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Ok, since this is quite a busy board, and with you english people here, I thought I could ask for some advice regarding studies in teh UK.

I'm moving to Maidstone in September/October to begin my studies at KIAD (Kent Institute of Art & Design), and I've recieved a shitload of stuff from UCAS that needs filling in. That itself is enough of a problem, but what I'm currently worried about is housing:

There is a campus, but from the information that I've managed to gather it sounds fooking expensive... something along the line of 3,000-3,500£/contracted period. Contracted period means one year, yes?

Now, there are some other people I know that are going there aswell, and they are checking houses/flats right now. Thing is I have to decide tomorrow if I want to join them in that house/flat, and I would prefer to check some spots myself... but since I'm not going there until it starts, I'm thinking it might be out too late then since everything is taken.

Also, I've heard that you can apply for some sort of support from the EU that allows you back some money for the tuitition fee (think that's the word) which is 1,150£/year. Is this correct?

Can't come up with anything else, I'll be back with more stuff.

There is a campus, but from the information that I've managed to gather it sounds fooking expensive... something along the line of 3,000-3,500£/contracted period. Contracted period means one year, yes?

Not always, it depends where you go for. If that is a private flat, then most likely this is fine, however Student accomodation works pretty fucked up. Some universitys give you 8/9 month contracts, the room is yours the whole contract. Where as other Uni's give you the same time, *but* you must vacate over holidays, in other words move all your belongings.

Since your moving with friends, I'd suggest going for a private flat, usually I wouldn't advise anyone in first year to do this, but being a foreign student and all, you might feel more comfartable with already friends, you'll make tons anyway through your course and friends.

The price seems about right, my flat cost me 3k for 12 months. A private flat could cost you as little as 200 quid a month, but I wouldn't expect anything less. The average cost will be anything between 250-300 so that price seems right. You can actually get some pretty nice flats for that range rent wise, the flat I'm moving to next year is absolutely gorgeous, its 3 bed-roomed and costs me 3.2k a year

Thing is I have to decide tomorrow if I want to join them in that house/flat, and I would prefer to check some spots myself... but since I'm not going there until it starts, I'm thinking it might be out too late then since everything is taken.

Thats a bad move really, ideally you'd want to check out where your moving and get opinions. I checked my flat out last year and was happy with it originally, but after moving in, and finding all its faults, it turned out to be a bit of a fucking disaster, several of my friends moved out of the accomodation(its aimed at students) and so forth. Its always nice to check out where your going to be living.

Also, I've heard that you can apply for some sort of support from the EU that allows you back some money for the tuitition fee (think that's the word) which is 1,150£/year. Is this correct?

Yes, I don't know the exact figuire, but I looked at studying abroad at the start of this year, and your entitled to a grant from the EU. I would suggest you look into it asap as I'm sure they will want applications as soon as. I know that with student loans in the UK, the applications have to be in for a certain deadline, else theres no guarentee you'll get it in time for the start of Uni.

You might find this helpful

http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/advice.htm

As for how much cash you'll need, my income is probably about 8k a year, I've not sat and worked it out, and I break even at the end of the year since I've no overdraft or loan outside of Student Loans (700 quid a year for me, minimum loan)

You can survive on less than that easily, I spend lots on alcohol, out 4 times a week, so if you can limit yourself to twice a week and get yourself a lil part time job, you really won't have much to worry about cash wise.

Unless your more of an alcoholic than me, or plan on driving, buying clothes etc


Ofc you have to pay for your course, so that is an added cost already but Im sure you already knew.

Found an exact link to some info on what your entitled too finance wise.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/education ... 202004.pdf

The Scorates is the thing I was told to look at when looking at studying in Sweden with the exchange parterneship my uni has with one there.

Cheers for clearing that up a bit.

Just talked to a friend who's there now and she said they had allready decided about this house with 4 bedrooms and 2(!) gardens, the best one they had found apparently. The rent was 52 quid/week with water included. Gas + electricity adds to the bill then I suppose... and broadband.

Last year I drank too much beer really, however, the little village where the school was (yeah, we still call it school here) was nothing more than a fecking hole... so we just sat at the campus and drank. Didnt waste any money in the pub. Can't comment on how much money I'll waste next year. I'd get about 800 euros a month if I take a student loan, 500 if I dont, from the finnish government.

Btw, how much does a pack of ciggys cost there?

I don't smoke but I think for a pack of 20 its about 5 quid, I could be wrong tho.

Thats a fucking cheap price btw. Especially as it includes bills

That only includes water nix, he has to pay Gas/Electricty on top (or thats how i read it).

Seems your student accomadation is quite pricey, im staying at home the first year (No point in going to the student flats as they are litterally right next door to me) so I could be wrong.

I assume as a foreign student you can apply for a loan? I again didnt get one, not the biggest fan of debt, then again currently without a job I probly will wish i got one come freshers week.


Still, good luck at your new Uni.
(How the hell do these people find this site..keke)

That price really isn't that expensive Angus. Especially for an English City

*shrugs*
I didnt read the part where it said PRIVATE accomadation. I assumed that he was paying 3.5k a year for Student Halls, which I thought was a bit expensive.

Ah well, maybe im just cheap.

Even 3.5k a year for student halls isn't that expensive for some halls. Depends how much of a shit hole they are. When I was in first year, mine were quite cheap cause it wasn't amazing - not that it mattered too much in first year, but there were ones that cost 3.5k a year and were sexual.

They know most students wanna stay in halls first year anyway so they can get away with the same type of prices as private flats, np.

I don't mind living in a house where everything isnt perfect, as long as it's clean. And if it means I can spend some money on stuff I want, then hey, I'm all for that.

(since Angus wondered how the hell I found this place: ex UO player and f4g nob!)

£52 sounds very cheap to me. You probably get bum raped by the landlord at night as part of the contract.

i pay £65 a week for my house next year (5bed all double beds/sexual size rooms etc fully furnished leather sofas dishwasher etcetc) and that is a top range house here (loughborough uni) cheapest u get is £50~

and i live in halls currently, my ensuite self catered room is £73 a week (inc all bills and insane internet), its nice admittedly but still steep on the cash front

Thats £65 a week house sounds pwn.
Does it include other bills? I assume not?
Be a bit pricy when adding the band of broad, and possibly cable.
But if there is 5 of you, i guess not actually.

so NVM.

I pay £54 a week for my 5 bedroom house in Manchester. It's the most expensive one I've seen as well.