Birmingham ranked at the 'most affordable' UK city for students in 2024/25

Birmingham named as one of the most affordable cities for students in 2024/25Birmingham named as one of the most affordable cities for students in 2024/25
Birmingham named as one of the most affordable cities for students in 2024/25 | dudlajzov - stock.adobe.com
Birmingham is highlighted as one of the UK's most affordable cities for students, according to new research

A recent study has highlighted the University of Birmingham as one of the most affordable universities for undergraduate students in the UK.

The research, conducted by UK Debt Expert, ranked the University of Birmingham fourth in terms of affordability.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The study comes in the wake of a survey revealing that 61% of students have had to borrow money to cover their rent. UK Debt Expert’s research aimed to identify the most and least affordable university cities across the UK, considering several key factors:

  • Average monthly expenses for students, including travel costs
  • Average weekly rent for the cheapest university halls options
  • Cost of the cheapest freshers week tickets
  • Average cost of a pint in the city
  • Number of part-time jobs available within 10km of the city

The University of Birmingham stood out with students’ monthly expenses averaging £626. The university’s most affordable halls of residence start at £130 per week, and there are approximately 125 part-time jobs available within a 10km radius to help students supplement their income.

In contrast, London was found to be the most expensive city overall. However, students in Edinburgh face the highest monthly living expenses, averaging £781 when considering travel, food, and socialising costs. With halls of residence costing around £150 per week, students in Edinburgh might find it challenging to manage personal expenses.

Nottingham emerged as the most affordable university city, with students’ average monthly expenses being over £500 less than those in Edinburgh and London. Students make up 13% of Nottingham’s population, contributing to its affordability.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Maxine McCreadie, a personal finance expert at UK Debt Expert, commented on the findings:

“Starting university is a significant milestone that comes with new financial responsibilities. The recent findings underscore how challenging it has become for students to manage their finances amidst rising living costs and inflation. Knowing where to start can be difficult but taking the time to plan everything out and budget accordingly will help you in the long run. Remember, there is help available whether that is a counsellor at your university or a financial advisor. Financial planning and support are key to navigating this transition smoothly.”

For more information, visit UK Debt Expert.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice