Immortalised in the works of Chaucer and entwined in the country’s turbulent medieval origins, Canterbury is home to three UNESCO heritage sites including the world famous Canterbury Cathedral.
There are two major universities within Canterbury, and these provide high quality courses and drive a student-oriented culture which ensures the city is alive with activity and innovation. In this guide, we introduce you to some of the aspects of life in Canterbury and share our key insights into how to live here affordably.
Fancy finding out more about the universities in Canterbury? Check out our profiles on Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Kent!
The cost of undergraduate tuition at either of Canterbury’s two universities will probably be £9,250 per year, capped in line with British government guidelines (this will be rising to £9,535 from the 2025/26 academic year). Fortunately, you can cover this cost in its entirety by taking out a tuition fee loan from Student Finance, which is paid directly to your uni at the start of each term
The student loan doesn’t need to be repaid until you’ve graduated and are earning over a minimum salary threshold. This gives you a lot of financial freedom after graduation, and allows you to pay back the loan at a manageable rate. For new students the threshold is likely to be £25,000, although other plans differ.
Maintenance loans are also available, up to a maximum of £9,710 per year (this will be rising to up to £10,544 from the 2025/26 academic year) based on your household income. This will be paid to you in several portions during the year. These loans are designed to help offset the cost of accommodation, travel, groceries and other university expenses.
Another way to reduce uni costs is to look for a scholarship or bursary from your uni. Each of Canterbury’s two universities offer a variety of options for both merit-based and means-tested criteria which are redeemable in a number of ways. This includes discounts on tuition fee payments to monetary stipends, access to course-related equipment, and much more.
Your uni can also guide you through applying for external funding opportunities via government schemes or professional sponsor organisations. These are a great way to give extra income while enhancing your resumé.
Need to know more about how you can fund your education? Check out our guide to student finance!
University-provided accommodation in Canterbury is mostly in the form of halls of residences, which typically include self-catered accommodation in apartments. You’ll get a single room, with either an ensuite or shared bathroom, and communal kitchen and living facilities.
One of the major advantages of living in halls (aside from the social aspect) is that all your utility bills, internet and contents insurance are included, and the contract lasts for the exact duration of your academic year.
At Canterbury Christ Church University, prices vary between £124 and £200 per week. At the University of Kent, a single self-catered room varies between £129 and £295 per week, depending on size and location options. Catered rooms are available at the higher end of the scale. It’s worth considering if the extra expense is worth the time that you’d save on buying, cooking and cleaning up after your meals. You may decide that it’s a fair trade-off and worth investing in.
When renting from Canterbury’s local housing market, you can expect to pay around £1,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. If you’re willing to live a little further out, this price drops to £850 per month, and considering that Canterbury is a relatively small and walkable city, this might be an option worth pursuing.
On average, a three-bedroom apartment costs £1,700 in the centre of town, or £1,425 outside of the centre. So, by sharing with friends you’ll be able to save a considerable amount of money each month. Don’t forget to factor in bills, which could be as much as £90 per person per month.
There’s no way to ignore it, average grocery prices in Canterbury are high. However, if you figure out where to find the low-cost supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl, and do the majority of your ingredients shopping there, then you can still easily stay within budget.
Average spending for common items:
Milk (1L): £1.42
Bread Loaf: £1.48
Rice (1kg): £1.00
Eggs (12): £3.49
Cheese (1kg): £9.44
Chicken fillets (1kg): £8.17
Apples (1kg): £1.88
Potatoes (1kg): £1.41
The average monthly grocery expenditure for students in the UK is £160, so use this as a guideline and you’ll be able to keep track of your spending.
One of the best things about going to uni in Canterbury is the nightlife, and although it’s not as varied as larger cities like Brighton or London, it’s very student-centric and is also very concentrated around the town centre. This means that it’s very easy to skip around from restaurant to pub, and bar to club without needing to spend too much time on public transport or taking expensive taxis.
Eating out is reasonably priced, at around £15 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant. The average cost of a pint is £5, and although this is higher than a lot of places, it’s still considerably less than in London. Keep an eye out for mid-week student drinks discounts or check out the SU bar at your uni. They’re sure to have lower prices, and it’s a great place to start your night before heading out into town.
Getting around Canterbury by public transport is straightforward, with a regular bus service operating between the town and both uni campuses. The price of a one-way ticket is around £2.
If you’re going to be using the bus every day, then it makes sense to buy a travel pass. Stagecoach busses offer a semester travel card for around £160. It’s worth picking up a student railcard if you’re going to be travelling around the country by train, since these save you 1/3 on all tickets.
Depending on the course you’re studying, you might find that you need to buy extra materials such as books, art supplies, equipment or even just scanning and printing credits. Keep a small reserve fund available for these expenses and you’ll never be caught out on deadline day!
You may also wish to join in on activities through university clubs and societies, sports teams, or perhaps joining a local gym. These can involve recurring monthly payments so once again, factor this into your overall budget and you can easily plan ahead.
For more information on studying in Canterbury, take a look at courses at Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Kent!