Cost of living
The cost of living in Manchester makes it a good option for postgraduate research students who want to study at a UK university.
Relative to other UK cities, Manchester is an affordable place to live; we consistently rate highly in student living surveys. This is something to bear in mind as you calculate the cost of essentials such as accommodation, food and books.
Although living expenses can vary greatly from student to student, the table below gives a breakdown of the essential living costs of an average Manchester student for one academic year.
The table below breaks down the estimated living costs for a full-time postgraduate student over an academic year (52 weeks). The figures are based on approximate costs for the 2024/25 academic year. These costs are intended as a guide only.
The figures below are estimates that depend on several factors such as room size, location, en-suite or shared facilities to name a few. Accommodation is likely to be your main expense, so do consider your options.
A room in University halls of residences include contents insurance, utility bills (usually gas and electricity) and free internet access. Private halls will generally include electric, gas (if applicable), water, broadband and on most occasions content insurance. A room in a shared house may or may not include bills - this depends on what the landlord is offering.
Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax, but this exemption is based on your academic year, not your tenancy dates. For example, if you sign a tenancy agreement in July but do not enrol on your course until late September, you will be charged council tax from the start of your contract until your student status officially begins.
University halls of residence contracts run for the duration of your year of study (e.g. 41/42 weeks for undergraduate and 50/51 for postgraduate taught). Private halls can vary from 44-51 weeks and privately rented houses are generally 52 weeks, irrespective of level of study.
|
Cost |
Monthly cost |
|---|---|
|
The University of Manchester halls of residence (catered) |
£555-£982 (includes cost of catering) |
|
The University of Manchester halls of residence (self-catered) |
£487-1,060 (with some studio flats available for master's students up to £1,255) |
|
Room in private halls (with average bills cost included) |
 £860-1,010 |
|
Privately rented house shares (with average bills cost included) |
£645-710 |
- Accommodation figures taken from our accommodation website.
- The University of Manchester self-catered accommodation can range in price from £4,853 to £12,096 a year. Read more information on accommodation costs at The University of Manchester.
| Cost | Postgraduate year (52 weeks) | Monthly cost (based on 52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | £3,000 | £250 |
| Takeaways | £612 | £51 |
|
Transport (including local transport and travelling elsewhere) |
£840 | £70 |
| Going out and socialising | £1,320 | £110 |
| Mobile phone contract/payments | £420 | £35 |
| Clothes | £504 | £42 |
| Health and wellbeing | £300 | £25 |
| Course materials | £252 | £21 |
| Holidays and events | £408 | £34 |
| Gifts and charity | £216 | £18 |
|
Relatives or friends who you support financially |
£216 | £18 |
| Total | £8,088 | £674 |
- Grocery figures based on a weekly budget supermarket shop in April 2026.
- All other costs obtained from and their , with costs increased in-line with inflation as of February 2026.
- This list doesn't include the cost of accommodation, which is detailed above.
- ** The ‘groceries’ total will be less if the student chooses catered accommodation.