![\"\"](\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25108\/2026\/05\/Living-Costs.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAt the pinnacle of the issue is the gap between living costs and student income. Maintenance loans, of which\u2019s fundamental purpose are to cover accommodation and living expenses, have not kept pace with inflation. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), the real value of maintenance support has declined significantly over the past decade (IFS, 2023). This means students are effectively receiving less financial support in real terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Housing is a student\u2019s largest expense. The UK has experienced a broader housing crisis, characterised by limited supply and rising demand, particularly in university cities. This has pushed up rents in the private sector, where most second and third year students live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Newcastle, while rents are typically lower than in cities like London, increases in pricing has still been significant. National data shows that student housing costs now consume a large proportion of maintenance loans, in a lot of cases exceeding them entirely (NUS, 2023). This forces students into having to rely on additional income sources, such as part-time work or family support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Energy costs have also played a major role. Following global energy market disruptions, UK household energy bills rose sharply between 2022 and 2023. Although government support schemes have eased some pressure, many students in private accommodation still face high utility bills, particularly in more poorly insulated housing.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25108\/2026\/05\/Coping.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nFood inflation is another key factor. ONS data indicates that food prices rose at their fastest rate in over 40 years during 2023 (ONS, 2023). For students, who already tend to operate on tight budgets, this has meant significant changes to spending habits. Many report buying less fresh food, choosing cheaper alternatives, or reducing overall consumption which can, under drastic circumstances, lead to underlying health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These financial pressures have wider consequences beyond day-to-day living. There is growing evidence that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting student wellbeing. The NUS has reported high levels of financial anxiety, with many students struggling to balance basic needs with academic responsibilities (NUS, 2023).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are also academic implications. Students forced to take on part-time work may have less time for studying, attending lectures or participating in general university life. This can ultimately affect academic performance and overall student experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The issue also raises questions about inequality. Students from lower-income backgrounds are disproportionately affected, as they are less likely to have financial support from family. This risks widening existing gaps in access to higher education and student outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Universities have responded in various ways, including increasing hardship funding, offering food banks and expanding wellbeing services. However, these measures are often described as short-term solutions to longer-term problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a policy level, there have been calls for reform. Student groups and organisations such as the NUS have argued for maintenance loans to be increased in line with inflation, as well as for stronger regulation of the student housing market. Others have suggested broader interventions, such as rent controls or increased investment in affordable student accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite these discussions, significant change has been slow. The cost-of-living crisis is tied to wider economic factors, such as wage stagnation and housing shortages and, of course, inflation, making it difficult to resolve quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For students in Newcastle and across the UK, the result is an ongoing need to adapt. This may involve working longer hours or cutting back on essentials.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Second year Newcastle University student Alexandra Williamson, 20, says rising expenses have forced her to completely rethink her spending habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Originally from London, Alex moved to Newcastle expecting student life to be manageable with a maintenance loan and part-time work. However, increasing rent and food prices have made balancing finances far more difficult than she expected<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alex currently works around 15 hours a week at a local caf\u00e9 alongside her studies. While the extra income helps cover essentials, she says it can be difficult balancing her work with academic responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She explained that most of her maintenance loan now goes directly towards rent and bills, leaving limited money for food, transport and other social activities. Like many students, she has started buying cheaper products and cutting back on socialising to save money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Alex, financial stress has become a common topic among students, particularly those living away from home without additional family support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the immediate effects are financial, the long-term consequences could extend further. If current trends continue, there is a risk that higher education becomes less accessible or more challenging for those without financial security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cost-of-living crisis is therefore not just an economic issue, but an educational and social one. Understanding its impact on students helps to highlight the broader challenges facing the UK today.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The experiences of Newcastle University students reflect a wider national issue; students across the UK are among the groups most affected by the cost-of-living crisis. While inflation has slowed, the underlying causes behind rising costs continue to put pressure on those with limited and\/or fixed incomes. At the pinnacle of the issue is the gap…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":355,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":6,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-explainer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/355"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/araminta-gordon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}