Living on a budget
Because you have a large amount of money in your account when you get your loan/grant, don't think you're loaded! While it might look a lot of money, remember how long this has got to last you and what it needs to cover.
Don't go on a big spending spree at the start of term! Use the Budget Planner to set yourself a weekly or monthly budget and stick to it.
Eating on a budget
Plan meals for the week ahead and buy food accordingly. Always use a shopping list so that you are not tempted to buy unnecessary items. Try to buy supermarket own brands as they are much cheaper than the more well known brands.
Look out for special offers, but do not buy things that you'll never eat just because it's cheap. Watch the sell by dates as you shop. You do not want to throw away food which you bought cheaply but cannot use in time. When you go to the supermarket, check out the reduced item shelves (usually at the end of an aisle) to see if there is anything you could use.
Take advantage of promotional money-off coupons. You may find some useful offers at the Student Voucher Codes website or the Vouchercloud website.
Learn how to cook! Get a student cookbook which will have numerous nutritional but low cost recipes. A useful website to help budgeting for food is Student Recipes. It's got everything from learning how to boil an egg to finding inspirational vegetarian recipe ideas.
Socialising on a budget
You are entitled to discounts on campus with your NTU Student Card. Don't miss out!
Carry your NUS Card with you so that you can take advantage of discounts. Lots of shops offer a 10% to 15% discount to students. You also have the option of purchasing an National Union of Students' (NUS) Extra Card. On average, students save over £500 a year by using their NUS Extra Card. Visit the NUS website to discover the discounts.
Look out for two for one deals in restaurants in Nottingham, or early evening menus, as these can offer great savings. You may also find the following websites useful:
Most libraries offer you the chance to take out DVDs, CDs and other forms of entertainment at very cheap prices, so take advantage of this resource.
Before making a purchase, pause for thought. Try waiting for a few days before making the purchase as it gives you time to compare prices elsewhere, come up with an alternative or even to decide that you do not need or want it.
Average costs for studying at NTU
- The data below was gathered from NTU students surveyed during the 2017/18 academic year.
- 50% of our students stated that their outgoings were within the ranges presented below
| item | cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (per week) | £92 - £165 (Halls) |
| Food/Groceries (per week) | £20 - £35 |
| Eating out/Socialising (per week) | £14 - £47 |
| Travel (per week) | £5 - £15 |
| NCT Bus Pass (per academic year) | £239 |
| Tram Pass (per academic year) | £235 |
| NTU Active Gym (anytime usage) (per academic year) | £110 |
| NTU Active Gym (off-peak only) (per academic year) | £89 |
| NTU Cycle Hire (per academic year) | £35 |
| TV Licence (per 12 Months) | £150.50 |
| Personal Items Insurance (per 12 Months) | £250 - £300 |
