Know the approximate living expenses in UK on monthly basis.
Planning to study at a UK university? You must be wondering what the cost of living in the UK will be? The living expenses in the UK vary from one individual to individual and city to city, and it takes several factors into account to calculate the expenditures.
The cost of studying and living in the UK can be an incredible experience for international students, but it comes with its financial challenges. Tuition fees, accommodation, and other living expenses can quickly add up, making it difficult to balance the financial demands of studying abroad with other responsibilities. According to a report by the UK Parliament's Commons Library, the cost of living in the UK has been steadily increasing in recent years, with inflation rising from 0.5% in March 2020 to a whopping 10.4% in February 2023. This increase in inflation has led to higher costs of living for both students and residents alike, making it more important than ever to carefully consider the cost of studying in the UK.
While scholarships, grants, and part-time jobs are all viable options to reduce your financial burden, they may not be enough to cover all of your expenses. Considering an education loan can be an effective solution to manage your finances. To make the most of this option, it's essential to check your education loan eligibility and explore the best possible loan options for your unique circumstances. By doing so, you can ensure that you have access to the funding you need to cover your expenses.
The fees for international students pursuing undergraduate courses range from £20,500 to £45,000. Tuition fees for MS in the UK for international students can range from £19,000 to £58,000.
MS in the UK can be completed in one year of full-time study. Undergraduate degree courses typically last for three years in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and four years in Scotland.
Let us look at the average annual tuition fees at some of the top universities in the UK.
University | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
---|---|---|
University of Cambridge | £23,697 to £32,002 | £26,478 to £56,166 |
University of Oxford | £25,987 to £36,065 | £27,255 to £54,998 |
Imperial College London | £34,000 to £37,000 | £32,500 to £37,500 |
University College London | £21,600 to £29,500 | £27,900 to £58,850 |
The University of Edinburgh | £23,650 to £41,500 | £20,200 to £42,500 |
The University of Manchester | £24,000 to £45,000 | £19,000 to £34,000 |
King’s College London | £23,700 to £35,400 | £23,000 to £38,400 |
London School of Economics | £22,608 to £34,944 | £22,000 to £39,000 |
University of Bristol | £21,900 to £25,700 | £19,300 to £27,500 |
The University of Warwick | £20,580 to £32,340 | £20,100 to £37,820 |
The National Union of Students (NUS) in 2022 stated that over 50% of students in the UK had encountered an increase in their weekly living expenses of more than £20. Moreover, a quarter of the students disclosed that they had less than £50 as surplus in their monthly budget after paying for rent and bills. This makes it evident that a student needs to have a full understanding of average expenses in UK. Therefore here are some ways to manage your finances and save money while studying abroad.
Tabulated below are some expenses you may have to bear every month:Expense | London | Rest of UK |
---|---|---|
Accommodation (student halls - bills included) | £840 | £660 |
Private accommodation (without bills) | £750 | £550 |
Regular household bills (gas, electricity, water, broadband, TV license) | £140 | £80 |
Groceries | £150 | £110 |
Dining out | £150 | £80 |
Takeaway | £16 for meal, £2.69 for coffee | £15 for meal, £2.50 for coffee |
Transport | £120 | £100 |
Mobile phone | £18 | £18 |
Gym membership | £20 | £15 |
Do you know?
Students who are enrolled in full-time courses in the UK are eligible for a 30% reduction on the regular tube and bus fares through the use of a Student Oyster Card, provided they possess a National Rail Card.
The cost of living in the UK can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the location, type of accommodation, and whether it is on-campus or off-campus. On-campus accommodation typically includes university-owned residence halls or dormitories, while off-campus accommodation includes private rental apartments or houses.
Check out accommodation options in the UK based on your targeted city with rental conditions, features, and images, you can even book the same at reasonable prices.
Do you know?
If you watch television on any device in the UK, including computers and tablets, you are required to pay for a television license. The cost of the license is £157.50 annually for a colour television and £53 annually for a black and white television. However, this cost is per household rather than per person, so if you live with roommates, you can divide the cost amongst yourselves.
