Cost of Studying in UK

The UK is the top study-abroad destination, and its degrees are globally renowned. However, studying in the UK is expensive, so it is essential to know the average budget to manage your finances and live your life comfortably. Aspirants who plan to continue their higher studies must understand how much it will cost.

From applying to universities in UK to settling down there, analysing all the expenses to manage your funds in a new country is important. Let’s understand the cost of studying in UK along with the cost of living and other necessary expenses in detail.

Cost of Studying in UK: Key Highlights

The table below provides an overview of the cost of studying in UK for Indian students.

Types of Expenses to Study in UK Cost in INR
Ticket cost INR 30,000 or more
Visa 490 Euros (44200 INR)
Travel expenses £30 – £40
Accommodation £500 – £800 Monthly
Tuition fees 10.5 Lakh INR - 40 Lakh INR
Other costs INR 50,000 - INR 1 Lakh per month

Cost of Studying in UK for Top Courses

Tuition fees are the most significant component of international students in the United Kingdom. It may vary substantially depending on your chosen university, region, and course.

International students in the UK pay more tuition costs for medical and MBA degrees than they do for humanities and social science degrees. The table below shows the UK's average tuition fee for different degrees.

Type of Degree Average Annual Tuition Fee in UK
Bachelor £10,000 - £38,000
Master £11,000 - £30,000
PhD Up to £15,000 - £24,000

List of Most Popular Courses to Study in UK

Check the list of the most popular courses in the UK selected by international students.

  • Law

  • Engineering

  • Medicine

  • Architecture

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • MBA

  • Financial Accounting

  • Data Science

  • Economics

University Fees in UK

The cost of studying in the UK also varies from university to university. The table shows the average tuition fees of the top universities in the UK.

University Average Annual Tuition Fees
University of Oxford £35,080 - £44,240
Imperial College London £16,000- £36,000
University of Cambridge £24,500- £41,400
London School of Economics and Political Science £16,000- £30,000
University College London £25,000- £34,000
University of Edinburgh £24,500- £37,200
University of Manchester £30,000- £40,000

List of Affordable Universities in UK

Below, you will find the affordable universities in UK that international students can choose to reduce their financial burden.

Living Expenses in UK for Students

The average monthly living expenses in UK for a single individual or student are projected to be 84.7k INR. Living costs in the UK are significantly lower than those in the USA.

Here is a list of all living expenses combined to study in UK. This is a rough estimation of the cost of studying in UK. Take a look.

Factors Average Cost in GBP Average Cost in Rupees
Student Visa Fees £500 INR 52,000
Entrance Exam Fees £137 - £185 INR 13,700 - INR 18,500
University Application fees £50-150 INR 4510 - INR 13,532
Living Expenses £9207 - £12,006/ yea INR 9,50,000 to INR 12,25,000
University Tuition Fees £15,000 - £50,000/ year INR 13,53,225 to INR 45,10,750 year
Healthcare (Immigration Health Surcharge) £776 INR 70,006
Flight Tickets (One way) £332 or more INR 30,000 or more
Other Extra Expenses £500 INR 49,973

Accommodation Costs in UK

Several institutions provide resident halls, which are generally located near the main campus. Students who go to the UK with their parents may also request accommodation. It is suggested that you should apply for accommodation as soon as possible because availability is typically restricted. The average monthly rent for a private flat is INR 79,000 to 1.5 Lakh, while halls of residence can range from INR 39,000 to 99000. Aside from the kind of accommodation, the monthly cost of living in the UK varies by city.

Food Expenses in UK

Food costs are an essential component of monthly spending in the United Kingdom. Cooking your meals rather than going to costly restaurants allows you to keep food costs under control. Eating frequently in restaurants might raise your expenses. For example, the average cost of purchasing fruits is INR 169, veggies is INR 109, rice is INR 110, and a single dinner at a reasonably priced restaurant is INR 1300. Several grocery stores in the UK provide a wide variety of Indian and other ethnic meals and ingredients that students may simply prepare.

Transportation Costs in UK

Living expenses in UK include getting about the city, especially if your residence is distant from your institution. In such a case, students obtain several perks, including student discounts for overseas students, which reduces the cost of travel. International students can also take public transportation, such as a train or bus, or cycle around the city, which is economical and handy. For example, the average bus ticket fee ranges from INR 99 to 198, the average rail trip is INR 1200, and the average bike fare is INR 198 every 30 minutes.

Miscellaneous Expense

Miscellaneous expenditures include additional expenses, such as shopping, home supplies, stationery, etc. These expenses differ from person to person based on their lifestyle. As a result, you should prepare your monthly budget appropriately. Miscellaneous expenditures range between INR 40000 and 50000.

Cost of Living in UK Per Month

It is beneficial to know the average cost of living in UK. Living expenses in UK include accommodation, shopping, transportation, and other petty expenses. Look at the chart below for an idea of how much you'll have to spend on living expenses in the UK.

Factors Average Cost Per Month
Accommodation £600- £880
Food & Groceries £100 - £200
Transportation £50- £100
Household Bills £80 - £140
Entertainment £80- £150
Miscellaneous £18

Pre-Arrival & Post-Arrival Costs to Study in UK

The overall cost of studying in the UK for international students can be divided into two categories: pre-arrival and post-arrival. Let's examine these charges.

Pre-Arrival Costs

There are several different expenses that you have to pay to move to the UK. These expenses are also included in the cost of studying in UK. The costs incurred include:

Entrance Exam Fees

To study in the UK, you must clear standard examinations like the GRE and GMAT. Also, you need a good band score in language proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL to enrol in top universities. However, minimum test score requirements may change for all universities. So, check the specific university requirements on the official website of that particular university. Know the list of some popular tests and their fees for indian students from the table below.

