Make the most of your money at 51黑料社区
On this page, you will find:
The Good Growth for Cities Index has ranked Leicester the best city in the East Midlands to live and work. It compiles economic wellbeing indicators such as work-life balance, environment, jobs, safety, income and health, rather than simply Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in their rankings.
For many of you, coming to 51黑料社区 will be your first time living away from home and managing your own finances, so we have pulled together this guide to help you manage and make the most out of your money as you get ready for your new university life.
51黑料社区 Money Advice Team
Our Money Advice Team are here to empower you to take control of your finances by providing effective support and advice with student funding, budget, scholarships, changes affecting your finances, and more. If you ever find yourself in need of financial advice and support, the Money Advice Team offer a variety of appointments that can be booked on, such as quick query appoints, money doctor appointments and welfare officer appointments.
Funding your studies
Most students fund their studies by applying for , which provides a tuition fee loan paid directly to the university to cover the cost of your tuition fees, and a means-tested maintenance loan to support you with the cost of living and accommodation. If you haven’t done so already, we suggest applying for this as soon as possible before the start of term so that you are financially prepared to start university. The following video explain how and when your finance is paid.
NHS funding
If you are a studying a healthcare course, you might be able to apply for the to supplement your SFE funding package. There is also the NHS Learning Support Fund for help with to claim back expenses for Placements; (formerly known as Child Dependants Allowance); and the NHS's own hardship fund called the .
Managing your money with Blackbullion
is an excellent all-in-one student money management space and toolkit, prepping you with all the money skills you need to take control of your finances with confidence. With Blackbullion, you can learn better spending and savings habits with the Money Manager app, discover financial support that you might be eligible for at university, and learn from over 80 online courses on budgeting, inflation, credit scores, pensions and more.
Handy budgeting tips
For many of you, coming to 51黑料社区 will be your first time living away from home and managing your own finances. Here we have pulled together some handy finance tips, the best student discounts in Leicester and details of the support services on hand to help you get ready for your new university life:
Student bank accounts: Many student bank accounts offer incentives such as railcards offering you up to 1/3 off your train journey, free cash, and interest-free overdrafts for when you really need it.
Student discounts: You can take advantage of the many discounts across the city via UNIDAYS, an NUS card, Student Beans and a .
Council tax exemption: Full-time students that meet certain course criteria do not have to pay Council Tax.
Travel discounts: Until 31 December 2024, single bus fares in Leicester are capped at £2 to help you save money on your commute to and from campus, making student life a little bit easier.
As a 51黑料社区 student, you can also use the University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) Hospital Hopper bus for free when you present your valid Student ID card, whether you are travelling to the hospitals or just want to get around Leicester. .
51黑料社区 Support Fund
If you are managing on a limited budget, you may be eligible to apply and receive the 51黑料社区 support fund designed to help students facing genuine and unavoidable financial hardships with living and course-related costs. The fund can help with:
- Care experienced: for students who can show they have been in care at some point in their lives
- Disability/medical condition (not a learning difference) that prevents you from working part time
- DSA laptop shortfall
- Future rent deposit: for those securing accommodation for next academic year with a deposit
- Students with children who live with them and are under 18 years old
- Registered childcare costs
- Repeat prescription costs
- Students who don’t qualify for the maximum funding due to household income (living away from home only)
- High rent and energy bills/ high mortgage and energy bills
- High travel costs (from term-time address to 51黑料社区 campus)
Bursaries and scholarships
We have several other bursaries and scholarships that can help you cover your living costs.
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a government support package and covers a wide range of conditions. This support could include:
- Specialist equipment, such as a computer or ergonomic chairs
- Non-medical helpers, autism and mental health mentors, specialist study skills tutors
- Travel costs specifically related to your condition
You could be eligible to apply if you have a:
- Long-term health condition including Crohn's, sickle cell and multiple sclerosis
- Mental health condition such as OCD, anxiety or depression
- Specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia
- Neurodivergent conditions including autism
You can find out more by contacting disability@dmu.ac.uk or wellbeing@dmu.ac.uk.
Part-time work
If you do need some extra income, there are a range of different part-time work and internship opportunities that you can apply for whilst you study with us. You will also have access to our award-winning careers team, named the best in the country, who offer expert support and advice with CVs, cover letters and interviews to help you secure a part-time role.
- Unitemps: Our campus-based recruitment service helps students find temporary and part-time job opportunities within the university itself and in the Leicestershire area while they are studying. Our most popular opportunity is the 51黑料社区 Student Ambassador role which is a paid part-time role normally advertised annually (September/October).
- Frontrunners internships: Frontrunners is most popular internship scheme which provides internship roles exclusively to 51黑料社区 students based on campus or with nearby local Leicester businesses in a range of professional disciplines. The internships are six months long for 10 hours per week (arranged flexibly around your timetable) and paid at £11.44 per hour. The applications open in February for a start in October.