Uni Costs You Might Not Have Budgeted For

1. Spending on societies

Societies are a big part of university life, as they help you to make friends and increase your confidence.   But there’s many costs involved so our advice would be to try and commit fully to one society, rather than signing up to several.
 
2. Pricey printing

This is a necessity at university and other than purchasing your own printer, there seems to be no way around these costs. Usually, to print a single sheet in colour costs 15p. This may not seem like a lot but it soon adds up.  Printing and highlighting is preferred by many students, but to save costs you could take notes directly from the computer screen. You can save on waste by checking the printer options are correct before pushing the button, and using double-sided printing where possible, and submitting your work electronically if this is an option at your uni.

3. Expensive extras

Some courses require very little in the way of study materials, but others, like medicine, rely on students buying their own tools.

Other courses may ask you to pay for extra exams, even if they are vital for the completion of your degree. For example, some journalism courses ask you to pay for shorthand courses. This is a difficult one to get around, but it’s worth investigating if there are any additional course costs before starting at a university, so you won’t be caught off-guard.

4. Technology trouble

These days, technology is required to thrive at university. With the library computers always being full and crashing every hour, many students feel that it is essential – or at least preferable – to have their own laptop. A basic laptop can cost up to £400, which is an expense many students can’t afford. Shop around online, consider cheaper options such as Chromebooks, and if prices are still too high, think second hand and ask friends and family if they have a spare they could do without.
 
5. Medical emergencies

Free prescriptions are available to full-time students who are under 18. However once you go to university and are a struggling student, you need to pay for them. At £7.65 per prescription it’s no wonder that 70% of students say they are less likely to pick up prescriptions if there is a charge, which could have serious repercussions on your health. This is a difficult cost to get around, and unfortunately you may have to simply pay the fees when you need to, and make savings in other places.

6. Budget-blowing books

I studied law and back when I was fresher, I thought it was necessary to purchase lots of books on my reading list, which set me back about £150.. Buying second-hand copies, or borrowing from the library, will suffice. If you do purchase textbooks, remember to get some money back by selling them when you’re finished with them.

7. Graduation ceremony costs

Graduation can be a large expense at a time when students are at their most cash-strapped. You have to pay for tickets for your parents and for the hire of your gown and hat.   Some students choose to dodge the ceremony altogether, but if you do attend, how about asking family members to stump up for their own tickets, and avoid costly extras such as official photographs.

Good luck watching those pennies!

The Edge Student Living Team

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