How we can help
At ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ and SUBU, we are committed to supporting you during the current cost of living crisis. We are acutely aware of how the cost of living is affecting our students – during SUBU’s Speak Week survey inÌýNovember 2022, we were deeply concerned to see that over 97% of you areÌýworried about how rising costs may affect you.ÌýÌý
SUBU and BU have been working closely to review what we already do, and what more we could do to support you during the current climate.ÌýÌý
Below you can find information on all the resources, financial support, and tips that we’ve put into place.
Get in touch
If you have any concerns about the cost of living, accommodation, or financial worries,ÌýSUBU Advice provides free, impartial and confidential advice to all BU students. To make an appointment, visitÌý.ÌýÌýÌý
If you feel that financial concerns are affecting your studies, please talk to theÌýAchieve@BUÌýteam or get in touch withÌýAskBU, who can help you to find the support you might need.Ìý
You can also contact the free Student Assistance Programme 24/7, which can offer support with money worries, housing, benefits and other queries.
Alternately,Ìýyou can share your thoughts on how SUBU and the university could be supporting students during the cost-of-living crisisÌýÌýÌý
This page was last updated on 1 SeptemberÌý2023.
Support available
Food and drink
​Microwaves and hot water taps on campusÌýÌý
There are microwaves available on both campuses so that you can reheat your food on the day rather than having to purchase something hot. Please check the building opening times:Ìý
- Talbot Campus – The Student Centre: Ground floor (near Ground Up Café), first floor (next to SUBU Reception desk) and second floor (in the Community Kitchen)
- Lansdowne Campus – Bournemouth Gateway Building: SUBU kitchen area located BG301.ÌýÌý
Hot water taps are also available – you can use these to make instant noodles or soups.ÌýÌý
- Talbot Campus – The Student Centre: Second, fourth and fifth floors – all hot taps are located in the kitchen areas of each floor
- Lansdowne Campus – Bournemouth Gateway Building: SUBU kitchen area located in BG301.ÌýÌý
Drinking water fountainsÌý
There is no need to buy bottled water on campus, as there are drinking water points in all our buildings, where you can refill your own bottle. These can usually be located in the vicinity of the toilets.ÌýÌý
- You can find the locations of the fountains on the Talbot Campus map
- At Lansdowne Campus, the fountains are in both the Bournemouth Gateway Building and the Executive Business Centre.Ìý
Washing-up pointÌý
At Talbot Campus, we have installed a washing-up point, so if you are bringing food with you to campus, you can clean your containers afterwards.Ìý
- Talbot Campus - Fusion Building: Ground floorÌý
SUBU Community KitchenÌý
Located on the second floor of the Student Centre at Talbot Campus, the Community Kitchen is open to all BU staff and students to use throughout the year. Its main purpose is to help those who are facing difficulties during the cost-of-living crisis and are unable to afford daily essentials such as food or sanitary products. It’s also a great place to go and meet people, heat up food, look through recipe books and eat as a group.
The open cupboard and fridge are stocked with surplus food donations, so you can pop by and take what you need.
We also have meal packs, canned and tinned food and other household items available. If you’d like access to this, please speak to the SUBU Advice Team. They're located just round the vorner from the kitchen and are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. You can also give them a call them 01202 965779 or email the team.
The Community Kitchen is launching a series of events to help combat the cost-of-living crisis and support ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ students and staff this year:
Free Breakfast Club
- Talbot Campus -ÌýCommunity Kitchen, 2nd floor Student Centre,ÌýTuesdays 8:30am - 10am
- Lansdowne Campus -ÌýBournemouth Gateway BuildingÌý301c, Thursdays 8:30am - 10am
Monthly Supper Club
- Talbot Campus - Community Kitchen, 2nd floor Student Centre, theÌýthird Wednesday of every month from 20 September, food served 5:30pm to 6:30pm.
Soup-er MondaysÌýÌý
Our Faith & Reflection team offers free vegan soup accompanied by some soul care every Monday, 12 noon – 3pm, at the Faith & Reflection Centre, Talbot House, Talbot Campus.ÌýÌý
Global CaféÌýÌý
Meeting every Wednesday, 5pm – 6:30pm,Ìýthe Global Café is a fantastic space for international students to meet others and enjoy games and quizzes – with a hot drink and snacks. They meet at the Faith & Reflection Centre, Talbot House, Talbot Campus.Ìý
Free recipe cards for students and staffÌý
The SUBU Advice Team hasÌýbeen working with nutrition students to compile recipe cards for students who are looking to cook on a budget.Ìý
Free recipe cards are available in our Community Kitchen (located on the second floor of the Student Centre), .Ìý
FreeÌýcooking demosÌýÌý
You can book cookery lessons through the Bournemouth Uni Food Social Kitchen. Simply download the Bournemouth Uni Food app (through the app store on your phone) and find a date which suits you.
