Cost of Living in Newcastle for Students

Components of Cost of Living in Newcastle for students

Student Accommodation Costs

The cost of student accommodation in Newcastle varies greatly depending on the accommodation type and location. Typically, University Halls of Residence (HOR) are more fixed in cost, roughly between £120-£200 per week, depending on the facilities, location and services in the halls. You can choose to live in off-campus student accommodation in Newcastle upon Tyne with uhomes.com. The price is usually between £150-£250 per week and has better facilities, often including full furnishings, kitchens and high-speed internet.

If you share a flat or a house with a friend, the rent may be cheaper, but you will need to share utility and internet costs with others. Typically, rents for this type of accommodation are around £450-£800 per month, depending on the location and size of the property. Rent is usually more expensive in city centre areas, whereas areas further away from the city centre can be relatively cheap.

Transportation Costs

Newcastle’s public transport system is relatively easy to use, and students can use buses and the Metro to get around. Students can get a discounted rate if they buy a transport card, such as a Student Bus Pass. Typically, a single bus journey costs around £2-£3, and a monthly student pass is around £30-£50.

If you live further away from the school, you may also need to use the tube, which costs around £2-£3.50 for a single journey. If you plan on travelling a lot, you can buy a monthly student metro pass, which will be more cost-effective. Getting around between Newcastle Uni housing and the city is easy, with extensive bus and metro coverage, and most students rely on public transport.

Cycling is also a popular option if you enjoy it, and Newcastle has a sound system of cycle paths and public bikes, which are cheaper to hire at around £1-£2 per hour.

Food and Groceries

In Newcastle, students have relatively modest expenses for food and everyday items. Generally speaking, monthly expenses for food and daily necessities range from around £150 to £250, depending on your dietary habits. If you cook for yourself, supermarket shopping costs are more economical. Usually, most students choose to go to supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda to buy ingredients.

Common shopping items such as rice, pasta, eggs, vegetables and fruit are more affordable. In addition, some students buy snacks such as coffee and snacks, which can cost around £20-£50 per month.

If you choose to eat out occasionally, prices will vary depending on the type of restaurant and location. Regular fast food and light meals are usually between £5-£10, while mid to high-end restaurants cost around £15-£30 per meal. If you eat out a couple of times a week, the cost can be significantly higher.

Entertainment and Recreation

Newcastle is a vibrant city with a wealth of entertainment and leisure options for students. Cinema tickets cost around £7-£15, depending on the time of day and the location of the cinema. Many cinemas offer discounted student tickets.

In addition, Newcastle’s pubs, clubs, and cafes are great places for students to relax. Typically, a beer costs around £3-£5, and cocktails can range between £5-£10. If you’re into fitness, a monthly gym membership is around £20-£40 depending on the facilities and location of the gym.

For students who enjoy cultural activities, Newcastle is also packed with museums, art exhibitions and concerts. Many museums and galleries offer free entry, while concerts and shows usually range from £10-£30. Students typically spend between £100-£250 per month on entertainment and leisure.

Miscellaneous Costs

In addition to the above costs, there are a number of miscellaneous expenses such as mobile phone costs, personal care items and sudden unexpected expenses. Most students have a mobile phone bill of around £15-£30 per month, depending on your chosen package. If you regularly buy clothes, toiletries or other personal care items, miscellaneous costs can range from £50-£100 per month.

In addition, students may be required to participate in some school activities or social events outside of the curriculum, and these costs usually vary according to individual interests. For example, membership fees for joining a club or organisation can range from £10-£30.

Overall, your miscellaneous expenses will vary depending on your habits and needs and usually range from £50-£150 per month.

How to Save Money When Study in Newcastle

1. Many shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in Newcastle offer student discounts. Registering for a student card will give you access to discounts in a variety of shops and restaurants. For example, many supermarkets, cafes and cinemas will offer student discounts, so look out for these discounts when shopping. In addition, many transport companies provide discounted fares for students, so you can save a lot of money on transport costs by buying a monthly pass or student card in advance when using public transport.
2. Eating out is convenient but costly. To save money on catering, you can choose to cook your own meals and go to big supermarkets (e.g. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda) to buy ingredients, which can significantly reduce the cost of daily meals. When purchasing ingredients, choose cheap and nutritious foods, such as eggs, rice and noodles, vegetables and pulses. Buying in bulk when cooking weekly meals and using leftover ingredients will also reduce waste.
3. While entertainment and recreation are an important part of student life, it is easy to go over budget with unnecessary expenses. Try to choose affordable or free activities, such as spending time outdoors with friends and attending school-organised social events. When going to bars and nightclubs, decide to go earlier for Happy Hour and choose cost-effective drinks when drinking.