From fees to bursaries, loans and repayments, the world of student finances can be complicated. If you are thinking of going to university, or saving to send your children, find out how much it could cost.

Aviva's University Cost Calculator is designed only to give you an illustration of the cost of going to university. These figures are not guaranteed.

How many years is the course?

What are the course fees a year?

For example, most of the universities and colleges in England charge up to £3,225 a year.

How much do you think you will need for living expenses a year?

Ie. rent, bills and food shopping during term only.

As a rough guide, this could add up to £6000-8.500 a year outside London and around £9.000 in the capital.

Do you expect to get a Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant?

NoYes

How much grant will you get each year?

This is means tested and is currently up to £2.700 a year for those with household incomes of less than £38.000 pa (gross)*.

The amount of grant you receive is on a sliding scale and you need to check how much might apply to you.

Do you expect to get a bursary?

NoYes

How much is the bursary you expect to get each year?

Colleges and universities charging full tuition fees have to offer a bursary to all those who qualify for a full Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant. *

We have assumed that the typical term length is 12 weeks and the typical academic year consists of 3 terms. Living expenses apply to term time only. Any expenses from outside of term have not been taken into account in this calculation. If you are saving to send a child to university, use our Monthly Savings calculator to see how much you should think about putting aside each month.

Remember that eligible full-time students may be able to take out loans at preferential interest rates to help cover tuition fees and maintenance costs - for more information, visit the DfES website.

These figures are only illustrative and are not guaranteed. Remember that any money you get back will depend on the actual performance of the product you choose, the charges of the product and any tax payable.

The value of investments can go down as well as up. There are no guarantees that your investments will increase. Remember that inflation will reduce the buying power of your investment.

* For more information on the costs involved and support available to students, visit the DfES website.