When you hear the word Manchester, the first thing that probably springs to mind is football. While the red devils are no doubt one of the city’s most recognisable features, Manchester is much more to offer its residents than just football. The city is home to some of the top universities in the UK. If you’re moving to the city for you’re education, congratulations! To make your transition as smooth as possible, we want to help you out with a full breakdown of the cost of living in Manchester.
About Manchester
Located in the north of England, Manchester is a big metropolitan city with a population of over 500,000. The city is known for having a rich cultural history known for the success it saw during the Industrial revolution. Since then, the city has become a hotspot for students, home to some great universities like the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford.
Tuition Fees in Manchester
As a student in the city, a big chunk of your cost of living in Manchester would go into paying your tuition fees. Therefore, this is an essential element to consider when planning out your budget. Here is a comprehensive list of the top universities in Manchester, along with their tuition fees. Here’s is an average tuition fee of the top colleges and universities in Manchester like the University of Manchester:
How can you save on tuition fees in Manchester?
As a student, tuition fees are more or less mandatory expenses and there isn’t too much you can do to get them to reduce their prices. The best way to reduce your cost of living in Manchester is to apply for scholarships or financial aid. There are several scholarships offered in the UK, like the Chevening Scholarship. You can also see whether or not you’re eligible to apply for financial aid from your chosen university.
New to the city? Here’s a list of 30 things you can do in Manchester!
Cost of Manchester student accommodation
Your choice of student housing will also significantly impact your overall cost of living in Manchester. There are numerous possibilities for student housing from which you can select. You have the option of living either on-campus or off-campus. Private rentals and purpose-built student housing are also options (PBSA). PBSAs are residential complexes designed with the requirements of students in mind. PBSAs include all utilities and are completely furnished. PBSAs are your best choice if you're seeking practical and comfortable Manchester accommodation. Check out these varieties of PBSA student accommodation amber provides.
The average cost of living in Manchester will vary depending on the location of your home and the type of room that you choose.
How to save on living costs in Manchester?
To cut down on your cost of living in Manchester, you can opt to stay in a double occupancy room or share a flat with a couple of roommates to bring down the cost of utilities and shared household expenses like food and wifi.
For a full look into housing in the city check out our Manchester Student Housing Guide.
Cost of Travel in Manchester
Another big component of your total monthly cost of living in Manchester will be your travel expenses. The city has a range of public transport options that students can choose from. Here is a breakdown of the average price of transport in the city, so you can plan out your Manchester living expenses.
Trams
Manchester is a fairly large city with a lot of traffic, which is why the trams are sometimes quicker to get around the city by avoiding the street traffic. The present system mostly runs on former commuter rail lines converted for light rail use.
Bus
With over 50 bus companies operating in the Greater Manchester region, over 80 per cent of public transport journeys in Greater Manchester are made by bus. Travelling by bus is a great way to reduce your cost of living in Manchester.
How to save on your travel expenses in Manchester?
Set up a routine of walking to get where you need to go so that you can get fit and save money! You might also consider purchasing combination passes or special term passes if you plan to travel somewhat frequently. University students can receive substantial travel discounts from several public transportation providers. If there are any discounts, you may take advantage of them to lower your cost of living in Manchester.
Food and Groceries
Some people eat to live, and others live to eat. Whether you’re the former or the latter, the bottom line is that your food is important, and we can’t leave it out when discussing your cost of living in Manchester. Food prices will vary depending on your taste and preferences but on average, your food costs should cost you around £50-£200 per month.
How can you save on your food expenses?
You should make as many meals at home as possible to lower your cost of living in Manchester. You'll find that eating out will quickly drain your bank account. At first, it might be difficult to fit cooking into your daily schedule, but after some time, it'll be much simpler, and you might even find a new hobby!
Utilities
When estimating the cost of living in Manchester, you must account for the cost of basic utilities. Depending on where you live and how much you use these commodities, the monthly cost of your utilities will vary, but they are unavoidable for the smooth running of your home.
How to save on utilities when living in Manchester?
Sharing a flat with roommates can help you significantly reduce your cost of living in Manchester. Switching off the lights and making sure to turn down the heat and cooling when you’re leaving your apartment will also help you save on your average living cost in Manchester.
Miscellaneous Expenses
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. During your time in the city you will also need to factor in some miscellaneous expenses into your cost of living in Manchester. Buying stationery, getting furniture, going to the best clubs in Manchester, going shopping for clothes and going sightseeing are all a part of your average living cost in Manchester.
How to reduce the cost of miscellaneous expenses while living in Manchester?
These expenses probably looked the most exciting but are sadly the least necessary. These would be the first items to go when you’re trying to reduce your cost of living in Manchester. Finding cheaper alternatives to these expenses may be the best way to save money. For example, instead of buying a gym membership, you could make do with the gym at your school, which will likely be free for you to use. You could also thrift your clothes instead of buying from famous brands to help you save on your cost of living in Manchester.
That was everything you needed to know about the cost of living in Manchester. While this may not have covered every expense possible, we hope that this blog has given you some idea of what to expect as you plan out your Manchester living expenses and start creating a budget.
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