A HAMPSHIRE university is one of the cheapest destinations in the country for first year students according to a study.

The research by banking giant HSBC looked at the cost of living at universities in 20 towns and cities across Britain with the largest student population. It showed that freshers at the University of Southampton are among those getting the best deals with a weekly cost of £228.50.

This is among the top four in the study, with only Leicester, Nottingham and Cardiff being higher.

The overheads included a self catered week in halls at £96, a weekly bus pass, which costs £6.67, the cost of weekly essentials which is listed at £97.33.