Living costs

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Every bit helps when it comes to financing your studies. We’re one of the most affordable places to live and study in the UK.

The costs of accommodation, food, clothing, books, travel and socialising all adds up so getting more for your money really counts.

Accommodation

Halls of residence

Our on campus accommodation is one of the most affordable options if you choose to live away from home. Our accommodation fees include all of your bills, making the transition from home to university that little bit easier.

If you’re living in a Hall of residence, you don’t have to pay Council Tax and you don’t need to claim an exemption.

View our accommodation

Private accommodation

Outside of university managed accommodation, there are plenty of options for students in Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area, which are very affordable and are often within a very short walking distance of campus or your placement area, for example, near the hospital.

If you’re living in private accommodation with other students you don’t need to pay council tax, but you do need to let the council know that you’re exempt.

Contact a Money & Guidance Advisor for further advice or see the frequently asked questions on our Staffs Union webpage for more information.

Travel

Stoke-on-Trent is a unique city, as it is made up of six towns, Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall. The University Quarter sits nearest to Stoke, a smaller town with a selection of supermarkets, shops and bars, and is a short bus ride or 25-minute walk into Hanley, where you will find theatres, shops, cafes, bars, resturaunts and much more. There's so much to discover in our diverse city and in the wider county, which is why we encourage you to make the most of student travel passes.

By bike

If you own a bike, then cycling is the most sustainable and cost-effective mode of transport, and is great for your physical health too! The university has secure bike storage spots around campus, and due to its industrial heritage, Stoke-on-Trent has canals with tow paths that are suitable for cycling. Leek Road also features a cycle lane meaning your main route onto campus is cyclist-friendly.

By bus

Buses in the region are one of the most cost effective ways to travel. All tickets are available to purchase as a mobile ticket which gives you a QR code on your phone to show to the driver when you board the bus.

The most cost-effective option is to buy a 3-month pass, with weekly and monthly passes also available

Travelling by coach may work out cheaper than travelling by train and National Express serves all major cities and many towns. Full time students can apply for a Young Persons Coachcard which gives you a third of all tickets.

By taxi

Due to its unique layout, you might find that it's more time and cost efficient to travel around Stoke-on-Trent by taxi if you are travelling with friends.

Alongside a wide range of local taxi companies, you can also access ride share services such as Uber, with a trip into Hanley town centre costing from just £5 depending on the time of day you are travelling, and the number of passengers.

By train

Staffordshire University is located right next to Stoke-on-Trent railway station, which has direct links to Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, London and many more. As a student, you’re entitled to a 16–25 or a 26–30 Railcard (even if you’re a mature student!) which reduces all rail fares nationwide by a third. You can buy a one- or three-year railcard online, or at your nearest train station office.

By car

While we encourage all of our students to travel as sustainably as possible, we understand many need to drive to campus and placements on a regular basis. When budgeting, make sure to include the regular costs that are associated with owning your own car, such as monthly repayments, insurance, MOTs and repairs, tax, and fuel.

Students who meet the required criteria may apply for a permit to park on campus for a small quarterly fee. If you are only coming onto campus periodically, then you may want to consider paying to park on an ad hoc basis.

Essentials

Staffordshire University is in walking distance of various supermarkets, including more affordable options such as Lidl and Iceland. There are also world food markets nearby, so you can get a taste of home no matter where you're from in the world.

Stoke Indoor Market is within walking distance of the campus, and is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Here you will find greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers and much more where you can get great quality food at a fair price while supporting local businesses.

If you can, save money by pooling resources with your flat/housemates and cooking together, it’s also more fun! If you’re really organised, plan your meals for the week ahead, make a shopping list and stick to it.

For recipe ideas and further tips on how to reduce your weekly food bill check out the websites below:

Student Cooking TV has loads of recipes with step-by-step visual guides. Recipes are also categorised to make finding tonight's perfect meal simple.

Home and study essentials are also easy to pick up at an affordable price, with stores the The Range, B&M and local discount stores in walking distance.

Leisure

One thing you don't want to miss out on when you're planning your budget is having fun and staying active, but many of these things can cost money.

Societies and clubs

Our campus is home to a range of diverse societies and sports clubs where you can meet like-minded people and share your joint interests. Membership to these clubs and societies is normally a relatively low cost, and are a great way to expand your social circle while on campus.

Keeping fit

If you prefer to work out alone, or can't commit to sports clubs, then our on campus fitness centre is perfect for you. The Sir Stanley Matthews Sports Centre has cardio, strength and conditioning, and stretching areas, the on campus fitness centre is ideal for anyone who wants to stay active on a budget.

If you live on campus, access to our on campus gym is completely free. If you're off campus, passes to the Sir Stanley Matthews Sports Centre start at just £4 for a pay-as-you-go pass, or spend more to save, with a semester pass at just £40.

Socialising

On campus you will find a number of catering outlets including branded outlets such as Costa Coffee, which are great places to take a pitstop with friends between classes, and many offer loyalty schemes or discounts if you bring your own reusable cup.

Around Stoke-on-Trent, there are plenty of affordable places to grab a drink or a bite to eat, as well as places to have fun and make memories with your new friends. Catch a show at the nearby New Vic theatre, where under-26s get free tickets to a great selection of plays, discover your new favourite band at local venue The Sugarmill, where gig tickets start at just £5, or simply enjoy the great outdoors in one of Staffordshire's many green spaces.

Entertainment

With so many entertainment services out there today, it's easy to forget just how many you may be signed up to. From Spotify and Netflix to XBOX live and iCloud storage plans, it's easy for subscription services to add up. If you're living with friends, consider sharing the services where possible, or taking advantage of group accounts to save money.

Also remember to keep track of 'invisible' purchases, such as gaming packs and film downloads, as their initially small cost can very easily mount up.