£2 meals and free travel to uni: Leeds Beckett steps in to help with cost of living crisis

‘We are determined to make a difference where we can’


Leeds Beckett University is helping to lead the way in supporting students through the cost of living crisis after it unveiled a substantial package of measures this week to help students.

Since Monday, students have been able to take a free shuttle bus service to both Headingley and City campuses to help reduce the cost of travelling into uni. Once on campus, every Beckett cafe or canteen offers a hot meal option for £2 on its menu. Other measures include removing the cost of gown rental at graduation ceremonies and “reducing or removing” extra course costs for students.

The university, which admits its own costs have gone up this year as a result of the energy crisis and rising inflation, says it understands the “the real concern” for students and is “determined to make a difference where we can”.

Beckett accepts these costs have pushed up the costs of its accommodation but says it is absorbing 80 per cent of the increase in university-owned accommodation. This reduces the average price rise from 12.3 per cent to 2.4 per cent.

Leeds Beckett has removed the cost of renting gowns at graduation ceremonies which can set students back between £40-75

The budget for the student hardship fund has also expanded to offer more students access to additional financial support who need it. The university has not revealed how much this has increased by.

While some plans have taken immediate effect this week, the university says it will continue to look into ways to help students throughout the term. It wants to consult students on providing “hybrid options” rather than asking students to come into uni for a single lecture or seminar to help reduce unnecessary travel costs.

The university is also investigating how it can streamline the cost of course materials or study visits across its courses to either help “reduce or remove” these extra costs or subsidise them.

The support package, which has been implemented by the university in conjunction with the Students’ Union aims to “help with some of the extra costs students face”.

Leeds Beckett Vice-Chancellor, Peter Slee told The Leeds Tab: “We know the current cost of living crisis is a very real concern for many of our students.

“While the national crisis means our own costs are increasing significantly, we are determined to make a difference where we can.”

The university also told The Leeds Tab students are able to contact the Student Support and Advice Team at any time for help with financial information, advice or guidance.

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