Cambridge is a small city that lies on the banks of the River Cam. The city’s two unis are the University of Cambridge, an academic powerhouse founded more than 900 years ago, with around 25,000 students, and Anglia Ruskin University, a modern and growing institution with a large student community numbering 40,000. This means that you will be one of 65,000 students in a town with an overall population of 145,000.
Cambridge’s student population represents almost 45% of the city, so you can imagine the world of opportunities which are waiting there, and importantly, these opportunities have evolved to remain compatible with people living on a student budget. Read on to discover what you might uncover here, and we’ll let you know how to do it inexpensively.
Cambridge’s two unis are highly likely to charge the typical undergraduate tuition fee of £9,250 per year for your course (this will be rising to £9,535 from the 2025/26 academic year). This doesn’t include accommodation costs or living expenses, and so you’ll need to make allowances for both in your budget plan. Student loans are available through Student Finance, which is a great way to offset the cost of study until you are already graduated, employed and earning a decent salary.
There are two loans available; the Tuition Fee Loan which covers the cost of enrolment and is paid directly to your uni at the beginning of each year, and the Maintenance Loan, which subsidises additional cost of living expenses such as groceries and rent. The precise amount you receive is calculated based on your living situation and household income and can be up to a maximum of £9,978 per year (this will be rising to up to £10,544 from the 2025/26 academic year).
What’s more, you only need to start repaying these loans once you are employed and earning above a certain threshold. For new students on Plan 5 this is currently £25,000 per year, although other plans differ.
Both unis offer a very wide range of scholarships and bursaries, so it’s definitely worth exploring these options when making an application. The University of Cambridge offers a long list of options, with awards being redeemable in a number of ways, from discounted tuition fees to financial stipends and access to equipment and travel opportunities. Similarly, Anglia Ruskin has a range of scholarships as well as plentiful bursary options, aimed at ensuring that the more economically vulnerable students can still focus on their uni work without worrying about money. Visit your chosen uni website to read more about schemes which you may be eligible for.
Cambridge is a city which is built for students and so there are a huge number of student housing options at your fingertips either through your uni or in the private rental market.
The University of Cambridge uses an academic college system, with in-college accommodation provided. Prices for a single room range from college to college. You can expect to pay between £102 - £200 per week for shared facilities, and £150 - £210 for an en-suite room.
Anglia Ruskin has a huge variety of options, from twin and single rooms, shared and en-suite facilities, and studio apartments in a range of sizes. Overall, prices are between £114 and £227 per week, but within this there are bound to be options to suit your budget and living preferences.
Beyond campus, there’s a whole landscape of shared and solo housing available in Cambridge’s private rental sector. A studio flat costs around £1,350 per month in the city centre, and a three-bedroom apartment costs £2,142 per month, which works out at around £714 per person.
Cambridge is a small city, and transport is cheap. By moving out of the city centre, these prices drop to around £1,000 and £1,500 per month, respectively. Also remember to factor in your utilities bill, which is likely to be around £80 per month on average if you’re in a shared house.
Cambridge city centre has a wide range of independent grocery shops, as well as smaller outlets like Tesco Metro and Sainsburys Local. If you’re willing to travel to the outskirts of the city, you will find bigger supermarkets with bulk-buy options and more cost-saving deals.
Average prices for these commonly-bought items:
Milk (1L): £1.11
Bread loaf: £1.16
Rice (1kg): £1.22
Eggs (12): £2.84
Cheese (1kg): £7.87
Chicken fillets (1kg): £7.13
Apples (1kg): £2.41
Potatoes (1kg): £1.42
Groceries in Cambridge are relatively high compared to the rest of the UK. To save money do your shopping in the north of town, where there is a Lidl and Asda superstore in close proximity. Here the cheapest grocery shopping is to be found.
Despite its size, Cambridge provides a really good range of evening entertainment. It has about 110 pubs, many of which are centuries old, and the average cost of a pint is around £5 – cheaper than London!
There are also plenty of restaurants and bars, with student friendly pricing and discount deals available on certain days of the week. You can expect to spend £15 on a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in the city.
Cambridge also has a buzzing nightlife scene, with a vast array of drinking holes, cocktail joints, speakeasies, and late-night clubbing venues. Look out for student night events, since these will often be the most inexpensive to enter and have the most drinks deals inside.
Cambridge is a relatively small and very walkable city. It’s also well set up for cycling, which many students use as their primary means of transport. It’s a cheap and healthy way to get around, good for the environment, and the city is a safe place to ride a bike.
Public transport options include local buses, and a one-way ticket costs around £2. A monthly pass is £80. Taxis are about 1/3 cheaper than in London too, so getting around town and the local area can be affordably convenient if you plan wisely.
Cambridge has plenty to occupy yourself with and both of its two unis have hundreds of clubs and special interest societies which you can usually join for free. Certain activities may require additional equipment such as sporting or specialist clothing, and so be sure to include space for this in your budget.
Similarly, your course might require extra expenditures such as printing costs or equipment rental, so have a scout around town and find out where this can be done the cheapest and most effectively. Many places offer student discounts, so take full advantage of this.
Overall, when you’re living in Cambridge, we’d recommend budgeting around £1,200 a month excluding tuition fees. This figure will vary depending on the cost of your rent and your lifestyle, so be sure to take into account your personal situation when you’re planning out your budget.
For more information about studying here, check out our student guide to Cambridge. Or, take a look at courses in Cambridge.