Know how much money you have to spend
As a student you might get income from several sources including student loans, support from your family and friends, income from a part-time job, savings, and a scholarship or bursary. Before you decide how to spend your money, you will need to understand how much money in total you will have to live off.
Find out more about managing your money.
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.
Find out more about our accommodation.
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 travelling 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 at Bath, you get free access to facilities at our Sports Training Village and can also get the Sports Pass as well as preferential costs for a gym membership. You might also have to pay to get involved in some Students’ Union clubs and activities.
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. You can use our IT Purchasing Team for this. 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 second year
At some point in the spring of your first year you will likely need to sign a contract for your 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.