Student Living Index 2017

JULY 2017
Key findings

• Cardiff has topped this year’s Student Living Index as the most cost effective University city.
• Students in London pay the highest rent at £140 more than the national average, with Exeter not far behind. Students in
Belfast pay the least.
• Student Loans contribute the most to students’ income, followed by contributions from parents or family
• Reading students spend the most time socialising, and London students the least.
• The longer students spend socialising, the more likely they are to say that they enjoy studying.
• Students spend over three times as many hours on academic studies than on socialising, with Oxbridge students spending
over 45 hours more a month than the average.
• Students find managing their money less stressful than their university degree, but the majority of students still say they
enjoy studying for their degree.
 Methodology and sample
Audience: 3,407 university students living in the UK

Survey period: 12th May to 2nd June 2017

Panel provider: YouthSight: Experts in student and young professionals research (www.youthsight.com)

Measure current term

time and vacation income

Understand university
city differences for SLI

Understand motivations
and expectations

Respondents were given a small financial incentive to take part in

the online survey. The survey was unbranded for all respondents.
 The Student Living Index: Cardiff is the most affordable student city
Student Living Index = average monthly living and accommodation costs
average monthly income

Student Living Index

1.02
0.96
0.87
0.84
0.84
0.83
0.80
0.79
0.73
0.71
0.71
0.71
0.70
0.70
0.70
0.70
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.68

0.68
0.68
0.68
0.67
0.65
0.65
0.65
0.65
0.64
0.63
0.61
0.58
0.56
0.51
0.49
0.48

Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
4 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
1. Income

• WEEKLY INCOME
• MOTIVATIONS TO WORK
 Students in Aberdeen, followed by Cardiff have the highest term time income

Term Time Income from All Sources

£1,583.80
£1,476.50
£1,365.60
£1,334.20
£1,320.10
£1,294.00
£1,263.00
£1,233.90
£1,233.60
£1,214.90
£1,203.20
£1,200.50
£1,187.80
£1,179.80
£1,179.00
£1,174.30
£1,155.10
£1,150.20
£1,147.50
£1,143.20

£1,134.40
£1,122.40
£1,120.80
£1,110.10
£1,094.70
£1,072.30
£1,030.30
£1,001.80
£992.70
£990.00
£967.60
£951.00
£946.60
£942.70
£874.80
£786.60
Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
6 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Student loans are the largest contribution, followed by income from parents

Monthly Monetary Contribution

£414.40

£205.20

£96.80

£96.70

£93.50

£78.90

£76.90

£66.50

£8.10

£6.20
Student loan Parents or Personal Term-time work Bursary/ Holiday work Overdraft Grant/ Sponsorship Other bank loan
family savings scholarship hardship loan

Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
7 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Students in Durham and Oxford receive the most from their parents

Income from Parents or Family

£412.90
£376.50
£351.20
£304.30
£269.40
£244.10
£234.10
£230.10
£223.80
£218.60
£212.80
£208.10
£208.10
£205.20

£203.50
£201.40
£195.90
£195.50
£192.70
£189.70
£188.50
£184.00
£183.10
£182.80
£176.70
£167.60
£165.70
£159.30
£159.10
£158.60
£144.50
£142.70
£137.70
£136.40
£129.50
£129.20
Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
8 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Hull students receive double the average amount of bursary

Income from Bursary/Scholarship

£198.60
£153.80
£143.50
£139.80
£121.30
£120.00
£117.60
£116.00
£113.40
£112.40
£110.70
£108.30
£106.50
£104.50
£102.30
£101.10
£100.10
£98.70
£97.30
£93.50

£90.10
£85.30
£79.10
£72.60
£70.10
£68.70
£66.20
£65.90
£63.90
£60.70
£59.30
£58.10
£54.70
£52.30
£46.10
£35.60
Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
9 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Students in Aberdeen earn the most from both term-time and holiday work

