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The Student’s Guide to Eating Well on a Budget – How to Save Money on Food at University
Alright, let’s be real – uni life is expensive. Between rent, nights out, and somehow always needing a new phone charger, food costs can easily spiral out of control.
But don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Here are the best 7 tips to keep your stomach full without your bank account crying.
1. Master the Art of Meal Prepping
Cooking in bulk is the ultimate student hack. Instead of grabbing overpriced sandwiches between lectures, cook a big batch of pasta, curry, or stir-fry on Sunday and portion it out for the week.
Not only will you save money, but you’ll also avoid the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” panic at 9 PM.
- Plan your meals – Write out what you’ll eat for the week before you shop.
- Use staple ingredients – Rice, pasta, beans, and lentils are cheap and last ages.
- Invest in food containers – Airtight containers keep your meals fresh and easy to grab on busy days.
- Find quick and healthy student recipes – 🔗 Related: How to Eat Healthy on a Student Budget at University.
2. Shop Smart – Budget Supermarkets Are Your Best Friend
Lidl, Aldi, and even Asda have way cheaper options than Tesco Express or Sainsbury’s Local. Go for own-brand products – they taste just as good but at a fraction of the price.
Pro tip: shopping in the evenings can get you some serious yellow-sticker discounts on fresh food.
- Stick to a shopping list – Avoid impulse buying expensive snacks.
- Buy in bulk – Dry goods like pasta, oats, and canned goods are cheaper in larger quantities.
- Use supermarket loyalty schemes – Tesco Clubcard, Nectar, and Lidl Plus can save you a decent chunk over time.
- Compare prices online – Use MySupermarketCompare or similar tools to find the best deals.
3. Team Up with Housemates
Cooking for one is expensive. Split the cost of groceries with your housemates and cook meals together. It’s cheaper, less wasteful, and honestly, way more fun than eating alone while scrolling TikTok.
- Take turns cooking – It’s easier and keeps things interesting.
- Buy bulk ingredients together – A big bag of potatoes is cheaper when split.
- Avoid duplicate purchases – Share staples like milk, butter, and condiments.
4. Freeze Everything (Seriously, Everything)
Your freezer is a life (and money) saver. Take advantage of it! Avoiding food waste (and reutilising it) is one of the best indirect ways to save money on food at uni!
- Freeze bread – Stops it from going stale.
- Batch-cook meals – Freeze portions of soup, curries, and stews for later.
- Use ice cube trays for leftovers – Leftover tomato sauce, stock, or herbs? Freeze them in small portions.
- Label everything – Avoid mystery frozen meals by writing the date and contents on containers.
5. Ditch the Takeaways (Most of the Time)
We get it, sometimes a cheeky Domino’s feels essential. But making your own “fakeaway” at home can save you loads.
- Make homemade pizza – Use tortilla wraps or naan bread as an easy base.
- DIY stir-fry – A bag of frozen veg, noodles, and soy sauce is way cheaper than a takeaway.
- Use discount codes if you must – If you do order in, use apps like Too Good To Go or Just Eat discounts.
6. Use Student Discounts Like a Pro
Loads of places offer student discounts, so take advantage.
- UNiDAYS & Student Beans – Check for deals on groceries, takeaways, and restaurants.
- Supermarket student deals – Co-op gives 10% off with a TOTUM card.
- NUS Extra discounts – Use this for savings at supermarkets and food outlets.
7. The Ultimate Hack: Amazon Prime & Morrisons Combo
If there’s one game-changing trick, it’s this: Amazon Prime Student + Morrisons delivery. This combo gives you access to groceries at supermarket prices, without the faff of dragging heavy shopping bags home.
Here’s why it’s the best money-saving food hack for uni students:
Why Amazon Prime & Morrisons?
- Amazon Prime Student is free for six months – That’s six months of free grocery deliveries!
- You can shop online at Morrisons through Amazon – Get access to all the essentials without needing a physical store.
- No delivery fees (with Prime) – If you order over a certain amount, you can dodge those annoying delivery charges.
- Quick delivery – Groceries can be delivered in as little as a few hours.
How to Set It Up
- How to Sign up for Amazon Prime Student – Head to Amazon and activate your six-month free trial.
