Cost of living

Get top tips and advice from fellow students, in our Cost of Living students blog.

Discount on bus travel

People aged 19-25 can get unlimited one day travel on Cornwall’s bus network for just £5 or unlimited travel for a whole week for just £20.

Young Person’s tickets are available exclusively through the Transport for Cornwall App, where you can buy your ticket and verify your age, all in one place.

The Transport for Cornwall App allows you to plan journeys, buy tickets and track the bus services - across different routes, across different operators and across Cornwall. 

Win £1000 from Santander

We’re delighted to announce the return of the Brighter Futures Grants programme with our long-term partner Santander. We’re giving you the chance to win one of 10 grants, each worth £1,000. All students are eligible to enter and you don’t even need to bank with Santander to get involved. Apply here by 23:00 on 15 May 2025 for your chance to win.

First Bus ticket deal - Save with the Spring Term Bundle

If you travel by bus to Uni the Spring Term Bundle is now on sale through the First Bus app. The bundle costs £110 and is valid from Monday 6 January to Friday 4 April 2025. It gives you unlimited travel on the U1, U1A, ULX, US, U4 and U4X routes between Penryn and Falmouth, and all locations on those routes, including Truro. (On the app the bus routes may show as pre-fixed with a K,  which stands for Kernow Bus eg KU1, KU1A etc). 

Get more information and a step by step guide to buying your bundle. 

Top money tip - use our warm spaces

Make the most of the warm spaces on campus and save on your heating bills.

• The Penryn campus library is open for you 24/7 during term time.
• At The Knowledge Spa, Truro, the common room is available for you to hang out and study, and has a kitchen with hot water, and a microwave and fridge you can use.
• At Penryn, we have microwaves available for all in the Upper Stannary, and outside the Masters suite for Masters students, so you can bring your own food to heat up.
• You can walk in and grab a seat in the libraries, learning lounges and other social spaces, including the Stannary and Fox Courtyard on the Falmouth campus, and you don’t need to buy anything to use our café areas.
• See all study spaces and opening times for loads of other warm studying spaces across campus where you can hang out in the warm.
• The £2 hot pot meal is available at lunchtime from The Stannary, along with other affordable hot food options to choose from for breakfast and lunch.
• Warm up at the SU's Free Soup Fridays on the Penryn campus each week from 13:00 - 15:00.
• Your local libraries in Penryn, Falmouth and Truro are great options if you want to save money and work in the warm when you’re not on campus. They’re free to use, have free WiFi and public computers if you need them.

Top money tip - ask for help

If you’re worried about your money, or dealing with debt, don’t keep it to yourself. Although it can be stressful, problems with money only get worse if you ignore them.

• Please speak to your Students’ Union Advice Service. They can help find the right advice and support for you.
• If you’re struggling with paying your tuition fees, or the rent on your University accommodation, talk to us. You can contact us through the Student Information Desk (SID).
• You may be able to get financial help through our Success for All Hardship Fund, or our range of bursaries, in place to help if your financial situation is affecting your ability to study. They don’t need to be paid back and can help with the cost of things such as IT equipment, accommodation, travel, childcare, living costs, additional course costs and other unexpected outgoings.
• As well as the Students’ Union, you can get advice on managing your debt from organisations such as Step Change. By using their Money Health Check they can understand your situation and give you support and guidance. 

Get all the details in the Money, Advice and Support section

Top money tip - Low on funds? Big on fun.

Sticking to your budget doesn’t have to mean missing out. There are loads of free and low-cost activities designed so that you can make the most of your time at Uni.  

• Check out the fun and games on offer with regular events at The Stannary Bar on Penryn campus.
• Res Life runs regular weekly events for those in Uni accommodation – join them for fun activities that also offer free food. This could be anything from movies to games and walks to study sessions
• The Students' Union makes as many events as possible free for you to attend
• The Multifaith Chaplaincy has regular crafternoons and drop-ins while our Intercultural Café is a great way to socialise with free drinks and snacks! 

See Events on Campus to find out what’s coming up, and get all the details in the Leisure and Living section.

Top money tip - Boost your job search with Career Zone

If you’re looking for a part-time job while you’re at Uni, the best place to start is with your resident experts at the Career Zone. 

• Listen to their podcast on finding a part time job – it’s full of advice on where to find opportunities on- and off-campus, how to make your application stand out and how to balance work around your studies. 
• Check out their website for opportunities and advice on casual jobs, internships and specific information for international students.
• See all the latest local jobs on Handshake.

