Average monthly student expenditure and income sources in the UK 2016

The provided charts illustrate the average monthly spending and the various income sources for students in the UK during 2016. Overall, it is clear that rent constitutes the largest portion of student expenditure, whereas student loans represent the most prevalent method of funding.

Regarding monthly outgoings, students spend £385 on rent, which is significantly higher than any other category. Food follows as the second largest expense at £124, while the remaining categories—other, bills, socialising, and travel—account for £91, £69, £64, and £52 respectively. This indicates that essential living costs dominate the student budget.

In terms of income sources, the bar chart reveals that 82% of students rely on student loans. Family support and part-time employment are also common, utilised by 70% and 68% of students respectively. In contrast, fewer students depend on savings, bank overdrafts, or grants and funding, with these sources being used by 45%, 43%, and 38% of the student population, respectively. While a majority of students utilise loans and family assistance, a smaller proportion relies on more precarious financial methods like overdrafts or limited institutional grants.