Lets be real – university life is expensive. Between textbooks, rent, social nights and the occasional cheeky takeaway, budgeting becomes an extreme sport. Add trying to eat healthy on top of that? You might feel like it’s impossible. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to sacrifice your health to stick to a student budget.
Why Nutrition Matters for Students
University life can be demanding – a whirlwind of lectures, deadlines, social events and part-time jobs. Amid all this, it’s easy to underestimate the importance of eating well. Research consistently shows that good nutrition is directly linked to academic performance, mental health and physical well-being – all of which are vital for student success.
Nutrition Supports:
Cognitive Performance: The brain consumes about 20% of the body’s energy, so it’s no surprise that what you eat affects how well you think (Gómez-Pinilla, 2008).
Mental Health: Eating high-quality food nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress (Selhub, 2022).
Energy and Physical Health: Students who regularly skip meals or rely heavily on takeaways often experience irregular energy levels, poor sleep, and a higher chance of illness (Pengpid and Peltzer, 2020).
Long days of lectures, commutes or part-time jobs demand physical stamina. Nutrient-rich foods help (NHS Health Scotland, 2023):
Stabilise blood sugar, reducing energy crashes.
Support immune health, reducing the risk of illness after freshers week!
Improve sleep quality, which is essential for memory consolidation
Perhaps most importantly, university is often the first time students take full control of their own diet. The habits you form now can last into adulthood, influencing your long-term health, risk of chronic disease and relationship with food.
Note: While this slightly exceeds the £20 goal by £2, you can bring it back under budget by:
Swapping Greek yoghurt for a cheaper plain yoghurt.
Buying smaller meat portions or skipping mince.
Dropping optional extras like peanut butter.
Sample 3 – Day Meal Plan
Here’s a realistic, easy-to-cook plan for students:
Day 1:
Breakfast: Overnight oats with banana and peanut butter.
Lunch: Boil pasta and mix with tinned chickpeas and tomatoes. Add garlic or mixed herbs.
Dinner: Pan-fry chicken thighs with oil, garlic and herbs, serve with rice and veg.
Picture Source: (PixaBay, 2016)
Day 2:
Breakfast: Greek yoghurt with chopped apple and cinnamon.
Lunch: Use leftover chicken and rice in a wrap or with bread.
Dinner: Beef mince stir-fry. Cook mince beef with frozen veg and soy sauce or paprika. Serve with rice or pasta.
Picture Source: (PixaBay, 2016b)
Day 3:
Breakfast: Peanut butter toast with banana.
Lunch: Veggie omelette with toast. Just 2 eggs + frozen veg = power lunch.
Dinner: Jacket potato with baked beans and cheese (optional).
Picture Source: (PixaBay, 2020)
Best Places to Shop for Students
Lidl or Aldi – Budget-friendly staples and meat.
Tesco Everyday Value / Asda Smart Price – Affordable store brands.
Local Markets – Cheap fruit and veg (especially near closing time).
Pound Shops / Home Bargains – Good for spices, kitchen tools or tinned goods.
Tip: Sign up to loyalty cards (e.g., Tesco Clubcard) for more deals and always bring your own carrier bags!
Save More with Meal Prep & Smart Swaps
Meal Prep Tips:
Plan Ahead: Know what you’re eating before you’re starving.
Batch Cook: Make dinner, save half for lunch the next day.
Freeze Leftovers: Works well with pasta, curry, soup and rice.
Picture Source: (Dreamdecko, 2025).
Ingredient Swaps:
Use lentils to bulk out mince.
No lentils? Use chickpeas or beans.
Alternate meat days with plant-based protein like eggs or beans.
Buy cheaper cuts like drumsticks or chicken thighs.
Cooking doesn’t need to be perfect – it just needs to work for you.
Bonus: Mindful Eating = Better Living
It’s not just about eating cheap – it’s about feeling better. Cooking your own meals:
Reduces stress
Helps you focus
Saves you money
Builds confidence
If you can prep a week’s worth of healthy food for £20 now, imagine what you can do with a full-time salary later.
Tip: Try pairing your meals with a short walk, water bottle refills, and decent sleep. Small Changes = Big Wins!
Student Voices
“Meal prepping saved me at least £15 a week compared to eating out! Now I find it easier to save money to spend on things I enjoy”
– Josh, 2nd Year Psychology Student
“I Stopped skipping meals once I knew I had food ready in the fridge. Meal prepping helped me become more organised and less stressed”
– Amelia, Final Year Nursing Student
“I used to skip breakfast to save time and money, but once I started prepping overnight oats, I noticed I had more energy for my 9am lectures”
– Cameron, Third Year Physio Student
Try this £20 Meal Plan This Week!
