It’s start of the new student year and it’s time to budget for all those nights out but here is some bad news: You may have even less cash than you thought!

While you’ve no doubt accommodated for obvious bills such as rent and electricity, here are six things that you may have forgot to account for…

TV Licence fee

If you watch any live TV – even if online – then you’ll need to pay the TV license fee. The one-off amount covers you for a year and costs £145.50 at the time of writing.

This will probably apply even in your halls if you have a telly in your room, but be sure to check to avoid shelling out if you don’t need to.

If you go back home for summer you may be able to get a partial refund: See our guide on how to get a TV license refund here.

Contents insurance

Your landlord will (should) have adequate insurance to cover your house or flat itself should anything go wrong but the things inside are your responsibility. It means you could lose out a lot if there is ever a fire, flood or theft. Contents insurance will cover your belongings inside the house.

Line rental

This may or may not be covered in your rent fee so check! Line rental is a monthly payment made for the use and upkeep of your telephone line. Even if you don’t need or want a landline phone, you’ll still need to pay line rental for a lot broadband options.

Rent deposit and fees

When renting privately for the first time it’s not just the first month’s rent you’ve got to pay: A deposit, usually of AT LEAST one month’s rent, plus agency and various credit check fees, may also be payable.

Prescriptions

Once you turn 19 you have to pay for your medical costs such as prescriptions, currently priced at £8.05 a pop, even if at University full time. You may however be able to cut these costs, based on your ‘low income’ (you know, being a student and all). The NHS website has all you need to know.

A Christmas tree

… and everything else! You’ll probably end up needing all sorts for your flat or halls, whether it be Christmas decorations, chopping boards or a hoover so take this into account when budgeting.