A year’s study at uni now costs a student living in digs at least 18,000 euros

Studying at a university or polytechnic has become significantly more expensive. The annual calculations by the Centre of Expertise on Budget and Financial Well-being (CEBUD) at Thomas More University show that costs have risen by almost half over the past 10 years.

A student living in digs without a grant faces costs of at least 18,229 euros this academic year. Compared with last year, this represents an increase of 601 euros, or 3.4 per cent. Ten years ago, the cost was 12,334 euros.

For commuting students, the costs this academic year amount to at least 11,803 euros. That is 314 euros, or 2.7 per cent, more than last academic year and also represents an increase of almost half over the past 10 years.

Impact of cost of living rise

‘The fact that the figure is so high is largely down to the cost of living that has been included in the calculation,’ says Nele Peeters of CEBUD. ‘These are the costs of food, clothing and leisure, for example. Every family incurs these costs, whether you’re a student or not.’

The cost of living is estimated at just under 10,000 euros for an academic year. That is around 230 euros more than last academic year and about 25 per cent more than five years ago. Leisure, at 3,209 euros, accounts for the largest share of living costs, followed by food (2,947 euros for students living in digs and 2,582 euros for commuting students).

In addition, there are costs that are entirely related to studying, such as enrolment fees, course and book fees, a laptop, study trips and work placements.

These so-called ‘strict study costs’ amount to an average of 1,980 euros this academic year for a student not receiving a grant, 1,422 euros for a student eligible for a grant but not currently receiving one, and 938 euros for a grant recipient. This, too, is 25% higher than five years ago.

The centre of expertise does emphasise, however, that costs can vary significantly depending on the chosen field of study.

Accommodation and transport

Finally, there are also the ‘broader study costs’, such as transport costs and rent for student accommodation.

Students living in student accommodation can expect to pay a total of 5,963 euros for rent and room costs – almost 5 per cent more than last year (+274 euros) – and 271 euros in transport costs.

For commuting students, transport costs amount to 255 euros, but CEBUD only takes into account students who travel by train. “Anyone who drives to campus in their own car needs an additional budget of 4,142 euros per year,” it has calculated.

Student grants

“More and more families are struggling to make ends meet and, consequently, to pay for higher education,” says Katrien Beeusaert of the families’ association Gezinsbond. “For single-parent families in particular, it is becoming almost impossible to allow their child to study at uni.”

“We’re seeing more and more students combining their studies with part-time work to help pay for their studies and student life. But combining studying and working is, of course, no easy task.”

The Gezinsbond singles out student grants. “All too often, these still end up with people who don’t need them,” says Beeusaert.

“Too much emphasis is still placed on household income alone as a condition for a student grant. Other sources of income or assets are not taken into account. If we want to avoid higher education becoming something reserved solely for the ‘happy few’, we will have to make some changes to the eligibility criteria for student grants.”

The Gezinsbond says it is particularly concerned now that the Flemish Government is considering cuts to allowances.

“I think teachers and schools need to think even more carefully about how they can reduce certain costs even further. Parents should really only need to buy the absolute essentials.”