In this post, our Fastepo Team has summarised the details of Student Living costs in the UK and discusses living expenses in Durham, including accommodations, groceries and transportation. Durham is one of the most popular student cities in the UK.

Student Living Cost in UK: Durham

20 December 2021

Do you plan to study at Durham University? Looking for the cost of living as a student in the UK as an international student? Keep reading! In this post, our Fastepo Team has summarised the details of Student Living costs in the UK and discusses living expenses in Durham, including accommodations, groceries and transportation. Durham is one of the most popular student cities in the UK.

Student Living Cost in UK: Accommodation

Typical monthly student housing rates in Durham start at 500 pounds. But you can save money by paying less for housing. Living outside of the city center and commuting daily seems like the obvious solution. Considering the low price of transportation, it might be the most cost-effective choice. Taking the housing market in December 2021 as an example, let’s provide real numbers for you.

 In Gateshead, for instance, you can rent a room in a house with multiple occupations (shared properties) for £200 per month if you move around 10 miles from the city center. There is also the option of renting a room in a shared property in Sunderland for just £200 per month. 

In Houghton Le Spring, you can get a full house (semi-detached) or flat for just £300 a month if you relax your budget slightly. Around Durham, there are many options to choose from. 

The cost of living in Chester Le Street is lower than that in Durham. Rent starts at £350 for a one-to-two bedroom apartment. Chester Le Street is within 9 miles of Durham University. It takes only 30 minutes to get to Durham University by bus. If you drive, it takes only 15 minutes! More information about transportation in Durham can be found below. You can rent a whole house (or apartment) in many other areas around Durham for around £350 per month including Spennymoor, and Crook, among many others. 

Student Living Cost in UK: Food/grocery

For one person, grocery and food expenses are about 200 pounds a month. But eating out in Durham is very cheap! For example, a nice dinner in a good restaurant can cost less than £10.

This is also true of drinks and coffee in Durham. It isn’t uncommon for a cup of coffee in Durham to cost a pound!

Student Living Cost in UK: Transportation

Durham’s main transportation provider is the Arriva bus company. Durham is known for being a university city, so finding a bus ticket at a discounted price is not surprising. The Arriva website states: “University students and staff can travel all day, within Durham, for just £1”. Just show your valid Durham University Campus Card as you board to get your Day ticket from the driver. This gives you unlimited travel in the Durham District ticket zone. Tickets are available to students and staff at Durham University. For staff, the zone ends at Barley Mow whilst students can carry on travelling up to Newcastle using the X12. It is even cheaper to buy a weekly pass for only £5. One term ticket (15 weekly) is just 45 pounds and a full academic year ticket is £120.

Transportation: Train

Durham railway station is connected to the national rail of the UK. Similar to other parts of the UK, you can travel by train from Durham to anywhere in the country.

Transportation: airport

Newcastle international airport is the closest airport to Durham and offers both domestic and international flights. The airport offers non-stop flights to 28 different cities. Airlines such as British airways, KLM, Airfrance, Emirates and Ryanair have flights to and from Newcastle airport.

Transportation: Ferry

Due to Durham’s close proximity to Newcastle (less than 30 minutes drive), there is also an option for getting to the Netherlands by ferry. DFDS operates a ferry to Amsterdam every day of the week.

Summary

If you keep your budget in check, you can live as a single person for less than £600 per month!

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