Cost of Living Hub

What is your Students' Association doing?

To your Students' Association the cost of living is not a punchline but a thing that impacts our students and can be a barrier to them getting the most out of their Arden journey.

Our role as your Students' Association is to represent you to the University, based on your feedback, your needs, and your experiences.

Our Cost of Living Research

We just didn't know how much of an impact cost of living was having on our students. This is why we chose cost of living as our first ever peice of research. We wanted to hear your views, share your stories and tell us what this means to you.

In August 2024 we launched an anonymous survey with our students to help us identify, across a range of themes, what the biggest challenges are that you are facing where the University needs to provide more help.

Thank you to all 4,308 students who responded to our Cost of Living Survey. Not only was this the best response rate for an Arden survey, but this has helped us to understand your individual experiences and how we can work with you in making positive change for our student community.

Access and Participation Plan

The Access & Participation Plan is a formal document every University must complete to specifically highlight how they will support students from all backgrounds, to thrive at University. The Student Submission (due to be submitted in October 2024) is an independent report summarising authentic and real student experiences, alongside student data, to ensure your feedback is at the heart of what changes Arden will be delivering so that all students have equitable opportunities when accessing or progressing their Higher Educational experience.

Our research helped contributed to our student submission for the Access and Participation Plan. We were able to articule how 'cost pressures' impact you as an Arden student. The Student Submission has been supported and written by a panel of students since January who represent a range of diverse backgrounds and characteristics, to ensure that experience and feedback is informing how we represent your views in the Access and participation plan student submission.

Regional Networks

We know that we cannot work to find solutions for you on cost of living without looking at the wider communities you are a part of. This is why Jay, your student president, has been engaging with regional networks of Students' Unions that are coming together to lobby local government on the issues that matter to students.

Recently, this has included the London Student Partnership that is looking at issues such as transport, housing, health and safety.

What support is available?

If you need support related to cost of living, please find useful contacts and resources below.

Wellbeing Team

The wellbeing team provide support in the following areas: Mental Health and Wellbeing, Disability and Accessibility, Financial Support and Safeguarding.

Wellbeing Services Portal
Spectrum Life

This is available to students as a Student Assistance Programme and Wellbeing platform. If you’re struggling with your mental health and need to talk to a trained counsellor at any time, contact our Mental Health professionals via the contact details below or via the Digital Wellbeing platform.

Spectrum Life
Togetherall

All Arden students have access to Togetherall, which includes free online support for students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Togetherall
Financial Support

Check out the guidance pages on the wellbeing hub to learn about the financial support options available to you.

Financial Support at Arden

Financial Support

Blackbullion

Blackbullion actively supports businesses and universities in giving funds to students so their potential can be realised.

Blackbullion website
Student Enablement Fund

The Student Health Association runs the Student Enablement Fund (est.1967). The fund helps students with disabilities to keep up with their studies. The maximum amount of each award is £500 and students must be involved in higher education on a full-time or nearly full-time basis.

Student Enablement Fund website
Leathersellers' Undergraduate Student Grants

The 2025-26 Leathersellers’ Undergraduate Student Grants Programme aims to support undergraduate students who are care experienced, and/or are students of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools or Colfe’s School, whose circumstances may otherwise prevent them from achieving their goals.

Leathersellers website

Finances and debt

Money Helper

Support for those struggling with finances, including benefits, pensions, everyday spending. They also have a range of resources include online calculators and budget planners.

Money Helper website
Step Change Debt Charity

Comprehensive debt advice

Telephone: 0800 138 1111

Step Change website and online chat
Debt Advice Foundation

Debt Advice Foundation is a UK debt charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt

Telephone: 0800 043 40 50

Debt Advice Foundation website
Turn2Us

Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services

Turn2Us website

Government Schemes

Disabled Students' Allowance

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability. This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you get.

DSA website
Parents' Learning Allowance

You may be eligible for help with your learning costs if you’re a full-time student with children. This is called Parents’ Learning Allowance.

Parents' Learning Allowance website
Adult Dependants' Grant

If you’re a full-time student in higher education and an adult depends on you financially, you can apply for an Adult Dependants’ Grant.

Adult Dependants' Grant website