University in London

suffolkb

Youngest daughter is getting ready for uni applications. She would love to go to London (pref Kings - English) but is really worried about the cost of accommodation after the first year. Could any London students please give an indication of how much it costs you to rent and what you get for that. Thanks.

LilMissEmmylou

i lived 30 mins out from central london in Wycombe (so still counts for a travel card but not quite london) i was paying £260 a month rent for a bedroom with a shared kitchen and bathroom. Between working and student loans she should be able to afford the rent though

Broke_Student

She will (probably) be staying at Uni halls in the first year. The prices for Kings halls can be found at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/about/structure/admin/facser/accomm/residencefees.html

Remember that she will also get a much larger loan if going to uni in London.

She may also be able to get a good bursary from the university depending on her course/grades. I do not know about KCL, but at Imperial and QMUL any student achieving 3 A's and who has a household income below £17k will get £4k bursary per year (in addition to loans and grants).

Also remember that London can be one of the cheapest cities to live in if your daughter plans to do any part time work as most student jobs pay well above similar jobs in other cities.

LilMissEmmylou

i say work in pizza hut - everytime i go in there i tip well, as do most people!

suffolkb

Thanks. I have been telling her that work will be much easier to find in London and will pay more, which probably cover the extra rent. Her mother is trying to talk her out of even applying to London. I hope she does apply though - she doesn`t have to decide yet.

Broke_Student

suffolkb wrote: »

Thanks. I have been telling her that work will be much easier to find in London and will pay more, which probably cover the extra rent. Her mother is trying to talk her out of even applying to London. I hope she does apply though - she doesn`t have to decide yet.

I also encourage her to apply:
a) London is London. Do it for the experience. Although money is low at this age, living in London will never be so cheap again in her life so experrience the city now! Also if she see's herself in a City job after her degree, it will be alot easier to get a job with the City on her doorstep.
b) KCL is a top uni. Im not sure what her other choices are, but a qualification from KCL will probably stand out more than the same degree from another uni.

Print this and give it to her/her mother:
http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/finance/story/0,12728,1540372,00.html?gusrc=ticker-103704

ihatechoosingnames

£260?! i pay £400 a month! and it's an ex-local authority building (although the area is quite nice). most people i know who live in london pay around £400, regardless of their area.

lellie

Usually you're looking at around £100 a week for London.. Halls will be probably be around that but may be catered and will include electricity etc.

KizzyK_2

Broke_Student wrote: »

Remember that she will also get a much larger loan if going to uni in London.

Its about 3k extra which gets swallowed in rental/utility's/food :rolleyes:

Oldernotwiser

KizzyK wrote: »

Its about 3k extra which gets swallowed in rental/utility's/food :rolleyes:

There's no reason for food and utilies to be dearer in London! Rent, obviously, but not the rest.

Feanor

I have to disagree, i am originally from the North and i do notice price difference in many every day things including food/utilities etc..