Living cost and expenses in UK
For international students to study in the UK, undergraduate tuition fees are around £10,000 - £30,000 per year for full-time courses. Note that the greater range is for medical degrees at better universities. However, international undergraduate tuition generally costs about £12,000 a year.
For masters in the UK for Indian students, the typical tuition prices of full-time programs range from £10,000 - £13,000 per year. The average annual tuition for programs based on laboratories and research is £14,000. For medical degrees, the average figure is £22,200 and it can go up to £58,000. However, there are cheap universities in the UK for international students that cost lesser than the above-mentioned amount
With the steadily rising living cost in the UK, international students have to be careful and aware of their expenses. When it comes to living expenses in the UK are concerned, these costs will differ significantly depending on your lifestyle, personal finances, and budget. Below is a monthly breakdown of the cost of living in the UK. Based on how long you plan to stay in the UK, you can calculate your estimated costs. The average cost of student lodging in the UK is roughly £547 for a month if you are not spending too much on your accommodation. London is a pricey place to live. The cost of living in London for Indian students is higher than in the rest of the UK.
Particulars | Monthly Costs |
Rent | £547 |
Food | £200 |
Gas and electricity | £60 |
Internet | £40 |
Mobile phone | £30 |
Laundry | £25 |
Stationery and textbooks | £40 |
Clothing | £75 |
Travel (buses, trams, and trains) | £90/month (one bus ride: £1.50) |
Movie ticket | £9 |
Dinner at restaurant | £15 |
Accommodation costs in the UK
Your real living expenditures may vary based on your spending habits, however, you must demonstrate £1,023 per month (for a maximum of nine months) for courses outside of London as part of your visa application. We project that your monthly expenses for housing, bills, food, and other living expenses will range from £900 to £1,600.
Types of living facilities for international students (housing portals)
In some circumstances, your visa application requires documentation demonstrating that you have housing arrangements made with your university. In this situation, your university can assume responsibility for your lodging and inform the appropriate immigration authorities that you will have lodging.
Some colleges promise to house first-year international students from other countries. To reserve your spot, you will nevertheless need to adhere to rigid deadlines for both confirming and paying a deposit.
Living on campus
Choosing to live in residence halls on campus can help you make the most of your time there. Aside from the ease of being close to the classrooms, this promotes student interaction and involvement in campus organizations and events.
Meal plans are frequently included in the price of halls of residence. As part of the price, you pay for your stay, you can be eligible for breakfast, supper, or possibly all of your meals.
Off-campus accommodation
Since some institutions don't have a single campus, their student housing is dispersed around a town or city. As an alternative, a city's various colleges may offer possibilities through a third-party company that specializes in university housing. In certain scenarios, you can find yourself living off-campus in specialized student housing.
Although not attached to campus, this arrangement is frequently comparable to residence halls on campuses. It will be situated in a convenient location for universities, with amenities for students.
Renting for international students
For international students, privately renting can be problematic, particularly when trying to arrange housing from abroad.
It can be challenging to plan in your first year of school if you are unfamiliar with the local legal procedures for renting a place and are unable to visit potential rental houses. It's also critical to remain alert to any potential rental frauds targeting foreign students.
Your chosen university should be able to help with any legal issues that may occur, such as establishing your identity, as well as with identifying companies or landlords who could help you discover a suitable house.
Make sure the company or landlord is reputable and that the house you are renting is in a desirable part of town for students before you sign a rental agreement. Students frequently reside in the same parts of a town or city, making it simple to determine this.
Homestays
Homestays are an option in several cities and towns with universities. These can be planned through a university or through organizations that focus on providing this kind of lodging.
When you stay with a homestay family, you get access to their common rooms as well as a bedroom to sleep in. It can provide a family for them to get to know and learn from, as well as a place to live while they are studying abroad for international students. It can also be less expensive, depending on where you are studying.
Food and beverages cost in the UK
In comparison to other European countries, the price of food and drink is rather high in the United Kingdom. Along with the traditional meals, you may also discover Chinese, Indian, and French cuisines here.
The average cost of food in London
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Sandwiches often cost between £1.50 to £4.00.
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A typical Indian and Chinese buffet lunch costs between £5 and £7 per person (eat as much as you can).
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In an Indian or Chinese restaurant, the average cost of dinner (including beverages) per person ranges from £8 to £25.
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The average cost of supper in an Italian restaurant, including beverages, ranges from £10 to £50.00 per person.
Transportation costs in the UK
In the UK, taking public transportation is a convenient and popular option. You'll need to utilize it when you're touring, looking for a home, looking for a job, or traveling to and from work. You should budget for the following expenses while using public transportation:
Transportation type/item | Average price (GBP) |
One-way ticket (Underground) | 2.60 |
Monthly pass | 160 (standard single, off-peak) |
Train trip to Cambridge / Brighton | 22 (standard single, off-peak) |
Average mid-sized car rental for a weekend | 150 |
Return budget flight to Spain | 80 (Economy) |
Eurostar return ticket to Paris | 120 (standard class) |
Return flight to Ireland | 125 (Economy) |
Cost of living in different cities: UK
Your monthly cost of living in the UK may differ depending on the city you live in addition to the type of housing. For instance, compared to living in places like Aberdeen or Manchester, living costs in towns like Brighton or London for international students can be higher.
Check out the average rent in a few of the UK's most well-known student cities:
City | Average Cost of Living Per Month |
London | £1200- 1300 |
Brighton | £838 - 1300 |
Manchester | £860 - 1100 |
Oxford | £1100 - 1700 |
Birmingham | £700 - 1200 |
Glasgow | £800 - 1000 |
Edinburgh | £700 - 1000 |