Graduate living costs
- How much will it cost to live in Oxford in 2013/14?
- How do these costs break down?
- What other costs might I need to budget for?
How much will it cost to live in Oxford in 2013/14?
This breakdown shows costs for the main elements that all Oxford graduate students are expected to pay for during the 2013/14 academic year. When you complete your college financial guarantee form, you will have to prove how you intend to pay for these costs.
| Minimum spend per: | 9 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £4,650 | £6,200 |
| Utility bills | £800 | £1,050 |
| Food | £2,500 | £2,950 |
| General living costs (clothes, books, socialising, etc) | £2,025 | £2,700 |
| TOTAL | £9,975 | £12,900 |
Please note that these figures are based on the costs a single student will incur for either a 9 month course or for a twelve month period during a longer course (e.g. a DPhil). Although the costs you incur may vary depending on your lifestyle and personal circumstances, you will need to show that you can cover a minimum of the costs above.
How do these costs break down?
Accommodation
Graduates can live in college or University-owned accommodation or in private accommodation. College and University accommodation may be cheaper than an equivalent room in the private sector, particularly when costs such as utility bills are taken into account. College and University accommodation may also offer more suitable tenancy periods, which could reduce your costs.
The cost above is for a reasonable sized single room in a shared house that is rented privately, and is based on current market rates in Oxford.
Utility bills
Common utility bills include:
- Gas, electricity and water
- Telephone, internet and mobile
These are not normally included in the rent for a private sector property, but may be included in the rent for college or University owned properties.
Council Tax (a property-based tax payable on most houses/flats) is not normally applicable on properties solely occupied by students. Oxford City Council's website has more information on Council Tax.
Food
The cost above is based on a mixture of eating meals in college and self-catering. Meals in colleges are subsidised and can be significantly cheaper than purchasing meals outside. Self-catering can also minimise food costs.
What other costs might I need to budget for?
The costs listed above are living expenses that we expect all graduate students to budget for. You should also consider whether there are other costs you need to budget for. These could include:
- Set-up costs - e.g. a laptop, a UK mobile phone sim card, a bike, or warm clothes.
- Travel to and from Oxford.
- Fieldwork costs - e.g. travel to/from a fieldwork location, or special equipment.
The rates given on this page are for individual students. Students with dependants will need to consider a number of other factors.