Towns and cities in the North East have been named the cheapest places to be a student, according to research.

The data, compiled by L&C Mortgages, identified Middlesbrough and Sunderland as the two most affordable places for students to live.

Students in Middlesbrough have an average monthly expenditure of £758.58.

This figure was derived by assessing the typical cost of rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation.

Following closely was Sunderland, recording a slightly higher average monthly expenditure of £775.77 for students.

An L&C Mortgages spokesperson said: "Choosing which universities to apply to is always a huge decision, and the town or city that a university is in will certainly inform someone’s choice.

"Not only does location greatly affect a student’s experience, but it also influences how comfortably and affordably they are able to live in their new home.

"As the data shows, towns and cities in the North of England and Wales tend to be on the more affordable side.

"By contrast, places in London and the South East of England tend to be more expensive.

"Ultimately, the choice of university will often hinge on the course and entry requirements.

"However, the cost of the study is significant, and location can play a big part in that, so researching respective costs for different locations could help in the decision making."

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Their research, which included the average cost of rent both inside and outside the city centre, pinpointed the areas with the lowest student living costs.

In the borough of Middlesbrough, the average monthly rent for students, based on a one-bedroom residence, is £286.81.

Sunderland follows with an average rent of £304.63.

Hull, Carmarthen, and Pontypridd were the next most affordable, with monthly student expenditures of £782.82, £786.69, and £800.69 respectively.

Other towns and cities that made it to the top 10 list of most affordable student areas include Bangor, Bradford, Wrexham, Huddersfield, and Preston.

In stark contrast, London was singled out as the priciest student city, with a hefty monthly expenditure of £1,542.44 and an average rent of £1,006.75.

Other expensive student areas include Brighton, Oxford, Bristol, and Guildford.