Introduction
Welcome to the Class Act Undergraduate Financial Support Guide for 2024-2025
This guide is here to help you make the most of the resources available at Oxford. Whether you're looking for advice on budgeting, exploring student bank accounts, or seeking out university and college-specific financial support, this guide provides comprehensive information tailored to your needs.
Oxford offers a range of support options for students from all backgrounds, including those from low-income, working class backgrounds. Inside, you’ll find practical tips on managing your expenses, accessing bursaries and scholarships, and finding affordable ways to enjoy student life in Oxford.
Remember, you don’t have to navigate this alone. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to the JCR Social Backgrounds/Class/Access Rep or JCR Treasurer at your college. You can also speak to our Class Act Committee or your Class Act Parents. They are here to support you, ensuring that your financial concerns do not hinder your academic success or student experience.
Budgeting Table
INCOME PER TERM
STUDENT LOAN: BURSARY PAYMENT(S):
SAVINGS: COLLEGE SUPPORT: OTHER INCOME: OTHER INCOME:
TOTAL INCOME:
EXPENDITURE PER TERM
SOCIAL COSTS:
FOOD: RENT: BILLS:
OTHER COSTS: TRAVEL:
TOTAL EXPENDITURE:
Rent
Rent varies for each college. Check your battels or ask your college parents about your college's predicted rent costs. Some colleges have standardised rent prices for all rooms in the college whilst others have tiered rooms with different pricing which you’ll ballot for in later years Your college and JCR committee and answer any questions regarding these
Oxford predicts accommodation to cost £745 at the lower range and £925 at the upper range per month, and tends to cover all utilities, bills and scout cleaning costs. Your battels are a summary of all your costs to college for each term - this typically includes your rent and any other charges/levies like lost key replacement.
This may also include additional costs such as supporting your college funds for scholarships These are optional so you can request to have these removed from your battels. If anything on your battels doesn’t look right, do email your college finance team and request an explanation for each charge.
As a student staying in college, you do not pay council tax, including during vacation periods as long as you are enrolled in your course.
All Freshers must live on site in college for 1st year. However, if you choose, or have to, live out and rent privately in future years, it's worth checking to see which subsidisation programmes your college offers, as private renting tends to be more expensive.
Older year students can offer support in navigating renting in Oxford as they’ll likely have done this before. This is the type of advice that your Class Act or College Parents can support you with.
Scan to view the estimated rent costs calculated by the University, along with other expenses
Food
Oxford predicts food costs to be £315 at the lower range and £495 at the upper range per month. These likely food costs would enable you to eat in your college for each of your three meals each day and there is provision for some dining out.
When considering your food budget, think about the late night kebabs, dinners at restaurants, or the sweet treats you’ll need to get through your essay crisis. It may be helpful to look at your college hall prices, decide whether you’ll eat in hall or cook yourself, and set aside a food budget. Some colleges have kitchens & catered halls, whereas others will not have kitchen facilities or have a shared JCR kitchen space for the whole college to use. This may determine where you want to spend your food budget.
College hall food tends to cost between £4-£8 per meal! Some colleges pre-charge you for hall costs on your battels, others you can choose to top up your payment card as you wish, or pay via your debit/credit card Some colleges require you to spend your entire meal card cost in one term, and you aren’t refunded the remainder of your credit Others carry this leftover credit to next term, and take your remaining credit off your battels next term if you don’t use it
If you’d prefer to self cater, this is a great option! Buying in bulk and cooking can work out cheaper than eating in hall A weekly self-catering food shop in Ox tends to range from £40-50 a week. There are several small supermarkets in the middle of town, such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco. If you’re able to make the trip there’s an Aldi and Lidl in Cowley, as well as an Aldi in Botley, getting a bike may be ideal for this! Buying food in bulk online and having this delivered is another hack - saves you time, and allows you to stock more items. Although you have to pay for delivery (3-4 quid) it can save time and allow you to budget wisely
Once a week, your JCR may host a “welfare munch” where you can sit with friends, have a chat about any issues, and eat some snacks and sweet treats for free! Munches may include juice, doughnuts, crisps, croissants, fruit, and much more! There may be free pizza or snacks at your college JCR meeting where the student body comes together to discuss college issues together and with the JCR committee. For more college specific questions on costs, ask your JCR Class/Socioeconomic Rep. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!
Societies (including Class Act) often put on reduced cost or free drinks and other social events throughout term which are worth attending for students on a budget. Some societies and events will have access pricing, do ask about these if you’re worried about the cost of attending these events!
