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Cost of living
Prepare to succeed by planning your finances before you arrive
The cost of student living varies according to personal circumstance and lifestyle, but students in Swansea benefit from a favourably low cost of living in comparison with most other University cities.
The cost of living in Swansea is relatively low compared to many other cities in the UK. In 2010/11 according to push.co.uk it was the 5th cheapest place to live as a student. However it is still vital that any potential student prepares their finances before they attend University.

On average students studying at Swansea will spend between £6000 and £10000 (over 52 weeks) on living costs. The examples given below are averaged out to give costs somewhere in the middle of this estimate.
The level of these costs depends heavily on lifestyle and will vary from person to person, but it's always a good idea to draw up a budget - and stick to it!
Halls of Residence Costs
|
Expenditure |
Cost per week |
Cost per academic year (40 weeks) |
|
Rent |
£73.00 - £120.00 |
£2920.00 - £4800.00 |
|
Gas/Elec/Water |
Inc in Rent |
Inc in Rent |
|
Contents Insurance |
Inc in Rent |
Inc in Rent |
|
Broadband |
Inc in Rent |
Inc in Rent |
|
Travel Costs |
£9.25 |
£377.00 |
Private Residence Costs
|
Expenditure |
Cost per week |
Cost per academic year (40 weeks) |
|
Rent |
£60.00 - £70.00 |
£2400.00 - £2800.00 |
|
Gas/Elec/Water |
£15.00 |
£600.00 |
|
Contents Insurance |
£2.50 |
£100.00 |
|
Broadband |
£4.00 |
£160.00 |
|
Travel Costs |
£12.50 |
£500.00 |
Course Costs
|
Course Costs |
Costs per Week |
Cost per academic year (52 weeks) |
|
Books |
£5.50 |
£286.00 |
|
Printing and Binding |
£0.75 |
£39.00 |
|
Course Equipment |
£1.60 |
£83.20 |
Post Graduate students may also wish to undertake Field Trips and conferences as part of their study. These costs can vary massively depending on where you wish to go and how long for. Always check with your department to see if they can help subsidise any of these costs.
Depending on your course there are a number of mandatory and optional costs you may be required to pay. For a detailed list of specific costs associated with your course please contact your department.
When drawing up your budget be aware that tuition fees will also need to be covered, and must be factored in as a cost. To find out how much your course will cost please see the postgraduate tuition fee page.
General Living Costs
|
General Living Costs |
Costs per Week |
Cost per academic year (52 weeks) |
|
Leisure Spending |
£25 |
£1300.00 |
|
Parking |
£10.00 |
£520.00 |
|
TV License |
£2.80 |
£145.50 |
|
Laundry |
£4 |
£208.00 |
|
Food |
£40.00 |
£2080.00 |
|
Phone (landline and Mobile) |
£7.50 |
£390.00 |
|
Clothes |
£7.50 |
£390.00 |
|
Childcare Costs |
£88.81 per week |
£4618.12 |
All of the above figures have been calculated for Academic Year 2012/13. They are based on actual costs paid by students and could easily be reduced with careful budgeting. Some of these outgoings may not apply to you and, depending on your circumstances, may not reflect the actual cost you will pay.
