New research, published today by the Sutton Trust, reveals a majority of students are now spending less than the minimum needed on food while at university.
Polling by Savanta for the Trust shows that 62% spend less than £37 a week on food, which is the minimum needed for a single person to buy essential food items, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Trussell Trust. Overall, students living at university in England outside of London have median costs of £11,400 a year on essential spending. These essential costs include accommodation (on average 52% of their spending), groceries (12%), and bills (6%). However, the median total loan in England outside of London of £7,000, equivalent to 61% of spend, does not come near to covering these basic needs.
Overall, students living at university in England outside of London have median costs of £11,400 a year on essential spending. These essential costs include accommodation (on average 52% of their spending), groceries (12%), and bills (6%). However, the median total loan in England outside of London of £7,000, equivalent to 61% of spend, does not come near to covering these basic needs. And although the median loan in London is higher at £8,500, this is drastically less than the median spending of £17,287 by students in the capital.
These findings build on previous Sutton Trust/Savanta research which found that 63% of students had reported spending less on food and essentials to cope with increases in the cost of living, with 28% saying they had skipped meals to save on food costs.*