Club ticket prices tend to vary between £5-10, depending on which night and how far in advance you buy. There’s also plenty of free or low cost student plays, reading groups, socials, picnics and film nights you can attend for no to low costs. Check out the Affordable Oxford section for top recommendations from our committee.
It's important to remember everyday costs many often forget to budget for - toiletries, haircuts, clothes, medication and other hidden costs Your college welfare team can provide free sanitary products (pads, panty liners, & tampons), condoms (including latex free), lube, panic alarms, pregnancy test, drink covers, straws, menstrual cups, dental dams, along with reimbursement for the emergency “morning after” pill (no questions asked!) for as many times as you need. They may also have a gender expression fund to refund items such as a binder/packer/breast form/strap on/etc. If you have any questions or needs regarding these, speak to your JCR Welfare Reps and they’ll advise what support they can give.
Socials
The C-Card Scheme is offered to people aged 16-24. You can receive free condoms and lube, delivered straight to your pidge, or you can pick them up from boots/sexual health clinics if you’d prefer (https://www.oxfordshireccard.org.uk)
If you are a low income student, you can access financial support for NHS medical costs for: NHS prescription charges, NHS dental treatment, refunds for treatment within 3 months of applying, costs of sight tests, glasses, and contact lenses, and the costs of travelling to receive NHS treatment
(https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-lowincome-scheme)
If you have been sent an introductory reading list or set texts for your course tutorials, you do not have to purchase every single book on this list! It can be very expensive and unnecessary, especially as your college library and 26 Bodleian (University) Libraries are highly likely to have a copy of the book you need. If it doesn’t, you can either request the library purchase the book or use your College Book Grant for a personal copy if offered.
Check the Affordable Oxford section for cheap Oxford social activities.
Wetherspoons or commonly known as “Spoons”. You’ll often find yourself in here after socials or before club nights if you go for cheap drinks & food (Co-Chair, Chloe’s first college family meeting)
Whether you work best in your room, library, or a cafe, a study session with your friends is a nice way to socialise and get some academic work done. (Kath, PPEist pretending to
Formals happen throughout the term and are a lovely way to see friends! You can invite friends to your college formals and attend theirs! (There’s an unofficial challenge to attend every college’s formal before you graduate). Prices of formals vary between colleges however!
Punting is a classic Oxford social. Many people go punting on Matriculation Day for the first time! (Academic Officer, Rose’s punting picture with her friends)
There are so many impromptu and society picnics hosted across the year, especially in Trinity (3rd) Term when the weather is nice again! (Revision picnic at St Hugh’s College)
Junkyard Golf is a fun social in Westgate Shopping Centre to play mini golf, with snacks and drinks at a low cost! As you can see, it’s also a nice location to get some cute Instagram pics. They’re offering 40% off for all students from 1st September-30th November
Affordable Oxford
There are many ways to keep the cost down during your time at university. We have gathered a list of affordable places to eat and drink, as well as low-cost or free activities you may want to take part in! There is something for everyone, no matter your budget. Make sure you download UniDays and StudentBeans before you arrive in Oxford to access exclusive student discounts available to you. They have great deals on everything from food, clothes, activities, and more.
Cafe Creme is a panini shop on Broad Street which offers a 20% student discount.
Itsu and Wasabi both offer food for half price 30 minutes before closing time. Many people go at this time to buy a cheaper lunch for the following day. Download the Too Good to Go app. Many places offer discounted food and snacks on the app, including Costa, Greggs, Pret a Manger, Pizza Express, Doughnut Time, Krispy Kreme, Wasabi, Tortilla, and many more. Wetherspoons offers unlimited tea and coffee refills for £1.56. During the day, many people enjoy studying in spoons, so this can keep you fuelled.
Clubcard. Clubcard deals are such an easy way to save money! Make sure you add it to your Apple/Google Wallet to claim your discounted prices.
Do group shops! If you live in a house or flat, it will be cheaper to club together for certain items If you spend over a certain amount, supermarkets may offer free delivery on a big food shop Otherwise, you can take a group trip to Lidl or Aldi for a cheaper shop overall This saves you time, energy, and money.
Oxo Bar does student cocktails SundayThursday You can get some cocktails for £4, or 2 for £10 on the fancier ones. A good place to pre before the club where drinks will be expensive
Bella Italia frequently do £5 deals on their dishes. If you sign up for their scheme, you will be alerted by email.
Many places will offer you free food on your birthday if you are part of their rewards system. Greggs, Costa and Krispy Kreme do this, but so do many other places.
All Bar One has 2-for-1 brunch every day before noon. Take a friend, and get 50% off each.
