Student Budget Calculator
Plan your university budget. Track income from loans, grants and jobs against monthly expenses.
Last updated: April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK — Student finance
Annual Income
Monthly Expenses
Annual Surplus
£1,061.14
Weekly spending budget: £27.21
Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
How It Works
A student budget calculator helps you plan whether your income (maintenance loan, part-time work, family contributions) will cover typical university expenses. Key cost categories include accommodation (the largest expense at £4,000–£9,000 per year), food (£2,000–£3,000), transport, course materials, socialising and personal spending.
This calculator uses average UK student spending data to show how your income compares to expected costs. It flags any shortfall and suggests areas where spending can be adjusted. Accommodation costs vary hugely by city — London averages 40–60% more than cities in the North or Midlands.
Enter your income sources and the calculator provides a realistic monthly and annual budget breakdown. If there is a gap, it shows how much you would need to earn from part-time work. Most universities recommend no more than 15–20 hours of paid work per week during term time to avoid impacting studies.
Example: Student in Manchester, living in halls
- Income: maintenance loan £7,400 + family £1,500 + part-time work £2,400 = £11,300
- Accommodation: £5,800 (halls, 40 weeks)
- Food: £2,400 (£60/week)
- Transport, phone, socialising: £2,200
- Total expenses: £10,400 — surplus of £900/year
Source: GOV.UK — Student finance
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the Student Budget Calculator do?
- Plan your university budget. Track income from loans, grants and jobs against monthly expenses. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.
- Is this based on current student finance rates?
- Yes. This calculator uses Student Loans Company rates and thresholds for the 2025/26 academic and financial year. Thresholds and interest rates are updated annually.
- Which student loan plan am I on?
- Plan 1 applies if you started before September 2012 (England/Wales) or are from Northern Ireland. Plan 2 applies from September 2012 in England/Wales. Plan 4 is for Scotland. Plan 5 applies from September 2023.