Want to see how far your food budget can stretch? Try this 3-day plan and tag your creations with #StudentFuelChallenge. Let’s normalise healthy eating on a student budget.
Question for the readers: What’s your go-to cheap and healthy meal at uni? Drop it in the comments below!
✨ Glow on a Budget: The Student’s Guide to affordable Skincare and Haircare
For many university students, maintaining a consistent beauty routine can seem like a luxury rather than a priority. Between lectures, late-night study sessions and part-time jobs, carving out time for self-care often falls to the bottom of the list. But the truth is, looking after your skin and hair doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With the right approach and a few smart choices, you can achieve a radiant look and feel confident every day, all while sticking to a student budget.
The Foundation of Radiance: Smart Skincare for Student Life
Skincare isn’t just about appearances—it’s about protecting your skin from environmental stressors, preventing breakouts, and fostering a sense of personal well-being. Establishing a consistent skincare routine is the most effective way to nurture your skin and no, it doesn’t require an arsenal of luxury products or ten complicated steps. Below is a simple step-by-step skincare routine with cheap recommendations for all the essentials.
Cleansing
A basic skincare routine begins with cleansing. For students juggling a hectic schedule, a gentle cleanser is both practical and essential. It helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin’s natural barrier. Micellar water is a great low-maintenance option, especially on nights when you’re too tired for a full skincare routine. We also love Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a dermatologist-developed formula that effortlessly removes makeup while being exceptionally gentle on your skin. This soap-free cleanser maintains your skin’s natural moisture balance and pH, leaving it soft and protected. Trusted by dermatologists for years, t’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and suitable for all ages.
Moisturising
Moisturising follows cleansing and is crucial even for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Lightweight formulas that include ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin are perfect for maintaining hydration throughout long campus days. A great moisturiser that delivers on hydration but won’t break the bank isQ+A Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser.
Sunscreen
Perhaps the most often overlooked but critical step is sunscreen. Even on cloudy days or while working indoors it’s non-negotiable when it comes to daily skincare. But why? Not only does it protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but it also helps to keep your skin looking more youthful for longer. Make sure to look for a broad-spectrum SPF that protects against UVA (the rays that age your skin) and UVB (the rays that can cause skin cancer) and wear SPF 30 as a minimum. It’s recommended to use two fingers’ worth of product to protect your face and neck – don’t forget those often-overlooked areas like your ears or your lips. Here is a list of the 10 best sun creams in the uk
Affordable, student-friendly brands like CeraVe, The Ordinary, and even Superdrug’s own skincare lines offer effective solutions to every skincare step for under £10. These products are often dermatologist-approved and focus on functionality rather than marketing frills. For example, The Ordinary’s niacinamide serumis widely praised for reducing inflammation and helping to control oil production—ideal for managing stress-induced breakouts.
Navigating the Ingredient Jungle
Understanding skincare ingredients is empowering. Instead of falling for the latest TikTok trends, you can make informed decisions based on specific skin type and concerns. Ingredients such as niacinamide are helpful for calming redness and boosting the skin’s barrier, while hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture without adding heaviness. Salicylic acid is beneficial for acne-prone skin, as it penetrates deep into pores to clear blockages and prevent breakouts. Vitamin C, meanwhile, is excellent for brightening dull complexions and fading pigmentation over time.
On the other hand, students should steer clear of alcohol-heavy toners and products with synthetic fragrances, especially if they have sensitive skin. These can strip the skin and cause irritation, exacerbating rather than solving skincare problems. Always remember to patch test new products—a simple yet often forgotten step that could prevent discomfort and inflammation.
To break this down we have created a handy chart below:
For those eager to dive deeper into ingredient knowledge, websites such as Paula’s Choice ingredient dictionary provide reliable, science-backed explanations of product labels.
Haircare Without the Hassle
While dry shampoo and top knots are staples of student style, your hair deserves just as much care as your skin. Over washing is one of the most common haircare mistakes, washing your hair two to three times a week is sufficient for most types and allows your scalp’s natural oils to maintain balance.
Heat protection is non-negotiable if you’re using straighteners or curlers. Just a few seconds of applying a heat shield spray can prevent long-term damage and keep your strands strong. Deep conditioning once a week can work wonders, especially during exam season when stress and lack of sleep take a toll on your overall health—including your hair.