Get all the details in the Money, Advice and Support section.

Top money tip - Set a budget

Whether you’re just starting out at University, or are returning to your studies, we’ve got loads of tips to help you keep on top of your money.  The first step is to work out your budget for the term:

• Look at your money and how long it needs to last you. If you’re receiving a maintenance loan it will come in three termly instalments.
• Work out how much you need for all your essential contracted fixed costs, such as rent and your phone bill – make sure you can pay these first.
• Next how much do you need to live and study – for food, books and transport? (Have a look on these Cost of Living pages for info on great deals and savings for these.)
• Then look at what’s left for other things you want to do, and balance what you can afford. 

The Money Helper Budget Planner may help you, or there are other free budgeting tools online. And the Students’ Union can help you with budgeting advice.

Low cost food options

When money’s tight, you don’t have to go without. We have low-cost options for food and drink on our campuses, including:

• Help yourself to ingredients from the community pantries at The SU in Penryn and the common room in Truro Knowledge Spa.
• Get free soup from The SU on Friday lunchtimes.
• Use our microwaves and free hot water to bring your own hot meals to campus.
• New £1 breakfast club in The Stannary on Wednesday mornings gets you a cup of tea, and two slices of toast with butter and jam.
• £2 hearty hot pot meals and other low cost options for breakfast and lunch, Monday to Friday in The Stannary, Penryn.
• Co-op budget friendly ‘Honest’ range stocked in the shop.
• Save on food and reduce food waste with the Too Good To Go app.

Get all the details in the Shopping and Essentials section.

Off peak Sports Hall and MUGA hire

You can hire the Sports Hall and Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) at off-peak prices from 07:00-16:00 and all weekend (Sat & Sun). 
•    Badminton £6:50 p/h, per court.
•    Half court basketball / football / volleyball / Netball, £13 p/h.
•    Full court £26 p/h.
•    Table tennis £3:25 p/h, per table.
•    MUGA - £6:50 per hr.
See the sports centre pages 

Whether you’re just starting out at University or are returning to your studies, we have some tips to help you keep on top of your money. 

1. Consider opening a student bank account. 

If you’re getting a maintenance loan you’ll need it to be paid into a bank account. Banks offer a range of different accounts with different benefits and incentives. Find out more about the types of account available at Money Helper or check out Money Saving Expert for their advice on choosing the best account for you.

2. Work out your budget

• Look at your money and how long it needs to last you. If you’re receiving a maintenance loan it will come in 3 termly instalments.
• Work out how much you need for all your essential contracted fixed costs, such as rent and your phone bill – make sure you can pay these first.
• Next how much do you need to live and study – for food, books and transport?
• Then look at what’s left for other things you want to do, and balance what you can afford.

The Money Helper Budget Planner may help you, or there are other free budgeting tools online. And the Students’ Union can help you with budgeting advice.

3. Make sure you’re getting all you’re entitled to

Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for extra financial support, bursaries or benefits. For example, if you have caring responsibilities, need help to join a society, or need additional equipment to support your learning, there may be extra money available to you. Find out more in our Success For All Fund FAQs or ask your Students’ Union Advice Service. 

4. Look out for deals and savings

Lots of places offer student discounts and special deals. Check out Save The Student for the latest deals and freebies out there. Consider shopping together with your housemates so you can make the most of 'Buy One Get One Free' deals and bulk buying economies of scale.

5. Up your income

Consider a part time job if you can fit it around your studies. Career Zone advertise part time jobs that can help you gain experience and earn money while studying. Follow them on Instagram @uoecornwallcareerzone for the latest vacancies.

Save The Student has a whole host of other money making tips, from shopping on cashback sites to completing paid surveys.

6. Don’t be tempted to use loan sharks, illegal money lenders, or quick-money schemes that may not be legitimate

If you’re struggling you can apply to our Success for All Fund for help during your time at Exeter. 

7. Deal with your debt

Although it can be stressful, problems with debt only get worse if you ignore them. Talk to your creditors about your situation and try to negotiate an affordable payment plan. If you’re struggling with paying your tuition fees, or the rent on your University accommodation, talk to us. You can contact us through the Student Information Desk (SID).  You can get advice on managing your debt from your Student Union or Student Guild advice service, or from debt organisations such as Step Change or National Debtline.

7. Ask for help

If you’re worried about your money, or dealing with debt, don’t keep it to yourself. Please speak to your Students’ Union Advice Service. They can help find the right advice and support for you.