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Moving to higher education is exciting but many students find themselves asking: “How am I going to pay for all this?” The list of bill can seem endless: tuition, rent, direct debits for your mobile or car insurance, utility bills, council tax (if you live in England), food, books, and travel. Then there are additional costs such as field trips, sports gear if you are part of a team, clothes, gym membership and maybe a new laptop. And all these bills are racking up before you even have a night out with your mates.
Money worries can be made even worse as it is not something we like to talk about or discuss with our friends. But know all the evidence out there tells us that there are more student who worry about money than those who do not. Every year thousands-and-thousands of students find themselves worrying about their finances. In a recent survey by SaveTheStudent.org, it was reported that 78% of students in 2019 worried about making ends meet.
Money worries is such a massive issue for so many students that there are a lot of solutions and help available to you. The best thing to do is be prepared, plan ahead and know what to do when the unexpected happens....and know where to get help when you need it.
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KNow before you go
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There’s a no doubt that higher education if an expensive investment. The thought of graduating with £40- £0k of debt is stressful. However, there’s help out there.
Tuition Fees
For students from Northern Ireland, the maximum annual tuition fee at a university in Northern Ireland for 2025–26 is £4,855 (NI Direct, 2025). This remains lower than the fees charged in other parts of the UK, where tuition can reach £9,535 per year.
If you choose to study at a Further Education (FE) college, tuition fees are often lower—typically just over £3,000 per year, depending on your course and college.
Most students don’t pay these fees upfront. You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the full amount each year. This loan is paid directly to your college or university and is repayable only once you earn above a certain threshold after graduation.
Accommodation
The average cost of purpose‑built student accommodation in the UK is £155–£166 per week, though this varies significantly by region. In London, rents often exceed £220/week and can reach up to £300/week in private halls. In Northern Ireland, such as at Ulster University’s Magee and Belfast campuses, students can expect to pay approximately £83–£220 per week depending on accommodation type and location.
To help cover these costs, you can apply for a Maintenance Loan, which is repayable, and in some cases, a Maintenance Grant, which does not need to be repaid and is based on your household income.
Living Costs
While tuition and accommodation will be your biggest costs, you also need to think about everyday living expenses. If you are studying in Northern Ireland, you can expect to spend around £400 to £650 per month on things like food, transport, bills, clothes, and social activities.
Across the UK, the average student spends £950 to £1,000 per month on the same essentials. This means you could save around £300 to £350 each month by studying in Northern Ireland, which makes a big difference when you are managing your budget.
To help with these costs, students from Northern Ireland can apply for:
a Maintenance Loan (repayable), and
a Maintenance Grant (non-repayable, means-tested based on household income).
For more information on applying for financial support, visit the Student Finance NI website.
Useful Sites to Learn More
Useful Sites to Learn More
The Money Advice Service
Student Finance NI
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