Paying your own way

We all need a safe and secure place to live.

How much that costs depends on many things, such as:

• the type of housing
• where in the country it is
• whether you’re sharing the cost
• whether you’re renting or paying a mortgage.

In places where many people want to live, such as big cities, the cost of accommodation can be far higher than just a few miles further away.

For your first home you might want to consider sharing with others to try and spread the costs.

Find out more in our guide How to find a rented home you can afford.

If you’re renting, there are lots of different types of accommodation to choose from, depending on your needs, budget and availability. 

• University halls are usually on-campus or close by, and are managed by the university. Bills are often included. These rooms are usually reserved for first-year students, though availability can be limited so a place isn’t guaranteed. 
• Private student halls also known as purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), are blocks of flats managed by private landlords. They often come with extra facilities, such as gyms and social spaces, so rent tends to be higher than university halls. 
• Shared houses, flats or HMOs are managed by private landlords. You can typically rent a single room, or the whole property if you already have a group of friends to share with. 
• Homestays or lodgings are a popular choice among international students. Local people act as host families, offering support to students who are far from home or need additional support. 

Whatever you choose, you have the same rights and responsibilities as any other renter.  

Pay your rent on time and look after the property, and you can expect a safe, warm and well-maintained home in return. If something goes wrong, you also have options to put things right. 

Find out more in our guide Tenants’ rights and responsibilities explained.

It’s easy to buy the food you need when you need it, often every day.

Although it might seem more expensive at the time, it often works out cheaper to do a weekly shop.

This way, you can set yourself a weekly budget and stick to it.

It’s easy to be tempted by the offers and discounts in the major supermarkets. But make sure you need the things you buy before you end up spending more than you need, or wasting food.

You could also try buying supermarket own-brand or basic ranges, which can be far cheaper than branded products.

Find out more about cutting the cost of your food shoppingOpens in a new window on Save the Student.

Paying your own way for the first time can be difficult, and if you find you’re struggling to pay for food or everyday essentials, free help and support is available. 

• Where can I get emergency help with money and food? 
• Food banks – how to find and use their support Opens in a new window

Utilities are made up of gas, electric and water.

You usually can’t choose your water supplier. The company that supplies your water and sewerage depends on where you live. Your bill can vary depending on your tariff, how much water you use and whether you have a water meter. 

In Scotland, Scottish Water supplies your water. Most households pay water and sewerage charges through their Council Tax bill. If you have a water meter, Scottish Water will usually bill you directly. 

In Northern Ireland, you won’t get a separate water bill. Water and sewerage services are funded by the government, so you pay for them through your overall tax contributions.

You can, however, haggle with or switch your gas and electricity supplier – so make sure you shop around for the best deals.

Each gas and electricity company offers a range of tariffs, just like with mobile phones. So spend some time making sure you’re on the best tariff for you.

Switching supplier is easy and can help you make some big savings.

Find out more about saving money on your utilities in our guides:

• How to reduce your energy bills 
• How to reduce your water bill.

This can be far more than you expect after taking petrol, insurance, and repair bills into account.

Explore costs in more detail in our guide Costs of buying and running a car.

You need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

• watch or record live TV programmes on any channel
• download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer.

This could be on any device, including a:

• TV
• desktop computer
• laptop
• mobile phone
• tablet
• games console
• digital box
• DVD/VHS recorder.

If you go home for the summer, the good news is you can get a refund for the months you're not watching TV in your student accommodation, as long as there’s at least one month left on your licence that you won't use. 

Visit TV Licence refund: how to claim yoursOpens in a new window on the Save the Student website to find out more.  

But at all other times, you must have a TV licence to watch live TV or BBC iPlayer – you could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 if you’re caught watching without a one. 

Find out more about paying, and the help available if you can’t pay, in our guide Help if you’re struggling to pay your bills.

Just like with utility bills, switching broadband provider or changing your mobile phone contract can save you money.

So, when you’re getting a new contract, or your old one comes to an end, make sure you’re comparing the deals you can get to save money.

Find out more in our guides: 

• How to save money on your mobile phone
• How to save money on your home phone and broadband.

Find out more about unexpected bills, and what to do to stop these expenses from seriously affecting your finances, in our guide Emergency savings – how much is enough?

• How to talk about money 
• Talking with friends about money 
• How to talk to grown-up children about money 
• Talking to your partner about money.

If you’re struggling to pay for your everyday living costs, you might be entitled to certain benefits like Universal Credit, which can give you extra money to live on.  

Find out how Universal Credit works, how much you could get and how to claim in our guide Universal Credit explained.

Most full-time students cannot claim Universal Credit, but it’s worth checking, particularly if you have children or are studying with a disability. 

You can also find more information about all the benefits available for students on the turn2us website:  

• Full-time students and benefitsOpens in a new window 
• Part-time students and benefitsOpens in a new window