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Budgeting and Other Support

Information for Postgraduates

Budgeting & Other Support

It is a good idea to try to manage your finances from as early on as possible in the year. Here are some suggestions to help you.

Contact details and appointment times for the Financial Welfare Officer are below. 

Extra Help from the University

The University’s social media channels and student support website for the Reach Out campaign provide information on how to access a range of support at Cambridge, including what to do if you’re struggling with money. See here for the range of support available.

The University's Finance Division has provided a short guide to some of the banks available. 

Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) if you are not entitled to free prescriptions* and you think you will have to pay for 4 or more items in 3 months (or you will have 12 or more items in 12 months). 

Cost of a PPC: • £32.05 for 3 months; or • £114.50 for 12 months. 

Apply online at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc or ask at pharmacies 

This will cover all the NHS prescriptions you need during the period of the certificate.

 

*NHS prescriptions are free if you have a valid medical exemption certificate because you have: 

• a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngos-tomy or ileostomy) which needs continuous surgical dressing or an appliance; 

• a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential; • diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism;

• diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone; • hypoparathyroidism; • myasthenia gravis; • myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement); 

• epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy; • a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person; or 

• cancer and are undergoing treatment for: – cancer; – the effects of cancer; or, – the effects of cancer treatment

 

Always take your university card with you and ask for a discount, many shops will accept this. For others, you might need one of these apps/cards:

Free Apps (sign-up with your crisid email address '@cam.ac.uk'):

Discount cards:

TOTUM

  • Recommended by the National Union of Students (NUS), this is a student discount, proof of age ID and campus life card and platform .
  • There are 3 membership levels, digital (1-Year free), Totum and TOTUM + Age ID Card (prices start from £14.99 for 1-year).
  • TOTUM Memberships

International Student Identity Card (ISIC)

  • The ISIC card allows students the world over to prove their official student status and make the most of thousands of targeted student benefits and discounts in over 130 countries/territories.
  • Virtual cards from £12.00 per annum.
  • ISIC - Which card is right for you?

Budget options for the U bus and other Cambridge buses: 

Cambridge City - Whippet - Tickets available from myTrip      

  

There are apps and other budgeting tools available online. Alternatively, see below for a personal budget spreadsheet for Postgraduates to help you review your finances.

If you have any other queries, please get in touch by email with the Financial Welfare Officer, or via the in-person appointments or online drop-in sessions (details provided below).

If you need additional Financial Welfare support, make an in person appointment ( in term-time) on:

  • Mondays 2.30 - 4.30 pm (online only)
  • Tuesdays 4.00 - 5.00 pm (face to face )
  • Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:30am (face to face)

Book here 

 If you would like an appointment during the holiday, please email Financial Welfare Officer

Online meetings 

Here is the link for an online meeting on Monday afternoon - other times available on request:  fwo@girton.cam.ac.uk

Zoom details:

Meeting ID: 819 8904 1138    Passcode: 6Zp18k

Financial Support for Postgraduates

Girton College offers a range of financial support to students

Find out more