Cost of living information and advice

Local knowledge

Free WiFi and software

There is WiFi all across campus but did you know that, through our eduroam system, you can connect to free WiFi at other universities, libraries and also at Active Leisure Centres across Kirklees. As a student at the University of Huddersfield, you can also access software, including MS Office licences on up to five devices.

Lots of library resources

Of course, we have a large stock of books and electronic resources for you to borrow so that you don't have to rush out and buy them. However, there is a lot more to our library which can help you cut spending.

Our library is open from early in the morning until late at night and it provides a warm and safe environment as well as learning resources. You can also borrow laptops to work from home if you prefer, particularly helpful if your own computer is being repaired.

If you live in towns where there is another university, it is worth investigating the SCONUL access scheme which allows you to use other university libraries. For example, if you live in Bradford, you can reduce travel time and costs by working in the Bradford University library. Universities in Manchester, Salford, Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield are all part of the SCONUL scheme, and our commuter students find it really useful. You need to register with the SCONUL scheme first, but that is really straightforward.

Enjoy our safe, secure and welcoming environment

In September 2022 we have created zones across the University to help you find the right place to study and socialise. They are safe, secure and warm, and in some of our social areas we have microwave ovens for you to warm your own lunch, and facilities for making tea and coffee. 

You can make your money go further by bringing lunch and a flask with you when you are on campus, and our social zones are great areas to chill and eat with friends.

Travel

Student rail cards cut the cost of train journeys, particularly if you can book your journey in advance. Around West Yorkshire, Metro offers discounted travel through its MCard scheme.

National experts

There are lots of sites online signposting discounts and money saving tips for students. 

Money saving and debt advice

Save the Student - Student Money, Discounts and Jobs has lots of advice and links to student deals.

For advice on saving money, the Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert website has a page for students with lots of sensible tips. This includes a review of bank accounts and how to get the best deal for your mobile phone.

Help for households is a government page that lists offers from various retailers, including budget friendly recipes, meals for families, discounts and more. 

If you can't make debt repayments or pay your bills, don't ignore the issue. Work with National Debtline or Step Change to find a solution and develop a more affordable payment plan.

National Debtline is a charity dedicated to providing free debt advice to people across the UK.

Step Change provide free, confidential and expert debt advice, recommending the best services and support for your circumstances.

Student discount apps 

NUS Totum. Totum gives you access to discounts on essentials, tech, fashion, beauty, travel and more.  Discounts are available in store and online.  

UniDays. UniDays gives you discounts on fashion, food, tech, lifestyle, beauty, health and fitness and more. Discounts are available online and in store. 

Student Beans. Student Beans gives you discounts on fashion, health, food, tech, stationery, utilities and more. 

Food money savers

Too Good To Go. Too Good To Go lets you rescue food from supermarkets, restaurants, shops and cafes before it goes to waste. Food is within date but just hasn't sold in time, you can buy and collect magic bags for much less than retail price. 

Olio. Olio connects you with other people and businesses so that food can be shared and not thrown away. Olio can also be used for non food items too. 

That Bread and Butter Thing. For just £7.50, TBBT members’ shopping bags are filled with a minimum of £35 worth of items made up of quality nutritious food. Each week members access three bags of produce including fresh fruit and veg, chilled goods for the fridge, as well as cupboard staples such as pasta and cereal. Families can use their NHS Healthy Start vouchers and low cost period products are also available. The service is created from surplus food: the sorts of produce that often ends up going to waste because it’s wrongly labelled or there is simply too much of it.

Planning and budgeting

Having a year-long view of your income and spending through budgeting will help you take control of your money.

If you receive a maintenance loan from Student Finance England, you will have received a letter telling you what you will be paid, and when you will receive it, and it is worth noting this on your calendar to give you some idea about how to spread your budget. It is also a good idea to work out a limit for your weekly spending and the tools set out here can help you do this.

Save the Student

Save the Student has an easy-to-use spreadsheet to help you budget. It also has a very useful guide which estimates how much you might need for things like groceries, travel and going out, and helps you think about factoring in the cost of your mobile phone and study essentials.

