Newcastle is often considered one of the more affordable student cities in the UK, but daily living costs can still vary depending on lifestyle.
As an international student, I have realised that student life is not only about managing money, but also about finding small routines that make life comfortable and enjoyable.
Here is what one ordinary day of spending looks like for me in Newcastle.
Accommodation
I currently live in an en-suite room in student accommodation.
My rent is around £187 per week, including all bills and utilities. One thing I appreciate about student accommodation in the UK is the convenience.
I do not need to worry about electricity, heating or Wi-Fi separately in this particular accomodation, which makes budgeting much easier.
My room is small, but it feels cosy and comfortable, especially in the mornings when sunlight comes through the window.
Morning coffee
In my daily life, I rarely eat out.
Eating at restaurants or ordering takeaway regularly can become expensive very quickly in the UK, so most of the time I cook at home.
Preparing meals myself not only helps me save money, but also gives me a sense of routine during busy study periods.
On this particular day, I bought a coffee for £4 in the morning.
Buying coffee in cafés has become part of student culture in the UK, and sometimes it also gives me motivation to study outside or enjoy the weather for a while.
Although making coffee at home is cheaper, I still enjoy treating myself occasionally.
Lunch
For lunch, I had homemade rice wraps, which cost around £1.50. Cooking at home in Newcastle can actually be very affordable if you buy ingredients carefully and prepare meals in advance.
Supermarkets such as Tesco and Aldi are usually budget-friendly, and I rely on them for everyday groceries.
Grocery shopping
Later in the day, I went grocery shopping and spent around £2.30 on basic items like milk and bread.
These small purchases may not seem expensive individually, but they are part of everyday student life and quickly become regular expenses.
As an Asian student, I also often shop at Asian supermarkets! You can read about my favourite items to buy here!
While British supermarkets are affordable, there are still many foods from home that I miss.
On this day, I spent £7.20 on Asian groceries including snacks and ingredients for cooking.
Compared with local supermarkets, Asian food can be more expensive in the UK, but for many international students, these familiar flavours bring comfort and make life abroad feel a little less lonely.
Dinner
In the evening, I had a small gathering with friends at home.
Instead of going out to restaurants or bars, we usually cook together and share food.
I have found that many students in Newcastle prefer home gatherings because they are more affordable and relaxed.
Everyone brings something, we cook together, talk about university life, and spend time together without spending too much money.
End of the day
In total, this day (including accommodation) cost me around £42.
Some days are cheaper and some are more expensive, but overall I feel that Newcastle is a student-friendly city compared to many other places in the UK.
Living here has taught me that student life does not need to be luxurious to feel meaningful.
Sometimes, a simple homemade meal, a coffee in the sunshine, and dinner with friends are already enough to make the day feel complete.
Newcastle is regularly recognised as one of the UK's most affordable student cities. Find budgeting advice, money-saving tips and information about financial support on our Student Living Costs pages.
By Yumeka, a PGT Marketing student and Student Content Creator