Budget for Students

A realistic budget breakdown based on UK tax rates and living costs in 2026. No fluff, just numbers that work.

Recommended 50/30/20 Split

50%

Needs

£817

30%

Wants

£233

20%

Savings

£117

Category	Amount	Notes
Rent (inc. bills)	£550	Student halls or shared house
Groceries	£120	Aldi, Lidl, batch cooking
Transport	£40	Student bus pass or cycling
Phone	£15	SIM-only student deal
Course materials	£20	Books, printing, supplies
Socialising	£80	Student nights, societies
Clothing	£20	Charity shops, Vinted
Subscriptions	£8	Spotify student
Laundry	£15	If not included in rent
Emergency savings	£50	Even small amounts matter
Flexible	£249	Textbooks, nights out, trips

Your maintenance loan is not free money - you will repay it, but only above £25,000 earnings.
Get a student bank account with a 0% overdraft. Do NOT use commercial credit.
Use UNiDAYS and Student Beans for discounts on everything.
A part-time job of 10-15 hours per week is manageable and transforms your budget.
Meal prep on Sundays. Rice, pasta, and frozen veg are your friends.
Use the library for textbooks rather than buying. Most are available digitally.

These are guidelines. For a personalised calculation based on your actual income and expenses, use our free calculator.

Revolut

Fee-free spending, budgeting tools, savings vaults

Tide

Free business banking if you are self-employed

Klarna

Spread costs interest-free on bigger purchases

Budget on a £25,000 Salary

£1,769/month take-home

Budget on a £30,000 Salary

£2,052/month take-home

Budget on a £40,000 Salary

£2,619/month take-home

Budget on a £50,000 Salary

£3,227/month take-home

Budget on a £75,000 Salary

£4,582/month take-home

Budget for Couples

£3,667/month take-home

Budget for Single Parents

£2,072/month take-home

The 50/30/20 Budget Rule Explained

£2,336/month take-home

Budget for Saving an Emergency Fund

£2,052/month take-home