COST OF LIVING hub
We are aware that the Cost of Living crisis is having a significant impact on all students at Brighton. We are committed to supporting you during this difficult time and working with the University to reduce the pressures you are facing.
We have put together this resources page so you have all the information you need in one place.
If you have any questions not covered here, please let us know at [email protected] so we can add them.
How we can support you
BSU Essentials
BSU Essentials is a brand-new initiative from the Brighton Students’ Union (BSU), dedicated to ensuring every student has access to the essentials they need to thrive. This initiative serves as both a foodbank and a re-use centre, providing free food, household supplies, clothing, personal hygiene products, and more.
It is stocked with fresh produce, canned goods, and snacks to keep you nourished, while household supplies range from cleaning products to toiletries. You can also find clothing and electricals such as kettles for your room, and personal hygiene products to help you feel your best.
To access these resources, visit BSU Essentials in Mithras House on the ground floor, where you can take what you need and get information on hardship funds and other schemes around the university to tackle the cost of living. If you visit BSU Essentials more than twice, advisors will help you understand your finances and maximise your budget, ensuring you never miss out on university life.
The initiative is a community effort, partnering with FareShare to bring surplus food from local supermarkets and receiving generous donations from fellow students and staff. You can also donate items to help your peers or look out for job opportunities with BSU.
BSU Essentials is open from 1pm-5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You don’t need an appointment, just pop in and collect what you need.
For more information or to make a donation, email [email protected].
Food vouchers
If you have run out of money and are hungry, we have vouchers that can be used for a hot meal on campus. You can request them from any BSU office, shop, cafe or bar. Just speak to a member of staff to ask for a voucher; you won’t be required to give any evidence. They can be used at any BSU or University outlet. If you’re struggling financially and want more long-term advice, then please speak to the Student Money Advice team.
budget recipes
To help you cook tasty meals at home, the Officers have produced a cookbook with recipes for budget meals costing under £10
hardship funds
The University has various hardship funds, bursaries and scholarships available, open to all students. If you are struggling with money, you can speak in confidence to the Student Money Advice team, who can help talk you through the support available. If you’re struggling financially and want more long-term advice, then please speak to the Student Money Advice team .
participation fund
We have created a Participation Fund to help students who are struggling financially, to be able to continue to participate in extracurricular activities, whether that’s sport, societies, volunteering or community work. The 2025/26 fund will go live at the start of the academic year, and more details will be made available on this website at that time.
period dignity
We have worked with the University to stock free sanitary products in all of our ground-floor toilets across our four campuses to support the Cost of Living crisis. If the toilet you use does not have any products, please report it to us at [email protected].
PART-TIME WORK
If you want to find work to support your studies, we can help you. We offer a variety of positions working in our outlets and services. There are also lots of roles, support and training available at the University’s Careers & Employability Service.
microwaves on campus
Bringing in your own food and reheating on campus is a great way to save some money.
You can find microwaves across all campuses at these locations listed below:
Falmer:
- BSU Games Room, Ringmer House,
City Campus:
- Grand Parade Restaurant, Grand Parade Building
Moulsecoomb:
- BSU Basement Central Cafe, Cockcroft, Aldrich Library
bsu outlets
We have a range of great value for money food and drink options at our outlets, including our Meal Deal available at our Union Shop in Cockcroft, Moulsecoomb. Make sure you check out our regular NUS promotions in the Shop too, saving you money on your regular purchases. At The Venue, we have just launched our new menu and have lots of daily promos – follow our Instagram to see the latest ways you can save.
free and confidential student support
We offer FREE advice and support for all students studying at the University of Brighton. If you have concerns about any aspect of your University life, whether it be cost of living related, or about academic studies or housing, we can help.