Top Money-Saving Tips for Students in the UK
The UK is an excellent place for international students, but the cost deters many. While you need to consider carefully how you will fund the significant costs of your degree, such as tuition fees and rent, there are also a number of “hidden costs” that many students will overlook, such as travel, eating out, and taking trips with student societies.
Fortunately, there are numerous resources available to assist students in saving as much money as possible while still getting the most out of their study abroad experience. Here are some of the top Money-Saving Tips for Students in the UK :
It may seem obvious, but always read your emails.
Emails and newsletters are frequently used by universities to inform students about opportunities to earn money, apply for scholarships, or participate in fun low-cost activities.
Many institutions will contact students in order to recruit participants for research trials and studies, which are often compensated for a few hours of your time. Summer jobs at the university, as well as free museum memberships, discounted activities, and paid student initiatives, are likely to be advertised in emails.
Keep an eye on your travel expenses.
It;s very common to point out that students frequently fail to budget for travel expenses.
Fortunately, there are several travel discounts available in the UK, including the 16-25 Railcard, which costs £30 and gives you one-third off train fares across the country for a year. Many bus companies will also give you a student discount if you show your university ID card.
Did you know?
Students in London can get a student Oyster card, which saves them 30% off adult-rate travel cards and bus and tram passes. You can even purchase a discounted year-long travel card for certain London travel zones, which means paying one upfront discounted cost for the year rather than a small fee every time you travel, making budgeting much easier.
Remove your credit card information from websites.
We also recommend deleting any auto-saved credit card information from shopping websites that may tempt you to overspend.
If you save your credit card information online, it’s very easy to buy something without thinking about it. However, if you have to enter your information each time, it may cause you to pause and consider, “Do I really need this?”. While it’s okay to treat yourself now and then, this is a great way to avoid getting carried away with online shopping.
Look for job openings through your student union
Many students intend to work part-time to supplement their income but are unable to find work that is flexible enough to fit their studies.
When looking for part-time work, We suggest contacting your university’s students’ union to see what opportunities are available. During the student holidays, the SU will frequently advertise seasonal jobs within the university, in addition to informing you of all the best student deals and discounts.
Do not be afraid to seek assistance from your university
Students can sometimes feel a little embarrassed to talk about their personal finances, and this attitude can put them off asking for help.
While it’s understandable that you’re hesitant to discuss money, keep in mind that your university is there to assist you. Many universities and students’ unions have advisers who are ready to help, adding that many universities will provide hardship funding to a variety of students, as well as financial literacy classes.
For more information needed to be related to studying in the UK, and Money-Saving Tips for Students in the UK, please connect with our study abroad experts today!