DIY treatments
Can offer nourishment on a budget. A simple hair mask made from ingredients like coconut oil and honey can restore moisture, while a mixture of yoghurt and lemon is ideal for oily scalps. These natural remedies are not only affordable but also avoid the harsh chemicals often found in commercial products. Here are 13 at home treatments to try!
Styling
Styling your hair on a student budget doesn’t mean compromising on style. With smart choices and affordable tools, you can achieve versatile looks that are both trendy and wallet friendly. Below is a Pinterest board we created full of the best student friendly styling tips and hair styles.
Ultimately, beauty is about more than looking good—it’s about feeling empowered, confident, and ready to face the day. In a university environment where pressures can come from many directions, taking care of your skin and hair is a small but powerful act of self-care. It provides structure, encourages discipline, and boosts self-esteem.
📣 Your Turn: Share Your Tips!
Have a skincare product you swear by or a hair hack that saves your life on lecture days? Drop a comment below and share your best tips with fellow students. You can also link your favorite tutorials, product reviews or add your favorite styles to our public Pinterest board!
Are you a university student who has the passion to see the world but is worried about the expense? You wouldn’t be the only one, whether you are studying at the University of Hull or any university in the UK travel is a big issue for students. However, this blog is to show how you can still enjoy your time on holiday without having to break the bank!
Travelling as a student definitely doesn’t have to mean 5 star hotels and luxury, instead some of the best times can be most memorable when you’re trying to work around a smaller budget. From in-the-moment vacations, to sharing a hostel with people that you have just met, these are the types of experiences that stick with a person! With the right thinking and planning you can make a great experience for yourself without having to use up all your savings!
This tips and tricks guide is made for anybody in the UK who is a student or someone just looking to travel for a cheaper fee. It is for those of us who want to see the world despite not having the funds to do so.
Budget Friendly Travel Tips Budget airlines are a student’s best friend, EasyJet and Ryanair being two of the most popular. To save on cost you can choose destinations with short flight times as they will be cheaper. Also choose flight times that people usually don’t want to do, eg: the early hours of the morning 1am to 6am.
Flights aren’t the only place to cut costs on! Choosing a cheap place to stay can also help save money. Using hostels for not only a cheap accommodation but also to meet like minded people who are also travelling on your holiday. Try and look for hostels that also have breakfast included to save your budget even more.
Ideas for Destinations Two Trips in one Weekend : Amsterdam and Brussels
People on a budget often try to limit themselves because they think it’s their only option, that isn’t the case. Instead of just one destination why not do two in the same weekend to really maximise your travels? Due to their close proximity and how cheap the transport between them are, it’s easy to squeeze both cities into one weekend.
You can start by travelling from either Manchester or Leeds, a return flight can cost around £35-£50 to Brussels, if booked in advance. Brussels is an often overlooked place but it’s a great location for budget travellers. The city offers a great world of culture from The Grand Place with its guildhalls, that are admired by tourists and residents alike, to the many cafes and cozy streets. Whilst Brussels might not be the first place you’d think of when it comes to night life, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t still good. If you are into live music then you can head over to Le Botanique which hosts many student friendly gigs. Or if you prefer just simply drinking then maybe you can head over to Ixelles or Cafe Belga , with their affordable drinks and casual vibes.
The morning after you can hop on a FlixBus (https://www.flixbus.co.uk ) to Amsterdam, tickets can be as low as £10 and the trip can take only 3 hours. Whilst Brussels may not be the epitome of night life, Amsterdam certainly is. Amsterdam’s nightlife is as diverse as the city that it’s in. There are many clubs such as AIR, Shelter and Radion. Each of these clubs offer a different vibe depending on what night you are trying to have. AIR is a great place if you’re into a lively night out with tons of music. Shelter is more of a minimalist type of place as it is tucked away by the A’dam tower and is easy to miss if you don’t know how to get to it. And finally Radion is more uniquely focused as it often has creative events alongside the club nights. In Amsterdam the majority of places are reasonably priced, and despite how popular it is, because there are so many places to go there is always availability no matter the kind of night you are looking to have.
Making the Most of a City Without Overspending
Even if it is just a weekend that you’re staying in a city, there is still so much that you can do when you are there, and you can even do it affordably! Many cities throughout Europe ( Including Brussels and Amsterdam ) have many fun things to do. These include nightlife, tours, and street level market stuff to just have fun with.
Visit Local Markets – For affordable meals and cheap fun
Try Street Food – Much cheaper than eating out and a lot of the time is actually better
Find Underground Music Venues – smaller places often will host student focused nights and you can use the website https://www.bandsintown.com to see which ones are around you.
Late Night Food – After drinking nothing is quite as good as some great food, and finding some fun spots for cheap is relatively easy, whether its £1 pizza slices in Amsterdam or Waffles in the early hours of the morning in Brussels.
Simply Put, Think Smarter Not Harder!
To have fun on holiday you don’t need to have all the luxury in the world, you just need to have the right planning and be willing to make it work and create unforgettable experiences. Whether you are having to get up at 1am in order to get on your cheap flights, or booking the cheapest hotel you can find ( despite it not looking the best) , if you’re having fun that is all that matters.
So gather some of your mates, choose a time that can work for you all, and start planning your travelling experience today. Why not get started right away, https://www.skyscanner.net with websites as easy as this to use, what is stopping you?The whole world is in front of you, start small and bit by bit you can explore everywhere!
Have you just walked into a plain, beige and boring room? Your uni room should reflect you and your personality. It should be an inspiring place to be for the next year as you do your assignments and hang with new friends.
We’ve rounded up budget-friendly and renter-friendly trends to help you create a stylish space without losing your deposit!
Maximalism is making a massive comeback this year with many people choosing the “more is more” approach to decorating their home. This is a trend that you can truly infuse your personality into. Medium dives into why maximalism and why now here.
How to apply it to your student room:
You can’t drill holes or make permanent changes so you have to be clever with how you make changes to your room. For this specific trend you’ll need:
Removable patterned wallpaper
To make it budget friendly only add it to one wall and make it a feature!
This one from Dunelm caught our eye with reviews claiming it’s very easy to remove!
Colourful, textured or patterned bedding
Your bedding makes the biggest difference to your room because it’s the biggest part of your room, make it bold!
You can usually find bedding on sale too, this one from Argos is only £12.
Artwork
Funky artwork applied with command hooks is where your personality is truly going to come out.
You’ll want to head to charity shops to find funky frames and use your library printing credits to print off your fave art, it doesn’t get more budget than that!
You may not have heard of this, it essentially means: bring the outside in. Being inside studying might feel like a drag but the BBC proved that this style can actually make you more productive and happier here.
How to apply it to your student room:
This one looks difficult and expensive! The first question you need to ask yourself is: “Can I keep plants alive?”. This will help you to decide whether to go fake or real! Now onto the shopping list:
Potted Plants
If you have the time head to your local tip store, they usually salvage lots of pots that people would have just thrown away.
Then head to Gardening Express for a selection of indoor plants for only £2 each, this is a lucky dip so you don’t know what you’ll be getting but we think it’s worth it for the price!
Looking to go fake? IKEA have great fake potted plants from just £1.
Nature Inspired Artwork
Canvases like this from Wilko can bring the outdoors in for only £3.25 each!
Use natural materials
Using stone and wood in your décor can really bring in that outdoor feeling.
These wooden tealight holders are a simple example of adding natural materials into your space. These are from The Range , they also have a stone option.
Earthy neutrals such as clay, terracotta and sand are a trend that’s not going away according to House Beautiful. This décor is going to make your room feel very warm and cosy.
How to add it to your student room:
This trend is hard to get wrong, as long as your colours are warm, you’re doing it right.
Rugs
Getting the right rug adds warmth to your space and makes it feel elevated with little effort!
This rug from H&M Home brings texture, colour and pattern for only £19.99
Curtains
Changing your curtains from the boring standard ones to something more elevated and in your style is going to make a huge difference.
Curtains like these from George Home still let in the light and brighten up your space whilst still offering privacy.
Bedding
Now that you’ve added texture through your rug and curtains, add a pop of colour with your bedding.
This rusty, terracotta colour from Next is a great simple and affordable option to bring a little colour to your earthy toned uni room.
4. Multifunctional décor
You’re likely to have a small space to decorate whilst you’re a student. Finding pieces that have more than one function is not a moment but a movement according to Studio Budworth.
Furniture that can help you to easily transition from work to socialising, to relaxing will make you feel like you’re living in a home rather than a room.
Foldable furniture
Folding chairs, tables, clothes airers and treadmills can be found at Argos for a great price. This makes it easy to use your space for multiple purposes and fold it all away when you’re done!
Utilise your wall space rather than floor space
Pegboards are a great way to store items that would usually clog up your desk space. These pegboards from IKEA have tons of storage options for the board so you can personalise it to your items.
Optimise storage
You’ll often find that you have too much stuff and nowhere to put it. You’ll also discover that when mates come to visit you quickly run out of seating. These storage seats from IKEA are the solution to both problems. Plus, they’re only £15!
Smart homes are becoming “the future of living” according to this Mintel report. With everything being automated or controlled by a remote.
How to add it to your student room:
With smart tech becoming more affordable it’s the perfect time to experiment and make your uni bedroom work for you!
Smart LED Light Strips
You’ll be spending so much time in your room, having mood lighting will make a huge impact on how your room looks and feels. These strips from IKEA are only £5 but you could spend more for colour changing options.
USB Desk Fans or Lamps
A lamp that you can move around without having to unplug and plug in, yes please! This one from Argos is the perfect stylish solution!
Bluetooth Speakers
When you need background music or a housemate dance break, you’ll be glad you got your Bluetooth speaker! The one pictured is from Wilko
Which trend would you try first? Let us know in the comments or tag us in your room makeover pics!
Being a student it can be hard to get into a routine of healthy exercise, even more so when balancing University work alongside. A look online will bring up a wide range of articles and fitness classes to read and take part in. In this blog I want to offer some guidance as to how you can keep fit and healthy as a busy student on a budget.
My housemates have been trying to get me participating in workouts with them however, I have always had the same feelings when asked. There has always been a high financial commitment attached to joining the gym which has always been off putting for me. Even with the more competitive price of the University gym, I still find the gym as too high of a financial commitment. However, the gym is not the only place to effectively participate in a work out, there are many low cost options of staying fit and healthy that can be considered.
With the introduction of lock down last year I soon found myself looking for ways that I could stay active during those times. Home workouts soon found themselves established into my daily routines. Here are a few of the best ways that I have found to start your health and fitness routine!
Staying hydrated is an extremely important way of keeping healthy. The NHS recommends that we drink around 6-8 glasses of fluid per day. The easiest way to do this is to just simply have a glass of water with you whilst you’re studying. I have found this to be an extremely easy way of keeping healthy whilst I am at University. If you are not a fan of water on it’s own you can always add no sugar fruit juice or even a slice of lemon.
Water can also be useful in other areas of fitness such as being used in weight loss treatments, more information can be found here.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Keeping a healthy diet has just as much of an impact on your body as exercise can. If you are exercising you need to maintain a healthy diet otherwise all the hard work being put in is being wasted with a poor diet. Here is a link to an article where there is more information about how eating a balanced diet complements exercise.
When looking to change my diet, I found that one of my favorite ways of satisfying my hunger was through snacking. Everyone loves a snack, I probably love them a bit too much if I am being completely honest. To incorporate more of a balanced diet into my lifestyle, I have tried to start swapping out my snacks for a piece of fruit instead.
It is also important for you to eat properly before and after a workout. Here is a short blog on what you should eat before and after a workout. I would recommend giving this a read before attempting any workouts to ensure that training is effective.
Walking is one of the easiest and cheapest ways for keeping fit and healthy as a student. Going out for a quick walk has been one of the best ways I have used to stay fit and healthy as a student. A full walking routine does not even have to be implemented into your day, simply walking to the shops instead of driving has the potential for huge benefits to your well being.
I have personally seen improvements to my mood since walking to the shops rather than driving. Being out in open space for a small amount of time is a nice change of scenery which has been a real boost for my mental health. More information on walking and mental health can be found here. There are other perks of walking too as you get to discover the local area, opening up potential to find new walking routes to try out in the future.
Do not worry if you do not get the chance to go out for a walk. In the next section we are going to look as home workouts as an alternative way to keeping fit and healthy.
Home workouts
Home workouts are another great way that you can stay fit and healthy in your own time. There are an abundance of products that you can try with various workouts that can be used in conjunction with the products. As this blog is more focused on sticking to a budget, products suggested will have multiple uses to maximize the costs of the products.
Resistance Bands are a cheap and versatile way of easing into home workouts. Prices start at £15.99 with different prices being found dependent on the resistance of the band. The bands can be used for a full-body workout which I will link here.
Dumbbells are another low cost way to start home workouts. Prices start at £13.75 for 2 x 1 kg Dumbbells with prices increasing as the weight increases. Dumbbells can be used for any level too so whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced gym goer, an effective workout can be achieved with dumbbells. I will link a 6 week beginners dumbbell workout here and I will link an arm and upper body workout here.
Dumbbells and Resistance Bands by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
So, here are some really easy and simple ways you can begin to get yourself into a really good healthy routine. Sticking to the new routine will be hard at first, but stick at it! The benefits in the long run are worth it over the initial breaking into the new routine period and you will begin to feel so much better.
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