Budget Planning
Most UHI students and apprentices will live on a limited income while studying, so creating a budget early on is a good idea. A clear plan helps you understand how much money you have each month after covering essential costs and can make managing your finances much less stressful.
Typical expenses you might have as a student at UHI include:
- Tuition fees
- Course-related costs – such as materials, books, or compulsory field trips
- Rent
- Travel – for example, a bus/train pass or maintaining a car
- Bills – including electricity, heating, and internet
- Groceries and general living costs
Planning your budget
There are many free budgeting tools and apps available to help you get started and stay on track. We don’t recommend one specific planner, but we've listed a few options below for you to explore.
When budgeting, be realistic about your spending habits and try to build a 10% buffer in case of unexpected costs. Don’t forget about occasional expenses like birthday gifts or seasonal costs. It’s important to budget for fun, too—socialising and relaxing are part of student life!
UHI NWH and UHI Inverness have produced cost-of-living guides, which give a helpful overview of the typical costs you might face – from rent and food to travel and course-related expenses. It’s a great starting point, but try not to assume you’ll be able to live on the lower end of the ranges shown. Some costs, like university accommodation or specific course requirements, are often fixed or more challenging to control – so it’s better to plan conservatively and avoid underestimating your budget.
Using your phone or card for payments can make tracking where your money is going easier, but if you use cash, try to note down what you’ve spent it on so you don’t lose track.
Budget planners
Apps to track spending