Newcastle, aka “The Toon,” is as lively as any city in North East England with a buzz of history and culture ever can be, inclusive of an energetic student scene. But surely, it’s true that being a student goes along with having fewer pennies in your pocket. Finding accommodation for students in Newcastle is just the beginning. Don’t be afraid; this guide will help you get around Newcastle while spending the least amount of money and not putting yourself under a lot of financial burden.

How to Get Good at Making Budgets

Before we get into saving money particulars, let’s talk about the basics. A budget tells you how much to spend but keeps you on track where your finances are concerned. 

How to make a Newcastle College budget

• Keep track of your money. Prepare a list of all the money-making expectations, including but not limited to the loans taken as a student, some part-time jobs, and grants.
• Figure out costs: Be honest about what you want and need. Consider items like rent, utilities, food, transportation, books, and socialising.
• Prioritise your spending by filtering non-essential needs, such as eating at a restaurant or buying a new outfit, from your basic must-have needs, like rent and food. Focus more money on the things you need.
• Track your money: Plan spreadsheets or keep track of expenses day in and day out.
• Review and make changes: Review your budget regularly and make changes as necessary. Did something slip off your radar? Did you get a COL raise? Make changes to how much you spend accordingly.

Saving Money as a Student in Newcastle

Now let’s have a look at some real-life ways to make Newcastle student spending go even further:

Places to stay:

• Think of where you live; if you can live close to campus or a Metro stop, you save on transportation. Look around the student Sandyford and Jesmond neighbourhoods for cheap places to live.
• Check student housing. Most universities in Newcastle offer on-campus housing, which is pretty easy and cheap. One can have shared apartments or houses with friends to lower the costs.
• Use the power of the Internet: There are ads for student accommodation in Newcastle on various websites. Look for the worthwhile ones and check the prices before you sign for the lease.

Food and shopping:

• Eat at home instead of going out to eat—it racks up the cash. Make a shopping list and a meal plan. Then cook at home. Get cheaper food by using student deals at Aldi, and Lidl, which are all supermarkets.
• Smart shoppers plan their trips to the store around sales and deals. To avoid impulsive buying, prepare a meal plan for the week.
• Local markets: A good example is the Grainger Market in Newcastle, bustling with life and a place where you can get inexpensive fresh food.

Getting around:

• Walking or using cycles: Newcastle is a great city for either of them. These forms of travel cost less and let you have a view of the place.
• Master the Metro: The Newcastle Metro is also an inexpensive and fast method to use around the city. It can save you a lot of money to use a student transport card.
• Carpool: If you need to head out for errands or to go and take a friend out who needs to go farther than walking distance, share a ride.

Interesting things to do and social life:

Free and cheap things to do: Newcastle heaps up with loads of free and cheap things to do within. 

• Visit a museum on its ‘free entry’ day, have lunch at one of the abundant parks, or whatever student club could be in tow to make your friend’s budgets exhausted.
• Deals when you show your student ID: Never forget how many opportunities your student ID brings you. Many museums, cinemas, and establishments where people can spend their free time offer student discounts. Don’t hesitate to use them to save on trips and cultural events.
• Other options for free: Watch out for free entertainment opportunities at locations like the neighbourhood pub quizzes, live music, and movie nights put on by student organisations.

Beyond the Budget: Making the Most of Your Time in Newcastle

• Get involved: With such a vast number of student groups across Newcastle universities, there is one to satisfy every single taste. Sign up for a society to meet people who share interests, learn new skills, and unearth hidden gems of the city.
• Discover culture and take part in Newcastle’s endless arts opportunities. Take in the sights of Newcastle Castle or the sounds of live music at the well-known music venue, The Sage Gateshead, as you travel to Ouseburn, a vibrant art community.
• Enjoy student life Newcastle is renowned for the buzz and variety that our student community adds to it. Take full advantage of going to university here by buying student passes, going to university events and entering into social life, where it’s guaranteed to be a really good time.
• Go Explore: Newcastle is a great base with which to check out the rest of the UK and beyond. Inexpensive transport options easily take travellers to cities across the country, such as Edinburgh, York, and London.

Dealing with Problems and Looking for Help

As fun and full of chances as it may seem, being a student also requires one to be prepared for problems that may arise. Below are some tips that might help guide you through the potential difficulty:

• Time Management: School, part-time work, and social life can become exhausting. Organise your time in such a way that it is very effective in doing things and minimises stress.
• Homesickness: It may be hard to adjust to the new living style, and one is likely to feel that they miss their home. Befriend other foreign students, join cultural groups, and stay in touch with family and friends to avoid loneliness at this stage.
• Academic support: If your academic studies are proving tough, do not let this stop you from speaking with your lecturer or tutor, teaching assistant, or an academic support services department at your university to get help.
• Money problems: If money is a concern, explore student loans, grants, or part-time employment. Discuss your financial situation with the financial aid office of your university.

That being said, Newcastle proves to be an outstanding place to live for a student, simply due to its affordability. Filled with tonnes of cultural activity and a lively community, this is the best place for a student to end up. Follow these tips, grasp the chances it gives, and finally remember that there are study abroad experts at every step that undertake all the offered chances for you, guiding and supporting you in your brave student life.

Some other tips: 

Contact fellow students and study abroad consultants in your area to help network and continue researching other job possibilities. Use internships and work placements to gain some real-world experience that you will state in your résumé. Learn to organise and manage time well to strike an appropriate balance regarding the time you allocate for school and managing personal affairs. Take care of your physical and mental health through healthy living, getting enough sleep, and asking for help when necessary. If you follow these tips, not only would you be able to save money, but you could also create lots of beautiful memories that could last a lifetime and even set yourself up for success in the future.