Student Budget Calculator - KZN Universities Hub

Student Budget Calculator

Calculate your monthly expenses for DUT, UKZN, University of Zululand, and MUT. Plan your finances for 2026 academic year.

R4,500+ Avg. Monthly Cost
78% Covered by NSFAS
15+ Saving Tips
100% Free Tool

🏫 Select Your University & City

Costs vary significantly between cities. Select your university for accurate estimates.

🎓

DUT

Durban

🔬

UKZN

Durban/Pietermaritzburg

🌿

UniZulu

Richards Bay/Empangeni

⚙️

MUT

Durban

Monthly Expenses

10 categories
Accommodation R0
Student Residence University residence costs vary by institution. Includes utilities and security.
Avg: R2,500
Private Rental Shared accommodation in private flats or houses near campus.
Add if not in residence
Electricity & Water
Avg: R500
Food & Living R0
Groceries
Monthly groceries
Eating Out
Cafés & restaurants
Toiletries & Cleaning
Personal care items
Education Costs R0
Textbooks & Materials
Monthly average
Printing & Stationery
Printing, copies, stationery
Data & Internet
Mobile data & WiFi
Transport & Other R0
Public Transport
Monthly transport
Healthcare
Medication & clinic visits
Phone Airtime
Monthly airtime
Entertainment
Movies, sports, social

🏙️ Cost Comparison: KZN Cities

Durban

Most expensive

R4,500 - R6,000

Higher rent, more expensive transport

Pietermaritzburg

Moderate cost

R3,800 - R5,000

Lower rent, cheaper groceries

Richards Bay

Most affordable

R3,200 - R4,500

Cheapest accommodation, transport

Your Monthly Budget

R0

Enter your expenses to calculate your monthly budget

10 academic months
R0 yearly total

Expense Breakdown

Accommodation
0%
Food & Living
0%
Education
0%
Transport & Other
0%

📊 Expense Distribution

Interactive Chart

Visual breakdown of your expenses

📈 Monthly Trends

Trends Chart

Compare with previous months

💰 Funding Sources

How will you cover these expenses?

NSFAS

Covers tuition, accommodation, books, living allowance

R4,500 - R6,000/month

Bursaries

Partial or full coverage from companies/universities

Varies by award

Part-time Work

On-campus or nearby employment

R2,000 - R4,000/month

💡 Smart Saving Tips for Students

Practical ways to reduce your expenses while studying in KZN

Accommodation Savings

  • Share a flat with 2-3 other students
  • Look for accommodation further from campus
  • Consider university residences (cheaper)
  • Negotiate rent for longer contracts

Food Savings

  • Cook in bulk and freeze meals
  • Buy groceries at cheaper supermarkets
  • Use student discounts at restaurants
  • Pack lunch instead of buying

Education Savings

  • Share textbooks with classmates
  • Use library copies instead of buying
  • Buy second-hand books
  • Print at university (cheaper rates)

Transport Savings

  • Use student discount transport cards
  • Walk or cycle for short distances
  • Carpool with other students
  • Live closer to campus

Save & Share Your Budget

Export your budget plan for future reference

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