Student budget guide: plan your monthly costs

Housing is usually the biggest expense for students, but food, transport, phone and study materials add up quickly. A realistic budget prevents nasty surprises in your second month.

The main cost categories

• Rent — check whether bills (energy, water, heating, internet) are included.
• Utilities — if not included, ask previous tenants what they paid in winter.
• Food — cooking at home is far cheaper than eating out every day.
• Transport — many cities offer discounted student passes.
• Phone and internet
• Study materials — buy second-hand books on the student marketplace.
• Health insurance — mandatory for students in several countries.
• Social life and travel — budget for it, so it doesn’t eat into rent.

Simple rules that work

• Try to keep rent below about half of your monthly budget.
• Keep an emergency buffer of at least one month’s costs.
• Furnish your room with second-hand items from students who are leaving.

Use the AllForStudents budget calculator to plan your own numbers.