Cost of living
Life can be expensive. From energy bills to food costs, prioritising your money is always important.
Students can save money in lots of easy ways, from grabbing discounts on tech and transport to finding deals on food and entertainment. With a little planning and smart budgeting, it’s possible to cut down on costs without missing out on the essentials or fun stuff. Making the most of student offers can go a long way in helping your money last longer while at university. Whether you want to make savings by bringing your own food to campus and using one of the microwaves across campus (in departmental common rooms, SU communal spaces or in FUNc on Colchester Campus), or use discounts across the range of uni and local services the links below should help you find ways to save.
We know that students with experience of the care system, disabled students, those with health conditions or caring responsibilities, and international students may face particular challenges. If you are worried about how you’ll manage to pay for everything you need to, you can speak to Student Services Hub for advice.
Loans, bursaries and funding
Direct financial support is available to those students who meet the required criteria. If you are in danger of struggling financially and fear that it may affect your studies, please contact our team and read on to discover more about the loans, bursaries and funding available.
We update these pages regularly at the start of each new academic year, so if the current year's submission is closed for new applications do check back regularly.
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Advice, guidance and resources
For those students who need some advice and guidance to help them manage and balance their finances, the University and the Student Union provide a range of different guidance for you. Don't forget you can always chat to the Student Services Hub at any time should you have concerns, difficulties or looking for guidance.
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Finding a job
Across the University there are a range of different job opportunities that are available for our students to help support you financially during your time at Essex, and also prepare you for your future career after you graduate. From working within one of our catering outlets to helping our students settle in to their accommodation with our Residence Life Team, there is something for everyone.
How much does University cost?
Beyond the academic fees you’ll pay for your programme, the other main costs are living expenses. Where you choose to live will play a big part in determining how much money you’ll need while you’re studying at Essex.
Accommodation and other living costs
An estimate of living costs for a typical Essex student is shown below by campus. The figures are intended as a guide only and will vary depending on individual lifestyle, circumstances, and can vary due to the inflation rate and your course.
Colchester
Accommodation
University accommodation
Prices are based on the room rate for Colchester Campus accommodation 2023-24.
| Weekly | Monthly | Academic year | |
| Undergraduate | £119 - £235 | £510 - £1010 | £4646 - £9191 (39 weeks) |
| Postgraduate | £126 - £210 | £542 - £904 | £6328 - £10549 (50 weeks) |
Shared private rented accommodation
The following prices are based on the Save the Student survey for 2023 and uprated by 4% to reflect the current rate of inflation. Household bills include gas, electricity, water, broadband, and a TV licence.
| Costs | Weekly | Monthly | Per year |
| Rent | £174 | £753 | £9041 |
| Bills | £13 | £52 | £624 |
Other living costs
The prices below for food, course materials, going out, socialising, clothes, shopping and health and wellbeing are based on the Save the Student survey for 2023 and uprated by 4% to reflect the current rate of inflation.
| Costs | Weekly | Monthly | Academic year (39 weeks) |
Academic year (50 weeks) |
| Food | £42 | £168 | £1,638 | £2,100 |
| Course materials | £2 | £6 | £78 | £100 |
| Going out, socialising, clothes, shopping | £38 | £152 | £1482 | £1900 |
| Health and wellbeing | £5 | £20 | £195 | £150 |
| Mobile phone (typical plan) | £2 | £9 | £78 | £100 |
| Student bus pass | £17 | £58 | £225 | £225 |
| Total | £109 | £424 | £3,813 | £4,825 |
Southend
Accommodation
University accommodation
Prices are based on the room rate for University Square accommodation 2023-24.
| Weekly | Monthly | Academic year | |
| Undergraduate | £165 - £225 | £709 - £967 | £6,950 - £9,481 (42 weeks) |
| Postgraduate | £165 - £225 | £709 - £967 | £8274 - £11,287 (50 weeks) |
Shared private rented accommodation
The following prices are based on the Save the Student survey for 2023 and uprated by 4% to reflect the current rate of inflation. Household bills include gas, electricity, water, broadband, and a TV licence.
