Living costs (Maintenance)

You'll need to cover your living expenses for the duration of your course.

You can find information below about the types of costs this may include. If you have dependants, you'll need to cover their living expenses too.

Before you're admitted to the University, you'll need to confirm that you can cover your living expenses (known as the ‘maintenance requirement’) in addition to your course fees. If you're made a conditional offer, you'll be asked to do this by completing a  Financial Undertaking Form

Estimated living costs

For 2026/27, the estimated average basic living costs for a full-time student without dependants are £19,860 per year.

Our estimate is based on a detailed survey of our postgraduate students and their spending habits. This table shows a breakdown of average monthly expenditure by category.

About these estimates

Our estimate of living costs for 2026/27 was made in May 2025 using current Bank of England inflation forecasts. Please be aware that because the estimate is based on forecasts calculated in advance, living costs could end up being higher by the time you arrive in Cambridge.

The annual estimated figure above is included in the ‘minimum financial undertaking’ that you commit to via the  Financial Undertaking Form.

The figures in the table reflect the average (median) student. In reality, spending varies significantly between students, so your own costs may be higher or lower depending on your lifestyle and preferences.

What's included

• Food and drink: Covers 3 meals a day from student cafeterias or self-catering. Dining out is included under social activities.
• Accommodation: Includes rent, utilities, furniture and routine maintenance. Accommodation costs vary by College or private rental.
• Personal expenses: Clothing, toiletries, health costs, personal transport, and subscriptions.
• Social activities: Recreation, culture, eating out, and events.
• Study costs: Books, course materials, equipment, and travel related to your studies.  Some courses may require specific additional expenditure. Check your course entry or with your Faculty or Department.
• Miscellaneous costs: Small expenses not covered in other categories.

The maintenance sum required in your offer does not include travel to and from Cambridge.

Research students

If you’re a research student, you need to make sure you have enough funds for the full duration of your course (at least 3 years and up to 4 years). Your living costs will rise with inflation, and your financial planning should take this into account, in particular for multi-year courses.

Part-time students

We do not provide an estimate of maintenance costs for part-time students, as these vary widely between different home locations and circumstances. If you are offered a place for part-time study, you'll need to estimate your own expenses when completing the Financial Undertaking Form. Further guidance can be found at Maintenance costs for part-time students.

Arriving in Cambridge

Starting in Cambridge, especially from overseas, may involve additional costs, such as travel and Visa and Health Surcharge fees. These are not included in the figures above so you should budget for these costs separately. It’s worthwhile planning for these in advance, so they don’t come as a surprise or cause financial problems. Further guidance on costs of arrival can be found on the International Students website. 

Students with accompanying dependants

If you have dependants, additional provision should be made. You shoud allow approximately 50% of the above estimate for an adult and 30% per child. 

The financial condition specified in your offer letter takes into account your statement about accompanying dependants in your application form.

You cannot bring dependants to Cambridge before providing proof of financial support and getting the consent of your College.

Childcare costs

The cost of childcare in Cambridge is extremely high. Full-time nursery care for pre-school children is very expensive for students ineligible for UK Government support. These costs are in addition to the figures requested for your financial guarantee.

You can find out more about childcare in Cambridge on the University's Childcare Office website. This also gives potential costs for University-run day nurseries, but note that many private nurseries in Cambridge will have higher fees.

Other costs

If you undertake a course involving expensive laboratory materials, you may be expected to contribute towards the cost of your research (in addition to the University Composition Fee). Some courses may involve extra costs for special elements such as conference visits or field trips. Check the finance tab of your course page for details of additional costs.

Please note that the payment for these course costs is arranged through your department, not the Student Registry or the College.