How your undergraduate fees are spent

Breaking down our costs

Universities have a range of income sources, one of which is student fees. Other income sources include direct government funding, research grants and consultancy work. In recent years, the proportion of income coming from student fees has risen and the level of direct government funding has decreased. Student fees alone do not cover the full costs of teaching. It is the combination of student fees and direct government funding which enables us to provide students with an excellent learning experience, with high-quality teaching in a modern, well-equipped environment.

Costs for home undergraduate students

Our percentages graph shows how full-time undergraduate fees of £9,250 for home students are spent. Our tables show this information in more detail, with the cost covered by direct government funding shown separately. International students pay higher fees, with the additional fees going towards additional recruitment and support costs.

Percentages graph

54% Learning and teaching
10.8% Operational support
8.1% Estates
7.6% IT
6% Library and learner support
6% Widening access
3% Wellbeing and facilities
2.5% Student recruitment and marketing
1% Careers
1% Union of Students

Learning, teaching and student experience

AreaCostPercentage of total fees
Learning and teaching £5,024 54%
Library and learner support £524 6%
Widening access £536 6%
Wellbeing and facilities £297 3%
Careers £126 1%
Union of Students £61 1%
TOTAL for Learning, teaching and student experience £6,568 71%

Estates and IT

AreaCostPercentage of total fees
Estates £748 8.1%
IT £700 7.6%
TOTAL for Estates and IT £1,448 15.7%

Other running costs

AreaCostPercentage of total fees
Operational support £999 10.8%
Student recruitment and marketing £235 2.5%
TOTAL for other running costs £1,234 13.3%

Total cost of provision

Income sourceIncome
Total cost paid for via student fees £9,250
Cost covered by other funding sources £711
TOTAL cost of provision £9,961