According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 92% of higher education students in England have seen their living costs rise.
Find out how we're supporting our student community with the cost of living and explore the dedicated financial and wellbeing support we've put in place.
Contents:
- What will be my biggest expense at university?
- What support is available at Newcastle?
- I’m worried about how my mental health will be affected
- Where can I find out more?
What will be my biggest expense at university?
Perhaps not surprisingly rent is the biggest expense for students. According to the National Student Money Survey 2024, this accounts for nearly half of average monthly living costs.
But students are also seeing their food, other bills and transport costs increase, too.
To help cover living costs at university, UK students can apply for a government-backed Maintenance Loan. But rising bills are still leaving students struggling to make ends meet.
What support is available at Newcastle?
We want you to make the most of your time with us, so we've been increasing the support, resources and money-saving initiatives you'll be able to access. Our support includes:
- Student Finance Advisers you can talk to for professional help with managing your money and accessing funding schemes. You can book an appointment to meet an adviser in person or online
- scholarships, bursaries and prizes. including Opportunity Scholarships for students from low income households.
- Student Financial Support Fund – you can apply to this fund if you’re struggling with essential day-to-day living costs. International and EU students can apply to our Financial Assistance Fund
- financial support to attend interviews, complete work experience, develop a project or initiative or explore a business idea through our Make It Happen fund
- subsidised campus laundry facilities – available whether you choose to live in University or private accommodation
- free period products available at various locations around campus
- our money-saving Food Fob - each time you top up with funds to spend at any campus cafe we'll give you an extra 10%
- Activities Access Fund – to help with the cost of joining student societies and taking part in their activities
- a Student Pantry based at our Students' Union - where you can pick up free items, including fresh, dry and tinned foods,toiletries and stationery
- access to subsided and free activities through our Give It A Go programme
- Money Matters – an online money management course covering budgeting basics
What mental health support do you provide?
At Newcastle, we take your wellbeing very seriously. That’s why our Student Wellbeing Team is available to anyone in our community who might be concerned about their physical or mental wellbeing.
Support includes counselling, mental health and student welfare support, as well as 24/7 initiatives iNCLude – our self-help app – and mental health support network TalkCampus.
Where can I find out more?
Our Cost of Living Hub covers everything you need to know and how to seek support if you need it.
A Cost of Living Working Group meets regularly to identify additional initiatives to help and support our students.
We have over 1,000 scholarships available for international and EU Students, welcoming applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences from all over the world.