Cost of Living

At SUSU we're here to help you with the cost of living during your studies. Whether it's finding ways to save money or finding places to get support, this is the place to start!

Visit the University's Cost of Living online hub to find out more about support offered for finances, health & wellbeing, food & shopping, study spaces, answers to your frequently asked questions, and more.

SUSU Food For All

SUSU Food For All

We have set up SUSU Food For All for any students who may need support in keeping your cupboards stocked this year. We provide tinned, dry and long-lasting food, as well as menstrual products, and this is available for any student to come and collect for free. We'll also provide hot drinks and biscuits here. Find SUSU Food For All in our Welfare Room next to The Advice Centre (Level 3, Building 40). It's open Monday - Friday, 09:00 -17:00.

Visit The Advice Centre page

The Advice Centre

The Advice Centre is a free, confidential advice service for students, who are independent from the University. We are here to help you get the right support, at the right time, and can advise you on housing, financial and academic issues you may be facing. Our team are available Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 17:00.

Find out more
Go to the Cost of Living Report page

Russell Group Students' Unions: Student Cost of Living Report

Research found in the Student Cost of Living Report, carried out by Russell Group Students’ Unions, details the impact of the cost of living crisis on students at Russell Group universities. The survey of 8,800 university students is the largest study on financial pressures currently facing students to date.

Read the Report
SUSU Wellbeing Wednesdays

Wellbeing Wednesdays

Every Wednesday we are providing free soup, hot drinks, biscuits and a support drop-in at The Advice Centre. No appointment needed, just come along to chat to us and/or collect your soup. We're open 13:00 - 16:00 every Wednesday.

Visit our finance guides page

Financial Guides

One of our Advice Centre specialist areas is financial support, and we have a trained debt and money adviser available to speak to students. You can also find guides to finance issues such as funding for AHPs, Postgraduate Loans and information on how the University can support you on our Finance Guides page.

Visit our finance guides page
Visit the University's Student Support Fund page

University Student Support Fund

The Student Support Fund is available from the University, designated to help students that find themselves in unexpected financial hardship. Applications are open for the 22/23 academic year. Find out more on the University's Student Support Fund page.

Visit the University's Student Support Fund page
Visit the NHS website

Free NHS Prescriptions

The NHS offers a free prescription service for low-income earners, which includes students. You can find out more about how to apply for this on the NHS website.

Visit the NHS website
Visit the University's Cost of Living website

University Cost of Living Hub

On the University's Cost of Living online hub you can take a look at all the support the University and SUSU are offering in one place, including financial support, health & wellbeing support, and frequently asked questions.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Visit the University's Cost of Living webpage
Visit the Save the Student website

Choosing a student bank account

Looking to open a student bank account but not sure which bank to go with, or how to apply? Save the Student have created a guide to the best student bank accounts 2022, which explains how a student account differs from a regular account, overdrafts, credit ratings and more.

Visit the Save the Student website
visit The SUSU Shop page

Save in The SUSU Shop

At The Shop we're always looking for ways to help students save! We've recently lowered the price of our meal deal: enjoy a main, snack and drink for just £3.99. We also sell feminine hygiene products at cost price.

View The Shop's opening hours
Visit our jobs page

Support Staff Jobs at SUSU

Looking for a part-time, flexible job alongside your studies? We've increased the variety of Support Staff roles available to students at SUSU, and students will now receive the minimum wage rate for those aged 21 and over, regardless of your age. Take a look at the roles you can currently apply for on our Jobs page.

Visit our jobs page
Visit the University's Wellbeing Support page

University Wellbeing Support

The University offer a range of wellbeing support for students, including a 24/7 team, wellbeing chats, self-help resources. They also offer a Faith and Reflection Centre, and a Student Disability and Inclusion Team.

Visit the University's Wellbeing Support page
SUSU

Showers available at SUSU

Hot showers are available for free on Level 1 of Building 42, in the sports changing rooms.

Visit the BBC Food website

BBC Food Budget Recipes

The BBC Food website has lots of great ideas & recipes for budget-friendly meals, including easy one-pot meals, £1 meals, meals for groups and meals for one person.

Visit the BBC Food website
Visit the Step Change website

Creating a Budget

Looking for advice on how to create a budget for yourself? The Step Change website has an easy step-by-step guide to making your own budget, and a template you can download.

Visit the Step Change website
Visit the Round About Cafe website

Round About Cafe Community Pantry

The Round About Cafe (Westfield Corner, Southampton SO18 2LE) runs a community pantry open Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 14:00. The pantry is a membership-based scheme, with an annual £1 fee. Once you’ve joined, you will be able to access food and some household goods once a week.

Visit the Round About Cafe website