Cost of uni mounts under Tories

Research from Santander has provided up to date figures on just how expensive going to university is for the average student these days. Making students pay for their own education is pretty much a wet dream for the Tories, who would love to introduce charges for school education too. Till they can work out how to get away with that one, here’s some findings from Santander.

•Four out of ten (41%) current university students are now in full or part-time employment to help cover university costs.
•Tuition fees are now the biggest annual outlay, costing the average student who started university in 2012/2013 an eye-watering £8,1232 per year.  In addition to this, the average university student also outlays a further £8,681 per year on all other living expenses.
•Students embarking on a three year university degree course now face a total cost of £50,411.
•Students studying in London spend the most, laying out an average of £9,760 per year on general living expenses, on top of the annual average £8,123 tuition fee.
•On an annual basis, students enrolled in Medicine and Dentistry courses tend to spend the most, with annual living costs averaging £10,229. Those studying Business and Administrative subjects spend around a fifth less, with yearly living costs for these students averaging £8,149.
•Aside from tuition fees, accommodation is the biggest expense, costing the average UK student £3,882 per year. Food (£1,132), travel (£886) and socialising (£691) are the next largest outgoings.
•Despite receiving funding in the form of loans and grants, one in 10 (9%) students has taken on a personal loan to cover costs and 15% spend on credit cards.