Portsmouth one of the most affordable UK cities for university students

Portsmouth is one of the most affordable places in the UK for students to live, as revealed in the NatWest Student Living Index. 

The index takes account of student income and living costs to calculate a score for university towns and cities across the UK, and Portsmouth was ranked 4th.

The NatWest Student Living Index surveyed 3,052 students to determine the most affordable place to study. The survey takes into account how much students spend on going out and the income they earn from part-time work.

Students in Bristol, Coventry and Portsmouth spend the most hours each month in part time work, with students at these universities averaging over 24 hours per month.

The top reason to pick a university is still subject choice, with it increasing in importance this year. Portsmouth jumped to the top of the pile, alongside Lincoln, as the universities chosen because of subject choice.

In Portsmouth, students have a monthly term-time income of £2,627.60, positioning the city in the top 10 for highest average amount in the UK. The cost of a pint averaged at £4.51, one pound cheaper than London which was listed as the most expensive place for a drink.

Nearly half of students (46%) have found themselves running out of money by the end of term – up from 35% in 2022. Almost one in four students (24%) said they found managing their money stressful – an increase of 29% compared to last year. This is most pronounced in Bournemouth.

94 percent of students in Portsmouth felt the University offered support to help them with the cost-of-living crisis, including providing laptop loans, Hardship funds and bursaries, as well as there being a range of accommodation available to suit different student budgets.

Chris Chang, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement and Student Life), said: “When it comes to choosing a course, we know it's about finding the right mix of academic support, great facilities and picking a place to live and study that suits a student lifestyle, so it’s really encouraging to hear that the city is one of the most affordable in the UK.

Chris Chang, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement and Student Life), said: “When it comes to choosing a course, we know it's about finding the right mix of academic support, great facilities and picking a place to live and study that suits a student lifestyle, so it’s really encouraging to hear that the city is one of the most affordable in the UK.

“Portsmouth has a lot to offer, including beaches, great places to eat, independent shops and music venues, and green space, which can all be enjoyed within a student’s budget.

“The city is one of the UK’s most picturesque, welcoming and interesting places and we’re proud to call it our home.”  

The NatWest Student Living Index results follow Portsmouth being ranked in the top 20 universities in England for academic support and learning resources in the National Student Survey and top 25 in the Times Higher for overall student satisfaction.

The University has also reclaimed its top 50 place in this year’s Complete University Guide where it was positioned 47th, been named as one of the UK’s top 50 universities, according to the 2024 edition of the QS World University Rankings, and was ranked in the top three modern universities for research power in REF2021.

For students still considering their university options, the University of Portsmouth has a number of excellent courses on offer through Clearing. Call the Admissions team on 023 9284 8081 to speak to an advisor.