You canÌýget some cooking ideas which don't break the budget in SUBU's video.
to find out when and where the events will be held.ÌýÌý
Cooking demonstrationsÌýwill be streamed on 'Community Kitchen Instagram'. You can find out more information about these on theÌý.Ìý
Discounted food itemsÌý
The Student Saver Meal, which includes a sandwich, snack and drink of choice, is available to purchase in the Union Shop – the cheapest meal deal on Talbot Campus.ÌýÌý
Dylan’s Bar also offers a Student Saver menu for those who are looking to eat out on a budget. They provide a range of hot and cold food including pizzas, burgers and sandwiches, along with vegetarian and vegan options.ÌýÌý
You can also pick up discounted food from BU and SUBU food outlets via the app – this allows you to purchase food at the end of the day that would otherwise go to waste at a great price!Ìý
Download the Bournemouth Uni Food app (through the app store on your phone) for discounts and loyalty points, including 25% off your first order.
You can also grab a range of food from Fusion each day for less than £4.
Coffee discountÌý
With an eye towards both sustainability and cost-saving measures, anybody who brings a reusable coffee cup to the following outlets will enjoy a 30p discount:
- Ground Up Café in the Student Centre, Talbot Campus
- The Atrium Café in Poole House, Talbot Campus
- The Fusion Building café, Talbot Campus
- Aroma Coffee by Nero, next to the Sir Michael Cobham Library, Talbot Campus
- Naked Coffee, Poole Gatewat Building, Talbot Campus
- Costa, Bournemouth Gateway Building, Lansdowne CampusÌýÌý
If you don’t have one already, you can purchase a reusable coffee cup from these outlets on campus.Ìý
In the community
There is also community support availableÌýif you are struggling to pay for food, including the .
Period poverty
FreeÌýsanitary products availableÌýÌý
SUBU provides free sanitary products for those who may need them to help tackle period poverty. This initiative was set up by SUBU’s previous VP Welfare and Community, Toluwa Atilade.ÌýPlease check theÌýbuilding opening times:ÌýÌý
- Talbot Campus – The Student Centre: You can find sanitary products outside the toilets on the first floor, and in SUBU’s Community Kitchen located on the second floor
- Lansdowne Campus – Bournemouth Gateway Building: Free sanitary products are available outside the toilets on the third floor.ÌýÌý
Heating
Warm spaces on campusÌý
There are several spaces on campus that can offer you warm and comfortable places to relax and study.Ìý
Talbot Campus:Ìý
- The Student Centre is open every weekday from 8am until 10pm and provides full heating throughout. It is the perfect place to study and catch up with others
- The Student Centre also sells Starbucks coffee at Ground Up Café, located on the Ground Floor
- Showers are located behind Ground Up Café in the Student Centre andÌýon the ground floor of Poole House (PG10). They are free to use for any students and staff who may need access to a hot shower
- Dylan’s Bar is open 10am – 11pm every weekday during term time, offering tables, chairs, and a variety of hot and cold foodÌý
- The Sir Michael Cobham Library ground floor is open 24/7. You can find the full opening hours on the library webpages.Ìý
Lansdowne Campus:Ìý
- TheÌýBournemouth Gateway Building is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – you just need your student ID card for access. The building is fully heated with a range of facilities, including a 24-hour library service
- The Executive Business Centre is open 8am to 7.30pm Monday to Friday.Ìý
You can find the opening times for all our campus buildings on the website.ÌýÌý
In the community
Other are available within the local area.
Help with energy costs
The Government has informationÌýabout help available for energy costs. Whether you are eligible will depend on your personal circumstances and how you pay for your gas and/or electricity. You can find out more on the .
Please contactÌýÌýif you would like advice and support on housing.
Travel
BusesÌý
The quickest, cheapest and easiest way to pay for bus travel is to download the . This will enable you to purchase discounted tickets straight to your mobile phone.ÌýÌý
As a BU student, you can save money on morebus fares across the local area. You can find all the details on our website.ÌýÌý
The U5 service, which runsÌýbetween Lansdowne Campus, Talbot Campus and Chapel Gate on a Wednesday,Ìýwill be included in the annual Unibus pass or you can buy 10 trip tickets via the .
