Cost of Living Hub
Explore the support and resources available that may help you with the cost of living.
Our Cost of Living Hub brings together the financial and wellbeing support available at Newcastle University to help you with the cost of living. It also provides useful resources and initiatives on campus along with helpful information about accommodation in Newcastle and offers from external transport providers.
The Cost of Living working group meets regularly to develop new initiatives so be sure to check back often for the latest updates.
Financial support
Financial advice
Meet with a Student Finance Adviser
All students can meet with a Student Finance Adviser who can provide:
- Professional and impartial advice
- Individual and tailored one-to-one appointments, including budgeting sessions
- Information about bursaries, scholarships and other funding schemes
Funding available
NUSU Activities Access Fund
Your Students’ Union recognises that financial obstacles can arise, preventing some students from accessing the activities that offered. The Activities Access Fund aims to encourage equality of opportunity to access and participation for the home undergraduate student community, contributing to a sense of belonging and inclusion.
The Activities Access Fund, when available, is open to eligible undergraduate students who pay Home Fees and meet one of the eligibility criteria set out by the University’s Access and Participation Plan. It helps cover some costs of getting involved in activities.
Further information about eligibility, FAQs and registration is available on the Activities Access Fund webpage.
Student IT Hardship Fund
The discretionary Student IT Hardship Fund supports eligible students who are experiencing financial difficulty and cannot access IT provision needed for their course.
Experiencing financial difficulty?
Student Financial Support Fund
If you find yourself struggling to make ends meet and you're unable to cover essential, day-to-day living costs, the Student Financial Support Fund provides discretionary financial assistance to home UK students experiencing unexpected financial difficulty.
Financial Assistance Fund
The Financial Assistance Fund (FAF) provides discretionary short-term financial assistance to registered international and EU students experiencing serious and unexpected financial difficulties.
Other opportunities
Scholarships, bursaries and prizes
There are a range of scholarships and bursaries available to students. These include subject scholarships and the Opportunity Scholarship for students whose household income is at or below £35,000.
Funding from charities and trusts
Many external bodies and educational trusts offer funds for students. Please note that eligibility, the application process and the value of awards vary between organisations.
Resources
Period products available
Grace and Green sustainable period products are available in baskets at various locations across campus for all students to use.
Money Matters – Canvas Course
Our online money management course, available on Canvas, is designed for home UK undergraduate students. The course takes approximately an hour to complete but you can go through the modules at your own pace and don’t need to finish it all at once!
There are five modules:
- How am I going to manage? The basics of income and expenditure
- Budgeting
- Staying safe from fraud
- Money and your wellbeing
- Supermarket shopping and healthy eating habits
International students can find useful information about money management through the British Council.
On campus laundry facility
All students can use the laundry facilities at Kensington Terrace accommodation between 09:00-17:00, Monday to Friday at a subsidised cost of £1.30 a wash and £1.30 a dry.
Interactive campus map
Check out the University's campus map to find out where all students can access microwaves, showers and water points. You can also use the Study Space Finder to find out the opening times and availability of study spaces and PCs on campus.
University libraries
All students can make use of the free access to textbooks and academic resources at the University libraries. If you’re unable to access a particular resource, visit the Library website to request directly, make a recommendation of a book not held by the Library or request a resource through Inter-Library Loans.
LibbyApp
The LibbyApp is a fantastic resource that gives all students free access to a huge range of magazines, audiobooks and e-books for leisure reading! There’s also a ‘Student Life’ collection of books and magazines with tips for student living, including cost effective recipes and budgeting tips.
Calculator loan scheme
Former Students’ Union President, Yaseen and Education Officer, Lulu launched the calculator loan scheme, providing 100 scientific exam regulation calculators for any student to borrow for up to 20 weeks.
Food
10% Student Discount Food Fob
All students can access an exclusive Newcastle University student discount. Pick up a Student 10% Discount Fob from any campus café or reception. It works by loading your Fob with your chosen amount of funds and using it as your payment method at the till, to receive 10% off every time.
Student Pantry
The Student Pantry at the Students' Union is a free resource for students in need, helping them to keep their shelves stocked. All items in the pantry are free to take as needed, without consulting anyone. The Pantry is stocked with rice and pasta (including gluten-free options), tinned goods, cereal and grains, toiletries and stationery. Additionally, the fridge is stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as reduced-items from the Co-op. You can find the Student Pantry inside the Students' Union (Ground Floor, next to the Welfare & Advice Hub). It is accessible during the Students’ Union’s opening hours.
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Budget recipes on the LibbyApp
All students can access the Student Life collection on the LibbyApp for free books and magazines with cost effective recipes.
Thrifty Chef
Thrifty Chef started last year with two students, Ed and Pete, applying to the Go Volunteer Grants Scheme. Each week, they volunteered their time to collect ingredients from Hector Hall and Nil Living in the Grainger Market, prep the meal kits, and sell them from the Students' Union.
This year, Thrifty Chef is operating as a Community Interest Company. Whilst Ed and Pete are on a placement year, it is ran this year by two students, Molly and Henry with a small team of volunteers helping.
The team sell meal kits for £3.00 and overnight oats for £2.00 outside NUSU every Monday afternoon. If the weather is bad, they sell from the ‘cube’ inside the Students' Union building (in between the Co-op and the Welfare and Support Hub).
Watch some of our students take on the Thrifty Chef challenge and prepped our Thrifty Chef Box in 3 different ways!
Check out the Thrifty Chef Instagram for weekly recipes and opening times!
Advice and tips
Student Financial Support Team
All students can book a one-to-one appointment with our student finance advisers for help managing your money and planning a budget. Our advisers are members of NASMA (National Association of Student Money Advisers).
