‘60% goes to rent’: Indian PhD academic reveals harsh realities of UK student life in budget breakdown

An Indian PhD student in the UK has shared a detailed breakdown of her monthly expenses, drawing attention to the growing cost of living pressures faced by international students, particularly the high cost of accommodation.Anushka Diwakar, a first-year PhD student at the University of Manchester, posted a video on Instagram explaining how she managed her finances while studying on a scholarship. She receives a tax-free allowance of around £1,800 a month.A large portion of that revenue goes toward paying rent. Her university studio accommodation costs around £1,100 a month, accounting for nearly 60% of her stipend. “That’s my main expense for the month,” she said, emphasizing that housing alone takes up a large portion of her budget.After paying rent, she was left with about £700 for all other expenses. She sets aside about £100 a month for groceries. In addition, she sets aside £50 for eating out and social outings, and another £50 for shopping and smaller personal expenses.Her breakdown reflects the tight budgets many students must adhere to, especially as the cost of accommodation continues to rise in major UK cities. Fixed allowances don’t always keep pace with inflation and rent increases, and may leave limited room for savings or unexpected expenses.Diwakar wrote in the post’s caption that she moved to Manchester in October 2025 and wanted to get a clear picture of the real cost of PhD life in the UK. She noted that many prospective students often question whether scholarships are enough to live comfortably.The collapse has reignited concerns about the gap between fixed student allowances and rising living costs, with accommodation continuing to account for a large proportion of income.