Paying for your studies

When you come to university you need to pay tuition fees. There may be other costs associated with your course and you may also need to pay for books and other learning equipment.

Different courses can have different costs, so make sure you have an idea of what you will pay for the course you’re interested in. The fees may have increased by the time you apply, so bear that in mind as well.

As well as the general tuition fees, you may need to pay extra costs for your course. These can cover things like field trips, equipment and special clothing. If they’re not included in your course fees, you might need to pay for things like textbooks and stationery during your degree. You will also have to pay for printing, scanning and photocopying.

You can check individual course descriptions for details of these additional costs. Select your specific course and check out the 'Fees and Funding' section.

Your first year at Bath

During your first year, you'll need to pay for accommodation and day-to-day items like food and laundry. You might also need to plan for larger costs, like buying a laptop.

What money will you have to live off?

As a student you might get income from several sources including student loans, support from your family/friends, income from a part time job, savings, sponsorship from an employer, scholarships and bursaries. Before you decide on significant items of expenditure, like accommodation, you will need to understand how much money in total you will have to live off.

Accommodation

It’s likely that you will live in University residences, either on campus or in the city. You can also find your own accommodation if you prefer.

Prices vary, depending on which accommodation block you apply for, so you can choose an option that suits your budget. We'll do our best to place you in your preferred room type, but we cannot guarantee this.

Travel

You will need to consider the costs of transport to campus from your current home when you first arrive. If you live away from campus during term time, consider the costs of getting to and from the University for study days. Find out more about traveling to campus. If you live on campus you might not need to commit to a regular bus pass.

Day-to-day items

If going to university is your first time away from home, make sure you’re aware of the day-to-day things you’ll need to buy.

It’s usually cheaper to buy food from a supermarket and cook it yourself, but there are plenty of eateries around campus for mid-study meals.

You should also consider the costs for phones, laundry, leisure, and any health costs if applicable.

As a student you get free access to the Sports Pass and can also get preferential costs for Gym membership. Clubs and activities from the SU can also have costs associated with them.

Other things you might have to pay for include your own sports kit and equipment if you join one of the University sports teams.

Technology

You'll need a laptop or another computer to get full access to the software and systems for your studies. See which devices we recommend. If you are living in University accommodation you will have free access to WiFi. Otherwise you should budget for an appropriate broadband package.

Preparing for your 2nd Year

At some point in the spring of your first year you will likely need to sign a contract for your housing accommodation for the next academic year. This may require the payment of a deposit to secure the contract. Advice on what to pay and how to pay safely is available from the Student Accommodation Team.

At the end of your first year you will need to pay for transport to your summer address and you may need to budget to place items in storage for the summer vacation.

Keeping your finances on track

Before you arrive and all the way through your studies you are advised to follow our budgeting advice which includes example detailed budgets.

Second year, third year and beyond

After your first year, you will need to find your own private sector accommodation off campus. You may also decide to study abroad for a year.

Accommodation costs can vary with location, type of accommodation and size, so it’s worth doing your research to find somewhere suitable.

Remember that you will have to pay a deposit for private sector accommodation before the end of your first year. You'll also have to budget for utility bills and find out whether you have to pay council tax.

Living away from campus also means you may need to pay for transport to the University. Look into train or bus fares when you are thinking about where to live. As a student, you can get discounts for train and bus tickets.

If you study abroad for a year as part of your course you will pay a reduced tuition fee to the University of Bath but you may still have to pay certain costs at the university you visit.

Managing your finances

You need to keep track of your spending and make sure you don't spend more than you can afford. There are ways of boosting your income and of saving money.

The best way to make sure that you are not spending more money than you should is to create a budget and stick to it.

Finding some part-time work can help you cover the costs of life as a student. You’ll also meet new people, boost your CV and learn valuable skills. There are lots of places you can work both on and off campus and we employ students in a range of jobs.

You might be able to apply for a scholarship or bursary to help contribute to the cost of your degree. There are different schemes available depending on your course.

Remember it is important that you come to university with enough funds to complete your studies.

There are lots of student discounts available to you. TOTUM, the NUS extra discount card, entitles you to more than 42,000 discounts.

You can also save money on travel and books with the same card, and there are many other organisations who offer student deals.

Considering the cost of studying at university

What you need to budget for when you come to university, including fees, living costs, and study costs.