UNIVERSITY students in Belfast work more part-time hours than their peers in other cities.
A new survey found Belfast to be one of the most cost-effective cities for those pursuing higher education in Britain and Northern Ireland.
Students in the north also work the most part-time hours in the UK while spending the least amount of time socialising.
In addition, undergraduates who live in Belfast pay less in rent than any other city, according to the Ulster Bank Student Living Index.
A total of 2,500 students in 25 cities took part in the survey.
Overall, Belfast came out as one of the most cost-effective, based on average expenditure and income.
Rent was a key factor in Belfast's cost-effectiveness, with students spending the least on rent - an average of £73.81 per week - compared to a UK average of £109.
They also spend an average of £7.03 per week on alcohol - less than those surveyed in many other cities, and only slightly more than the overall average of £6.85.
However, they spend the most on clothes, shoes, and accessories.
The average number of part-time hours worked was 5.73 - for Belfast it was 8.16. Home students spent almost 31 hours studying per week, slightly higher than the UK average. Those at Cambridge said they spent almost 50 hours a week studying.
The survey found Portsmouth to be the most affordable city for students while Edinburgh was the most expensive with above average rent costs playing a major factor, combined with significantly lower than average term-time income.
"Choosing where to study is an important financial decision due to the significant differences associated with the cost of studying in different cities," said Sean Murphy from Ulster Bank NI.
"Once at university, managing your finances effectively is also crucial."
