Cost of living
These days, everyone needs to stretch their budgets a little further. And that’s no different for students. But at Huddersfield, you’ll find a cost-conscious university located in a budget-friendly town.
And that’s not all. We know it can be a challenge to balance your bank balance while also trying to make the most of your university experience, so we want to help. This page is the perfect resource to help you maximise your time with us, without blowing your budget. What’s more, we can help during your time with us, through financial advice, student discounts and a whole host of facilities that support a lower cost of living.
Top 10 UK location for cheap student rent
Huddersfield is a budget friendly option for being a student. Not only is it one of the friendliest towns, it also offers a low cost of living, including being a top 10 UK location for cheap student rent* . In fact, the average amount students pay for rent in Huddersfield is just £127 a week compared to the UK average of £194 (or £340 in Central London!).
Living Costs
The lower cost of living in Huddersfield means that you could have more money to spend on social activities and health and wellbeing, making your uni experience better.
As well as tuition fees (you can read about those on our fees and finance page), you’ll need to think about the cost of food and groceries, materials for your course, travel and spending money for social activities. Don’t worry though, as a student, there are plenty of discounts available to you.
Student Discounts
- A 19-25 travel card gives you up to 44% off bus and rail travel across Yorkshire, perfect for visits home or day trips. Or if you mostly travel by train, you can get a 16-25 or 26-30 railcard, which gives you 1/3 off travel across the entire country.
- Enjoy discounts on everything from fashion and beauty to meals and activities through student discount apps such as Totum, Unidays and Student Beans.
- Focus on health and wellbeing with a discount on KAL membership – which gives you access to the ActiveHud gym and classes on campus and six other leisure centres in the local area.
- Some Huddersfield shops and cafes offer student discounts when you show them your Student ID card.
Free Social Sport sessions - no membership required
Our Social Sport sessions are FREE, and a perfect way to stay active, take a break from your studies and meet new people. No previous experience is required and all equipment is provided for free.
See what sessions are available and sign up for a free KAL account to start booking!
On-campus facilities
Our campus offers a range of facilities, amenities and services to help you budget and make your money go further.
- You can use the Active Hud shower and changing room facilities for free, without a membership.
- Access food heating and hot water facilities at a range of locations across campus.
- Utilise computers, charging facilities and loan out laptops at our library, and access computer study spaces across campus, including a 24/7 computer suite.
- Our International Kitchen provides a range of budget-friendly food options, including a hot meal for just £2.50.
- Our new Daphne Steele building houses a state-of-the-art student-led Podiatry Clinic where you can access services for a fraction of the price of private clinics.
Student blogs about cost of living
My student-friendly cost of living advice
Hello, I'm Lily and I study Sport, Exercise and Nutrition at the University of Huddersfield. Here are my tips that I use to make the most of my budget and fit in everything I need with the current cost of living.
Top 5 money-saving tips for new students
Hiya, I am Chunye, a final year BA (Hons) TESOL international student. The reasonable cost of living in Huddersfield was one of the reasons for my decision to study here.
My student guide to eating out in Huddersfield on
I’m James a final-year Software Engineering student from Brighouse. I love listening to music with hip-hop being my favourite genre. In my spare time, I create digital art and play the keyboard.
Top 10 location for lowest average rent cost in the UK!
Comparison on UK rents based on Student Crowd’s ‘Cheapest UK Cities for Student Accommodation League Table 2024’.
| UK average weekly rent | £194 |
| Position by rent cost lowest to highest | Location | Average weekly rent cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 / 80 | Bradford | £103 |
| 2 / 80 | Wrexham | £111 |
| 3 / 80 | Bolton | £113 |
| 4 / 80 | Aberystwyth | £114 |
| 5 / 80 | Wolverhampton | £120 |
| 6 / 80 | Carlisle | £125 |
| 7 / 80 | Sunderland | £125 |
| 8 / 80 | Huddersfield | £127 |
| 9 / 80 | Carmarthen | £130 |
| 10 / 80 | Stoke-on-Trent | £132 |
| 36 / 80 | Swansea | £171 |
| 37 / 80 | Durham | £172 |
| 38 / 80 | High Wycombe | £175 |
| 39 / 80 | Newcastle upon Tyne | £175 |
| 40 / 80 | Colchester | £177 |
| 41 / 80 | Chichester | £177 |
| 42 / 80 | Hatfield | £180 |
| 43 / 80 | Canterbury | £180 |
| 44 / 80 | Coventry | £180 |
| 45 / 80 | Norwich | £181 |
| 71 / 80 | Leeds | £268 |
| 72 / 80 | Brighton | £279 |
| 73 / 80 | York | £297 |
| 74 / 80 | South West London | £314 |
| 75 / 80 | Bristol | £815 |
| 76 / 80 | West London | £334 |
| 77 / 80 | Central London | £340 |
| 78 / 80 | North London | £370 |
| 79 / 80 | East London | £425 |
| 80 / 80 | South East London | £425 |