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Preston is a city in Lancashire giving out a relaxed vibe and friendly nature to students and tourists alike. It is a great place to visit, stay and study. It is open, cheap, and full of scenic beauty all around it. So, for a student, this is the best of both worlds one can get: a fast-paced life mixed with urbanity and studying in the top institution.
Is Preston a student city?
Preston is a place one should consider to study in the UK. It is home to the University of Central Lancashire, with a combined 25,000 UG and PG students. The university offers a wide range of courses and is renowned for its research excellence. It is friendly, affordable, and a compact city to get around.
How much does it cost to live in Preston?
The cost of living in Preston is £650 – £800 / Month excluding tuition fees. On average, the cost of housing will range between £100 – £150 /week.
Please bear in mind that the cost of living in Preston will depend upon your lifestyle.
For more personalized information, use our cost of living calculator to estimate your desired area’s average cost of living.
Before we list the details of the cost of living in Preston, let’s summarize its cost.
| Expenses | Cost (Average) |
| Average Tuition Fees | £12,500 – £15,000 / Year |
| Accommodation | £400 – £600 / Month |
| Local transport | £66 / Month |
Is it expensive to study in Preston?
There are many public and private universities in Preston. The cost of tuition fees in Preston will vary depending on the course, university, and country of residence. Below, we’ve only given an average price for studying in Preston. But please check in with your university before making an application for any course.
| Undergraduate Tuition Fee | Post-Graduate Tuition Fee |
| £12,500 – £15,000 / Year | £13,500 – £15,000 / Year |
How much is the rent in Preston?
The cost of rent is lower as compared to cities like Leeds, London, Manchester and others. There are many affordable student accommodations in Preston, ranging from student housing and studios to apartments. These accommodations have been designed keeping the student’s needs and requirements in mind. Below, we have given a brief description of each type of accommodation with an average price listing. You can look into details about each of them on our website.
Student Housing
Student housing is a type of accommodation that provides a safe, secure, and comfortable home to students. They foster a sense of belonging for students who are far away from home. They offer a wide range of housing with great amenities and inclusive utility bills.
Most of the accommodations are at a distance of under 3 miles. While the ones outside of the city center are up to 20 miles.
| Student Housing | Price |
| Ensuite/ Studio | £400 – £450 / Month |
Private Apartment
Student apartments are just like any other apartment. They offer students a wide range of one-bedroom, two-bedroom apartments, and so on. The apartments are fully furnished and come with modern amenities.
| Apartment | Price |
| Private | £425 – £600 / Month |
University Halls
University halls are residences within the campus building or outside the campus buildings. They are usually good if you are a first-year student as they cut off traveling time and make it easy to transition into college life. The uni halls provide basic facilities with limited privacy.
| University Hall | Price |
| Ensuite/ Studio | £350 – £550 / Month |
What is the cost of food in Preston?
It will be challenging to give the cost of food in Preston as it will be determined by factors like location, eating, spending habits, and the type of establishment. For instance, if you are planning to eat outside, the cost of a meal at a mid-range restaurant will be around £20 /person while the price of a local meal will come to about £10 /person, and say a coffee will cost you £3. As for groceries, it will cost you £180 /month and around £45 /week.
Are utility bills included in student accommodation?
Yes, the utility bills are included in student accommodation, such as light, gas, water, electricity, etc. For your information, the cost of utility bills will come to around £100 /month.
How to get around Preston?
Preston is a pedestrian and bike-friendly city that you can get around quickly. However, if you want to use public transportation, there’s the tram that travels close by areas, and there is the bus that covers areas where tramps are not accessible. There’s a train that will take you to nearby cities like London, Manchester etc.
