Plymouth named UK's most 'cost-effective' place to live for students » Education » 24dash.com

A league table of Britain's major university towns released today reveals the cost of living and spending habits of students across the country.

The number of students in part-time employment during the academic terms has risen sharply following a two-year decline, according to the research by Nat West Student Living Index.

Nearly half the UK's student population will be in part-time work when the new academic year begins, and those based in certain towns and cities are likely to earn more money and enjoy a better quality of life.

There are sizeable disparities in the cost of living for students across the country. Plymouth is unveiled as the most cost-effective place to study, while Exeter is the most expensive, according to the Student Living Index.

Plymouth students are on average £3,290 better off than Exeter undergraduates - more than the cost of top up fees.

Students will spend over £10 billion in housing and living costs over the next year. Nearly £4 billion will go on rent, over £1 billion on food, half a million on books and £864 million on going out.

With such vast outlays, it's no wonder that students are gravitating towards the places that offer the best opportunities for earning and the lowest cost of living.

Mark Worthington, head of student banking at NatWest, said: "Students are increasingly aware of the wider economic climate and this is filtering down into their decisions when they are choosing their university and also when deciding whether to take a part-time job during term-time.

"Our research shows that many Plymouth students are taking a positive, proactive approach to managing finances by taking on part-time work."

The poll questioned 2,600 undergraduates from 20 towns.

Nat West Student Living Index Top 20 towns and cities:

1 Plymouth            
2 Liverpool           
3 Dundee            
4 Portsmouth            
5 Belfast            
6 Brighton           
7 Cambridge           
8 Bristol            
9 Leeds            
10 Aberdeen            
11 Leicester           
12 Nottingham             
13 Newcastle
14 Lancaster
15 Sheffield
16 Glasgow
17 Cardiff
18 London
19 Birmingham
20 Edinburgh