For 2026 to 2027, a full-time undergraduate in England living away from home outside London can get a Maintenance Loan of between £5,048 and £10,830, depending on household income, and accommodation is usually the largest cost it has to cover. This guide shows how to build a budget around that, using advice from MoneyHelper and GOV.UK.
Details come from GOV.UK’s “Understanding student living costs” and MoneyHelper’s student budgeting pages, checked on 30 October 2026. The loan figures apply to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own student support, and international students are not eligible for these loans, so ask your university what applies to you.
What the Maintenance Loan covers
| Living arrangement (2026 to 2027) | Minimum loan | Maximum loan |
|---|---|---|
| With parents | £4,013 | £9,118 |
| Away from parents, outside London | £5,048 | £10,830 |
| Away from parents, in London | £7,039 | Not listed on the page I checked |
The minimum is not income-assessed. Full-time undergraduates with a household income of £25,000 or less get the maximum, and the amount falls as income rises. GOV.UK says students are expected to make up the difference between the loan and their total living costs, and that for some students even the maximum may not be enough. Use the student finance calculator for your own estimate.
Build a budget in four steps
- Add up your income: maintenance loan, earnings, bursaries or scholarships, family money and savings.
- Add up your costs: food, bills (gas, electricity, water, phone, internet, TV licence, subscriptions), accommodation costs such as rent and insurance for valuables, and travel.
- Compare them. MoneyHelper says income should be more than or equal to outgoings, weekly or monthly.
- Check it regularly and adjust. MoneyHelper has a free budget planner on its website.
Keeping accommodation costs down
- Compare rents by area. MoneyHelper’s article gives an average weekly room rent of £222 in London and £148 nationally, so where you study matters.
- Book university halls early if your university requires first years to stay in them, to secure the cheapest option within its halls.
- Split bills fairly in shared housing and pay on time, because late payments could affect your credit rating.
- Check what the rent includes. Our student accommodation checklist lists the questions to ask before you sign.
Everyday savings from MoneyHelper
- Use a shopping list, cook in bulk and freeze meals, and buy own-brand or reduced food.
- Use the library or buy second-hand books.
- Use student travel cards: the 16-25 and 26-30 Railcards, Young Persons Coachcard and yLink Card each save about a third on fares, and the Student Oyster Photocard saves 30% on London travel.
- Use student discount schemes such as the NUS Totum card, Unidays and Student Beans, without letting them tempt you to spend more.
- Keep part-time work under 20 hours a week, because more can have a negative impact on academic performance.
If money runs short
Ask your university about hardship funds or hardship loans and whether it has a student money adviser. MoneyHelper also points to the Debt advice locator for free debt advice.
FAQs about budgeting for UK students
How much Maintenance Loan can I get in England?
For 2026 to 2027, between £5,048 and £10,830 if you live away from your parents outside London, depending on household income.
Is the Maintenance Loan enough to live on?
GOV.UK says it may not be, even at the maximum, and that students are expected to make up the difference from other sources.
Where can I get free budgeting help?
MoneyHelper offers a free budget planner and student money guides, and your university may have a student money adviser.
Sources
- GOV.UK: understanding student living costs
- MoneyHelper: university budgeting tips
- MoneyHelper: how to minimise the biggest costs of going to university
All checked 30 October 2026.
