Worried about the cost of living?
Understanding your money, how to budget, how to make more of your money and knowing what to do if things are going wrong are essential skills for life. Here are links and guides to help keep your finances on track.
It’s really easy for things to go wrong with your money very quickly. In a week or two, your finances can change dramatically, and you can suddenly be in difficulty. Get in the habit of checking your bank account regularly so you know how things are going, and if they’re going wrong, don’t ignore it. It’s nothing to be embarrased about and lots of people can help, however bad you think it might be.
The most simple way to manage your money is to control what money is going out of your bank account – your spending, and understand what money is coming in – your income.
Student Money Guide
Check out our savvy student guide to money, with essential resources, students tips and tricks to manage your finances.
Managing your spending
Having an idea of what’s going out of your account is the first step towards being in control of your money. It’s tempting to go wild when your money is paid in to your bank account; to avoid problems later on in the term, click on the links below and get control, right now!
Paying for University and accommodation
These are likely to be the big, essential bills. Know when they go out of your account – is it every year, term or month?
- Paying your Uni fees and charges – Your tuition and accommodation are the big ones. Know how and when to pay them.
- Providing bank details – To receive University funding and maintenance loans you must first provide details of a UK bank account.
- Is someone else paying your fees? – Make sure you’ve allowed others to contact us on your behalf.
- Living in private accommodation? – Unipol have all you need to know about contracts, deposits, and much more.
- Leeds University Union (LUU) housing guides and answers
- Council tax exemption as a student
- The Student Money Manual covers everything from budgeting to student finance and fees, to making your money stretch further.
I want to know how to budget
A budget is when you calculate the amount of money coming in and the amount of money going out over a set period of time, e.g a term. When you know this, you can work out how much you have to spend each week. Sounds easy, right?
- Beginner’s guide to budgeting – Explore our beginner’s guide to creating a budget catered to you, and master money management with our simple steps.
- Money Saving Expert student budgeting planner – Excellent, up-to-date guide by the most trusted independent source in the UK on money. Includes helpful tools and links.
- How to stick to your budget – Plenty of handy tips for mastering the next step of budgeting – actually sticking to your budget!
I’m spending too much. How can I spend less?
Now you’ve done your budget, you might spot that you’re spending too much. Limiting the money going out of your account, or making it work better for you, is one of the most important things you’ll learn in life.
Essentials
- Study spaces on campus – These spaces around campus are warm, and some are open 24/7, should you ever need to get away from your cold flat!
- Warm spaces around Leeds – This Leeds Council page shows a map of warm spaces near where you live that you can go to if you’re feeling extra cold.
- 17 tips to save money on bills – Save the Student have compiled these top tips to help you save money on your energy bills.
- Uswitch – Thinking of changing your phone contract, broadband or energy provider? Uswitch is a great page to compare all the best deals out there.
- Free period products are located across a number of collection points on campus, and this link outlines all the places where you’ll find sanitary pads and tampons.
- Travelling on a budget – Whether you’re travelling to visit family or just to relax and expand your cultural horizons, find our top tips for travelling on a budget.
Food
- 5 top tips for batch cooking – We’ve pulled together our top tips for batch cooking so you can feel inspired to fill up your freezer with delicious meals.
- BBC £1 Dinners: Are They Worth It? – Find out which of the three BBC £1 dinners Jo Townend, Assistant Professor at LUBS, liked the most!
- Eat for less on campus – GFaL have introduced subsidised hot meals on campus for £2-£3, and you can find their café on the Too Good To Go app.
Socialising
- Budget-friendly activities in Leeds for students – This blog, written by past student Phoebe, provides budget-friendly ideas for weekend activities in Leeds.
- 10 tips to save you money on a night out
- Gifting on a budget – Got a friend’s birthday coming up but can’t afford to go big on their gift? Check out our top tips for cheap (or even free!) gift ideas.
Top tips
- 5 money management tips for students – Blog sharing practical information.
- 3 money saving websites and apps every student should know about
- Money management at University – finding the right method for you – A collective blog by Leeds students from varied backgrounds on money management.
- Money Saving Expert 50+ ways to stretch your money – A very helpful and in-depth look at ways of making your money do more. Starts with the big ideas, but scrolling down, you’ll find some helpful every day tips, from free food and drink, discounts, bargains and freebies.
- What’s on and student discount – Ways of getting that all important student discount, which can save you lots of money!
- Useful money saving blogs – From Student Beans – everything from saving money on heating, getting free memberships and much more.
