Student Living Costs In Edinburgh

Thankfully the cost of living in Scotland is generally less expensive than in other parts of the UK. Scottish Enterprise’s research confirms that students in the Edinburgh City Region spend between £4,000 and £5,000 per academic year on living costs.

Accommodation costs are the biggest expense for students. (You can find out the exact costs for university accommodation and tuition fees from each institution). Prices vary considerably, according to the type of accommodation.

To budget for your living costs as a student, you need to estimate how much you will spend.. It’s inevitable that you’ll spend money on study materials, local travel, food and socialising. How much or little you spend is up to you, so the following information is just a guide.

Planning ahead and budgeting are the key to getting the best deals. There are many companies that cater specifically for students, which means prices are competitive. Make sure you shop around for the best deals before you buy – that applies to everything, from your accommodation to your food or insurance.

One way of getting a good deal is with discount cards such as NUS Extra or SNAPfax, designed and produced exclusively for students. They may cost between £1 and £10, but the discounts they provide on buses, CDs, clothes and restaurants could save you money.

It may be helpful to know that a student bus pass in the city region costs around £35 per month and that self-catering students spend on average £35 per week on food.