600

500 Income from term-time Income from holiday work

£267.30

400

300

£112.50
£106.80

£122.60

£70.90
£72.40

200
£72.50

£92.30
£86.50

£60.70

£98.10
£62.70
£78.90

£65.50
£69.70
£65.80

£69.70

£85.50

£99.80
£84.90
£117.70

£98.70
£97.80 £53.70
£26.20

£67.10
£99.30 £56.50
£219.80

£86.80 £64.90
£83.20 £52.60

£62.60 £76.10
£72.10 £61.70

£84.50 £42.80
£46.30 £81.20
£165.90

£65.80 £50.20
£160.50
£41.90 £78.70

£56.00 £60.60
100
£155.40

£148.50
£139.90

£22.20 £85.70
£128.90

£124.30
£118.40

£113.00

£108.30
£107.60
£105.60

£103.30

£97.50
£96.70

£89.10

£86.20
£81.20
£80.60

£66.90
£47.00
£65.20

£64.40
0

Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
10 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
2. Student Spending

• MONTHLY EXPENDITURE
• ATTITUDES TO BUDGETING
 Students spend the most on food shopping and household items

Supermarket food shopping,

£78.10
toiletries and household items
Household bills £43.10

Eating out £34

Alcohol £28.40

Clothes, shoes and accessories £27.40

Transport whilst visiting home
£22.60
during term time
Trips £21.40

Car - Day-to-day travel £20.70

Public Transport Day-to-day travel £17.60

Mobile phone bills and
£15.70
related costs
Books, course materials, printing,
£14.40
library costs, etc...
Home entertainment £7.60

Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
12 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Going out and socialising is the next biggest expenditure

Money spent per month

£43.30

£14.00
£12.80
£10.90

£3.40
£2.00 £1.30

Going out/socialising On other hobbies and On academic studies Playing sports or at Creative of performing Watching sports Volunteering/charity
with friends interests (lectures, coursework, the gym arts (gallery visits, work (volunteer
library, etc.) arts, photography, programmes, charity
theatre) events)

Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
13 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Students in Wales spend more than the average on alcohol

£50.87 Monthly Alcohol Spend – taking out the respondents who don’t drink
£50.18
£47.60
£47.26
£46.90
£45.56
£45.51
£42.07
£41.61
£41.56
£41.39
£40.69
£40.25
£40.07
£39.52
£39.18
£38.81
£38.61

£37.90
£37.71
£37.37
£36.93
£36.57
£36.39
£35.79
£35.48
£35.22
£34.93
£33.13
£33.11
£31.51
£31.44
£31.41
£31.10
£29.76
£29.34
Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
14 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Stirling students spend £10 more a month than average on fashion

Monthly Clothes, Shoes and Accessories Spend

£38.60
£37.10
£36.50
£34.80
£34.80
£34.50
£33.90
£32.30
£29.90
£29.10
£28.90
£28.20
£27.80
£27.40

£27.20
£27.10
£27.10
£27.00
£26.30
£26.30
£26.00
£25.80
£25.60
£25.50
£25.10
£24.60
£23.80
£23.50
£23.10
£23.00
£22.30
£22.20
£22.20
£22.10
£21.60
£19.10
Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
15 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Students in Birmingham spend the most on going out

Monthly Going Out Spend

£33.40
£32.10
£32.00
£30.60
£30.50
£30.40
£30.30
£29.70
£29.50
£29.00
£28.30
£27.90
£26.90
£26.60
£26.00
£25.50
£25.10

£25.10
£24.70
£24.40
£24.00
£23.00
£22.80
£22.00
£21.60
£21.50
£20.90
£20.50
£20.30
£20.30
£20.00
£19.90
£19.90
£19.90
£19.20
£18.20
Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
16 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 London and Exeter students spend the most on rent

