Deciding whether to commute to university or move away from home is a big decision, and cost is an important factor to take into consideration.
Here, we'll look at the typical costs involved in commuting and living at uni, plus some of the financial support you may be eligible for.
According to Save the Student’s National Money Survey 2024, on average, students in the UK spend £1,104 per month.
In the East of England, where our campuses are based, the monthly average spend is £1,153 per month.
Students in London reported the highest monthly living costs of £1,264 per month.
These figures include students who live at university, as well as those who live at home and commute in.
Depending on your family situation, your parents/guardians may or may not decide to charge you rent. It's a good idea to speak with them when you're working out costs, so you can factor this into your budget.
Check with your family if food is included as part of your boarding agreement. Something to consider are your lunches and snacks; if you’re commuting then you may end up buying a drink on your commute or buying lunch at university.
Here are some estimated costs of commuting vs living away from home.
| Expense type | Commuting (per month) | Living away from home (per month) |
| Accommodation | £0 - £110 | £500 - £1,350 |
| Books and course costs | £0 - £30 | £0 - £30 |
| Travel (bus, train, taxi, car) | £50 - £280 | £0 - £25 |
| Bills | £0 - £50 | £60 - £150 (utilities, internet and insurance are included in your rent for ARU-managed university accommodation) |
| Clothing | £0 - £60 | £0 - £60 |
| Groceries (food and toiletries) | £0 - £100 | £140 - £300 |
| Leisure/entertainment (eating out/events) | £0 - £200 | £0 - £200 |
| Subscriptions (streaming, gym membership, mobile phone, TV licence) | £0 - £60 | £15 - £100 |
| Total expenses per month | £50 - £890 | £715 - £2,215 |
This is an example of average costs according to the National Money Survey and compare the market survey.
These costs are estimated based on average student spending and typical prices in our campus areas and accommodation options. They shouldn’t be taken as exact figures, but rather used as a guide to help you understand potential expenses.
When deciding whether to commute or live away from home, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons. Living away from home will generally cost more, but you may find that the added independence, convenience, and student experience are worth the extra expense.
Here are some practical tips to help you reduce your costs, whether you're commuting or living away from home.
Start by tracking your income and expenses to see exactly where your money is going. There are plenty of free budgeting apps that can help you stay on top of it.
Prepare your meals in advance, so you stick to the essentials when grocery shopping. Make your lunches at home and bring them to university to save spending more money at the shops or canteen.
If you’re living with your parents or guardians, you may not be asked to contribute to certain costs, which can help costs down. If you’re asked to contribute, there are often better deals for households, for example, a Spotify family plan, which can be split. If you commute by car, try to find someone that lives nearby, who you can share petrol costs with.
Living with housemates? Share the cost of household essentials, subscriptions, and even your groceries.
From textbooks to kitchenware, check student forums, charity shops, or second-hand online stores, before buying anything new.
For more money-saving tips from our students check out:
If you're a UK student, you can usually apply for a Maintenance Loan. The Maintenance Loan helps pay for living costs while you're studying. Living costs include things like accommodation, food and travel.
If you continue to live with your parents you could get between £3,907 to £8,877 a year, depending on your household income.
If you live away from your parents and study outside of London, you could get between £4,915 to £10,544 a year, depending on your household income.
There are plenty of travel discounts available to students, including on train and bus services in our region:
From £1 meal deals to discounted gym memberships, we have a range of offers to help you stay healthy and make the most of student life.
If you have any questions about student finance, including tuition fees, living costs or budgeting, our Money Advice Service can help. We offer free, confidential information to ARU students and anyone who's thinking of applying to study with us: [email protected].
You can also find out more about financial support at one of our Open Days.