The Cost of Living continues to have a huge impact on students' wellbeing and overall student experience, with many students reducing food intake, skipping social events, and missing scheduled teaching.

What we're doing

Following student feedback from the 2023/24 Cost of Living report, we’ve been working hard to support students through new and expanded initiatives.

This section brings together a roundup of what we delivered, alongside our updated recommendations from the most recent survey (May 2025).

Backed by student feedback and lived experience, these recommendations will shape our continued work to support Hallam students and push for lasting change - both locally and nationally.

Cost of Living report 2024/25

Updated recommendations (2024/25)
  1. Keep growing support around food costs - Build on the success of our Emergency Food Packs and Cost-of-Living Shop to increase access to affordable, nutritious food and tackle food insecurity across campus.
  2. Push for cheaper travel options for all students - Keep campaigning with local leaders and transport providers to make travel more affordable and accessible (so that getting to uni doesn't break the bank).
  3. Expand healthcare support for students - Continue schemes like the Period Product Subscription and explore more ways to support student health and wellbeing in partnership with SHU and local organisations.
  4. Work with SHU on better student job opportunities - Develop a strategy to help students find flexible, fairly paid work (ideally on or near campus) that fits around studies.
  5. Make student life affordable and inclusive - Keep funding low-cost and free social activities and look at new ways to remove financial barriers to getting involved.
  6. Call for national change in student finance - Keep lobbying the government to raise maintenance loans and income thresholds so that financial support actually reflects the real cost of being a student today.
2023/24 progress
  1. Secured £11,000+ in funding for the Period Product Subscription Scheme, supplying 600 students with a year's worth of products.
  2. Re-opened the Activities Inclusion Fund, helping 40 students take part in extracurriculars with £1,650 in funding.
  3. Revamped our Cost-of-Living webpages into a central hub for money advice and support.
  4. Had 835 items swapped and over 1,000kg of food saved from landfill via our Cost of Living shop, and launched a Materials Swap Shop for students on creative courses.
  5. Secured long-term support for our Emergency Food Packs, now funded for the next five years.
  6. Stepped up our Cheaper Transport campaign, with student outreach, transport reform meetings, and direct conversations with South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard.
  7. Held the Sheffield Students' Assembly with MP Abtisam Mohammed, where students spoke on the financial challenges of postgraduate study.

Cost of Living support

Need support in a specific area? Choose a topic to access relevant resources and support services.

Scholarships, bursaries, and funds

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Health and wellbeing support

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Emergency support

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Activities Inclusion Fund

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Apply for up to £50 towards extracurricular activities such as SU events, society membership, and more.

T&Cs apply.

Money saving tips

Access practical tips and everyday hacks to maximise your student budget.

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Community Fridge

Access free food from our Community Fridge to help when your budget's tight.

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Useful articles

Free Wellbeing Activities

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Thrifty Living: Food and Drink Across Campus

How to Meal Prep Like a Pro

Sheffield Greenspaces

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