Best value city for student living
Northern Ireland has the lowest student living costs in the UK (Save the Student National Student Money Survey 2025)
°Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï is ranked 3rd in the UK for value for money (StudentCrowd University Awards 2025)
The UK¡¯s best value student city
Going to university is a major milestone, but the costs of studying and managing money effectively can be a concern for many students.
As a student, you will have different living costs depending on where you live, your lifestyle choices, and whether you have any financial commitments or dependents. This is why it's important to consider what your living costs are likely to be during your time at university so you can budget and manage your money effectively.
The costs highlighted on this page should be used as a guide only.
Save without compromise
?165 per month cheaper for student living costs in Northern Ireland compared to the UK average (Save the Student National Student Money Survey 2025)
| Tuition | ||||||||
| Tuition fee | $28,082 | $67,731 | $59,320 | $71,236 | $72,270 | $42,950 | $41,974 | $33,996 |
| Scholarships availability [1] | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Visa application fee | $708 | $535 | $535 | $535 | $535 | $535 | $535 | $110 |
| Immigration health surcharge [2] | $1,047 | $2,475 | $5,476 | $4,662 | $3,100 | $3,768 | $2,494 | $296 |
| Accommodation | ||||||||
| University accommodation [3] | $212 | $419 | $700 | $337 | $395 | $315 | $385 | $324 |
| Typical Contact length | 40 weeks | 30 weeks | 30 weeks | 39 weeks | 33 weeks | 32 weeks | 30 weeks | 32 weeks |
| Private accommodation [4] | $762 | $2,000 | $2,800 | $1,400 | $1,600 | $1,300 | $1,800 | $876 |
| Monthly household bills | $103 | $315-430 | $250-420 | $300-410 | $250-420 | $360-415 | $280-370 | $258 |
| Leisure | ||||||||
| Monthly gym membership [5] | Off-peak: Free Peak: $34 |
Free | Free | Free | $14 | Free | Free | $21 |
| Pint of Beer [6] | $4.04 | $7 | $6-8 | $6-8 | $5-7 | $5-7 | $5-7 | $5.80-7.30 |
| Bus ticket | $3.17/day | Shuttle: Free $2.50/journey |
$30/month | $2.50/journey | $3/day | Free | $13.50/day | $7.50/day |
| Bike/Scooter rental | $1.34/30min | $30/day | $10/day $2.95/30min |
$10-20/hour | $0.50/min | $8/day $2.25/30min |
Ebike: $0.15/min Pedal: $0.05/min |
N/A |
| Monthly groceries | $171 | $350 | $350 | $300 | $300 | $350 | $300 | $608 |
| Cinema ticket | $8.09 | $12 | $10 | $10 | $8 | $10.49 | $10.49 | $10 |
| Dominos Pizza | $23.61 | $16 | $14 | $14 | $16 | $16 | $16 | $9.50 |
| Total costs | $38,129 | $83,311 | $86,331 | $89,576 | $88,940 | $57,333 | $56,553 | $44,778 |
Notes:
All figures shown are in US Dollars and conversions correct as of 24 February 2026 xe.com £1 = $1.34
- [1] Scholarships sourced from university websites. See more information about QUB scholarships.
- [2] Based on typical average costs, however complex calculations are sometimes required.
- [3] Based on weekly costs for Undergraduate accommodation (including utilities).
- [4] Based on average monthly costs for private rented room.
- [5] Free off-peak membership at °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï sport is for everyone living in °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï accommodation.
- [6] On or near campus prices, or inside students union.