Indian PhD Student in UK Details Monthly Budget, Exposing High Cost of Living
An Indian PhD student studying in the United Kingdom has publicly shared a comprehensive breakdown of her monthly expenses, shedding light on the escalating cost-of-living challenges confronting international students, with accommodation emerging as a primary financial burden.
Stipend Allocation and Major Expenses
Anushka Diwakar, a first-year doctoral candidate at the University of Manchester, posted a video outlining her financial management strategies while pursuing her studies on a scholarship. She receives a tax-free monthly stipend of approximately £1,800. A substantial chunk of this income is consumed by rent, with her university studio accommodation costing about £1,100 per month, which constitutes nearly 60 per cent of her total stipend. "This is my major expense in a month," Diwakar emphasized, highlighting how housing alone dominates her budgetary allocations.
Remaining Budget for Other Necessities
After deducting rent, Diwakar is left with roughly £700 to cover all other monthly costs. She allocates around £100 for groceries, £50 for dining out and social activities, and an additional £50 for shopping and minor personal expenditures. This meticulous budgeting reflects the stringent financial planning many students must adopt, particularly as accommodation prices continue to surge in prominent UK urban centers.
Broader Implications for Student Finances
Fixed stipends, which often fail to align with inflation rates and escalating rental costs, can severely restrict opportunities for savings or handling unforeseen expenses. In her post, Diwakar mentioned relocating to Manchester in October 2025 and aimed to provide a transparent overview of the actual expenses associated with PhD life in the UK. She observed that numerous prospective students frequently inquire whether scholarship stipends suffice for a comfortable lifestyle.
Her detailed expense report has reignited discussions about the widening disparity between static student stipends and the climbing cost of living, with accommodation persistently claiming a significant portion of income. This scenario underscores the broader economic pressures faced by international scholars in the UK, prompting calls for more adaptive financial support systems.