Getting more money
Now you understand about what’s going on with your outgoing money, knowing all about your income and what is available to you is essential. Whether it’s a side hustle, finding out you’re eligible for funding or getting a part-time job, we’ve got some useful tips for you.
Are you eliglble for funding or other money?
- Funding and financial support for students – A blog with great tips and awareness of where you might be eligible for money and funding.
- University scholarships and funds – Information on financial support schemes such as Leeds Bursary and funding for PGRs.
- LUU guide to scholarships, bursaries and other funds
- Santander Grant – Open to all students, fill out the 5 minute form before 29 March to be in with a chance to win £1000.
I want to get a job
Having a part-time job is a great way of bringing in more money. If this is a regular amount, you’ll be able to add it in to your budget planning too.
- Joblink is based in Leeds University Union (LUU) and connects students like you to jobs. They have lots of different jobs; from ones that are regular, weekly ones you can fit around your studies or one-off roles, e.g. being paid for your opinion, helping at an event and much more. Definitely your number one location to check out.
- Leeds Internship Programme works with local Small and Medium sized Enterprises, charities and multi-national organisations to advertise paid opportunities, exclusively for University of Leeds students.
- Careers service is based on campus and online. Certainly worth checking out opportunities available via MyCareer, sign up for their regular newsletter promoting new jobs, and they can also provide support if you’re preparing for an interview or writing a CV.
- Studentjob is one of many websites which lists part-time jobs in Leeds.
- Paperound is a website where business owners employ students to complete tasks for them.
If you’re looking to work and are an international student, make sure you’re aware of any visa retrictions you’ll need to know about. Contact the Student Information Service with any questions around work and your visa.
General job hunting advice
- Search for ‘part-time jobs in Leeds’ and you’ll find lots listed.
- Sign up for a recruitment agency and they may be able to help find you work.
- Check out adverts in shop windows – often retail, pubs and bars, restaurants and cafes are looking for students to work.
- Why not pop in to nearly places at a quiet time and speak to someone to see if they’re looking for anyone like you? They might not have got round to advertising a job yet, and you might strike it lucky!
Got a skill that you think could make money?
Having a side hustle is a great way to make money. You might already have the skills and are looking to make money from them.
The side hustles with the most opportunities to make money in 2022
I need help with money
Being stuck in debt or facing financial difficulties is a worrying experience for anyone, but there is help available, including financial support.
University financial support scheme
Registered students and PGRs at the University of Leeds who are facing genuine or unexpected financial difficulties can apply to the University Financial Assistance Fund (formerly the Leeds Hardship Fund) for help towards the payment of essential living costs.
University Financial Assistance schemes
I need to talk to someone neutral at the University about money
Almost everyone will have money difficulties at some point during their time at University. Money worries can make you feel anxious, embarrassed and can affect your quality of life. Speak to someone about your situation as soon as you can. The quicker you can speak to someone, the sooner it can be sorted out, and you’ll feel better. When you speak to someone at the University about your money, they won’t judge you, they won’t make you feel bad or ashamed.
Leeds University Union’s Help and Support team are professional and friendly. All help is free and confidential and the service is independent of the University. Contact the team by sending them an email or visit the website to find out how you can access their services.
The Student Information Service are friendly, professional and have knowledgeable staff that can answer a wide range of student-related questions. If we don’t have the answer, or if you need support from a specialist team, we will get you in contact with the right people. We’re with you every step of the way:
Call
Our Helpline Team are on hand Monday to Friday 9-5 pm.
- Call +44 (0)113 343 7000 (from outside of the UK)
- Call 0800 915 0402 (from inside the UK. This is a free phone number, and you won’t be charged for calling this from your mobile or landline).
Email us
You can email us at studentinfo@leeds.ac.uk
Speak to us, face to face
Our Information Points are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.
- Beech Grove House campus map link | Google map link
- Chemical and Process Engineering campus map link | Google map link
- Maurice Keyworth building campus map link | Google maps link
- Parkinson Building campus map link | Google map link
- Worsley building campus map link | Google map link
I want to speak to someone independent of the University about money
- Citizen’s Advice is a UK-based free advice service, which offers independent guidance on all parts of life, including money.
- NHS coping with financial worries is a great webpage providing physical and mental health support, as well as helpful links to other organisations.
- Money Helper’s money worries and mental wellbeing provides clear, easy to understand help if you’re worried about money, or are in debt
- Mind money and mental health is a mental health charity provides excellent guidance and understanding on how to help you