Tortilla does £5 burritos on a Monday evening if you have the app.
John Lewis does an afternoon tea deal for under £5 in their upper-floor cafe. It is a l l l d d j and tea.
College bars have discounted drinks This can be a great place to go before a night out or after a formal. Societies host college bar crawls to meet new friends & explore all the college bars
Food stalls in Gloucester Green market tend to reduce their prices close to closing time. This initiative reduces food waste and saves you money. They have a variety of stalls serving food from all over the world. There’s always seats around if you want to sit and each with friends or just grab a quick bite to eat between lectures
Caffe Nero offer student discount on barista-made drinks if student card is linked to the app & Black Sheep Coffee offer 20% student discount along with £2 hot/iced drinks on a Monday. They also do some food 50% off at lunch time
Affordable Oxford
Below are just a few of the societies that offer low cost, accessible pricing to their events and membership. You can speak to all the societies at the Freshers Fair and find out about their events and membership prices. Do ask about access pricing if you are interested in joining. Many offer this and if not, can work on offering this to ensure their society is accessible for all.
Oxford University Alternative Ice Hockey (ALTS) host £5 ice hockey sessions open to anyone of all abilites.
The Judo Society run a beginner’s course for free in Michaelmas term.
Feminist Society host their weekly debating event with access pricing for entry and access memberships for £3 a year
The Taylor Swift Society offers lifetime memberships for just £13, giving you access to their events with exclusive members pricing.
Oxford Climate Society host their School of Climate Change for £15 or offer access pricing for those who need it.
Many societies host balls along with colleges. Make sure to ask about access tickets for these if they don’t advertise them already.
Class Act hold socials throughout the year, such as free G&Ds (ice cream), study sessions, and crafts nights. Memberships are free and socials are never more than £5 but this cost can always be waived with no questions asked for any attendee if they are struggling financially.
The OUDS (Oxford University Dramatic Society) offer funding for any student plays you may wish to produce, with plenty of low cost student plays happening across the year.
Oxford Ice Skating Club hold 2hour skating sessions for £5 & their disco skates for the same price.
Join the Oxford Students Ball Gown Swap and Shop group on Facebook. People rent ball gowns and other formal wear for discounted prices. You can list your items on there to earn some money. Some JCRs have ‘bop wardrobes’ or ‘dress swaps’. You can ask to borrow dress-up outfits or formal wear for free and return them to the wardrobe after the event. This has become more popular in recent years due to the avoidance of fast fashion.
If you are on a ball committee, you get a free ticket. If planning and organisation are of interest to you, you may want to take advantage of this. Attend the Freshers Fair. Societies and businesses will give out free things and discounts to entice you in. You don’t have to be a fresher to attend, you can go back every year.
Junkyard Golf has student-priced tickets on weekday evenings. They have 2 for 1 on drinks on certain days too. Currently, they’re offering 40% off for students until 30th November.
BuzzGym offers a student discount. Pure Gym offers 50% off their gym membership for care leavers via the Care Leavers Covenant. Curzon Cinema offers students discounted tickets if they sign up for a free account.
Mad Hatters allows you to book karaoke rooms for two hours for around £5 per person.
Blenheim Palace is a short bus journey away from the centre. You can walk around the grounds for free, you only pay if you want a tour of the house.
Oxford's Botanic Gardens are free to enter as a student and can be a great lowcost activity (Oxford University students enter free with a valid student ID card)
Most Oxford museums are free. They have cases for optional donations, but this is not a requirement. This includes the Natural History Museum, The Ashmolean, the History of Science Museum, and the Museum of Oxford.
Student bank accounts
Student Bank Accounts
What is a student bank account?
What is a student bank account?
They are bank accounts only Higher Education students can open & have a ton
They are bank accounts only Higher Education students can open & have a ton of benefits, depending on which one you choose. Even if the bank you of benefits, depending on which one you choose. Even if the bank you currently use has a student account, it may not be the best one for you. currently use has a student account, it may not be the best one for you. All you need to open one is your ID (passport, birth certificate or UK driving
All you need to open one is your ID (passport, birth certificate or UK driving licence) and your UCAS code or confirmation letter from your college that you licence) and your UCAS code or confirmation letter from your college that you have confirmed your place. have confirmed your place.
Eligbility Eligbility
You have to have lived in the UK for at least the past 3 years. You have to have lived in the UK for at least the past years. You (usually) have to be 18 or over. You (usually) have to be 18 or over.
You have to have confirmation of being accepted onto your course. You have have confirmation of being accepted onto your course.
