How much does it cost to study in the UK?

(This article was last updated in May 2022)

Okay. So you have decided to study in the UK. This is a great choice! Why, you ask? Well, for starters, the UK is home to 7 of the world’s top 50 universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022). It also has 15 universities with a score above 99 out of 100, for the category ‘International student ratio’. Another reason Indian students are increasingly flocking to the UK is that the UK government has announced an extension in the international students’ stay after they graduate. As per the new Graduate Route, international students who complete their bachelor’s or master’s can remain in the country for two years. If the student has a doctoral qualification, they can stay for 3 years. This offers promising career opportunities for students like you in the country.

So how much do you think you’ll have to shell out to study in the UK? And do the expenses vary much within the UK - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland? Don’t break your head much; we’ll give you a detailed breakdown of all the expenses for you, so you can plan ahead. So, stay with us till the end guys, cuz we’re gonna talk *money now!

*Please note that these are general figures and could vary based on various factors.

Tuition fees

This will be your primary expenditure. Generally, tuition fees for international students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels range between GBP 12,000 to GBP 25,000 per year. As per QS, the total average cost of studying in the UK can be around GBP 22,000. That is approximately INR 21.5 lakhs. However, programmes in medicine or management can cost you much more.

For example, studying MBA at Coventry University costs GBP 20,500, while an MBA from the University of Glasgow costs GBP 29,950. That is approximately INR 20 lakhs and 30lakhs respectively.

Why not study at some of the most popular universities in the UK?

Living expenses

Apart from your tuition fees, you’ll need to set aside some amount for your accommodation, food, transport, utility (gas, electricity, Wi-Fi) and other miscellaneous expenses such as fitness, and entertainment.

As per UK’s visa policies, a student needs to show GBP 1,334 per month, (for up to 9 months) in their account if studying in London and GBP 1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) if studying outside London or anywhere else in the UK. This assures the UK government that you can support yourself during your stay in the UK.

Accommodation

There are several different accommodation options for international students across England, Scotland, Wale, and Northern Ireland. Unipol, a student housing charity, and the National Union of Students published a survey in December 2021, about the accommodation costs in the UK.

• As per the report, students are paying around GBP 6,227 as rent per year for university accommodations.
• Private accommodations: Around GBP 8,002 per year.
• The average rent in London is around GBP 10,857 per year.

The university accommodation cost will vary depending on where you are based in the UK and which type of accommodation option you have chosen. For example, Sheffield University offers various types, with deluxe rooms costing around GBP 6,638, studio rooms at GBP 7,094 and rooms with shared bathrooms at GBP 4,840 for roughly a year.

On average, it is safe to say that students spend an average of GBP 137 per week (GBP 548 per month), but a stay in London can go up to an average of GBP 209 per week.

While the average student rent in Scotland is GBP 132 per week, you’ll find yourself spending GBP 101 per week in Northern Ireland and GBP 119 per week in Wales.

Undergraduate students typically stay in the accommodation provided by the university during their first year. They generally shift to private housing when they enter the second year of their education. Postgraduate students, on the other hand, stay in the university accommodation throughout their tenure since the master’s programmes are usually only one-year-long.

What other costs would you incur?

Well, you may have several other bills to take care of apart from the big ones mentioned above. They are:

• If not included in the rent, utility bills such as gas, electricity, and water in rented accommodation come up to GBP 110 per month. Generally, the rent covers these, especially if you take a university accommodation.
• Broadband internet costs approximately GBP 22 TO GBP 30 every month. This amount is generally split among the tenants.
• Mobile phone bills could come to about GBP 45.60 per month.
• Books as well as university equipment, on average, will cost you GBP 60 per month. But this will vary depending upon the programme you choose. 

What about transport?

People generally take monthly/weekly passes that allow them to travel around by bus or train. A single bus ticket costs about GBP 1.65 in London. This is a flat rate, no matter where you travel to. (Cost is higher for trains and underground tubes) and you can get a monthly pass which is cheaper.

As a student above 18 years in London, you can get an 18+ Student Oyster Photo Card which will give you a discount on all buses and trams. It will cost you GBP 62.60 for a Monthly Bus and Tram pass.

Outside of London and other major university cities, you would have to spend an average of about GBP 1.50 for a single bus journey and GBP 45 a month to procure a student travel card.

… And food!

Well, in London, your average food bill would come to about GBP 175 per month. Other cities in the UK could cost you lesser. When you study in the UK, your food expenses will vary based on also which part of the country you reside in and of course, your diet.

If you have a meal in a pub, it would cost you around GBP 7 to GBP 12, and if you were to have a meal at a fine diner, you can expect to spend about GBP 20 to GBP 35 per person. Generally, fine dining is not a common option among students.

Fun and gym!

If you love cinema, you would spend between GBP 10 and GBP 15 on average for a movie ticket in the UK.

If you are keen on keeping your body fit, a gym membership would typically cost you anywhere between GBP 19 and GBP 30 per month. However, many gyms offer student discounts that you can avail of.

Psst.. Just so you know, a Big Mac in the UK is sold at GBP 3.19.

Don’t let these numbers scare you. Here are a few solutions:

Part-time jobs to the rescue

As an international student, you can work up to 20 hours a week while you study in the UK, with the minimum wage set at GBP 9.50 per hour if you’re aged 23 and over. Those between 21 and 22 years of age are entitled to a minimum wage of GBP 9.18 per hour. For the age group 18 – 20, the minimum wage is GBP 6.83. This is the set National Minimum Wage as of 1 April 2022.

There are several opportunities for you to work on your university’s campus – from the computer centre to the students’ union, and write a blog for your institution. They are a great way to boost your skills and experience – which you can use on your resume. Most universities have a career support team to help you find part-time employment.

Scholarships to get you covered

As an international student, you are eligible for many international scholarships that universities offer. There are universities that set-aside scholarships for students from specific countries or continents and there are plenty that is academic-merit or sports-based.

A few of the prominent scholarships are:

Chevening Scholarships:

Students from around the world with outstanding leadership potential can avail this government-funded scholarship to study postgraduate degrees in accredited UK universities.

Commonwealth Scholarships:

Students hailing from commonwealth member countries are offered UK scholarships. 

There, you now have a fair idea of the expenses you’ll have to incur during your study in the UK.

You may have several questions on your subsequent steps - shortlisting universities and the application process. Check out our UK FAQ page to find your answers.

Alternatively for immediate and personalised guidance, get in touch with our expert counsellors by signing up for our ‘call back’ form. Hurry! We can’t wait to help you study in the UK!