Student Budget Planner

Plan your weekly student budget with income from loan, job and parents against term-time expenses.

Last updated: April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK — Student finance

£
£

Weekly Expenses (term time)

£
£
£
£
£
£

Annual Surplus

£2,445.00

Weekly spending: £245.00 · Extra budget: £62.69/week

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

This planner creates a detailed month-by-month budget for the academic year. Unlike a simple budget calculator, it accounts for the uneven timing of student income — maintenance loans arrive in three lump sums (September, January, April), while expenses run monthly. Many students overspend in the first term and struggle by spring.

The planner divides your total annual income by 12 to create a sustainable monthly budget, then allocates it across fixed costs (rent, bills, subscriptions) and variable spending (food, going out, clothing). It shows a running balance so you can see if you will run short in any particular month.

Enter your total income, rent and fixed costs. The planner generates a recommended monthly spending plan and highlights months where you need to be careful. It also includes common hidden costs that catch students out: freshers' week, textbooks, end-of-tenancy cleaning and summer accommodation gaps.

Example: £9,000 annual income, £500/month rent

  1. Monthly budget: £9,000 ÷ 12 = £750
  2. Rent: −£500
  3. Bills and subscriptions: −£50
  4. Food: −£120 (£30/week)
  5. Remaining for transport, social, personal: £80/month

Source: GOV.UK — Student finance

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Student Budget Planner do?
Plan your weekly student budget with income from loan, job and parents against term-time 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.