Your course is at least 2 years long. Your course is at least 2 years long.
Why should I get one?
Why should I get one?
Student Finance doesn’t come in until after Freshers’ Week and Student Finance doesn’t come in until after Freshers’ Week and Crankstart/Oxford Bursary (if eligible) comes a week after this. An extra £100+
Crankstart/Oxford Bursary (if eligible) comes a week after this. An extra £100+ (or whatever your chosen bank offers) can be super helpful to get through (or whatever your chosen bank offers) can be super helpful to get through those first weeks. You can also use your overdraft in the meantime to tide you those first weeks. You can also use your overdraft in the meantime to tide you over until your student finance comes in (but this MUST be paid back!) over until your student finance comes in (but this MUST be paid back!)
What are overdrafts?
What are overdrafts?
An overdraft allows you to spend more money than you have in your account, An overdraft allows you to spend more money than you have in your account, essentially borrowing from the bank. Student accounts usually offer an interest- essentially borrowing from the bank. Student accounts usually offer an interestfree overdraft, meaning you can borrow money from your bank without paying free overdraft, meaning you can borrow money from your bank without paying any interest on the amount overdrawn. any interest on the amount overdrawn.
While student accounts may offer 0% interest on overdrafts, it's important to
While student accounts may offer 0% interest on overdrafts, it's important to remember that this is borrowed money that must be repaid. If you apply for the remember that this is borrowed money that be repaid. If you apply for the maximum, you need to make sure that you would be able to pay this back. maximum, you need to make sure that you would be able to pay this back.
Even if you set your overdraft limit at a specific amount, you might still be able
Even if you set your overdraft limit at a specific amount, you might still be able to exceed it. This is known as an "unarranged overdraft" and it can significantly to exceed it. This is known as an "unarranged overdraft" and it can significantly damage your credit score, potentially affecting your ability to secure loans or a damage your credit score, potentially affecting your ability to secure loans or a mortgage in the future. mortgage in the future.
Student Bank Accounts
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-bank-account/ https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-bank-account/
One to note for international students, all the student bank accounts below are One to note international all the student bank accounts below are for UK residents only. Details on HSBC’s bank account and guidance for for UK residents only. Details on HSBC’s bank account and guidance for international students has been included below, but it may be useful speaking international students has been included but it may be useful speaking to the brilliant JCR International Reps (Ainsley & Tanush) for their advice. to the brilliant JCR International Reps (Ainsley & Tanush) for their advice.
Student Bank Accounts
https://wwwlloydsbankcom/current-accounts/all-accounts/student-accounthtml https://wwwlloydsbankcom/current-accounts/all-accounts/student-accounthtml
https://wwwhsbccouk/current-accounts/products/student/ https://wwwhsbccouk/current-accounts/products/student/
Earning Money
As an Oxford undergraduate, the usual guidance is that you cannot work during term time as you should dedicate your working time to your studies. If you do need to work to financially support yourself whilst at Oxford, you can discuss this with your tutor and be granted permission to work a certain number of hours per week. If you do need to work in term time, there are a few local Oxford shops which hire part time staff and will post advertisements for staff in their shop windows through the term!
The college provides some opportunity to work as a College Ambassador, supporting the Outreach Team with their college tours, Q&As, Open Days, Interview Support, and other tasks. These are low effort ways you can get involved in supporting the College whilst earning some money (all paid above Minimum Living Wage). You can also apply to be an Oxford University Outreach Ambassador, working with the University Admissions and Outreach team on a variety of projects. This can be working as an ambassador on an Oxford Summer School, supporting the creation of new Oxford content, or talking about your Oxford experiences on a webinar. Applications for UAO ambassadors open early in Michaelmas (first term) so keep your eyes peeled on your emails if you’re interested. Both of these opportunities are open to Home and International Students!
For international students, the University guidance is as follows: “If you are interested in working during your studies you must check that the type and amount of work is allowed by your visa as well as making sure it fits in with your course. It is a criminal offence with serious penalties to work more hours than permitted or undertake a type of work not permitted under your visa conditions.” For more information, check the link below and speak to the college finance team for guidance: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/visa/during/work
University Financial Support
University Financial Support
The Oxford Bursary provides up to £4,120 per year to UK undergraduates from households with an annual income of £50,000 or less. The amount awarded depends on the specific income level, with students from lower-income households receiving more significant support. You are
only eligible to receive either a Crankstart Scholarship or an Oxford Bursary. If eligible, you will be contacted about this from mid-September. If your household income is below this and you have not been contacted, get in touch with the Bursary team in Student Fees and Funding before the end of May.