| Costs | Weekly | Monthly | Annually |
| Rent | £174 | £753 | £9,041 |
| Bills | £15 | £64 | £764 |
Other living costs
The prices below for food, course materials, going out, socialising, clothes, shopping and health and wellbeing are based on the Save the Student survey for 2023 and uprated by 4% to reflect the current rate of inflation.
| Costs | Weekly | Monthly | Academic year (42 weeks) | Academic year (50 weeks) |
| Food | £42 | £168 | £1,638 | £2,100 |
| Course materials | £2 | £6 | £78 | £100 |
| Going out, socialising, clothes, shopping | £38 | £152 | £1482 | £1900 |
| Health and wellbeing | £5 | £20 | £195 | £250 |
| Mobile phone (typical plan) | £2 | 20 | £195 | £250 |
| Student bus pass | £15 | £45 | £540 | £540 |
| Total | £107 | £408 | £4,128 | £5,140 |
Loughton
Accommodation and other living costs
Both undergraduate and postgraduate students at East 15 will have additional costs (.pdf) on top of the costs outlined below. The additional costs are due at the point of admission.
The prices below for food, course materials, going out, socialising, clothes, shopping and health and wellbeing are based on the Save the Student survey for 2023 and uprated by 4% to reflect the current rate of inflation. Household bills include gas, electricity, water, broadband, and a TV licence.
Shared privately rented accommodation
| Costs | Weekly | Monthly | Annually |
| Rent | £174 | £753 | £9,041 |
| Bills | £15 | £64 | £764 |
| Total | £189 | £817 | £9,805 |
Other living costs
| Costs | Weekly | Monthly | Academic year (39 weeks) |
Academic year (50 weeks) |
| Food | £42 | £168 | £1,638 | £2,100 |
| Course materials | £2 | £6 | £78 | £100 |
| Going out, socialising, clothes, shopping | £38 | £152 | £1482 | £1900 |
| Health and wellbeing | £5 | £20 | £195 | £250 |
| Mobile phone (typical plan) | £2 | £20 | £195 | £250 |
| Student bus pass | £12 | £48 | £468 | £600 |
| Total | £104 | £411 | £4,056 | £5,200 |
Course materials
There is no need to buy books, all the essential reading for each module on your course is provided in online reading lists by the University of Essex Library Services. Many of your essential reading list items will also be found in our physical library spaces.
Our libraries also provide access to hundreds of online e-books, journals, databases and subscription services for students, as well as providing physical books and journals associated with each of the subject areas studied and taught at Essex to support further reading and research.
Course materials can differ from course to course, please check with your department regarding the materials required for your course.
Laptop
Laptops come in various specifications and can be affordable, with prices ranging from £200-£500 for basic tasks like note-taking and occasional document work. However, it's important to consider the requirements of your course as you may need to invest in a more expensive laptop.
Dependants
If you have dependants, your cost of living will be considerably higher and vary based on your choice of accommodation and the size of your family. If you have a family, there is a wide range of information, support and advice available.
Planning your budget
The above costs are based on estimates and averages. Most students will need to budget for additional costs such as clothing, subscriptions, socialising and items you may not being able to bring with you or haven’t had to buy before such as kitchen, bedding and electrical items. It’s important to budget and manage your money.
Postgraduate research
There are additional fees and costs associated with postgraduate research courses.
International students
If you are applying for a student visa to study in the UK, you'll need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds in place to cover your tuition fees and living costs in line with the requirements outlined in the immigration rules. The amount of money you must have available for living expenses depends on the length of your course and differs from the information above.
When coming to the UK to study, there are additional charges that you will need to consider as an international student. These include the visa application fee, the healthcare premium, and the supporting financial documents required for your visa application. Find out more about how to get a student visa.
For further help and advice please contact the Student Services Hub.