Money Matters
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Living Costs
Your main costs as a student will be your accommodation, food, travel, entertainment, clothing and other course costs.
It is difficult to estimate how much students should budget for, as the income available to each student will vary.
As a guide, for a first year student living in a hall of residence at St Mary's, the biggest weekly costs could total between £206 and £288:
- Hall accommodation £96 to £163 (2011/12 prices)
- Food*/Toiletries £30
- Entertainment £40 to £50
- Travel £10 - £15
- TV licence / Insurance £5
- Clothes £10
- Other course costs** £10
- Laundry £5
* For students living in halls of residence, breakfast and evening meals are included in your accommodation fees (with the exception of St Mary's Hall which is a self-catered hall).
** These will vary, depending on your chosen course, but will include text books, stationery and photocopying. Other costs may include field trips, theatre visits, sports kit etc. Please contact the relevant academic Schools for further information.
Students living in a house or flat share will also have to budget for utility costs (Gas, electric, water rates, phone etc) and allow extra for food and travel costs.
The range of rents for properties in Twickenham and the surrounding areas is currently between £350 and £400 per person per month.
Financing Your Studies
There are several ways to finance your studies, through loans, savings, parental/partner support and part-time work. Some students will also be eligible for grants and/or a St Mary's Scholarship.
Maintenance Loans/Maintenance Grants (for living costs) (Home students only)
Full-time home undergraduate students are able to apply for loans and grants to help with their living costs.
The amount you are entitled to borrow depends on when you started/are starting your course, your household income and whether you will live at home with your parents during your course or away from home in University College Halls/lodgings/house share etc.
Students receive payment in 3 instalments, in September, January and April. Students who are in receipt of benefits may be eligible for a Student Support Grant in place of the Maintenance Grant.
The Student Finance Calculator will give you an estimate of the loans/grants for which you may be eligible.
EU Students
EU students are not eligible for any of the above statutory support, however all new undergraduate students can apply for a loan to cover the tuition fees.
