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To help you understand more about how students fund their studies and university life, our students have been keeping a money diary to show you their typical weekly spend.

Below you'll find a diary from a 21 year old student, who is living without parental support or financial help. You'll also see how commuting to university rather than living in student accommodation affects their outgoings.

Course: Criminology and Forensic Studies

Where do you live? At my boyfriend's parent's house

How do you fund your studies? Student Finance England

Scholarship/bursaries: Â£1,750 (£1000 stand alone bursary and £750 UoP Bursary)

Annual income

A typical week

Monday – £17.35 spent

On Monday’s I travel to University as I commute. I got a single ticket from Redhill to ´óÏó´«Ã½ & Southsea with my 16-25 student railcard (£12.45) as I was staying at a friend's house instead of returning home. I arrived in ´óÏó´«Ã½ half an hour before my first lecture so I went to Starbucks to get a coffee and a bottle of water as I had forgotten mine (£4.90).

Tuesday – £31.95 spent

I was studying in the library for most of today so I grabbed some fruit and a Tesco's meal deal on the way (£4). I then travelled back home and got a single ticket from ´óÏó´«Ã½ & Southsea with my 16-25 student railcard (£12.45). When I got home me and my boyfriend went food shopping which we split equally between us (£15.50).

Wednesday – £2.60 spent

On Wednesdays I work a 2.00-10.00pm shift so I don’t tend to spend much money. At work, I bought a bottle of water and some chewing gum (£2.60). As I live at home while studying I can eat at home and take home made meals out with me, meaning I can save buying lunch while I am at work or out for other occasions. 

Thursday – £19.25 spent

I work the same shift on Thursdays, 2.00-10.00pm. So I also don’t tend to spend much money. I bought some mayonnaise for my salad at work (£2) and when I got home I ordered an outfit  off EGO as I needed some new clothes for the warmer weather (£17.25). 

Friday – £0 spent

On Fridays I stay at home and study, so nothing extra was spent!

Saturday – £34.75 spent

My boyfriend and I went out to Bluewater shopping centre for the day as he needed to get a few things. He brought us breakfast while we were there so I got us lunch from Nando’s (£22.50). I then bought myself some shampoo and conditioner from Superdrug as I had run out (£6) and some new jewellery from Lovisa in their 75% off closing down sale (£6.25).

Sunday – £20.99 spent

Sunday’s are usually spent at home getting ready for the following week but it was Mother’s Day. I don’t celebrate mothers day properly but I got my step-dad a card and a voucher just to say thank you for everything (£20.99). 

Total spent across the week – £126.89

This week I spent slightly more than usual due to mothers day and the trip to Bluewater. The majority of my spending goes towards travel and the weekly food shop which are both essential, therefore nothing to worry about. 

My monthly spending

More about me

Before coming to university, what conversations did you have about money?

I knew I wasn’t going to have any parental support as I am estranged, so I spoke to my work about doing regular hours to help with finance while I am at university. I also spoke to family members about budgeting as this is not something I had to do prior to coming to university.

How do you feel about your finances now you’re here?

While I was in first year, and before knowing about or receiving the support an estranged student should, I was worried about finances. I was on minimum student loan and not receiving any parental support, therefore, I found it difficult to pay bills and enjoy my time at university. I obviously had to prioritise bills and it meant I had to miss out on certain things such as going out with friends. However, I feel good about my finances now I am receiving the right support.

Now I know how much I am receiving and my monthly outgoings I can budget and plan while also including activities such as going out with friends and buying stuff for myself.

What do you wish you’d known about funding your studies before coming to university?

I wish I knew more about what support was available to estranged students as this would have saved some confusion at the start of university. However, once I was provided with the right support, it made everything much easier.