Band 8+: The pie chart shows average monthly student expenditure in the UK in 2016. The bar chart shows sources of student income in the same year.

The pie chart illustrates UK students’ average monthly expenditure in 2016, while the bar chart shows their primary income sources.

Overall, rent constituted the largest expense, while student loans were the most common source of income. Students relied on multiple funding sources, including family support, part-time jobs, and savings, to cover their essential costs.

Rent made up the biggest share of spending at £385 per month, followed by food (£124). Other expenses included socializing (£64), bills (£69), travel (£52), and miscellaneous costs (£91). These figures highlight that the majority of a student’s budget was allocated to accommodation and essential living expenses.

On the income side, over 80% of students relied on student loans, making it the primary funding source. Around 70% received financial support from family, while more than 60% had part-time jobs. Approximately 40% of students used savings and bank overdrafts, whereas grants and funding were the least common source, at about 30%.

In summary, students spent most on rent and food, primarily funding their expenses through student loans and family contributions, with part-time jobs playing a crucial supplementary role.