Leeds cheapest place to go to university

The most cost-effective university in the country is Leeds, new research shows, with Nottingham the most expensive.

That is according to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Student Living Index 2007, which shows going to Leeds can see students £2,238 better off each year.

The Yorkshire city offers students the third-highest average weekly wages from part-time work, at £128 per week, with over half (51 per cent) of students saying part-time work is easy to find.

After Leeds, Brighton was the most cost-effective place to study - rising from 15th in the list last year. A rise in average weekly earnings from part-time work from £88 in 2006 to £129.70 this year drove Brighton up the table. Cardiff, top of the pile last year, reversed this trend with weekly student wages falling from £131 in 2006 to £91.70.

Two students in five (40 per cent) are set to work part-time this academic year, a slight drop on last year's figures.

However, the majority of undergraduates (51 per cent) still underestimate how much they will spend while studying.

Durham offers the cheapest place to live at £99 a week (excluding rent), while London (£159) and Belfast (£147) are the most expensive.

In terms of rent, London (£102) and Oxford (£88) are the most expensive places with Leicester and Sheffield joint cheapest at £59 a week.

"Our research shows that many students are taking a positive, proactive approach to managing finances by taking on part-time work," said Katie Cassidy, head of student banking at RBS.

"However, it is still a significant cause for concern that 51 per cent of students underestimate the amount they need to spend on rent and living costs, despite some planning and budgeting.

"A further one in five doesn't even get as far as planning and budgeting."

She added: "Whilst it might be tempting to take the 'ostrich approach' and bury your head in the sand, it's better to avoid problems in the first place by taking a careful look at potential incomings versus outgoings."