Cost of living support
Studying in London is an investment in your future. We're committed to making sure the cost of living never stands between you and your ambitions.
We know the rising cost of living may be making you worry about how you'll afford your studies. Many of our students balance studying with work, commuting, or family responsibilities. Our support is there to make a real difference to your life.
Read through the ways Roehampton makes a difference to the cost of living.
Practical support
From bursaries and emergency funds to 2–3-day timetables and on-campus work, we create genuine opportunities to help you focus on your studies.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries for home and international students, including support for students from lower-income households, care leavers, and those who perform strongly in A-levels, BTECs, or equivalent qualifications. Many awards are applied automatically - you don't have to chase them.
Commuter Bursary
Receive up to £1,000 a year towards your travel costs if you commute to campus, helping make getting to classes easier and more affordable.
Roehampton Bursary
We’ll help you get started with a £1,000 first-year payment for students on a full maintenance loan, providing extra support with living, travel and accommodation costs.
Academic Excellence Scholarship
Receive up to £3,000 across your degree if you achieve top grades in your A-levels, BTECs, T-levels or equivalent qualifications, automatically awarded in recognition of your academic success.
More ways we support you
- Timetabling: on most courses, your classes will be scheduled across 2-3 days. This ensures that you get maximum contact time with your lectures but also have the space for work or other commitments. We’ll confirm your timetable as soon as we can during your enrolment so you can plan.
- Student employment: we offer a range of paid roles on campus, including Student Ambassador posts, reception and administrative positions, and paid summer internships. Our Careers team will help you find opportunities, update your CV, and prepare for interviews.
- Student Hardship fund: If you're facing unexpected financial difficulty, our Hardship Fund and emergency loan scheme can provide urgent support. You can apply once per academic year, and our team will work with you to find the right solution.
- Part-time work: if you’re looking for a job off-campus, we’re also here to help. Through our careers team you’ll have access to a range of job sites, and the team will be on hand to help you with your CV and interview.
"There are loads of student job opportunities here - I worked as a student ambassador, which let me earn money while studying and introduced me to a whole new friendship group of other ambassadors."
Ashley, Digital Media and Marketing
Six skills you can build as a Student Ambassador to support your future career
Life on campus - designed to be affordable
Being a student in London doesn't have to mean watching every penny. At Roehampton, affordability isn't an afterthought - it's built into campus life itself, from where you live to what you eat to how you get around. Here's what that looks like in practice.
Best value accommodation in London - officially
Independent research by Monzo named Roehampton the best value university in London. Bills, Wi-Fi, contents insurance, and two laundry washes a week - all included, whatever room you choose.
Affordable, every day
Breakfast on campus from £2.25, lunch from £2.15, gym membership just £130 a year*. The costs that add up fastest are the ones we've kept lowest.
*2025 Freshers' Week price
Free to use, designed to save you money
Free parking (first come, first served), secure bike storage, and fully-equipped kitchens across campus - microwaves, fridges, charging points. Bring your own lunch, charge your laptop, park the car. No extra cost, no extra hassle.
Access the tools you need
The cost of technology and course materials shouldn't hold you back. We've invested in making the essentials freely available for you. You'll have access to Microsoft 365 via the cloud - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive and more - all free as a Roehampton student. No need to buy software.
Need a laptop? We’ve got laptops available on short or long-term loan. Academic texts are made available digitally wherever possible, reducing the need to buy physical books.
So, once you enrol, you’ll have access to:
- Laptop loan scheme (short and long-term)
- Free Microsoft 365 for all students
- Specialist software and kit for your course
- Digital course texts - reducing costs significantly
- On-campus computer suites and printing facilities
Building your financial knowledge
Understanding your finances is one of the most valuable skills you can develop at university. We partner with specialists and provide direct guidance to help you take control.
- Blackbullion: We've partnered with Blackbullion to give every Roehampton student free access to online finance courses. Develop the skills to budget, plan and make confident financial decisions, at your own pace. Once you enrol, you’ll be able to sign up for free using your university email address.
- Money skills workshops: Our Wellbeing team runs regular sessions throughout the academic year on budgeting, and managing student loans.
- One-to-one guidance: If you're unsure about your funding, concerned about debt, or need help making a plan, our Student Wellbeing offers confidential appointments and are there to help you get the support you need.
Being a student in London comes with some great perks. From discounted travel and cheaper meals to savings on shopping and days out, there are loads of ways to stretch your budget and make the most of the city.
Transport discounts:
- Transport for London 18+ Student Oyster photocard, giving you 30% off travelcards and Bus and Tram season tickets
- A third off rail travel with a 16-25 railcard
- Up to 50% off Lime Bikes via their Lime Access scheme
- 25% off Santander Cycles annual subscription
- 25% off National Express coach travel.
Student discount platforms and IDs:
- UNiDAYS - free to sign up, and offers you discounts on fashion, tech, and more
- TOTUM – paid membership, giving you discounts on fashion, tech, travel, and food
- Student Beans – free to join, offering student discounts, deals and freebies
- International Student Identity card - an internationally accepted student identity card, giving you student status verification, and access to discounts worldwide.
Entertainment and culture:
- Student Art Pass – for £10, access free or reduced-price entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK
- Cinemas – most national and independent cinemas offer discounted prices for students
- Streaming services – don’t miss out on accessing significant savings on your favourite streaming services. Search their sites for how to apply.
Financial stress can impact your mental health
Roehampton's close-knit campus community means you're never far from someone who can help
- Wellbeing team support: Our friendly Wellbeing team understands the link between financial worry and mental health. They offer sessions, workshops and one-to-one support to help you manage pressure and navigate you to the help you need.
- Community and social life: With 50+ student societies, free social spaces and a vibrant Students' Union, there's always something happening on campus.
- Roehampton Students’ Union: Your SU is run by students, for students, offering support, advice, and low-cost events to help you make the most of university life.
- Support with essentials: In partnership with the Roehampton Students' Union, we provide free sanitary products across campus. You may also be eligible for the NHS Low Income Scheme to help cover prescription costs.
Budgeting for life in London
London can be expensive, but with a bit of planning and budgeting, your money can go further. At Roehampton, many costs are more manageable than central London. With a campus community, more affordable local living, and everything you need close by, it’s easier to keep on top of your spending.
We have the best value student accommodation in London (independent research by Monzo). Prices start from £115 per week for a twin room, and £146 per week for your own room. Plus, all bills, WiFi, contents insurance and even two loads of laundry a week are included in the price!
- Your average weekly groceries (food, basic toiletries): £40-£60 per week
- Meal in a restaurant: £20
- A takeaway: £10 - £15
- Coffee on campus: £2.15
- Glass of wine: £7
- Pint of beer: £6
- Gym membership: £130 on campus, if you sign up in Freshers’ week
- West End Theatre: tickets can start from £20, and go up to £100+. Make sure to look out for same-day deals, or digital lotteries promoted by the theatres to grab a bargain
- Cinema ticket: £13
- Take advantage of TfL’s Hopper fair, giving you unlimited bus and tram journeys in one hour for £1.75
- A weekly travelcard between zones 1-3 is £36.70. We’re in zone 3, just 9 minutes from Clapham Junction and 22 minutes from Waterloo.
“Our teachers are dedicated to guiding us toward our career goals, and the university supported me with financial assistance through the hardship fund during tough times."
Daviid, BSc Cyber Security