Money Saving Expert

Money Saving Expert has something similar which is also really helpful and helps you think about how to avoid spending everything in week one of the new academic year.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice has a budget calculator which factors in things like the cost of heating, your mobile phone charges, and transport, and lets you know how much you should have left at the end of each month for things like going for a coffee. This version of a budget calculator is not directly aimed at students but it is useful for those who are not so confident with a spreadsheet - you just fill in an online form and it gives you your monthly balance.

National Association of Student Money Advisers

The National Association of Student Money Advisers (NAMSA) has its own magazine which has lots of practical tips, including savvy clothes shopping and keeping fit on a budget.

Scholarships and grant funding

There are lots of organisations such as educational trusts and charities around the UK which offer scholarships and grants to students, some of them might be offered through your home town or parish council for example, some supported by large multi-national companies. These are often overlooked by students so it is worth putting in the time and effort searching for them. It can be time consuming to make an application, and also a slow process, but a number of students at Huddersfield have been successful in the past.

Charities and trusts will often only help specific groups, for example they might be restricting their support to female students going into engineering, or helping students on certain courses, above or below a certain age, from particular parts of Britain, or in defined occupations/professions. You can find out more about scholarships and grants on the Students' Union pages.

Saving together

Getting organised with your friends and housemates can help you all save money, and also lead to some creative and fun experiences. Here are some ideas:

• Cook and plan meals together - you could run your own "Come Dine with Me' competition, or have a 'dress up dinner' on a Friday night with a different theme each week.
• Shopping as a team - there are often some good deals on bulk buys, and putting a household grocery order in lets you get the most out of the three for two offers.
• Energy saving tips - use the microwave rather than the oven, watch TV and films together rather than in your own rooms (it's more sociable and cuts back on the electricity bills) and work together to remind each other to switch things off when not needed.
• Nights in - Themed movie nights work really well, each take it in turn to pick a film. Board gaming is really in right now if you fancy something a bit different, and a weekly quiz goes down well, particularly if you are competing with other households in your block - a mini University challenge!
• Nights out - remember to budget your social activities, look out for freebies and discounted club nights, and travel together with mates. It cuts the taxi costs and means you get home safely.

Food and drink

There are over 10 outlets on campus where you can get food and drink, from the SU shop to the Toast House Coffee shop you will find somewhere to grab some food and drink. 

Some outlets offer several offers throughout the day including 

• Fresh, home cooked vegetarian and vegan food for £1.99 at Eco Eats (Level 5 Student Central)
• 5 item breakfast and a hot drink - £3.85
• 7 item breakfast and hot drink - £4.70
• Soup and an A/B sandwich - £3.25
• A-D sandwich with drink and crisps - £3.85
• Jacket potato and 1 topping, under £3.00
• Coffee loyalty card. 

Find out about the different outlets and where you can find them.  

Follow them on Instagram to find out the latest deals 

Heat and Eat on campus 

There are facilities for students to heat food and access hot water around campus. We've created some maps to show you the nearest locations to you and the facilities available. 

Central Campus (The Library, Jo Cox More in Common Centre and The Library)

Applied Sciences (Joseph Priestley South Building)

Arts and Humanities (Barbara Hepworth and Sir Patrick Stewart Buildings)

Computing and Engineering (Sparck Jones, Haslett, Laura Annie Willson Buildings)

Education and Professional Development (Lockside Building)

Huddersfield Business School (Charles Sikes and Oastler Buildings)

Human and Health Sciences (Ramsden, Harold Wilson and Richard Steinitz Buildings)

 

Staying active with ActiveHud

ActiveHud has a range of opportunities to get active with pay-as-you-go sessions and a great value £18 per month membership providing access to swim, gym and class activities at 10 centres across Kirklees.

They also offer a range of social sports both on and off campus, with the majority free to access to both members and non-members.

Cycling to campus

There are secure bike locking facilities on campus and you can shower in ActiveHud if you have had a long commute.  Find out more about cycling to University.

A safe, secure and warm campus

From September 2022 we have provided some campus zones to help you find the right place to study and socialise. Check out these safe, secure and warm spots.