Navigating the cost of living: support and initiatives for students at Staffordshire University London

Discover how our University supports students beyond the classroom, with initiatives and services designed to help our students succeed.

A male student holding a Here East discount card.

Llewi Pugh, BSc Computer Games Design student, enjoying the benefits of Here East's student discount card. The card offers discounts at various retailers located within the Here East campus.

At Staffordshire University London, we understand the challenges of managing finances away from home. That's why our dedicated Student Support team, based in Stoke-on-Trent, makes weekly visits to our London campus during term time. As a team, we offer interactive workshops tailored to equip students with the knowledge and tools needed to budget effectively. From creating a spending plan to review and adapt spending habits to avoiding common financial pitfalls, our workshops empower students to take control of their finances and make informed decisions.

Tracy Walker, Student Support and Experience Manager

As one of the world's leading global cities, London boasts a vibrant cultural scene and world-class educational institutions, making it a top choice for students. However, the cost of living in the capital city can be a source of concern, especially for students already juggling academic demands and newfound independence. Staffordshire University London recognises these challenges faced by many young people and firmly believe that financial worries should not stand in the way of achieving your academic ambitions.

The University is committed to providing a comprehensive support system that goes beyond the classroom. This includes a range of initiatives and support services designed to help current students manage expenses effectively. From budgeting workshops to scholarship opportunities, we equip students with the tools and resources needed to thrive in London while focusing on what matters most – your studies.

Milena Rodriguez-Guevara, Head of Operations and Student Experience, explained, "The cost of living is understandably an issue for some of our students, and we understand the impact it can have on their ability to perform at their best. We're committed to working alongside student support services and external partners such as Blackbullion to offer comprehensive assistance. This includes increased hardship funds, exploring affordable accommodation options, financial literacy workshops, and working with our Student Union to ensure our students are supported. Our goal is to ensure all students have the opportunity to thrive at Staffordshire University London at all times”.

Key support initiatives available to students at Staffordshire University London include:

 

Cost of Living Scholarship

The Cost-of-Living Scholarship is a pivotal initiative aimed at easing the financial burden on students. This scholarship is available to both new and continuing undergraduate and postgraduate students who meet specific eligibility criteria. The scholarship provides up to £1,500 to help with various living costs, including accommodation, food, and other essential expenses. This financial boost enables students to focus more on their studies.

Hardship Fund

The Hardship Fund is a newly established initiative designed to provide vital financial support to students facing unexpected financial difficulties. This fund aims to offer immediate relief to those in urgent need, ensuring that financial barriers do not impede their academic progress or personal well-being.

Eligible students can receive Love2Shop vouchers, which are distributed on a case-by-case basis to address their specific needs. These vouchers are redeemable at a wide range of stores across the United Kingdom, allowing recipients to purchase essential items such as groceries, clothing, and other necessities.

Student Success Fund

The Student Success Fund is another excellent resource for students at Staffordshire University London. This fund is designed to support students in various ways, from helping with unexpected financial crises to funding opportunities that enhance the student experience. Whether it’s assisting with travel costs for placements, purchasing essential study materials, or contributing towards extracurricular activities, the Student Success Fund is there to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

ACH Crisford Charitable Foundation Bursary

For students facing significant financial hardship, the ACH Crisford Charitable Foundation Bursary offers vital support. This bursary is particularly aimed at students from underrepresented backgrounds, providing them with the necessary funds to cover their essential living costs. It ensures that financial barriers do not prevent talented individuals from accessing higher education and succeeding in their chosen fields.

AMOS Bursary

The Amos Bursary is a scholarship programme for young people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK. It provides a five-year development programme with workshops, conferences, internships, and mentorship. To be eligible, you must have attended a state school/academy/college throughout your secondary education.

Here East Scholarship

Aiming to empower young minds in East London, the Here East Scholarship Programme offers financial aid to local students facing barriers to university attendance. This scholarship covers full undergraduate tuition and provides a living expense supplement of £2,700 per year. Beyond financial support, the programme connects students with work experience placements within the Here East business community and offers mentors throughout their degree. Launched in 2020, this opportunity is open to residents of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest pursuing undergraduate studies at Staffordshire University London.

 

Beyond financial aid, we believe in supporting students holistically through a comprehensive support network. Recognising the rising food costs (up 7.0% according to the Consumer Prices Index (CPIH) in January 2024, the Students' Union provides free breakfast mornings with cereal. Additionally, the Student Union runs a FoodHub programme, established due to increased student hardship, which offers emergency access to food and essentials. While FoodHub usage has limits, students facing food insecurity are encouraged to reach out. The Students' Union advisors can connect them with resources like Trussell Trust Foodbanks or other short-term solutions.