The cost of transportation in the UK can vary depending on several factors such as the mode of transportation, the distance travelled, and the time of travel. Public transportation is usually more affordable than private transportation options in the UK.
Do you know?
In the UK, cycling is a highly favoured means of transportation, several universities promote cycling by offering cycling clubs or cycling buddy schemes and organizing bike safety and maintenance workshops.
Additionally, city cycle hire schemes are available in certain UK cities, including London, Liverpool, and Belfast. These schemes allow you to rent a bike from a docking station at a nominal fee and return it to a different docking station within the city limits within 24 hours.
Items | Price |
---|---|
Bread (500g) | £1.07 |
Water (1.5litre) | £0.84 |
Milk (1 litre) | £0.96 |
Eggs (12) | £2.12 |
Local Cheese (1kg) | £6.89 |
Beef (1kg) | £8.50 |
Chicken Fillets (1kg) | £6.12 |
Tomato (1kg) | £2.38 |
Potato (1kg) | £1.30 |
Onion (1kg) | £1.15 |
Rice (1kg, white) | £1.46 |
Apples (1kg) | £2.05 |
Oranges (1kg) | £1.97 |
Banana (1kg) | £1.21 |
If the duration of stay is more than 6 months, International students in the UK are required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £470 as part of their visa application process. This surcharge provides access to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. This cost if after the 25% discount on student visa holders.
A one-time charge of £363 for a UK student visa, which allows you to live and study in the UK for the entire course duration. If one applies for a graduate route visa (which allows you to stay in the UK for 2 years after course completion) application fee of £715 is to be paid along with a £624 health surcharge for each additional year.
The monthly cost of living for a single person in the top 10 best student cities in the UK according to QS is tabulated below:
City | Cost of living (without rent) |
---|---|
London | £966 |
Manchester | £752 |
Edinburgh | £717 |
Glasgow | £749 |
Coventry | £683 |
Nottingham | £747 |
Birmingham | £688 |
Aberdeen | £685 |
Newcastle upon Tyne | £730 |
Brighton | £793 |
Do you know?
According to Expatistan, one of the highest collaborative cost of living databases, the cost of living in London is 320% higher than in Delhi.
If you are an international student studying in the UK, there are several ways you can take advantage of student discounts. Here are some options:
The cost of living in the UK can be high, especially in cities like London. Here are some strategies for managing the cost of living:
By implementing these strategies, you can manage the cost of living in the UK while being there. If you're looking for more personalized guidance on funding your studies in the UK, book a 30-minute free consultation call and get in touch with financial experts who can assist you in understanding your options and providing useful tips on managing the cost of studying in the UK.
Network with a community of curious students, just like you
Join our community to make connections, find answers and future roommates.. Join our CommunityPlanning to study in United Kingdom? Know how much education loan you are eligible for!
Use our AI powered tool to predict the amount.
Our free tools will help you out.
Algorithm equipped with multiple data points, will steer you through your study abroad journey.
Confused about how abroad education journey looks like?
Here’s the complete beginners’ guide…
Step 1:
Things to know before getting started: courses, colleges, funding and more
Explore NowStep 2:
Things to know for applying to study abroad: cost of study, exams, SOP and more
Explore NowStep 3:
Things to know while finalising univeristy, networking and scholarships
Explore NowStep 4:
Things to know about financing your education: loan eligibility, approval and more
Explore NowStep 6:
Things to know about accommodation, Forex, SIM cards, networking and more
Explore NowA quick Glimpse of your journey
Step 1:
Things to know before getting started: courses, colleges, funding and more
Explore NowStep 2:
Things to know for applying to study abroad: cost of study, exams, SOP and more
Explore NowStep 3:
Things to know while finalising univeristy, networking and scholarships
Explore NowStep 4:
Things to know about financing your education: loan eligibility, approval and more
Explore NowStep 6:
Things to know about accommodation, Forex, SIM cards, networking and more
Explore Now