We’re all told how students are facing a ‘never-ending cost-of-living crisis’, unable to afford the most basic of necessities without falling into debt, borrowing from the Bank of Mum and Dad, living at home or working a part time job.
But are they really any worse off than the students of the past were, or should they perhaps accept that the pursuit of higher education has always come with its own set of struggles?
To put that theory to the test, the Daily Mail investigated the price of some essentials in the 1970s compared to the cost today, including a dozen eggs, a loaf of bread… and of course, a pint of beer.
In the ’70s, university funding was cut and grants were around only £380 before increasing to £1,430 in 1980. Many school leavers opted to forgo sixth form over fears they wouldn’t be able to find a place at a university due to the cuts.
Today, as some students struggle with mounting debt and maintenance loans that fall short of their actual costs, more than half of parents are helping by giving their children at least £200 a month towards their expenses, a recent survey from the National Union of Students (NUS) revealed.
But do the prices that modern students encounter really vary that much from the 70s? For instance, a loaf of bread 56 years ago cost 10p, but the inflation-adjusted price would’ve been £1.28, just 12p less than today’s price.
Meanwhile, if you wanted a kettle for your university flat in the Disco Era, you’d have shelled out a whopping £101.76, compared to £20 in 2026.
So, do students today really have it that much worse? You decide! Read on to explore the prices of some products in the 1970s compared to the cost today…
A pint of beer
Even in Coventry, which is the UK’s least expensive city for a pint, a beer will cost you £3.84, while the average in London is an eye-watering £6.74.
The average cost of a pint soared past £5 for the first time last year when Rachel Reeves’ increases in minimum wage and National Insurance contributions forced pubs to put up prices.
In the 1970s, students could enjoy a pint for just 18p and even when adjusted for inflation, it’s still a much more palatable price than today.
IN THE 1970s: 18p
Inflation-adjusted price: £2.30
NOW: £5.50
A loaf of bread
For those late night rounds of toast after a night in the pub, or with beans on top as part of the staple student diet, a loaf of bread cost just 10p five decades ago.
While the price has risen, there’s not a huge difference when inflation is taken into account. The average loaf will set you back just 12p more.
IN THE 1970s: 9/10p
Inflation-adjusted price: £1.28
NOW: £1.40
A tin of Heinz beans cost an inflation-adjusted price of £1.02 in the 1970s, so seven to eight pence. Today, the item will often cost customers £1.45 (stock photo)
A tin of beans
As a topping for the aforementioned toast, beans have always been a key part of the student diet.
Indeed, in the 1970s when convenience food was only starting to creep into daily diets, a tin of beans was the ultimate speedy dinner.
The difference in price between the 1970s and today is 43p, when inflation is taken into account – a much bigger margin than bread.
IN THE 1970s: 7-8p
Inflation-adjusted price: £1.02
NOW: £1.45
Cornflakes
Breakfast cereal was another staple convenience food before microwave meals came along.
Costing just 11p, they were the bowl of choice for many students in the ’70s – whether that be for breakfast, dinner or supper.
However, with an inflation-adjusted price of £1.41, this is one area where today’s university goers don’t fare as well. The price of cornflakes on average in 2026 is £2.50, an increase of more than a pound.
IN THE 1970s: 11p
Inflation-adjusted price: £1.41
NOW: £2.50
Eggs
Eggs were a staple, affordable food, and were central to the decade’s popular Full English, which cemented its place as a hearty, easy-to-cook meal for students.
Priced at 23p, those in the 70s actually had to pay more for a dozen eggs – despite the produce’s popularity.
Now, the eggs will cost students an average of £1.80, compared to the inflation-adjusted price of £2.94.
IN THE 1970s: 23p
Inflation-adjusted price: £2.94
NOW: £1.80
Bananas
First seen and sold in Britain by Thomas Johnson – a botanist and apothecary – in 1633, bananas were household essentials by the ’70s.
They’d cost you less than a dozen eggs for a pound, but more than a loaf of bread and tin of beans, at the price of 16p.
For students at the time, this was no doubt a pricey decision to make, considering the inflation-adjusted price shows it would’ve been around £2.05, more than a pound more expensive than today’s cost.
IN THE 1970s: 16p
Inflation-adjusted price: £2.05
NOW: £1.02
A loaf of bread 56 years ago cost 10p, but the inflation-adjusted price would’ve been £1.28, just 12p less than today’s price (stock photo)
A notebook:
IN THE 1970s: 2p to 10p
Inflation-adjusted price: £1.28
NOW: Up to £15
Fish and chips
IN THE 1970s: 20p
Inflation-adjusted price: £2.56
NOW: £9
TV licence
IN THE 1970s: £12
Inflation-adjusted price: £153.60
NOW: £174.50
A cinema ticket
IN THE 1970s: 30p to 50p
Inflation-adjusted price: £6.40
NOW: £10.99
A kettle
IN THE 1970s: £7.95
Inflation-adjusted price: £101.76
NOW: £20
20 cigarettes
IN THE 1970s: 26p
Inflation-adjusted price: £3.33
NOW: £14.75
Pint of milk
IN THE 1970s: 5p
Inflation-adjusted price: £0.64
NOW: 85p
Margarine
IN THE 1970s: 23p
Inflation-adjusted price: £2.94
NOW: £3.50
Shampoo
IN THE 1970s: 20p to 50p
Inflation-adjusted price: £6.40
NOW: Up to £25
Coffee
IN THE 1970s: 32p
Inflation-adjusted price: £4.10
NOW: £4.99
24″ TV
IN THE 1970s: £67
Inflation-adjusted price: £857.57
NOW: £99 to £200+
The prices above are the average cost found in the early 70s, compared to the average price today, according to statistics on websites such as Age UK and the Office for National Statistics.