If you need additional financial support OR are not eligible for Crankstart or Oxford Bursary, you can apply to: Oxford Assistance Fund (OAF) Student Support Bursary (SSB) Care Experienced & Estranged Student Bursary (CEESB)
University Financial Support
The Oxford Assistance Fund is available to both enrolled and suspended Home students and enrolled Overseas students, with UK students able to access grants of up to £3,000 where there is a shortfall in their finances and all students able to access grants and/or loans of up to £8,000, where they are in unexpected, unforeseen financial difficulty. The Oxford Assistance Fund can help to alleviate general financial difficulty, however the assessment prioritises use of available funds towards course fees before living costs, when considering students for an award. For careexperienced or estranged Home undergraduates, a partial disregard of income will be applied to enable underlying funds to remain in place before considering a student's available income. Overseas students must explain how their financial situation has changed since their studies began and why these changes are unexpected and could not have been predicted at the start of their course. If you have any questions and for details of how to apply, you should email the college finance team.
University Financial Support
The Student Support Bursary is available to UK undergraduates with household incomes under £62,343, providing up to £750. Applications will also be accepted from those whose income is above the eligibility threshold, where justification of exceptional personal circumstances can be provided. Before applying, students will be expected to have accessed all the government funding they are entitled to receive before they can be eligible for a Student Support Bursary. Additionally, Crankstart scholars will need to demonstrate additional costs that cannot be met by their existing funding package. However, flexibility can still be provided for the Student Support Bursary to assist with one-off unexpected additional costs where other funding is not readily available. Examples of what the SSB can help with includes: additional costs involved with travelling home to support family members where students have caring responsibilities, increased expenditure on study-related costs that cannot be met through existing funding provision, additional vacation rent costs incurred if students are required to stay in Oxford during the vacations, or where parental contributions are not at the level anticipated by the relevant Student Finance agency when calculating maintenance funding entitlement in line with household income. This could be due to parents supporting multiple children in higher education, or where other financial commitments exist. This list is not exhaustive & if you have any questions, you should email the college finance team for support and details of how to apply.
University Financial Support
The Care Experienced and Estranged Student Bursary (CEESB) is available for care experienced students (including those in kinship care, adoption, care leavers or previously in care, whether living with a foster family or in a care home at any point or duration in their life) and estranged students (students who are not financially and emotionally supported by their family). The CEESB provides a non-repayable annual bursary of up to £3,500 for each year of your course to help with costs, including during the vacations, and should be applied for each year. If you indicated estrangement and/or care experience via your UCAS form, or declared your estranged status to your Student Finance agency, the University Fees and Finance team should email this form to you on 7th October (MT Week 0), otherwise you can email and request this .If you are not recognised as an independent student by Student Finance, you may still be able to access the CEESB by speaking to the finance team and explaining your circumstances. Additionally, if you are receiving Crankstart/Oxford Bursary & Student Finance funding, you CAN also claim the CEESB to support you.
College Specific Support
Your college hardship fund is open for applications should you encounter any unforeseen financial circumstances i.e. breaking your laptop or urgent travel home. To apply, each college will have different requirements but may involve detailing your termly income and expenditure, listing sources such as student loans, bursaries, family support, and earnings. They may also request previous bank statements to evidence your financial hardship. Additionally, you should explain the grounds for your application, particularly any changes in your financial circumstances since starting your course. The college may provide you with a non-repayable grant or a loan depending on your circumstances.
If you need financial support, you should speak to your JCR Social Backgrounds/Class/Access Rep or Treasurer or College Parents about this. Asking for financial support may be embarrassing or the process may feel slightly intrusive but it is important that your college supports you to ensure that you can concentrate on your studies. They have dedicated funds to support students in need so another student won’t be disadvantaged if you apply and all applications are anonymous, with only the college staff knowing if you’ve applied.
If you’d like support applying for any college financial support, our Class Act committee and/or your Class Act Parents will be more than happy to support you!
Your college may advertise travel grants for you to apply to travel for a variety of purposes. These will be advertised via email and are available to fund travel during the long vacation (summer), for academic reasons, to support your career, or more. Each college differs with what support they offer so do enquire about this if it would help you.
Book grants allow you to apply for a refund on books already purchased or request financial assistance before buying them. The necessity of each claim is verified by the JCR committee/college, and you must justify why a personal copy is required A receipt or proof of expense is needed to process the claim. Application details will be circulated via college emails from the JCR Careers and Academic Affairs/Class Rep or Treasurer who can answer any questions you may have.
Designed by Chloe Pomfret (Class Act Co-Chair)