Studying at uni means lots of things - learning about subjects you enjoy, gaining experience in the career you want to go into after you graduate, meeting new people, seeing new places?and paying a lot of money. Make sure you know about what costs to expect before you begin any course programme.
And, when you're sorting out how to pay for it all, remember that there are lots of students who have the same financial concerns you do. Talk to someone you know who's recently finished uni, or already completed their first year to see how they coped with the expenses that cropped up. These are the two most common areas that will cost you as a student:
Course fees
Your course has a price attached to it that covers lecturers' pay, use of facilities, lab fees, and anything else related to the programme itself (though the cost of books are usually separate from what your uni charges). Course fees in the UK are annual and will increase each year, but there is no set fee that universities in the UK charge for tuition. Even different courses within the same institution will vary significantly in cost based on what they involve, so the best thing to do is have a look at individual university websites for specific and accurate information.
The most a university or college can charge for tuition is:
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£3,375 for the 2011/12 academic year
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£9,000 for the 2012/13 academic year
It's important to remember that if you're deferring your uni acceptance to take a gap year during the current academic year, your course fee will be based on the higher rate for the next academic year.
If you're completing your first degree, you can get a student government loan to help with tuition. For your second degree, you may have to look for grants and private loans to cover the cost.
Living expenses
While you study, you need to live somewhere, eat something, and fit in some entertainment and social activities to unwind - especially just after you've handed in a huge project. This is separate from your course fees and won't necessarily go to the university, unless you're living in uni accommodation and eating at the cafeteria.
Just as course fees vary from one institution to another, living expenses differ a great deal depending on where you decide to study, and even the area you live in. It is definitely worth taking this into account, particularly if you are deciding whether to go to university in or outside of London. London is a much more expensive place to live, but then has the benefit of more work possibilities if you're looking for a part-time job.
Before you start your course, and even while you think about which one to do, make a rough budget of what your living expenses will be. This includes anything from your mobile phone contract and TV license to bus tickets and nights out with your mates. You can get a student loan to cover living costs while you're at uni, but this may not pay for absolutely everything, so you may need to think about working between or during terms as well. Again, talk to other students about what they've done, as they'll have found ways to manage their expenses during each term that can help you plan better.
