Southampton is one of the most popular ports in the UK, and that's why it holds such a rich maritime history! It's become a popular student city not only for its educational institutions but also due to its rich water sports scene- like ocean and sailing racing. Apart from its sporting scene, plenty of things make it an attractive city for international students.
Do you know how many international students are in Southampton? There are about 10,000 students from over 130 countries. Southampton is home to The University of Southampton, ranked as the Top 100 universities in the world.
One of the most important factors that attracts international students to Southampton is its affordability. The cost of living in Southampton is 759.9£ excluding tuition fees and rent. Let's look into what entails into the cost of living in this beautiful city:
Accommodation Cost:
You'll be glad to know that Southampton offers affordable student accommodation. These are the three types of student accommodation available in Southampton.
Student Housing: They are student housing offering fully furnished student rooms and located not far off from the university campus.
A single room will range from £125£ to £325 per week.
Recommended:
The Court Yard Southampton is a student accommodation in Portswood rd minutes away from the University of Southampton, City College Southampton and Solent University.
Student Apartments- Then, the student apartments offer student apartments near the campus building.
A one-bedroom apartment will range between £90 to £325 per week.
These two types of private accommodation, commonly known as off-campus accommodation, offer single or shared accommodation. They are new buildings that come with modern amenities.
University Halls- Third, you can opt for University Halls, also known as--campus accommodation. They provide accommodation to students who study at university, offering limited facilities and shared spaces.
The rooms will range between £120 to £250 per week.
Utility Cost:
Private accommodation usually covers your utility bills, including the rent. But for your information, the utility bills in Southampton will cost around £100 to 200 per month.
Food Cost:
Southampton is full of budget-friendly food places to eat! But it all depends on you: the factors that will mainly determine your cost of food are your eating and spending habits.
Eating out:
If you choose to eat a meal at a mid-range restaurant, the cost will range between £12 to £20 per person.
A meal at a high-end restaurant will cost £20 to £30 per person.
Fast food chains are usually cheaper than restaurants so a meal will cost you around £5 to £10 per person.
Groceries:
It's advisable to cook meals at home and save money. Eating outside can cost more than eating at home. Purchasing in bulk will save costs on your groceries as you will get them at discounted prices. If there's a farmer's market close by, you should buy in bulk once a week. The supermarkets in Southampton also offer discounts on bulk purchase. On average, your weekly grocery cost will come to about £140 while the monthly cost will be around £550.
University Cost:
Southampton boasts some of the best universities in the UK. Each of these universities has its reputation for excelling in its teaching and education system. The universities offer various programs for UG and PG degrees. So, tuition fees will depend upon the type of course and university you choose to study in Southampton. On average, studying in Southampton will cost approximately £17,560 to £25,440 for a UG degree and £17,300 to £33,500 for a PG degree.
Transportation Cost:
Southampton is a small and compact city within walking distance of city centres, restaurants, markets, student accommodation in Southampton.etc. You can easily navigate the city on foot if you have the time and want to stay healthy! But if you want to use public transportation, there are:
-buses
-trains
-trams
These three modes of public transportation are well-connected to the city centre and other parts of the city.
Travel cards: Get yourself one of these discounted cards, saving you money and time instead of standing in line daily to purchase a bus or rail ticket! A travel card cost £65/month.
Student transport services: Ask your university about such services. They usually provide shuttle services to and from universities to your home.
Miscellaneous:
Healthcare:
Having health insurance is mandatory in the UK. The NHS provides public-funded healthcare, but you can keep aside a budget if you plan to visit a private hospital.
Entertainment:
There are many forms of entertainment available in Southampton. Whether dining out, going to cinemas or enjoying the nightlife, keep spare money of roughly £20 to £40 for your entertainment pleasure.
Other costs will include your clothes, phone, books, etc.