Understanding that accommodation is a major expense for students, Staffordshire University London signposts affordable housing options within close proximity to the campus. Most of our students who chose to live away from home, regularly utilise local housing providers including Unite Students Accommodation, AA4S, and others which provide secure competitive rates for students. Modie Badamasi, 2nd Year, BSc Computer Games Design student, who works as a Sub-Warden for AA4S shared, “I've been working with AA4S for just over a year as a Sub-Warden. My role as a Sub-Warden there is to be the on call as an out -of-hours supervisor for the accommodation. Some of my key responsibilities include being a first responder for emergencies, maintenance issues and enquires with all the residents. In addition, I take on office work on a weekly basis to support the site managers with during term time and summertime.”

Modie continued that finding affordable housing for students can help to alleviate financial stress, “Since working at AA4S, it has shown me the immense value of affordable student housing. As a charitable organisation, AA4S prioritises providing high-quality, secure accommodation specifically for students in London. This is crucial considering the rising cost of living across the country. Their mission extends beyond just offering a place to stay, we support students in their well-being, living experience and personal development, which helps in empowering student success.”

To help students earn while they learn, the University provides a range of on-campus job opportunities. These include positions at the Reload Café, where students can gain valuable transferable skills like customer service, health and safety, and food hygiene. Additionally, the University offers internships in fields such as technical assistance, event management, and even virtual reality projects.

Furthermore, the student ambassador programme provides learners to represent the University at higher education fairs and contribute to student recruitment. Binita Makanji, 2nd Year, BSc Computer Science student shared, “Our student ambassador programme revolves around flexibility, which enables us as students to manage our academic commitments while also having the opportunity to earn money. The programme accounts for tailored scheduling whereby we can nominate ourselves for work opportunities that fit our schedules and workloads. This allows us to prioritise our studies and scale our workload to meet our requirements. Most work opportunities are part-time and typically happen for a couple of hours, allowing students to schedule some time away from their academic studies for a rewarding cause to represent the university.”

The University also offers a comprehensive range of free and discounted services through the Here East Student Discount Card, aimed at helping students manage their daily expenses. These benefits extend to local restaurants and bars on the wider Here East campus, where venues such as The Breakfast Club, Gotto Trattoria, and Four Quarters offer discounts on food and drinks. This enables students to enjoy social outings and dining experiences without straining their budget.

Beyond dining, through Here East, the university has also secured discounts on a variety of personal services, including haircuts and spa treatments, ensuring students can take care of their grooming and wellbeing affordably. In addition to these lifestyle savings, students have access to essential academic resources at discounted rates through apps like UNiDAYS, Totem, and Student Beans, providing further support for their educational journey.

To complement these services, Staffordshire University London also offers free transport between the Here East campus and Stratford Westfield or Stratford International, easing students' travel to and from campus. For those looking for a more sustainable and cost-effective travel option, Santander Cycles, TfL’s public bike hire scheme, gives students access to bikes around London, including docking stations near the campus at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. With a yearly subscription offering unlimited 60-minute hires for just £90—a 25% discount—students can travel daily for as little as 25p per day, promoting both sustainability and healthy living.

Further enhancing their support for students, the university regularly hosts financial literacy workshops and provides one-on-one financial advice sessions. These initiatives are designed to help students improve their budgeting skills and make more informed financial decisions, ensuring they are well-equipped to manage their finances throughout their studies.

Tracy Walker, Student Support and Experience Manager at Staffordshire University said, "Financial literacy is a critical skill for most students, but especially for those venturing out on their own for the first time. At Staffordshire University London, we understand the challenges of managing finances away from home. That's why our dedicated Student Support team, based in Stoke-on-Trent, makes weekly visits to our London campus during term time. As a team, we offer interactive workshops tailored to equip students with the knowledge and tools needed to budget effectively. From creating a spending plan to review and adapt spending habits to avoiding common financial pitfalls, our workshops empower students to take control of their finances and make informed decisions.”

While navigating the high cost of living in London can be daunting for students, Staffordshire University London is committed to supporting its students every step of the way. With a comprehensive range of financial assistance programmes, practical support services, and community initiatives, the University ensures that financial stress does not hinder academic success. From scholarships and bursaries to affordable housing and on-campus job opportunities, every effort is made to help students manage their expenses and focus on their studies. Staffordshire University London’s dedication to student welfare and success stands as a testament to its commitment to providing an enriching and supportive educational experience, ensuring that every student can thrive despite financial challenges.

 

For any immediate support needs, current Staffordshire University London students are encouraged to reach out to our on-campus student helpdesk, the first point of contact for student enquiries. You can contact them via email at SULstudentsupport@staffs.ac.uk.

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