Student Finance

The main expenses of going to university are: 

• Tuition fees 
• Accommodation costs
• Living expenses

Chemistry degree courses are not more expensive to study than any other subject. Although they cost more for universities to run, this cost is not passed on to the students.  

Tuitition Fees

Tuition fees are the amount universities or colleges charge you each year to study. From September 2012 UK universities and colleges can charge:

• new full-time students up to £9,000 a year
• new part-time students up to £6,750 a year

There are no restrictions on the amount private colleges or universities can charge. The cost of tuition varies wildly between the countries of the UK; please use the links below for more local information.

Students are not expected to pay tuition fees before they study, although the fees can be payed in one lump if desired. A loan can be taken out to cover the fees, which will be paid directly to the university on behalf of the student. These loans are referred to as 'fee loans':

• They have a very low interest rate which is linked to the rate of inflation.      
• Loan repayments are made after graduation, and not until earnings exceed £21,000 per annum.      
• The size of monthly repayment will be linked to the rate of income.
• Payments are usually be made automatically through the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) system and are collected by HM Revenue and Customs.

Accommodation Costs

University-Owned Accommodation

Universities charge in the region of £97 - £172 per week for accommodation in their halls of residence, with an average contract length of 41 weeks. These costs depend on whether the halls are full board or self-catering and usually include all bills. According to the National Union of Students (NUS) the average weekly rent for university-owned and managed accommodation was ~£118  outside London and ~£157 in London for 2012/13. 

Privately Rented Accommodation

The average weekly cost of private rented student accommodation in the UK is around £140 (exclusive of bills), with an average contract length of 44 weeks.

Living Expenses

These include money for things like food, clothes, insurance, books, travel and social activities. The National Union of Students (NUS) estimates that the average student spent around £7,222  on general living expenses during the 2012/13 academic year. 

Financial Support

The fee and bursary system ensures that all students with the appropriate qualifications will have the opportunity to get a degree. The cost of university depends on where you live and which university you go to, however there is a wide range of financial help available, including: 

• Maintenance loan   
• Tuition fee loan 
• Grants 
• Bursaries 
• Scholarships and awards                

The amount of financial support available to those who wish to study at a university in the UK will depend on: 

• your income
• your household income
• where you choose to study
• where you are from 

Most universities use some of the extra income generated from the tuition fees to provide some form of additional financial support for students from low-income households, including bursaries, scholarship schemes and grants (e.g. travel passes, laptops). 

Students whose families' income is £25,000 or less are likely to be eligible for the National Scholarship Programme, which is administered by the individual universities (the form and amount of assistance will vary). 

Some universities are also offering subject specific bursaries with awards up to £3,000. Further information will be available from university admissions tutors.

Student Loans are available from the Student Loan Company to assist with living costs. They have a very low interest rate  (linked to the rate of inflation) and are paid back after graduation when earnings exceed £21,000 per annum. Repayments are usually taken directly from wages through the PAYE system.