The UK’s most expensive cities for a student night out revealed

As an estimated 316,865 students are entering university for the first time this September, Student Beans, the top student discount provider, has crunched the data to find out which city is the most expensive (and cheapest) to go on a student night out.

From paying for an entry ticket, grabbing three pints and getting a taxi to indulging in a Maccies, the research found the average UK student will spend up to £49.05 for a night out. However, according to a recent Student Beans report, 50% of students are going sober and the average cost of going sober during a night out is £30.47. That’s a saving of £18.58 compared to their non-sober friend!

Amongst the uni cities outside of London, Liverpool comes out at the top as the most expensive city for a student night out with the average student paying a whopping £69.90 just for one night in the centre. It’s also the booziest student city as the yearly average spend on alcohol alone is an eye-watering £635.64!

On the other end of the rankings, Preston is the cheapest student city to go out on a bender with students paying on average just £27.40.

For the full list of the top 20 cities you can find this below:

Student Beans experts have spotted where the most serious savings can be made during a night out and have compiled their top five tips on how to enjoy Freshers’ Week without blowing up the bank account:

1. Skip on the taxis. We know it feels bougie rolling up to the club in an Uber, but our data shows that the average cost of a 10-minute journey on a night out is over £10. Instead, why not get the bus or walk? Student cities are usually pretty well connected with public transport so make the most of it.

2. Eat at home. We know nothing hits quite like that McDonald’s or kebab after a night out but that’s another £7.11 you could save on average. Stock up on oven chips instead and debrief on the night while you wait for your late-night treat.

3. Go sober for the night. While this might seem scary to some, we promise you’ll still have a great night with your mates. And you’ll feel even better the next day when you’ve spent far less on booze than you normally would. The average cost for three pints is £23.75 vs. just £5.18 for three soft drinks.

4. Set a budget. You can work out how much you have to spend on a weekly basis and therefore how much you can allocate for a night out. To stop yourself from overspending, why not draw out the cash for the night or create a spending pot in your bank account to pay for the night?

5. Look for offers and freebies. Happy Hour is your best friend as a student. Check your locals to find out if they offer 2-for-1 drinks at certain times and check whether you can get into a venue cheaper or for free by going earlier or later. You could also keep an eye on the local bars’ social media accounts for special deals.