Cost of living support
Living in the capital doesn't have to break the bank. We have a range of support and offers available to help make your finances go furtherTools and tips to support you financially
Support Funds and bursaries
- All students have free access to Blackbullion’s award-winning learning website and money management app, including the Funding hub - the largest database of scholarships, bursaries and additional funding in the UK
- We’re proud of our growing range of student support bursaries for underrepresented students. More information on these can be found at our student support bursaries page.
- For the third year in a row we have committed to an increased budget for our Student Support Fund (our university hardship fund) more information and support from our Student Advice Team can be found at our student support bursaries page.
Our catering offer
- Breakfast for £1 - buy a croissant, bowl of porridge or round of toast with a cup of tea or coffee for just a pound in LSBU Hub Refectory and Breakpoint (Monday to Friday 8am-11am). Vegan options available.
- Hot meal deals for only £4.50 (previously £5.95) - available in LSBU Refectory and Grads Café (includes the Hola Pollo/Bamboo/Liberty Grill & Feastival concept offers)
- Items coming to end of shelf life. Items such as sandwiches, crisps, confectionery and cold drinks due to expire on that day will be reduced in price after 2pm that day.
- End of services wastage. Any retail items expiring that remain unsold will be donated to student halls (reception) on a rotating basis.
Supporting you
- Disabled Students’ Allowances – we’re also subsidising students’ contribution for those who need some extra help.
- We’re proud to offer free period products in bathrooms across our Southwark campus.
- Our LSBU Hub is open 24/7 giving students’ a warm, safe place to study.
- In need of a laptop? We have laptops available to loan from the Library in LSBU Hub.
- We’re also offering free use of LSBU Active gym between:
- 8am & 12pm Monday to Friday
- 10am & 12pm on Saturdays
- Want a part-time job? We can help you find one. Just head over to our Careers Hub
- Our Mental health and wellbeing team is available to support you if you’re feeling stressed, worried or finding it hard to cope.
Togetherall is a safe, anonymous peer support platform where you can express how you’re feeling, take self-assessments, complete short courses and, if you need to, speak to a professional.
Our Student Money Advice team is available to support you maximising your income, budgeting, student finance and support with debt’.
Budget hacks
- 18+ Oyster Student photocard (available to fully enrolled full-time students)
- 16- 25 Railcard (available to all full-time students including those over the age of 25)
- TfL’s city bikes for £60 a year
- Totum/NUS Extra card
- Discounts from money saving websites: Save the Student and Student Beans
- Discount for Oxford University Press website - use the code WEBXSTU96 for a 25% discount on all book purchases and free postage over £20.
- Cooking with Tom - Halls cookbook and vlog – healthy, budget friendly meals
- Microwaves on campus to bring own food - first floor of Student Centre and in LSBU Hub
- Our halls are competitively priced - check out our accommodation pages.
Cost of Living
Know what to expect before you start. Our estimated breakdown of UK living and study costs will help you plan and stay in control of your budget.
Estimated living expenses for students
| Weekly expenses | University accommodation | Private accommodation* |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £175-£286 | £240-£360 |
| Food/household shopping | £45-£65 | £45-£65 |
| Utility bills e.g. energy, water etc. | £0 | £40-£55 |
| Local Travel | £0-20 | £30-£76.40 |
| Study materials | £15-£30 | £15-£30 |
| Entertainment | £25-£45 | £25-£45 |
| Other expenses e.g. Gym membership, phone contract | £10-£25 | £10-£25 |
Sources
* Private accommodation (Average TFL zone 2/3 private rent flat share)
- Composite Living Costs-NASMA HESF Guidance 2025/26
- Rentaroof London Rental Market Report - Q1 2025
- Food Foundation basic basket tracker - Save the Student
- TFL
Total estimated annual expenses*
| Level | University accommodation | Private accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (39 weeks) | £12,600-£18,400 | £16,400-£25,500 |
| Postgraduate (52 weeks) | £16,200-£24,500 | £21,800-£34,000 |
* Rentaroof London Rental Market Report - Q1 2025
LSBU has two affordable halls of residence within a 10 minute walk of LSBU's main campus, and all utility bills are included in the price. Find out more about LSBU Accommodation.
