University rents vary by £11,000 across the top institutions

Data from SpareRoom is highlighting the stark contrast in rents across top university cities – with potential savings of nearly £11,000 over a three-year degree.

Sheffield emerges as the most budget-friendly city among the top 20 non-London universities, with average monthly room rents, including bills, at £520.

This translates to £6,240 annually, an impressive £228 below the UK average of £748 per month.

No cheap student rents

A director of the platform, Matt Hutchinson, said: “A combination of high demand and short supply in the rental market means there’s no such thing as cheap rents.

“But there are university towns and cities where living costs are considerably more affordable and, across a three-year degree, can offer a substantial discount on the total cost of attending university which students going through clearing should be aware of.”

He added: “Students should expect rents to increase during their course and budgeting is important as maintenance loans may cover rent and bills, but there might not be much left for other living expenses, such as food or going out with friends.

“Those planning to live further away from campus to save money should also factor in travel costs, as these can be significant.”

Cheap student cities for rent

The data shows that Edinburgh is the priciest non-London university city, sees students paying £823 per month, or £9,876 per year.

Over three years, the gap between these two cities amounts to £10,908, enough to make a substantial difference to a student’s finances.

London, unsurprisingly, tops the list for rents, with students at prestigious institutions like UCL, King’s College and LSE facing average monthly rents of £980.

This equates to £35,280 over a three-year degree, nearly double the cost in Sheffield.

Even within the capital, cheaper options exist, with the E postcode area offering rents as low as £944 per month, though commuting costs must also be considered.

Affordable top 20 university cities

Beyond Sheffield, other affordable top 20 university cities include Liverpool (£532 per month), Leeds (£581), Nottingham (£587) and Newcastle (£604).

For those considering institutions outside the top 20, Bangor and Hull offer the lowest rents at £500 per month, or £18,000 over three years.

Meanwhile, Oxford (£813) and Cambridge (£795) rank among the more expensive, trailing only Edinburgh outside London.

SpareRoom also says that the financial strain facing student is compounded by maintenance loans, which often fall short.

For the 2025-26 academic year, the maximum loan for students living away from home outside London is £10,544.

In Edinburgh, where annual rent averages £9,876, this leaves just £668 per year, or £56 per month, for other essentials like food, transport and social activities.