Band 7+: You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 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. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

The bar graph and pie chart illustrate the main income sources and average monthly spending for students in the UK in 2016. Overall, the largest share of students’ funding comes from student loans, and their average monthly expenditure is approximately £800.

Rent accounts for nearly 50% of students’ spending, making it the highest single expense. In contrast, food expenses total around £125 per month, which is only a third of the amount spent on rent. Bills and social activities each consume similar portions of the budget, while travel costs are the lowest at approximately £52.

Regarding income, over 80% of students finance their education through student loans. Additionally, 70% of students receive support from family and part-time jobs, highlighting these as secondary income sources. A smaller proportion, around 50%, rely on bank overdrafts and personal savings, whereas 45% receive grants or other funding.