Finances
For a lot of people, coming to university will be their first experience of financial independence. This can go brilliantly or not, it all depends on how diligent you are. We've collated a few tips together along with some useful links at the bottom of the page. This might not be the most riveting part of coming to university, but it's definitely important.
Have a good look at the University of Leicester's Financial Support (link here). It's full of all sorts of information that we can't replicate on this page, with useful bits for both postgraduates and undergraduates. It includes information on grants and bursaries, hardship funds and all sorts of other stuff.
Our Graduate and Mature Student Rep for 2017, Lydia, has also put together a little guide to grants and financial help. It is especially useful for graduates, but undergraduates can find it good too (especially those from more disadvantaged backgrounds). The guide is linked below.
Have a good look at the University of Leicester's Financial Support (link here). It's full of all sorts of information that we can't replicate on this page, with useful bits for both postgraduates and undergraduates. It includes information on grants and bursaries, hardship funds and all sorts of other stuff.
Our Graduate and Mature Student Rep for 2017, Lydia, has also put together a little guide to grants and financial help. It is especially useful for graduates, but undergraduates can find it good too (especially those from more disadvantaged backgrounds). The guide is linked below.

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Money-Saving Tips
- Cheap second hand books or previous editions are available from amazon.co.uk's Marketplace, the LUSUMA noticeboard on Facebook or eBay.
- Plan a menu for the week, write your shopping list and buy only those items. It removes the temptation of the special offers for the things you don’t need, and also helps you eat healthier.
- Instead of shopping at wherever's closest, why not walk a bit further to somewhere cheaper like a cash-and-carry? You can get some extra exercise and save a bit of money while you're at it.
- Buy things like toilet paper, light bulbs etc. in bulk, you can often get better deals even when you take delivery into account.
- Withdraw your weekly budget from the bank each week and spend only that, it’s much easier to control spending if you keep track of what you have each week.
- Online banking apps are handy to keep on top of what you have, you can easily transfer money from them as well.
- On a night out take only cash with you and leave your cards at home; it saves alcohol influencing your spending ideas (perhaps that litre of tequila isn't a good idea)! However it’s worth hiding an emergency stash of cash somewhere to make sure you can always make it home safely.
- Are the 2 for £2.50 deals really worth it? Savings are often only a few pence, not much of a bargain if you don’t actually need the item!
- Swap the branded products for own-brands, the pennies saved soon add up! It usually tastes just the same as well.
- Bring a packed lunch! A sandwich is at least £2 each day, a loaf of bread that will last you all week is only £1. You can also have exactly what you want, it just takes a little more organisation.
- Cheaper-than-supermarket prices on fruit, veg, meat and fish are available down at Leicester Market or at certain Butcher's. Try out the local shops, they might become your new favourite place to buy all your avocado and quinoa (or chips and beer, your choice)!
- Have a Google, search on Reddit, look everywhere you can for tips and deals. New things pop up all the time, so if you're a dedicated cheapskate you can really save some money.
Deals and Discounts
- Find a bank that gives you a bonus for having a student account - some give rail cards, some give free overdrafts. Have a shop around, just because a bank has done well for you in the past doesn't mean they have the best student account for your needs. It's very easy to switch accounts - banks try to make it seem difficult to leave them but this is not correct.
- If it's sale time and you want something, try haggling. You’ll be surprised at how often you can get some extra money off. It saves to be cheeky!
- At the end of your phone contract, ring your provider and see what deal they wish to offer you to stick with them. You can often get some fantastic deals by threatening to leave and go to a cheaper company.
- There are loads of discount voucher websites and student discount providers online - some are linked at the bottom of the page.
- Need cheaper rail tickets? Pick up a 16-25 student rail card (it’s even free with some student bank accounts). Over 25? You’re still allowed one: just get the University to sign your application form!
- Shop around for your travel needs. Booking in advance can save huge sums of money. Single trips to London are available for just £1.
- Collect a variety of pay-as-you-go SIM cards, the phone companies have offers on nights out, DVD rental, restaurants, cinema. A common theme here - shop around!
- Cheap printer cartridges are available from shops in town and from eBay, they’re often not branded but work perfectly in your current printer. It’s possible to save 90%. You can also look into having your cartridges refilled, it's cheaper than new and kinder to the environment as an extra bonus.
Making Money
- Sell your old books, CDs, DVDs and other stuff on eBay or Amazon's marketplace (small fees are sometimes charged for the sale).
- Part time jobs are available and can enhance your CV. The hospitals have Health Care Assistant positions that allow you to work when you can at any time of the day, it can fit perfectly around any commitments you may have!
When things get tough
- Retain 3 months worth of bank statements and keep tabs on what your big spends are, you’ll need this information when applying for the hardship loans.
- The University have information about their hardship fund found here.
- The Royal Medical Benevolent Fund may be able to help, read more at https://rmbf.org/about/
- Graduates over 25 need to prove independence to get a full NHS Bursary. Collect together proof that you have been working for 36 months prior to the commencement of the course.
- The university welfare advisory service is always worth speaking to if you need help. They have the ability to contact people at the Loans Companies and NHS Grants you could never get in contact with.
- If you really need some money, loans are available to graduates on professional courses. Speak to the banks to see what deals are available.
Useful Links
- Student Beans (a discount site) - www.studentbeans.com/
- UNiDAYS - https://www.myunidays.com/
- Uni of Leicester Financial Support Website (really useful) - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/welfare/Financial%20Support
- The Scholarship Hub - https://www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk/
- Martin Lewis the Money Saving Expert - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
- Royal Medical Benevolent Fund - https://rmbf.org/
- Top Cashback - http://www.topcashback.co.uk/
- The Independent has a good article on saving money, click here to see it
- The BMA's money saving tips - https://www.bma.org.uk/connecting-doctors/community_focus/b/student_opinion/posts/11-money-saving-tips-to-get-you-through-medical-school