SOUTHAMPTON is the second most affordable student city in the UK, according to a new report.

The NatWest 2015 Student Living Index puts the city behind only Belfast based on the average student weekly income against weekly expenditure.

And Southampton students spend more time in part-time jobs than in any other part of the UK and bring in the highest average weekly income of £48.47.

The index examines money used in four ‘key’ aspects of student life – essential costs, socialising, sports and fitness and hobbies and interests.

Southampton students spend an average of 6.97 hours per week in part-time jobs, compared to 26.87 hours studying, 11.59 hours on hobbies and 9.95 hours socialising.

And the figures show our students spend £25.19 per week on groceries, £10.55 on utilities, £9.78 on alcohol, £6.66 on going out and just 30p on cigarettes.

Daily Echo: Southampton Solent University.

Southampton Solent University

Meanwhile, Portsmouth students earn around £31 each week from an average of 5.5 hours in work.

According to the index they spend more money on going out, travel, cigarettes and utilities but less on alcohol, clothes and phone bills.

The study used a sample of 2,486 students across the country.