Cost of living in Nottingham

1. Tips for studying abroad in Nottingham - Study abroad in Nottingham
2. Cost of living in Nottingham
3. Save money in Nottingham - A guide to living on a student budget
4. How to get to Nottingham - Getting to Nottingham by train, plane, car or bus
5. Public transport in Nottingham - Getting around Nottingham
6. Neighbourhoods of Nottingham
7. Accommodation for students in Nottingham - Top tips and advice
8. Nightlife in Nottingham - A guide to nightclubs and going out in Nottingham (Part 1)
9. Nightlife in Nottingham - A guide to nightclubs and going out in Nottingham (Part 2)
10. Where to eat in Nottingham - Gastronomy in Nottingham
11. Top Nottingham attractions - Top things to do in Nottingham
12. Day Trips from Nottingham - Places to visit and excursions from Nottingham
13. Festivals in Nottingham - Festivities and celebrations calendar
14. Nottingham in 3 days - What to see in Nottingham in 3 days

The good news is that Nottingham has been named the 8th most cost effective city in the UK, according to the Natwest Student Living Index. This means if you’re thinking of studying in the UK, Nottingham is a fantastic option in terms of budget. The University of Nottingham predicts that a single student will need £1,015 per month to cover basic living expenses.

Accommodation

In comparison to some other European countries, accommodation in the UK can be quite expensive. You have many different options, including a shared house or student halls in Nottingham. It is more expensive to live in a studio flat with your own kitchen, bathroom and personal space. University halls are also usually more expensive. However they are secure, easy to book and you have the comfort of knowing that you will be living with other students.

According to the Natwest Student Living Index, students in Nottingham pay an average of £105.72 a week for rent. Remember to take bills into consideration too. Accommodation will either be with or without bills and internet included. Check the Accommodation for students in Nottingham section of our guide for top tips and advice.

Food

The price of eating out can vary quite a bit. To give you an idea, a meal at McDonald’s is more or less £5, although there are restaurants to suit all budgets. Alcohol is more expensive than in some other European countries. It is typical for students to drink in their flats before going out in order to save money on drinks later on. The average pint in Nottingham costs £3.23. In regards to the supermarkets, there are a range of them for all budgets.

Here are some examples of what to expect in an averagely priced supermarket in Nottingham (Tesco).

• Milk (2 pints) - 75p

• Loaf of bread - £1

• Rice (1kg) - £1.50

• Eggs (pack of 6) - 89p

• Chicken breast (300g) - £1.89

• Apples (1kg) - £2

• Bananas (each) - 13p

• Tomatoes (360g or averagely sized pack) - 69p

• Water (1.5l) - 50p

Expect to spend around £20 a week on groceries.

For good traditional pubs, there are some pubs with good student deals and cheap prices, such asWetherspoons. This might be a cheaper option to try some British cuisine than a high class restaurant.

Public transport

You will most likely need to use the public transport in Nottingham. To save on costs, you can purchase a transport pass. For students, a 6 month bus pass for the Nottingham City area costs £224.00, whereas a 12 month bus pass for the same costs £396.00.

Most people don’t get around by bike in Nottingham but you do have the possibility. Nottingham Trent University offers you the possibility of hiring a bike for £35 a year. The University of Nottingham also offers bike hire for £49 a year.

Mobile phone

If you’re planning on getting a British SIM card for during your stay, there are a range of options. Feel free to browse different deals to find what suits you most but you should take a look at EE for payasyougo bundles. A £10 everything pack gets you 500MB, unlimited texts and 150 minutes if you top up £10 every 30 days.

Bank account

It might be a good idea to look into setting up a bank account once you arrive in England to save on transaction fees. Santander and Natwest are popular student options and banks often offer incentives for joining. There is also the option of a prepaid currency card which offer a safer and more secure way of carrying currency abroad. To give an example, there is the Caxton card.

TV license

In the UK, you are required by law to obtain a television license if you’re going to watch television. This includes watching or downloading television on the internet, including BBC iplayer. It costs £147 a year and covers the entire tenancy (be it a room in halls or a shared tenancy in a student house). You can be reimbursed for the months you are not using the TV license.

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