That's pretty standard for postgrad salaries in the UK in the public sector. The various agencies aren't high payers. You will get pretty much no help from an

That's pretty standard for postgrad salaries in the UK in the public sector. The various agencies aren't high payers. You will get pretty much no help from anyone including social or subsidised housing so you'll be stuck in a flat share or a crap rental. You'll get a worthless pension though. Go private sector!