Hey,

searched the forums, but I couldn't find exact answers.
So I'm currently in the application process for a PhD in London. Funding will be 15550 GBP in the first year.
That's 1291GBP/month.
I was asking myself how much I'll spend on living (flat+food+transport) in London and if I can survive with that money. Obviously there are lot's of other PhDs with the exact same money in London and I'd be happy to here some thoughts.
Is it a step further from life as a student (moneywise) or is it basically the same and I've got to turn every Penny around and keep my wallet tight?

I'd be happy to hear some thoughts.

Podge

Hi Podge,

I reckon that you can fairly easily survive on that amount in London, although you will probably not be able to afford the rent on a flat by yourself. Until recently I was paying £480pcm plus bills in a house share with two other people - you can get a good idea of rent by looking at websites like rightmove. You can save money by cycling, although I think Oyster offer a special student rate for a weekly travel pass - I think that it is about £25 per week for a zone 1-2 pass, although you can check that on their website. If you are living with other students you should not have to pay council tax, and I have generally budgeted on about £30 pcm for gas and electric.

I have lived in London for about ten years, and have recently given up a full time job to live on a studentship (same rate as yours). So long as you are happy to go without foreign holidays and expensive restaurant meals etc, I find that it is perfectly possible to live well on this amount (it equates to a salary of £20k before tax - plenty of people manage to survive in London on far less). Hope that helps!

Hey GibsonGirl,

Thanks for the answer.
Seems like it is at least a step further up the ladder that I'm now as a student.
In a shared living situation with my girl friend now and we're hoping to do the same in London then.

Seem's it's reasonably possible to live with this money so.

Thanks :)

Podge