North West England occupies the region of west coast stretching between north Wales and the Scottish Borders. It includes parts of three National parks including the entirety of the Lake District, which is the most visited National Park in the whole of the UK, and is home to Scafell Pike, the country’s highest point. North West England is the third most populous region and includes several major cities such as Liverpool and Manchester.
There are 13 major universities, including some of the most prestigious in the UK, and the region has a consistently low cost of living, making it a popular choice for students. We break down the various aspects of budgeting your university experience and show you how to make the most of living here on a student budget.
For undergraduate courses in North West England, you can expect to pay £9,250 each year in tuition fees (this will be rising to £9,535 from the 2025/26 academic year). The UK government caps tuition fees at this amount, and universities typically adhere to the pricing structure, although in some cases you might pay slightly less.
Most students cover their tuition fees by taking out a loan. You can get two different types of loans from Student Finance to aid with your university costs. Loans are paid to your university directly at the beginning of the academic year and cover the complete cost of study.
A maintenance loan is also offered and may be worth up to almost £10,000 depending on your household income (this will be rising to up to £10,544 from the 2025/26 academic year). It is intended to help with extra expenditures including rent, food, transport, and other university-related fees, and fortunately, repayment doesn't start until you're earning over the threshold for your loan plan, giving you plenty of time to get yourself financially organised after graduation.
You can also subsidise your costs by applying for grants through your uni’s financial services department. These opportunities are designed to help you offset the cost of living and may be awarded for academic achievement or in recognition of financial need. For additional information, check out the finance page for your university. Most universities provide scholarships to both domestic and international students.
Most first-year students live in university owned halls of residence. Most universities in the North West offer guaranteed placement if you apply within a certain timeframe, and typically offer a convenient package deal which includes all utilities bills, internet and insurance for a fixed price. Staying in halls is also a great way to meet people, some of whom you’ll probably live with in your second and third year, and some who may become lifelong friends.
There are usually a range of options, from single rooms with shared bathroom facilities all the way up to self-contained studio apartments. Self-catered accommodation is typical although some universities also offer catered options. For comparison, the University of Liverpool has a list of options priced between £150 - £230, and Manchester Metropolitan University has a range which costs between £137 - £220. Rooms are usually available for the exact duration of your academic year, which is typically 40 - 44 weeks, meaning you won’t have to pay for a room you’re not using if you go home over summer.
After leaving halls, you’ll most likely be renting a place locally. The North West has a network of medium-large uni towns and in this guide, we will be comparing Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Bolton, Lancaster and Chester. Lancaster is the cheapest overall, where a studio apartment in the city centre costs £690 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment amazingly costs less than £1,050 per month on average. The most expensive is Manchester, which has respective average prices of £1,180 and £1,950, more than double the cost of Lancaster which also has the lowest average utilities cost at only £55 per person per month.
The uni towns of North West England are each fairly large and are well serviced by big brand supermarkets such as Asda, Tesco and Sainsburys. Lancaster has the lowest pricing on average, with the cost of common grocery items surveyed at:
Milk (1L): £1.20
Bread loaf: £1.12
Rice (1kg): £1.78
Eggs (12): £3.00
Cheese (1kg): £4.50
Chicken fillets (1kg): £3.50
Apples (1kg): £2.19
Potatoes (1kg): £1.43
Lancashire is well known for its cheesemaking tradition, with lots of farms and dairies throughout the county offering many delicious types at affordable prices.
Most cities in North West England offer a great and affordable night out. The region has the most significant contribution to British music outside of London, and a culture of pubs, clubs, and restaurants to explore. Bolton and Preston provide the most affordable options for eating out, with a low-cost meal around £10 - £13 per person, and a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costing less less than £45. Liverpool and Manchester are at the top of the scale, with a cheap meal priced around £16, and a dinner date for two costing £80. However, these cities probably offer the most choice for going out, so you may find that splashing out every now and again is worth it! In Preston, Chester and Bolton, you’ll find that the average cost of a pint of beer £4 or less, which means that you can enjoy a night at your favourite pub with some friends without spending loads of cash.
Keep an eye out for ‘bring your own bottle’ or BYOB restaurants, which are widespread across North West England and allow you to bring your own alcoholic drinks, saving some money on a meal out.
Public transport prices are fairly consistent across North West England, with a one-way ticket costing between £2 - £3 on average. Monthly passes are typically between £50 - £80 with Chester coming in at the cheapest with £45.50. Don’t forget that you can buy a 16-25 Railcard which gives you 1/3 off rail travel, or a student bus pass. Cycling is another great way to travel to and from uni without spending very much at all. Once you have a bike, helmet and lock, then it’s free to get around and most unis will have plenty of bike-locking facilities on-site.
Depending on your course, you may have to buy extra books, reading materials, subscriptions or equipment which won’t be covered by your tuition fee loan so bear this in mind and keep a little cash aside. Printing and photocopying services can be crucial for those end-of-term deadlines so it’s good to be prepared.
Whichever uni you choose, there will be a world of events and activities to explore, and by budgeting wisely you’ll never have to miss out! Whether it’s club nights, gig tickets, theatre shows or activities with the many clubs and societies at your uni, there are hundreds of things to get involved with.