Single bus fares reduced to just £2
To help with the cost-of-living pressures, the Government is subsidising most single bus fares to just £2. This is for a fixed periodÌýuntil at least 30 June 2024. You can find out more information, including any routes excluded from the offer, on the .Ìý
BikesÌý
If you want to cycle to campus or around the local area, then BU has a range of support for you, including:Ìý
- Free bike servicing by the Bike DoctorÌý
- Short or long-term at low pricesÌý
- Free one-off by signing up with your BU email address and quoting the code BUBERYL100Ìý
You can find out more about cycling at ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ on our website.Ìý
Funding
Small Emergency GrantÌýÌý
SUBU offers a small emergency grant for students who are looking for short-term financial assistance.ÌýÌý
The Small Emergency Grant is offered to students who have no, or very little funding, and are unable to afford essential items such as food. The grant normally comes in the form of supermarket vouchers, so that students can purchase their essentials in store.ÌýÌý
Criteria includes, but is not limited to:Ìý
-  having less than £10 in your bank, having utilised or at least applied for an overdraftÌý
-  having no other sources of incomeÌý
-  in certain cases, having submitted an application to the BU Financial Support Fund.Ìý
If you would like to apply for the Small Emergency Grant, ÌýÌý
Please be prepared during this application we will ask for evidence of your current bank balance and financial background to understand the best award for your circumstances.Ìý
BU financial supportÌý
BU offers a number of financial support for students, including the small emergency grant and funding for placements and to support specific needs, such as a laptop. You can find the details of all the financial packages on our website.ÌýÌý
Funding for SUBU Clubs and SocietiesÌý
The SUBU Clubs and Societies Hardship Fund, which was previously set up by SUBU’s VP Student Opportunities Ugo George Andy-Eke, allows students to apply for funding that can be used to:Ìý
- Join a club or societyÌý
- Remain as an active member of a club or society.Ìý
This fund has been generated to ensure that clubs andÌýsocieties remain accessible for all students, regardless of their financial situation. SUBU believes that joining a club or society is an integral part of your overall university experience; it offers a unique opportunity to meet new people, create connections with industry professionals, and learn new skills.Ìý
To find out more and to see if you’re eligible for this funding, visit
Sport fundingÌýÌý
FormerÌýVP Student Opportunities, Fiifi Asafu-Adjaye,Ìýpartnered up with SportBU to provide support for students who wish to join a campus sport activity, but are unable to access the funds to do so.ÌýÌý
The Sports Bursary provides £125 towards affiliation fees for students who want to participate in British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) activities throughout the academic year and represent ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥. Applications will go live periodically around SportBU trials.Ìý
Keep an eye out on our , or you can contact SUBU VP OpportunitiesÌýto find out more.ÌýÌý
Free advice
SUBU Advice is a team of friendly advisers who can help with advice and support about housing, money, academic, consumer, employment or personal issues. The service is free to all BU students and provides independent, non-judgemental and confidential advice.ÌýÌý
Contact the SUBU Advice Team:Ìý
- [email protected]Ìý
- ÌýÌý
Contact ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ support:Ìý
- AskBUÌý- email, phone or visit us on campus
Other offers and support
provides free discounts for students, from food and drink to fashion, lifestyle and fitness-related offers.
The from the National Union of Students also gives you access to hundreds of student deals and discounts.
Final year undergraduate student, Hannah, has shared her in her blog.Ìý
The charity MyBNK has some resources on its website around .
SUBU has got together with local businesses to offer as well.
Nursery, childcare and school costs
Nursery and childcare
Prices for childcare vary between providers, but you should expect to pay approximately £138 for 25 hours in a week.ÌýTheÌýÌýhas helpful information about the average costs of childcare.
In England, all children of age three and four are entitled toÌý of free childcareÌýor early education each year, which must be taken over at least 38 weeks, for example, 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year.ÌýThis can be provided to children even if the family has no recourse to public funds.
Talbot Woods NurseryÌýis located on Talbot Campus. You can find a list of other local childcare providers on theÌý website.Ìý
SportBU offersÌýkids campsÌýto help with childcare during the school holidays.
School meals
All children in Reception and Year 1 get a free school meal at lunchtime. For children in Year 2 and above, you may be eligible to apply for free school meals if you are a student visa holder and your household income is less than £22,700 for families outside of London with one child or £26,300 for families outside of London with two or more children. You can find more information about this on theÌý. Please use theÌý specifically for families with ‘no recourse to public funds’.
School transport
If you are not able to get a place at your preferred school and the school place that your child is given is not close to your accommodation, you may be entitled toÌý. This will not be offered to you automatically - you have to apply for it.