How expensive is living in Britain? If i get fees only award how much do i have to spend each month?? Should I pay for lab equipment also?
I'm good at living cheap so what is the minimum cost?

Iniatial costs are quite high ie when you arrive in the UK. The costs given by the uni are the least required. Sharing room with someone can lead to big problems so beware.

for me (im at bath) was told to expect £8000 for living costs a year

Des, I am an English student and i recieve a BBSRC stipend of approx £800 a month, and i still drift into my overdraft at the end of each month!!!! Realistically, i reckon you need about 9-10K to be comfortable and to be able to go out and have a good time!

I live 9 months of the year in Bristol on ~ £3800 (ie standard student loan) and didn't finish either of my 1st 2 years with an overdraft. That would make just over £5000 a year which is a lot less than the standard advice. Bear in mind (a) I had cheap rent (which accounted for about half what I spent) (b) I was already used to living on a budget in England and (c) I don't drink alcohol, which makes a difference when you're out every night of the week :)

5K as a PhD student - NO CHANCE!!!!!!!!

If you wanna have a life that is. I admit that a large majority of PhD students do tend to be boring sods, but it doesnt have to be that way. In my opinion, £5,000 is no way near enough. Think about rent, bills, food, gym, socialising etc and that wont last 5 minutes.

Just to prove my point. 5K is roughly £415 a month. Based on my actual budget, it would go something like this. Rent = £250; Bills = £30-40; Gym = £45 (ok you could not have this, but then you would be fat). That leaves £92 for four weeks of food, travel, socialisng, clothes, records etc.

I am a student in Bath. I have lived here for 4 years and i have easily survived on £3000 a year, never used my overdraft. I have enough loan left over to have a pretty good this summer. Its all about not spending what you dont have!

Thanks everyone!!! It sounds as if I'll be fine if I can just get a good place to stay. And Steve - I know your budget was supposed to scare me off but I think it sounded reasonable. :) Maybe it's a different situation for me because I know I will eventually have to pay back everything i spend.

Jonathon - 3K a year, are you sure??? I really dont believe that. It works out at £250 a month (assuming you are a postgrad and do 12 months a year). That amount would not even cover my rent and bills. How much is your rent mate? im intrigued! Never mind spending what you dont have, i would starve on that amount. . . . literally.

The UK is expensive - and becomes more expensive the closer you are to London. If I was you I would be looking for at least £500 a month for rent and bills - more so if your not planning to share accommodation. And don't forget spending money, everyone needs a night out with mates now and then!