Fuelling your passions, not your worries
If you become a student at University College Birmingham, you shouldn't feel like the cost of living will stop you reaching your goals!
We don't want you to worry, which is why we are giving our UK undergraduates £5,000 cash each to help with everything from food and bills to gym membership and transport - which doesn't have to be paid back.
To receive the £5k Cost of Living Allowance, you'll need to be a full-time UK undergraduate starting in February or September 2026 and paying your tuition fees with a student loan. We hope it makes life a little easier for you.
"I've spent about half of my first instalment of £250 on food and a gym membership. I'll probably spend the rest on food, which is so expensive. I was excited to receive the money and told all my friends, I'm getting £5,000 just for being on my course! I didn't choose the uni because of the £5k, UCB is the best for culinary arts, but the money certainly helps.”
Reasons to study with us
- £200 million investment into campuses, equipment and resources
- City centre location - surrounded by booming businesses, gorgeous green spaces and vibrant nightlife
- Network of 1,000 employer contacts to provide valuable placements and excellent careers guidance through HIRED
- Tailored support - in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS), we scored more than 90% on questions about quality of support and student development
Supporting you every step of the way
The £5k is just one way we can help you. We also give students up to £800 a year for everything from kit to food and drink through Kick-Start - which also doesn't need to be paid back. You can even get free toast and fruit for breakfast on us!
Our award-winning support also includes expert teams designated to
- Academic learning support and mentoring
- Employability and finding placements
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Disability and neurodiversity
- Student engagement and much, much more
Spending your £5k - try out our budget calculator
Our handy budget calculator makes it much easier to see what you have coming in and what you have going out - and see how the free £5k (dropped into your account in instalments) will help your money go further.
The calculator is free to download and will help you keep on top of your student finances. Costs go up and down, so don’t forget to keep it updated!
"At University College Birmingham, we are committed to supporting our students’ academic and personal journeys. This allowance is a reflection of that commitment. By easing the financial strain for our students, we’re ensuring they can focus on what matters most – their education and their future careers."
Visit our open day
Come and visit our upcoming open day to learn what it's like to study with us. Our friendly student ambassadors will show you around the facilities and tell you all about student life at University College Birmingham.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the University offer the Cost of Living Allowance?
The Cost of Living Allowance is designed to support UK home undergraduate students facing financial challenges due to rising living costs. This initiative reflects University College Birmingham’s commitment to social inclusion, supporting our students’ success and responding to the needs of our community.
Am I eligible for the Cost of Living allowance?
To be eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance, you must be a full-time undergraduate student starting their course in February or September 2026, with home fee status who will pay their fees using a student loan.
To receive the allowance, students need to have their student loan in place with University College Birmingham and have enrolled status for four weeks (from either term starts or their enrolment is completed, whichever is later). Students must have physical attendance marks (not just ‘engagement’ on the portal) to be entitled to receive the payment.
Do I need to apply for the Cost of Living Allowance?
The Cost of Living Allowance will automatically be applied for eligible students, there is no need to apply.
When will the Cost of Living Allowance go into my bank account?
The Cost of Living Allowance will be paid to you in instalments.
If your course starts in February 2026, you will receive:
Years 1 & 2: £2,000 annually, paid in seven monthly instalments per year:
- March - £275
- April - £275
- May - £350
- October - £275
- November - £275
- December - £275
- January - £275
Year 3: £1,000 annually, paid in two £500 instalments (November and March)
Year 4: no payment (Foundation year courses)
If your course starts in September 2026, you will receive:
Years 1 & 2: £2,000 annually, paid in eight monthly instalments of £250 per year (October - May)
Year 3: £1,000 annually, paid in two £500 instalments (November and March)
Year 4: no payment (Foundation year courses)
To receive the allowance, students need to have their student loan in place with University College Birmingham and have enrolled status for four weeks (from either term starts or their enrolment is completed, whichever is later). Students must have physical attendance marks (not just ‘engagement’ on the portal) to be entitled to receive the payment.
For students whose loan is not in place, payments will only be backdated for a maximum of three months from the date of the tuition fee loan being approved. If, for example, a September starter has their loan approved the following March, they will receive payments for February, January and December – but not the November and October payments.
Am I eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance if I'm studying for a foundation degree?
If you are studying a two-year foundation degree, you will receive £2,000 in instalments each year of your course. If you decide you'd like to top up to a full BA or BSc (Hons) at the end of your foundation degree, you will also be entitled to the £1,000 in the third year.
Am I eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance if my attendance drops?
The Cost of Living Allowance is linked to minimum attendance requirements for each course.
Will I receive any Cost of Living Allowance if I have an additional placement year?
No, the Cost of Living Allowance doesn't apply in an additional placement year (if you end up doing a fourth year of your degree).
Am I eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance if I am studying a foundation year?
Yes, if you enrol on a degree which includes a foundation year (4 years in total), you will receive the Cost of Living Allowance in instalments in the foundation year and the subsequent two years. You will receive no allowance in your fourth year (the third year of your undergraduate degree course).
This aligns with the Cost of Living Allowance scheme for undergraduates on three year degrees with no foundation year.
Am I eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance if I'm starting my course in February 2027?
We have not made any commitments past September 2026 about extending this allowance.
Am I eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance if I am studying a one-year HNC?
Yes, you will receive £2,000 over the year of study.
Will I receive the Cost of Living Allowance if I'm studying an online or part-time course?
The Cost of Living Allowance does not apply to online and part-time courses.
Is the Cost of Living Allowance in addition to the Kick-Start scheme money?
The Cost of Living Allowance is in addition to Kick-Start funding, already available to all home undergraduate students. Find out more about Kick-Start here.
Am I eligible if I have enrolled on a higher education course at the University before?
To be eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance, students must not have been enrolled on any University College Birmingham higher education course in the past 12 months.
If you decide to top up from a foundation degree to a full BA or BSc (Hons) when you complete your two year degree (that started in February or September 2026), you will also be entitled to the £1,000 in the third year.
Am I eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance if I’m repeating a year?
Students on repeat study are not eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance.
Am I eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance if I'm starting my second or third year in September 2025?
Unfortunately, students joining us in years 2 or 3 are not eligible for the Cost of Living Allowance.
I have more questions about the Cost of Living Allowance, who can I contact?
If you have any questions about our Cost of Living Allowance, please email costofliving@ucb.ac.uk
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