Rising cost of living on Warwick campus

Students across campus have noticed that the prices of goods have incrementally been rising this academic year. This appears to be in line with a general increase in the cost of living on campus.

For example, the cost of a cup of hot water used to be 30p and is now 50p, the price of purple has steadily been increasing, and the price of the all-day parking has gone up from £3.50 to £4.00.

On-campus food outlets also seem to have been particularly affected. According to the Warwick Student Unions’ website, the Bread Oven is “one of the best value-for-money lunches on-campus”.

However, students have noted that comparative to other mainstream outlets such as Tesco or Boots, campus food is still markedly more expensive.

Alex Velizorova, a third-year Law and Business student, commented: “Prices put me off but you just have to take what is handed to you. I just wish societies were free.”

For example, the cost of a cup of hot water used to be 30p and is now 50p, the price of purple has steadily been increasing, and the price of the all-day parking has gone up from £3.50 to £4.00.

Since the beginning of 2014, the Societies Federation fee has increased from £14 to £19.

To play a sport on-campus, you must pay £32.00 for sports federation student membership, then pay for Warwick Sport membership which varies depending on which level of membership you need, with Silver membership starting at £60 for 12 months. You then need to pay £6 to actually join a sports club.

Amy Samson, a third-year Chemistry student, went on to highlight how much of a predicament prices can be for students. She said: “what are you going to do? Not eat? Not do the activities you want to do? No, you are just going to be poor.”

A worker from the Dirty Duck, who wished to remain anonymous, commented that over her two years of employment, she has noticed a general increase in prices.

She told us: “The main one I have noticed is the burger and the pint deal we usually have used to be £6 but now is £6.50.”

Since the beginning of 2014, the Societies Federation fee has increased from £14 to £19.

The issue of pricing on campus has also been experienced by students who have just started the university, who may not necessarily have experienced the change in pricing.

Ruben Rai, a first-year History student, commented: “Prices are definitely more expensive on campus. This was a surprise when starting university”.

Savreet Virk, a first-year Philosophy and Psychology student, said: “Although the prices on campus have not affected me buying from the university, in the long-term I think I will be more careful with my spending.”

The Warwick University website provides a function to create a budget for the year. This is specifically geared towards international students. They advise that on average, students should budget £50 – £80 per week for food and general expenses.

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Policy, has been contacted for a comment, and this article will be updated with his reply.