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Budgeting for your studies

We've provided advice to help you budget for the expenses you're likely to need to meet while you're a student at Birkbeck.

Find out about accommodation and living costs.

Money advice and budget planning

If you are applying to receive Birkbeck financial support we will ask you to complete a budget planner, but you don't have to wait until you apply to start controlling your spending.

Be sure to include all your income, including student loans, and try to be as accurate as possible with your expenditure in order to get the most out of this exercise.

You may also wish to try this budgeting tool from Money Wellness, aimed at students.

  • Student budgeting workshops

    • Birkbeck will run a number of workshops throughout the year to help students to set up a budget and learn how to save money. You can book a place when we announce our next available workshop.

  • Citizens' Advice Bureau partnership

    • Birkbeck works with Citizens' Advice to offer appointments directly to our students on a weekly basis. If you need to discuss your housing situation, your benefits or something else they might be able to support you with, please contact Student Advice to make a booking.
    • If it is difficult for you to travel to appointments, you may want to contact your local Citizen's Advice Bureau to find out availability and waiting times.

Travel costs

The cost of travel in and around London can vary considerably depending on which travel zone you live in.

Students living in Zone 1 (closest to our central London campus) may want to think about walking when possible, using a bicycle, or taking the bus, as single fares cost just £1.75 and if you make another journey within an hour the second journey is free.

Full-time students living outside Zone 1 may want to consider buying a railcard to keep costs down.

  • Student railcards

    • If you live outside Zone 1 and are travelling regularly to Birkbeck, you may wish to consider a student railcard.
    • TfL 18+ Student Oyster photocards
      • If you are 18 or over, live in a London Borough, and are enrolled on a designated programme of full-time study at Birkbeck, you may be entitled to apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard. This offers 30% off the cost of travelcards and bus and tram passes. It does not offer discounts on pay-as-you-go fares.
      • Applications are online and cost £20. Birkbeck cannot authorise applications until term has started and you are fully enrolled.
      • Please note that students on part-time courses (including Certificates of Higher Education students studying 120 credits) are not eligible to apply.
    • 16-25 Railcards (also available to full time students aged 26 and over)
      • These provide a third off all rail journeys as well as off-peak pay-as-you-go tube (underground) journeys.
      • If you already have an 18+ Student Oyster card you can arrange to combine this with your Railcard for 34% off the cost of your travel (check for any restrictions).

Student discounts

  • NUS Totum Cards
    • The Totum card is the new replacement for the NUS Extra Card, and offers a wide range of discounts from shopping to travel. Apply through the website and collect your card from the Student Union Office on the 4th floor of the Malet Street Building.
  • Useful websites for student deals and money-saving tips: