Supporting students with the cost of living

Financial Support Fund
This fund provides discretionary financial assistance to help students in significant hardship access and remain in higher education.

Bursaries
A variety of bursaries and funds are available to students experiencing financial difficulties, either directly through the University of Plymouth or our partner organisations (if for partner institution or UPIC students).

Student finance
The University offers advice on applying for a student loan and other forms of funding.

Advice on financial support
Student Services offer advice on fees and funding. Students can find out about and apply for additional financial support which they may be eligible for through the Student Hub.

Help and advice from the Students' Union
FAQs and support on budgeting, benefits, Student Finance England, discounts, shopping and travel.

Student discounts
The University of Plymouth Students' Union offers advice on making the most out of the discounts available to students through rewards and loyalty cards.

Cost of living support in Plymouth
Connect to local services designed to support individuals with the rising cost of living and issues related to it.

Plymouth City Council support
Information on help with Council Tax, housing costs and support with food costs, as well as how to contact voluntary organisations working across the city

MoneySavingExpert: 50+ tips on how to stretch your student loan
A checklist compiling some of the most effective measures of minimising costs and making use of the offers available to students.

Careers Service
The Careers Service offers a wide range of support for students looking to make a strong start in their careers. The Careers team are here to help students secure part-time work that fits around their studies and find routes into full-time work, including self-employment, freelancing, graduate jobs and business ownership.

Part-time jobs
View vacancies for paid roles that can be arranged around full-time study, apply for a position as a Student Ambassadors or enrol on an Internship , all through the support of dedicated Careers teams.

Jobs for international students
Students joining us from overseas are usually free to work to support their studies, although there may be restrictions on the amount and type of work permitted. Our teams are available to explain the options open to international students and help them secure safe and fairly paid jobs.

Student Wellbeing Services
A multi-disciplinary team comprising mental health , counselling , and pastoral and spiritual support offering one-to-one appointments, drop-in sessions, workshops and groups, and self-help materials.

Free health and fitness activities
The Give it a Go programme offers a weekly timetable of low-level activities to all students and staff of the University of Plymouth. All activities have equipment provided and are either free or low-cost.

Student prices and offers at the gym
The SU Gym offers low student pricing and a cooling-off period for subscriptions (new members receive a refund if they change their mind). Annual members gain access to over 100 gyms across the country in the BUCS UNIversal Gym network. The University is also partnered with Plymouth Life Centre, where students benefit from free swimming and reduced cost climbing sessions.

Free menstrual products
Organic, sustainable menstrual products are available for all across campus.

Free showering facilities
Students can make use of showers located across campus.

Reduced cost fruit and vegetables
The Fruit and Veg Co-op is a student-led initiative that aims to support students with the cost of living and reduce food waste. By receiving surplus fruit, vegetables, and other groceries from the local charity FareShare South West, students work together in groups of 20 to sort and organise their produce, meet other people, and then get to go home with the produce from one of the boxes they have made – each box costs £3 (card only).

Free-to-use microwaves
Students can heat food for free using the microwaves in the Students' Union and Charles Seale-Hayne Library .

Water bottle refills
Refill points around campus ensure there is no need to spend money on water.

Order discounted surplus food
Reserve discounted surplus food from the campus cafes and around town using the Too Good to Go app.

Cafes on campus
A variety of good value healthy and filling meals and snacks can be purchased at the cafes on campus. Customers who bring a reusable cup receive a discount on drinks. Our cafes run a number of special offers , including the pay it forward scheme – simply redeem an item by collecting a voucher from the board and handing it in at the till.

Plymouth Food Access Map
Plymouth Food Aid Network have created a map to help identify access to food in Plymouth.

Study spaces
The University has many heated study spaces where students can charge their mobiles and laptops and access eduroam WiFi for free.

Bus discounts
Students can apply for a range of bus discounts for travelling around the city. The Students' Union also offers help with applying for discounted bus passes.

Railcards
Students can apply for a Railcard to save at least 1/3 on train fares throughout Great Britain.

Cycling to campus
The University supports active travel by providing free and secure cycle stands and showering facilities. Plymouth City Council also provides a range of cycling offers, including free bike loans, maintenance courses and training.

Car sharing
Through Carshare Devon, the University provides a trusted and closed lift share group that comprises only staff and students. It's easy to use: register as a user, mark University of Plymouth as your employer, and then register journeys within the staff and student community to find a lift share.

Laptop and equipment loans
Students can borrow a laptop and other equipment from the library.

Discounted laptops
The Student Store offers laptops to students at reduced prices.

Free software
Download essential software (such as Microsoft Office 365) for free from the Study at Home resource centre.

University-managed accommodation
The University has a range of Halls of Residence to suit different budgets.

Advice on accommodation
The Students' Union Advice Centre supports students with a wide range of accommodation issues, contracts, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, inventories, bills, council tax, gas safety and moving out. Contact the Students' Union Advice team for free, independent and confidential advice.