Cost of Living in Portsmouth for Students

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Portsmouth, UK’s only island city, is an unbeatable place to live and study as a student. The city is home to a Navy base and is known to be a tourist resort area. The city offers students heaps of things to do, whether it is eating, attractions, cultural, artistic hotspots, nightlife, restaurants, etc. For students to have a fulfilling experience. And, to top it off- London is 90 minutes away from Portsmouth via train.

Is Portsmouth a student city?

Portsmouth is a bustling student city with a thriving and vibrant student culture. The city provides quality education, life, rich history, entertainment, and well-connected transportation links. It is home to the University of Portsmouth, a leading public university in Portsmouth with a Gold Rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.

Is Portsmouth expensive?

Portsmouth is one of the most affordable cities in the UK for university students to live and study. The cost of living in Portsmouth is £850 /Month excluding tuition fees. On average, the cost of student housing in Portsmouth is between £440 to £500 /week.

Please bear in mind the cost of living in this city 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 Portsmouth, let’s summarize its cost.

Expenses	Cost (Average)
Average Tuition Fees	£17,200 – £21,600 / Year
Accommodation	£440 – £1,500 / Month
Local transport	£85 / Month

Is Portsmouth cheap to study?

Portsmouth has some public and private universities. The cost of tuition fees will differ. Public universities cost less than private universities. The course, university, and country of residence will determine the cost. Below, we’ve only given an average cost of UG and PG degrees in Portsmouth; you will have to check in with your university before making an application in Portsmouth.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee	Post-Graduate Tuition Fee
£17,200 – £19,200 / Year	£18,100 – £21,600 / Year

Is it cheap to live in Portsmouth?

The housing rent in Portsmouth is 58% lower than that of London. There are many affordable student accommodation in Portsmouth available close to universities. We’ve given a brief detail on each of the accommodations with an average price listing. You can choose to stay in any type of housing, depending on your needs and preferences.

Student Housing

Student housing is a type of student accommodation ideal for private and independent living. They are also commonly known as PBSA, built for students and located in prime areas close to universities. The housing comes fully furnished with modern 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	£440 – £1,200 / Month

Private Apartment

Private student apartments are off-campus accommodation. It is located close to the campus buildings. It ranges from 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments equipped with modern amenities and inclusive of utility bills.

Apartment	Price
Private	£600 – £1,500 / Month

University Halls

University Halls are on-campus accommodations suitable for first-year students. Since the halls are within the campus or close to campus buildings, students’ transition into college life is more accessible. It comes with basic facilities but limited privacy.

University Hall	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	£350 – £550 / Month

How expensive is food in Portsmouth?

Overall, Portsmouth is an affordable city in the UK. The cost of food will depend upon location, eating, and spending habits. The average cost of food per person in Portsmouth is around £100 /week, including eating out and groceries.

How much do utility bills cost in Portsmouth?

On average, the cost of utility bills will come to around £100 /month. The estimated cost of electricity will be £80 /month. Student accommodation covers your utility bills. As for on-campus accommodation, you will have to check in with the university for the same.

How to get around Portsmouth?

Portsmouth is a compact city that can be navigated through walking or cycling. If you need to use public transportation, there’s the bus that will drop you off at stops within the city while the train will take you to nearby cities of Portsmouth.