The Costs of Uni?

Oldernotwiser

angela110660 wrote: »

Son currently just finished 2nd year of 4 - on paid placement for 1 year now as part of course but this covers basics - rent, Tube, food. Has taken the student loan of £3k each year which has covered his rent basically. In first year and part of 2nd worked several shifts at a restaurant for spends. Gave up after Xmas as needed to concentrate on studies - this has paid off very well good results - but we have had to provide spends from our money eg £400 per month.
Now moved to another town to do placement and we had to find 2 months rent upfront for him to take on rental agreement, plus his first months pay is only partial one so we are paying next months rent too.
Reckon that to date after 2 years - cost him and us £10K and he is not a big spender and does lots of free stuff with sports eg 5 a side etc. It is all the normal things like saving for Xmas, birthdays, the odd night out, the summer ball ticket, bus/trains which eat up the money. He does lots of cooking for himself and his flatmates because he enjoys it but they are not extravagant by any means. We have another year after this one - so am sure we will be helping out. Hope this is of interest - dont underestimate the cost of stuff

£400 spends a month and you think that's not extravagant? Have you visited planet Earth recently?

shelley_crow

i'm a "mature" student because i started at 21. When i was 18, i got the opportunity to go to uni but didn't because of personal circumstances, if i had the max they could charge for tuition was £1500. last year they charged £3080 tuition. Next year will be £3145.

I have taken out the max loans i can to cover these costs. Fortunately I receive a bursary from the NHS due to my course. This amount covers the living costs for myself, my partner and our son with a tiny amount left over.

The only nuggets of wisdom i have learnt along the way is that it is imperative to budget wisely. You have to find the fine line between being frugal and enjoying yourself. To keep your living costs down, learn how to cook if you aren't that confident. Also, the Moneysaving old style board is fantastic for cheap meal ideas.

Just remember, you'll feel rich when the loan comes in but be careful, spend wisely and budget for the unexpected. Good luck x

Helix

Wiggynut wrote: »

I'm starting in Sept 08 and the course fees are £3,145 per year... when you say they might go up to £6,000 per year will that apply to new students only or to all???
If it goes up to that amount then I'm not sure I'll be able to continue!
I was asked if I wanted to go into the 2nd year but decided to do all 3... I just hope I have made the right decision!

why would it go up by double the amount?????

This is very depressing news!

It would only apply to new students starting that year. When you start you get locked into the current system so any changes that happen don't affect you.

I started last year when the household income threshold was £38,000 this year it increased to £60,000. As I started last year though I am locked into that system so the old threshold still applies

lilysgarden

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

£400 spends a month and you think that's not extravagant? Have you visited planet Earth recently?

Was thinking the same thing, then re-read and she also says 3k covers the rent for the year. I'd love to know where he's living cos that only covers six months rent for me, not including any bills! :eek: I know student digs are supposed to be cheaper (I live in private rented) but even my mates only pay a few quid a week less than me on rent....