Monthly Rent
£584.32
£559.94
£509.44

£502.11
£502.35

£501.84
£501.78
£492.53
£490.96
£477.33
£474.70
£474.33
£472.88
£463.53
£455.11
£449.66
£448.14
£448.00

£443.87
£435.06
£433.91
£425.92
£423.35
£422.09
£421.51
£421.18
£416.61
£415.26
£402.76
£401.15
£398.03
£396.79
£384.23
£372.18
£362.82
£324.96
Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
17 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 65% of students attempt to budget, but only 23% stick to it

I budget carefully and keep track of what I spend 23%

I try to budget but don't always stick to it 42%

I don't budget but I'm not frivolous with my money 29%

I don't consider what I'm spending at all - I'll think about that later 6%

Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
18 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
2. Motivations and Expectations

• STUDYING AND SOCIALISING

 Students spend 3 times more of their time studying than socialising

Monthly Hours Spent

91.7

27.4
19.6
14.6
10.7
3.3 3 2

On acaedmic Going Other Working in a part- Playing sports or at Watching sports Creative or Volunteering/charity
studies (lectures, out/socialising with hobbies/interests time job the gym performing arts work
coursework, library friends (gallery visits, arts,
etc.) photography,
theatre)

Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
20 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 But the more they socialise, the more they enjoy studying

Average Score of Enjoying Study Average Score of Enjoying Study Average Score of Enjoying Study
by Monthly Hours Working by Monthly Family Income by Monthly Hours Socialising

6.9 7.1 7.0

6.6 6.8
6.6 6.6 6.4
6.0

More than 7 Less than 7 Not working More than £40 Less than £40 No family More than 9 Less than 9 No Socialising
hours hours income hours hours

Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
21 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Oxbridge students spend over double the amount of time studying than
London students
Monthly Hours Academic Study
137.7
123.8
118.1
116.6
104
102.9
102
97.9
97.6
97.1
96
94
93.9
92.8
91.7

91.4
90.5
89.9
89.2
88.6
88.3
87.5
86.4
85.9
82.6
82.4
82.2

82
82
82

81.1
80
77.1
73.5
71.7
61.5
Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
22 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Students in Reading spend the most time socialising and over the average
amount of time studying
Monthly Hours Socialising
38.6
38.3
36.2
34.8
34.2
34.2
33.3
33.3
33.2
31.5
29
28.9
28.3
28.3
27.9
27.5
27.4

26.9
26.4
26.3
26
25.9
25.3
25.3
25.1
24.6
24.4
24.1
23.8
23.7
22.9

22.6
22.6

21.2
18.9
16.1
Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
23 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 61% of students rated the stress of studying 7 or above

Stress of Managing Money 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6% 3% 9% 9% 9% 13% 16% 16% 11% 3% 5%

Stress of University Degree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2%1%2%4% 6% 10% 13% 21% 21% 10% 9%

Enjoyment of University Degree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2%1%2% 3% 4% 11% 13% 20% 22% 12% 10%

Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
24 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).
 Half of students chose their university based on subject choice

51%

24%

7% 6%
3% 2%

Subject choice University reputation It is close enough to home Social life The cost of living University fees
to allow me to live with my
parents

Base: N = 3407; Student Living = average local monthly student expenditure on living and accommodation costs divided by average local monthly income for working students.
25 (106), Dundee (76), Durham (76), Edinburgh (106), Exeter (105), Glasgow (108), Hull (86),
Aberdeen (73), Aberystwyth (69), Belfast (102), Birmingham (113), Brighton (103), Bristol (107), Cambridge (104), Canterbury (103), Cardiff (105), Coventry
Leeds (106), Leicester (105), Liverpool (105), London (105), Manchester (103), Newcastle (105), Norwich (105), Nottingham (105), Oxford (110), Plymouth (103), Poole (77), Portsmouth (100), Reading (97), Sheffield (108), Southampton (106), St.
Andrews (51), Stirling (48), Swansea (92), York (104).