are relatively low and in your first year especially transport costs can be negligible: you are likely to live near to classes and entertainment. Other cost-cutters include a good range of second-hand bookstores, student nights at most York clubs and discounts at many local shops. A typical first year student living away from home in University accommodation can spend £5100-£6200 on living costs (2004/5). Many students will spend less than this. Variations arise because of differences in rent and length of let, course costs and lifestyle choice. If you live at home and travel daily to the University, your living costs will be lower though increased transport costs will balance out some of the savings on accommodation. For most students, costs increase when they live out because rent normally needs to be paid for 52 weeks of the year. Some students return to University accommodation in their final year, but many students continue to live out in private rented accommodation.Your student budget needs to cover the following items: * Rent if you live away from home * Food and toiletries * Course costs (books, stationery, photocopying, equipment) * Local transport costs * Transport from home to university if you travel daily * Insurance * Laundry * Social life, sport, leisure * Telephone. Paid employment Many students obtain part-time work in term time and most students work some of the University vacations. The Students' Union advertises job vacancies and the Careers Service runs a facility called UniJobs which helps students find casual, seasonal or part-time work in the local area. Having a job not only improves your finances, it also gives you valuable experience of the world of work, which can help strengthen your applications for employment when you graduate and can help you identify what it is you are looking for in your future career. The University recommends that students who work in term time do less than 15 hours per week. Managing your money If you haven't been living independently you may find money management a challenge. The Aimhigher website provides a budget calculator that you may find useful and there is good advice on the student money website. Our student support website provides information about student money at the University of York. Check it for more details of costs and of support available. If your circumstances are complex and it is not obvious what support you might be able to access, please contact our Student Support Office for more assistance. We provide an information leaflet about costs and student support to all students that we offer places to and we give all entrants a Student Money Guide - specific to their year of entry - to assist in financial planning. Top tips from students Current students have told us some of their top tips for managing money: * Budget. It sounds boring but it helps. * Track your outgoings. Only then will you honestly realise how much you are spending. You'll be surprised! * Take advantage of 2-for-1 offers when you see them. * Bring a bike - it's cheap transport and you'll keep fitter, too. * Textbooks can often be bought second-hand. Just make sure you have the right edition. * If you have to get a taxi always share and use a company that gives student discounts. * Consider sharing books or using the library: you don't always have to buy the book yourself. | ||||
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