You will 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 dependents, you will also need to cover their living expenses.
Before you are admitted to the University, you will need to confirm that you can cover your living expenses (known as the ‘maintenance requirement’) in addition to your course fees. If you are made a conditional offer, you will be asked to do this by completing a 
Financial Undertaking Form
Estimated living costs for 2025/26
We have estimated average basic living costs for a full-time student without dependants for 2025/26 to be £19,020.
This estimate is based on a detailed survey we carried out with our postgraduate students, to find out how much they’re spending and on what. The different areas of spending included in this estimate are shown in the table below.
|
Expense category |
Estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|
|
Food |
£285 |
|
Accommodation |
£855 |
|
Personal items |
£160 |
|
Social activities |
£150 |
|
Study costs |
£30 |
|
Miscellaneous |
£105 |
|
Total (Costs in the table are rounded up to the nearest £5) |
£1,585 |
About these estimates
Our estimate of living costs for 2025/26 was made in May 2024, using current Bank of England inflation forecasts. We will do a further check in November, but applicants should be aware that because the estimate relies on forecasts calculated in advance, living costs may rise above the suggested figure before they arrive in Cambridge.
The annual estimate above is included in the ‘minimum financial undertaking’ that you commit to via the Financial Undertaking Form.
The estimates in the table are based on an average (median) student. In reality, total expenditure and expenditure by category will vary significantly from student to student and you should plan for any additional costs from your lifestyle and preferences.
- Food and drink: This covers 3 meals a day, whether from a student cafeteria or self-catering. Dining out is included in social activities.
- Accommodation: This includes rent, utility bills, furniture and any routine maintenance. Accommodation costs vary, so check the latest figures from your College. Rental prices in the private sector will also vary widely.
- Personal expenses: These include clothing, toiletries, health costs, personal transport, and subscriptions.
- Social activities: Budget for recreation, culture, eating out, and events.
- Study costs: Allocate funds for books, course materials and equipment, and any travel related to your studies. Some courses may require specific additional expenditure. Check your course entry and talk to your Faculty or Department if you are unsure.
- Miscellaneous costs: For small expenses not categorised in the table.
Research students should ensure they have sufficient funds to support themselves for the full duration of their course, which will be a minimum of 3 years and can extend up to 4 years.
The maintenance sum required in your offer does not include travel to and from Cambridge.
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 will need to make your own estimate when completing the Financial Undertaking Form. Further guidance can be found at Maintenance costs for part-time students.
Arriving in Cambridge
Arriving in Cambridge from overseas and starting here as a student will have some costs. For example, travel costs and potentially Visa and Health Surcharge costs, which are not included in the figures above. 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.
Dependants
Additional provision for accompanying dependants should be made. You should allow approximately 50% of the above estimate for an accompanying adult and 30% for each accompanying child. The financial condition specified in your offer letter takes account of your statement about accompanying dependants in your application form. Scholarships do not usually provide maintenance for dependants. You may not bring additional dependants to Cambridge before evidence of the extra financial support required has been supplied and the consent of your College obtained.
Childcare
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). You can find information about this by visiting the finance tab on your course page in the Course Directory. Some courses may involve extra costs for special elements such as conference visits or field trips. Please check the course application information to find out if you will need to make additional provision for this. Please note: the payment for these course costs is arranged through your department, not the Student Registry or the College.
