Cost of Living in Reading for Students
Table of Contents
Reading is a large town and borough in Berkshire, England.
Reading is a bustling town with renowned universities, opportunities, and vibrant culture.
The University of Reading alone is home to over 5,000 international students.
Is Reading affordable to live in?
According to Reading Chronicle, Reading is of the top 3 affordable places with a low cost of living in the UK. The cost of living in Reading for a single person is £1,020 per month.
For more personalized information, use our cost of living calculator to estimate your desired area’s average cost of living.
Is Reading a safe city for Students?
According to Office for National Statistics, it is successfully known as UK’s safest city to live and stay.
Before we list the details of the cost of living in Reading, let’s summarize its cost.
Expenses | Cost (Average) |
Average Tuition Fees | £22,350 to £30,000 / Year |
Accommodation | £475 – £1,100 / Month |
Transportation | £100 / Month |
Costs of Tuition Fees
Tuition fees will not be part of the cost of living in Reading. The fee will depend upon your selection of your course and university. The table is only providing an average fee for students.
Undergraduate Tuition Fee | Post-Graduate Tuition Fee |
£22,350 to £30,000 / Year | £23,000 to £35,000 / Year |
Student Accommodation Costs
There are three types of student accommodation in Reading. They are on-campus, off-campus housing. Each type of housing varies in price, facilities, and offers. These are the three types of student accommodations in Reading:
Student Housing
This type of student housing is built for students and tailored to meet their needs. It offers amenities, study areas, spacious rooms, a bathroom, a kitchen etc. You can choose from a wide range of rooms as per your needs.
Most of the accommodations are at a distance of under 3 miles. While the ones outside of the city center are upto 20 miles.
Student Housing | Price |
Ensuite/ Studio | £475 – £565 / Month |
Private Apartment
Private apartments vary in price, type, facilities, etc. Students can rent an apartment alone or with a friend. It also comes inclusive of utility bills. It is located off-campus, but close by.
Apartment | Price |
Private | £895 – £1,100 / Month |
University Halls
University Hall is within the premises of the universities. They offer a wide range of rooms for students studying at the university.
University Halls | Price |
Ensuite/ Studio | £400 – £800 / Month |
[Read Also: Top 5 Student Accommodations in Reading]
Food
While meal prices can differ in Reading, eating outside is always expensive. If you buy groceries, on average, it will cost you £200 per month. While eating outside even for a day will cost you a lot, even eating in an inexpensive place will cost £22.
Utility Bills
The utility bills for student housing will be in your rent. University Halls are also starting to provide this facility, but please re-check on the same. Some are not providing this facility.
Transportation
Buses are the best mode of transport to get around the city. While trains are useful to get out of Reading. Boost tickets give you £2.25 for a single trip and £70.00 for monthly pass.
Tips on how to save money and live on a budget:
- Use student discount cards
- Cook meals at home
- Use public transport
- Find an affordable accommodation
Free Things For Student To Do In Reading
- Thames Canoe Hire
- Charvil Meadows
- The Herb Farm
- Kennet Horse Boat Company
- View Island
- GolfPlex Adventure Golf
- Highclere Castle
- Kings Meadow and The Coal Woodland
- Reading Museum