All About Overseas Education
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slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2112281\" time=\"1688429796\" user_id=\"28674:
Interest rate up, inflation up..hope the unemployment rate don't increase much... else more worry on the safety. But i guess since so many international students there..better stay within don't venture out of the safety zone should be ok ba.
The inflation sounds bad, but I haven't been there recently.
The UK is a big place. Every city has its places where you should not venture alone at night, even Singapore. Rural areas have their own safety issues - getting lost, stranded without transport, etc. -
doodbug\" post_id=\"2112284\" time=\"1688430563\" user_id=\"13281:
Hi hi,
Hi Nasi Lemak
I think a general reasonable guideline for allowance is the PSC/Statutory Board monthly allowance for their scholars. Scholars typically pay everything out of pocket (i.e. food, accommodation, transport) from the allowance and it represents a reasonable student budget. I do not know what the current rates are - would you happen to know? My guess would be in the 1500-1700 GBP range per month? It's enough to support a few regional short trips a year too.
I don't know of anyone who eats three meals out a day. A Tesco or Sainsbury meal deal (Sandwich/pasta, drink and snack) is now 5 pounds, which to me is not a bad deal. Sometimes you can get a hot latte/mocha in the meal deal too if the store has the Costa machine. The cheaper sandwiches (2 pounds or less) like egg and mayo or tuna mayo, make good breakfast items to me, and I do buy and toast them up in the morning. I also love the ready-to-eat meals that you buy and just heat up at home. M&S pastas are 3 boxes for 8 or 9 pounds - I find them all very good quality. The typical Chicken Tandoori or Tikka Masala or Korma meals are found in every supermarket.
International Hall is very central! You can walk to many London unis (not Imperial College though). Hackney is not the \"best\" area in London but it is increasingly gentrified and there are university students who live there.
Thank you for your sharing.
Her monthly allowance is about 1500 GBP but 80 percent will be used for accommodation 😥
The cheaper accommodation were already taken. So she has to survive with 300 pound a month. We will have to top up but just wonder how much? Prefer that she don’t cook and just eat out.
If uni canteen is cheaper, she can maybe settle one or two meals there. -
Nasi Lemak\" post_id=\"2112295\" time=\"1688433594\" user_id=\"188813:[quote=\"Nasi Lemak\" post_id=2112295 time=1688433594 user_id=188813]
300 pounds per month seems a bit tight considering she needs at least 3 meals per day for at least 30d and you preferred that she doesn’t cook. Even in Sg where my girl is staying with me, I am considering giving her $500 when she goes to SMU. Maybe if finances permit, can consider topping up to about $800? Got extra good no extra then at least you know that’s the baseline where she won’t go hungry?
Hi hi,
Thank you for your sharing.
Her monthly allowance is about 1500 GBP but 80 percent will be used for accommodation 😥
The cheaper accommodation were already taken. So she has to survive with 300 pound a month. We will have to top up but just wonder how much? Prefer that she don’t cook and just eat out.
If uni canteen is cheaper, she can maybe settle one or two meals there.[/quote] -
Hi Nasi Lemak,
Would you mind sharing with me, what the living conditions at International Hall are like? The advantage of the hall is that it is pretty large, and central. Extremely safe. the 300 GBP a week includes breakfast and dinner; no? The cheaper accommodations are likely to be more run down. Does she get an ensuite room and access to a shared kitchen?
Is 1500 GBP the standard PSC scholarship allowance now for London? One suggestion is, top it up by 200 pounds a month initially, and see how it goes.
Grabbing a meal deal from Greggs is pretty affordable too, and they have hot options. It’s 3 pounds for a breakfast roll plus latte or something like that! -
Congratulations to Nasi Lemak’s dc!
Good to know more from the sharings.
Yea, agree to give dc some extra allowance and ask to update you for few mths before settling down. Initial months I guess will need more as need buy some smaller items that will add up. We want our children to spend sensibly but don’t want them to be hungry.
Are the bank charges expensive for more frequent remittances…another consideration too… -
It’s not ensuite but she has access to shared kitchen and lounges. Place looks relatively new and it’s three min walk to a subway station. There are gym and pool but need to pay to use.
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Haha Nasi Lemak, you are so cute. Subway is an NYC term - Tube/Underground is the London terminology
Glad to hear it is relatively new! Will she have to find private accommodation next year?
London rents are expensive, undeniably. But it's Zone 1. Think of it as, a rental in Orchard Road. -
MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2112303\" time=\"1688435441\" user_id=\"43981:
Thank you.
Congratulations to Nasi Lemak's dc!
Good to know more from the sharings.
Yea, agree to give dc some extra allowance and ask to update you for few mths before settling down. Initial months I guess will need more as need buy some smaller items that will add up. We want our children to spend sensibly but don't want them to be hungry.
Are the bank charges expensive for more frequent remittances..another consideration too..
Exactly my concern. I don’t want her to go hungry. -
doodbug\" post_id=\"2112306\" time=\"1688435840\" user_id=\"13281:
Oh haha ya it’s tube😆
Haha Nasi Lemak, you are so cute. Subway is an NYC term - Tube/Underground is the London terminology
Glad to hear it is relatively new! Will she have to find private accommodation next year?
London rents are expensive, undeniably. But it's Zone 1. Think of it as, a rental in Orchard Road.
No can continue to stay in Uni accommodation.
Yes yes very central location 😊 -
Nasi Lemak\" post_id=\"2112295\" time=\"1688433594\" user_id=\"188813:[quote=\"Nasi Lemak\" post_id=2112295 time=1688433594 user_id=188813]
Not sure why you don't want her to cook - surely that would be the best way to ensure reasonably healthy choices, and learn some life skills as well? An alternative to eating out is to buy ready meals or easy to cook items from supermarkets - pies, sandwich fixings, plus salads and fruits. That would still work out cheaper (and healthier) than eating out 3 times a day. Breakfasts can certainly be eaten at home.
Hi hi,
Thank you for your sharing.
Her monthly allowance is about 1500 GBP but 80 percent will be used for accommodation 😥
The cheaper accommodation were already taken. So she has to survive with 300 pound a month. We will have to top up but just wonder how much? Prefer that she don’t cook and just eat out.
If uni canteen is cheaper, she can maybe settle one or two meals there.[/quote]
Universities in the UK don't always have \"canteens\" like we think of them in Singapore. Even if they do, they will often only have lunch as most students won't stay around to eat dinner. Hostel meal plans may be available, not all hostels have them.
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