- Visit the official Amazon Prime Student, landing page.
- Click on “Start Your 6-Month Trial” and then hit “Try Prime Student”.
- Sign in if you already have an account, or create one quickly.
- Enter your university email address (ending with .ac.uk).
- Provide your expected graduation year.
- Add your payment details (don’t worry, the first 6 months are totally FREE!).
- Verify your email (Amazon will send a confirmation to your uni address).
- Enjoy your Prime perks!
- Go to Amazon Fresh or Morrisons on Amazon – Search for “Morrisons” on Amazon and browse their groceries.
- Build your basket – Add essentials like pasta, milk, frozen veg, and snacks.
- Choose a delivery time – Pick a slot that fits your schedule.
- Enjoy your savings – Sit back and wait for your groceries to arrive!
Extra Tips for Maximum Savings on Food Cost at Uni
- Look for Amazon-exclusive discounts – There are often deals you won’t find in-store.
- Set up recurring deliveries – If you regularly buy certain items, you can set up a subscription for even more savings.
- Split orders with housemates – Share delivery slots and split the cost to save even more.
- Use Amazon vouchers – Check for digital coupons before you checkout.
- Plan Ahead – Delivery slots can book up fast, so plan ahead.
How to Budget for Uni Meals
In order to properly think about saving money on food costs at university, you also need to set a realistic food budget.
How Much Should You Spend on Food at Uni?
On average, UK university students spend £25-£50 per week on food. This depends on where you live, how often you eat out, and whether you share grocery costs with housemates.
Best Tips for Budgeting for Food at Uni
- Set a weekly budget – Stick to an amount that works for you (e.g., £30/week).
- Use a budget app – Apps like Monzo or Yolt help track your grocery spending.
- Plan meals ahead – Prevent overspending by planning your weekly meals.
- Limit eating out – Reduce takeaways and restaurants to special occasions.
- Use cash instead of a card – Helps control spending and avoid impulse purchases.
How to Save Money on Food at University: The Bottom Line
Uni life is expensive, but eating well doesn’t have to be. Stick to these hacks, and you’ll save money while still eating like a king (or at least not just surviving on instant noodles).
Want even more savings? Get your housemates on board, and share the Amazon Prime Student + Morrisons trick with them – the more you save together, the better!
University Essentials 🎓
We have crafted ad-hoc essential lists for various facets of university life!
- Student essentials, a day on campus 📝
- Student accommodation essentials, most useful & forgotten💡
- Study from home essentials, the simpler the better 🖥️
- Student kitchen essentials, self-catered accommodation & flats🥘
- Coolest gadgets for university students, innovative and useful 🎧
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Saving Money on Food Costs at University
Students can save money by meal prepping, shopping at budget supermarkets, using student discounts, and taking advantage of Amazon Prime Student + Morrisons delivery for free grocery delivery.
The cheapest way is to shop at discount supermarkets, buy in bulk, use store-brand products, and take advantage of yellow sticker discounts.
Yes! Amazon Prime Student gives you free grocery delivery from Morrisons, allowing students to save money on transport and avoid impulse buys at the store.
Top apps include Too Good To Go (discounted surplus food), Shopmium (cashback), and Lidl Plus (supermarket discounts).
Lidl, Aldi, and Asda offer low prices, budget-friendly meal deals, and some quality store-brand products.
Cheap and easy meals include pasta dishes, stir-fries, curries, soups, and overnight oats. Cooking in bulk and freezing meals can save even more money. 🔗 Related: Check our guide on How to Eat Healthy on a Student Budget at University.
To save on takeaways, use discount apps like Too Good To Go, Student Beans, and UNiDAYS. Many restaurants offer student discounts, and some delivery services have promo codes for new users.
Top money-saving apps for students include:
Too Good To Go – Get discounted surplus food from restaurants and supermarkets.
Shopmium & CheckoutSmart – Earn cashback on groceries.
Amazon Prime Student – Free Morrisons grocery delivery.
Lidl Plus & Tesco Clubcard – Exclusive supermarket discounts.
Stick to a weekly budget, plan meals in advance, shop at budget supermarkets, freeze leftovers, and avoid impulse purchases. Cooking at home instead of ordering takeaways also helps save a lot of money on food cost at university.