University College Birmingham renews £6,000 cost of living allowance to ease financial pressure
University College Birmingham (UCB) has renewed its £6,000 Cost of Living Allowance for students joining eligible undergraduate degree courses in September 2027.
The renewal reinforces the university’s commitment to ensuring financial pressures do not prevent talented individuals from accessing higher education.
Worth £6,000 over the duration of a three-year degree, the allowance is non-means-tested, paid automatically in instalments and does not need to be repaid.
It will provide guaranteed financial support to help students manage the rising costs associated with university study.
The announcement comes as evidence suggests financial concerns are increasingly shaping higher education decisions across the UK.
Research cited in the University's announcement found that 91 per cent of Birmingham students had turned down social opportunities because they could not afford them, while 84 per cent of students receiving a maintenance loan had run out of money before their next instalment at least once.
Recent analysis has also highlighted the declining real-terms value of maintenance support, while sector leaders continue to warn that the cost of living remains one of the most significant concerns facing prospective students.
With around 70 per cent of UCB students commuting to their studies, the University says practical support with travel, living and day-to-day costs can have a significant impact on student success.
Professor Michael Harkin, vice chancellor and principal, said: "The financial pressures facing students have not disappeared, and neither has our determination to help address them.
"We know that cost-of-living concerns can influence whether someone chooses university, where they choose to study and ultimately whether they feel higher education is within their reach.
"Renewing our £6,000 Cost of Living Allowance is just one part of our wider commitment to ensuring that talent, ambition and potential are never limited by financial circumstances.
"Whether through our cost-of-living allowance, our employers' scholarships, our 2 day degree model or our wider wellbeing and careers support, we are committed to creating opportunities for talented individuals from all backgrounds to succeed."
The allowance forms part of a wider package of student support offered by the University.
Alongside the renewed cost of living allowance, UCB has also confirmed the continuation of its employers' scholarships for September 2027 entrants.
Delivered in partnership with employers, the scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation costs and includes the University's Cost of Living Allowance for eligible students.
The University has also continued to promote its innovative 2 Day Degree model, designed to help students balance higher education with employment, caring responsibilities and everyday life.
The University's approach to student support has been recognised nationally. In 2026, UCB was ranked 1st in Birmingham for career prospects and facilities in the Whatuni student choice awards and 3rd in the UK for overall student satisfaction in the national student survey.
Donella Russell, a Psychology BSc (Hons) student, said: "The allowance has meant that I have been able to come to university and been able to travel in and I have also been able to help support my family at home."
Around 70 per cent of University College Birmingham's home students come from the West Midlands region, reflecting the University's longstanding commitment to widening participation and supporting learners from diverse backgrounds.