The team also offers helpful financial advice on their website, including information around council tax, insurance, mobile and broadband and TV licence.
Student Advice Centre
Also members of NASMA, the Students’ Union Advice Centre can provide support and guidance to all students on a range of financial issues and queries, including assisting students requiring hardship money from the Student Financial Support Fund.
ResLife team
ResLife support all students within University-owned and managed partnership accommodation through a free organised events programme and free interactive ResLife ‘Hacks’ on topics such as finances and budgeting. Follow the team on TikTok and Instagram.
Budgeting tips on the LibbyApp
All students can access the Student Life collection on the LibbyApp for free books and magazines with budgeting tips.
‘Five ways to budget your way through uni’
Check out some top tips for budgeting whilst at university from Leyla, our Student Content Creator.
Budgeting app recommendations
There are several budgeting apps available which may be useful:
- Blackbullion Money Manager
- Emma
- Recommendations from Save the Student
Please note that there are free and paid versions of many apps and it is always recommended to ensure that the app is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.
Transport
Get round for a £
If you're 21 or under, you can now go by bus for just £1 or less in the Tyne and Wear, Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council areas.
You can also buy an unlimited £3 day ticket to get around these areas by bus, Metro or ferry. A valid form of ID must be presented. Find out more at North East Bus Travel.
£2 bus fare cap
Until 31 December 2024, several bus companies have introduced a £2 fare cap on single tickets. For students who occasionally travel by bus, visit the Government website to see the bus routes included.
Student ticket options on buses
For those students using the bus, each commercial bus company in the region offers their own student ticket options. You can find out more about the options available on each company's website or app:
Student Metro Season Ticket
The Student Metro Season Ticket is available for all students to use in three different zones all day and is the most cost-effective method for students who travel on the metro regularly. You can choose an annual ticket or a four-weekly one. You need to apply for a Season Tickets Pop card and then renew your ticket online or at any Metro station ticket machine.
Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG)
For students who occasionally travel by metro, a Pop PAYG Card (for those 22 or over) or a Pop Blue Card (for those under 22 - up until the day of before the 22nd birthday) may work out cheaper, depending on circumstances. Please visit the Nexus Pop PAYG FAQs for further information.
Network One Students and Young People Travel Ticket
For students who travel regularly on both the bus and metro, a zone based ticket is available from Network One. This gives the flexibility of using both bus and metro but please note it is a higher price.
Cycling
Keep an eye out on the Sustainable Campus Events page for visits from Dr Bike, delivered by local charity WATBike. You'll get a safety inspection and minor repairs for free, and a safety report detailing any large repairs that are needed, that you can then take to a bike shop!
Rate Your Landlord
Rate Your Landlord is a review and ratings website where student tenants can share feedback about their renting experiences. It allows students to discuss their personal renting experiences, helping others become savvy, safe and happy renters. Many students are brand new to the world of private renting, so other people's opinions can be a useful tool. Rate Your Landlord provides an open, fair and balanced forum for tenants to have their say, for landlords to respond and for students to learn what's what in the world of renting.
Academic support
We understand that during the current cost of living crisis, you may be experiencing additional financial hardship, responsibilities or anxieties relating to paid employment, which may have a negative impact on your ability to study or complete assessments.
While known employment responsibilities are not usually accepted as Personal Extenuating Circumstances (PEC) grounds, we appreciate that the current cost of living crisis is having a negative effect on many of our students and so there may be times when you need to take on additional paid work in order to meet your financial responsibilities. In these circumstances, you are able to submit a self-cert PEC for an extension of up to seven days to any assessment without the need to provide any additional evidence of your circumstances.
If you require any adjustments beyond a short extension (of up to seven days) to the submission date of an assessment, you will need to complete a full PEC request and attach supplementary evidence. In these circumstances, a personal statement outlining your current situation will usually be appropriate. Guidance on writing a personal statement can be found in Appendix 2 of the PEC Procedure.
Wellbeing support
Student Wellbeing
Our Student Wellbeing team is here to support all students. Find your support with their support guide and get in touch if you need extra assistance.
You can also contact your Student Wellbeing Adviser based in your School.
NUSU Welfare and Support Centre
The Students’ Union's Welfare and Support Centre is a space for all students to access support, resources, and information you might need to support your wellbeing, welfare, and safety whilst you study.
TalkCampus – 24/7 Help
A free-to-download app for all students where you can talk with other students from around the world if you’re struggling and worried about your mental health.
INCLude – 24/7 Help
The iNCLude self help app is designed for all students to help take small steps to improve and maintain wellbeing.
Wellbeing workshops
The Student Wellbeing team provides a wide range of wellbeing workshops for all students.
Emergency and Out of Hours Help
Visit the Student Wellbeing webpage for details of urgent help.
Careers support
Careers Service
All students can access the Careers Service through MyCareer to book a careers appointment, sign up for events and find online support.
Part-time jobs and paid opportunities
All students can use the Careers Service to search for jobs and internships from employers seeking Newcastle students and graduates. There are also paid opportunities available on campus each year, including temporary jobs, paid internships and opportunities within the Careers Service.
Make It Happen Fund
All students can apply for funding to support with the costs of attending interviews or work experience, developing a project or initiative or exploring a business idea.
START UP Funding
START UP can award between £250 and £3,000 to help you create your own work opportunities and self-employed income*. If you want to start or grow a small business or find freelance work, START UP can support you in everything from selling online to building your brand and more.
*For UK-based opportunities. International students must have the correct visa permissions to be eligible.
Events
Give It A Go (GIAG)
The Students' Union’s activities programme is for ALL students. The programme is open to all abilities, no membership is required and it includes hundreds of exciting activities ranging from crafts, social sports, discounted tickets, tours and trips to get involved with.
