"A combination of high demand and short supply in the rental market means there’s no such thing as cheap rents"
- Matt Hutchinson - SpareRoom
Students heading to university this autumn may want to consider more than just league tables. New data from SpareRoom reveals that rent costs at the UK’s top 20 universities differ by as much as £10,908 over a typical three-year degree – depending on where students choose to live.
Sheffield is the most affordable city among the UK’s top 20 ranked universities, with average room rents of £520 per month including bills. That’s £228 below the UK average of £748. Over three years, students in Sheffield will spend around £18,720 on rent – more than £16,000 less than their peers in London.
At the other end of the scale, students in Edinburgh pay an average of £823 per month – or £29,628 over three years. That makes it the most expensive top-20 city for rent outside of London and puts it ahead of both Oxford (£813) and Cambridge (£795), as well as York (£751) and Bristol (£732).
London remains the costliest place to be a student. Those attending top universities such as UCL, LSE or King’s College can expect to spend £980 per month on rent, or £35,280 over a three-year course. Rents in the capital’s cheapest area, the E postcode, still average £944 per month.
Students in England and Wales will also face the first tuition fee increase since 2017 this autumn, with the average loan expected to reach £53,000. While many will receive maintenance support, budgeting will remain tight. For example, students studying outside London and living away from home can access up to £10,544 in 2025–26. Yet those renting in Edinburgh would be left with just £56 per month for all other expenses after covering rent alone.
Liverpool (£532), Leeds (£581), Nottingham (£587) and Newcastle (£604) round out the top five most affordable cities for rent among the top 20 universities. The cheapest rents among the top 45 ranked universities are in Bangor and Hull, at £500 per month.
“A combination of high demand and short supply in the rental market means there’s no such thing as cheap rents. But there are university towns and cities where living costs are considerably more affordable and, across a three-year degree, can offer a substantial discount on the total cost of attending university which students going through clearing should be aware of," explained Matt Hutchinson, director at SpareRoom. “Students should expect rents to increase during their course and budgeting is important, as maintenance loans may cover rent and bills, but there might not be much left for other living expenses, such as food or going out with friends. Those planning to live further away from campus to save money should also factor in travel costs, as these can be significant.”
