If you’re thinking about studying in South West England but aren’t sure about the cost of living then this is the guide for you. Whether city or countryside based, we explain how you can live well on a budget and make the most of your time at uni.
Updated: 28 Jan 2025
The South West is a large region, stretching from the top of Gloucestershire down to the very tip of Cornwall. It’s rich in geographical diversity, with rolling hills, river valleys, forests, moorland and more than 700 miles of beaches and coastline.
The South West is also home to a similarly diverse network of universities, mostly located in the region’s larger cities like Bath, Bristol, Plymouth, Exeter and Gloucester, and with a handful of smaller, specialist institutions located throughout. Some of the country's top unis are found here, so you can gain a world-class education to boost your career potential while discovering a range of experiences which can readily be explored on a student-friendly budget.
Sound interesting? We thought so, which is why we’ve written a comprehensive guide to the cost of living in England’s spectacular South West.
Regardless of where you choose to study in the South West, as an undergraduate student you will most likely be paying an annual tuition fee of £9,250 (this will be rising to £9,535 from the 2025/26 academic year). Course fees make up a large portion of your yearly student budget, and most students choose to cover them by taking out a tuition fee loan. These readily-accessible loans are straightforward and convenient and can be sourced through your nation’s Student Finance company if you’re from the UK. Student Finance will pay your tuition fee directly to your uni, taking all the stress away.
Student Finance also offers a maintenance loan which is worth up to around £10,000 per year and is calculated based on your household income (this will be rising to up to £10,544 from the 2025/26 academic year). The maintenance loan is paid into your bank account in instalments, and is intended to support you with your living costs such as rent and groceries.
Repayment of the tuition fee loan and the maintenance loan do not begin until the April after you’ve graduated, and you only repay if you’re earning above the repayment threshold for your plan.
Every university in the South West has some form of financial services department, so wherever you choose, there will be an in-house team of advisors to help you with any queries regarding loans, budgeting and external funding. Most unis have a programme of scholarships and bursary schemes available, which can offer you additional funding and grant opportunities as well as access to equipment, travel stipends, childcare allowances and much more. You may be surprised at what is available, so check out your options online, and contact your uni department to apply.
The cost of rented accommodation in the South West can vary quite dramatically. However, for the first year of study most unis will give you the option to stay in their own halls of residence buildings, which have many advantages.
Halls of residence are usually located close to campus and offer a convenient and cost-effective package deal where you’ll get a single bedroom with all bills included within a large student apartment complex. You’ll have a choice of different room types, though each uni will have different room availability. Typically, you’ll be choosing between ensuite or shared bathroom facilities, and catered or self-catered accommodation.
Pricing varies between unis and locations, but typically ranges between £110 - £180 per week, and the residence usually provides on-site services such as laundry, common room, and sometimes a gym. This accommodation is usually only available for your first year of study, which gives you plenty of time to explore rental options for the following years.
Renting accommodation in the South West is quite variable. City locations will have a greater choice of housing, and consequently a larger range in pricing. For example, Bristol has a high average rental price of £1,350 per month for a studio flat in the city centre, or £2,150 for a three-bedroom apartment.
This being said, there is cheaper accommodation available, you might just have to look a bit harder to find it, or compromise on floorspace. By comparison, Falmouth has a relatively affordable rental market for students, with a studio flat costing an average of £900 per month with costs dropping to just £750 per month if you choose to live outside the city centre.
The South West is known for its rolling hills and mild climate which means that a lot of fresh produce is farmed and grown here. Farmers markets are commonplace, and larger cities usually have a selection of large chain supermarkets offering low-cost goods.
Bristol and Plymouth each have more than one uni and are respectively at the higher and lower end of the scale for grocery prices. Based on these, we’ve shown a price range for commonly bought items. Bear in mind that this is an average, and actual prices are still highly variable when you consider the different types of supermarkets in the area.
Milk (1L): £1.09 - £1.11
Bread loaf: £1.11 - £1.14
Rice (1kg): £1.18 - £1.97
Eggs (12): £2.56 - £3.89
Cheese (1kg): £7.22 - £8.12
Chicken fillets (1kg): £5.83 - £6.95
Apples (1kg): £1.98 - £2.01
Potatoes (1kg): £0.97 - £1.53
As of January 2024 there are a total of 17 Lidl stores in Bristol alone, and most uni locations in the South West have a low-cost supermarket within walking distance of campus.
The South West has many different types of uni with many different types of social and cultural climate. Every town has its unique characteristics and strengths, from Bath’s art galleries and comedy clubs to the laid-back beach parties of Falmouth, Gloucester’s lively sporting heritage and Bristol’s influential music scene. Wherever you go, you’ll find something to enjoy, and without needing to spend too much money.
Generally speaking, an inexpensive meal out will cost around £12 - £15, and a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant will be around £60 - £80. The price of a pint of beer (or quite possibly cider) is pretty variable, with the cheapest average pint coming from Gloucester and Plymouth at £4, and the most expensive coming from Bristol, at £5.
The South West is a huge area and much of it is off-the-beaten-track in comparison to the rest of the UK. Despite this, there are regular and reliable public transport services which link each of the university locations to each other, so you can easily travel around between cities, and further on to the rest of the country.
In general, a one-way local public transport ticket (bus or rail) will cost somewhere between £2 and £3. Monthly passes are available and are a good way to save money if you’re likely to be using them daily. Don't forget that you can buy a 16-25 Railcard for only £30 per year, and this entitles you to 1/3 discount on all train tickets.
Students in more rural unis such as Falmouth University and the Royal Agricultural University are more likely to benefit from having access to a car, since the public transport is less regular and widespread.
Wherever you choose to study, your course may require equipment or material which isn't covered by your tuition fees such as books, art materials, or specialised clothing for outdoor activities and fieldwork. It’s always a good idea to keep a cash reserve for unforeseen expenses such as these, to ensure you can participate fully without being stretched financially.
Remember, in the scenic South West it could be a uni field trip, or it might be a last-minute beach getaway. The opportunities are endless, so budget well and be ready.