Examination Fees for Indian students
IELTS for UKVI INR 17,000
GRE GRE Subject test: INR 14,500 , GRE General test: INR 22,500
TOEFL INR 16,900
GMAT INR 23,000

University Application Fees

The application cost of studying in the UK includes registration fees for the university you are applying to. Undergraduate students must apply using the UCAS application website, while master's and PhD students must apply directly through the university's website. You should anticipate paying between £50 to £150 to apply to several universities in the UK.

Student Visa & Immigration Health Surcharge

The cost of a UK student visa depends on the type you are applying for. The average student visa costs around £363. Students who require National Health Service (NHS) access must also pay a £776 fee per year.

Other Expenses

If you send physical copies of all the required documents, you must bear the additional expenses mentioned above.

Flight Tickets

You must book your flight tickets as soon as you get your visa approval. The flight prices differ by country and airline. Being an early bird may help you get tickets at an affordable price.

Post-Arrival Costs in the UK

After arriving in the UK, you must incur additional expenses. These include UK college fees and living costs, which have been discussed in depth above.

Other Essential Living Expenses in UK for Students

Aside from tuition fees, students question how much it costs to study in UK. Let's find out!

Student Visa Fees

Your UK student visa price may differ based on the type of visa you apply for. Check out the many types of visas available for international students, as well as the application expenses.

Type of UK Visa Visa Application Costs
Short-term study visa 21909 INR More than 6 Months but less than 11 Months
Tier 4 student visa (General) INR 53,678
Tier 4 student visa (Child) INR 53,678

Immigration Health Surcharge

The UK National Health Service (NHS) is widely regarded as one of the world's top healthcare systems. As an international student, you must pay health insurance in addition to your visa fees. Access to the NHS costs approximately £776 per year. Students can get free medical treatment and discounted dental care at NHS health clinics.

Scholarship to Study in UK

Due to the high cost of studying in the UK, international students may find it expensive to pursue higher education there. Fortunately, various fully funded scholarships for international students in 2024 cover tuition, living expenses, and other associated expenditures. These are the top UK scholarships for international students.

Scholarships Universities Accepting Amount Covered
Chevening Scholarship UK
  • Brunel University

  • Cranfield University

  • Durham University

  • Newcastle University

  • Full tuition fees

  • Monthly stipend

  • Travel costs and other allowances

Rhodes Scholarship University of Oxford
  • Full tuition fees

  • Monthly stipend

  • Travel costs and other allowances

Gates Cambridge Scholarship University of Cambridge
  • Full tuition fees

  • Monthly stipend

  • Travel costs and other allowances

Clarendon Scholarship University of Oxford
  • Tuition fees

  • Living expenses

  • Travel grant.

Commonwealth Scholarship
  • Durham University

  • Birmingham City University

  • Imperial College London

  • Keele University

  • Full tuition fees

  • Monthly stipend

  • Travel costs and other allowances

Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships University of Edinburgh A fully funded scholarship that covers the total tuition costs, along with a stipend to cover living expenses, may also provide funds for travel and research expenses.
Fulbright Scholarship
  • Lancaster University

  • Loughborough University

  • London School of Economics.

  • Fully funded tuition fees

  • Living expenses

  • Travel grant

Erasmus+ Programme
  • City University of London

  • Kingston University

  • University College London

  • Tuition fees

  • Living expenses

  • Travel grant.

Imperial Master's Scholarships
  • University of Surrey

  • Newcastle University

  • Full tuition fees

  • Living allowance of £16,000 per year

How to Reduce Financial Burden to Study in UK

Studying in the UK might be expensive, but there are various methods to share the financial burden.

  • Open an Account in a Local Bank - The first and most important step in managing your finances is to open a bank account in a foreign country. You can open one using your university desk. Make a good decision by comparing the benefits, offers, and cost waivers that various banks offer to students for international money transfers.

  • Budget Expenses - Studying abroad comes with significant costs. For Indian students, these include tuition, living expenses, food, travel, stationery, and health care. It is advisable to start creating a monthly budget and allocating a specific amount of money for each.

  • Part-Time Work - Students may work up to 20 hours per week and full-time during their breaks. You can find part-time work on or off campus to help cover your daily expenses. It will not only provide you with financial freedom, but it will also broaden your social network and expose you to a foreign country's working culture. Earning in a foreign currency significantly lowers the cost of studying abroad.

  • Affordable Accommodation - Finding affordable housing can help you save money on your accommodation while studying abroad. By choosing the suitable accommodation, you can save a lot of money/Euros. Compare the costs of living on and off campus. Living at university can save you money and alleviate many of your transportation and food-related issues. If you intend to live off-campus, choose a shared apartment with your batchmates. If commuting to campus is manageable, living in the suburbs is less expensive than living downtown.

Here is an overview of how you can manage your expenses.

Aspects Cost Analysis
Accommodation 40%
Food 25%
Transportation 15%
Health Insurance 10%
Other 10%

FAQ's

Ans. The cost of studying in the UK for Indian students varies according to the university, subject, and location. Undergraduate studies typically cost between £10,000 and £38,000 per year, while postgraduate programs cost between £11,000 and £30,000.

Ans. Yes, scholarships are available to Indian students studying in the UK. Many universities and external organisations provide scholarships for international students, including those from India. You should explore and apply for these scholarships to help alleviate your financial strain.

Ans. There are part-time job opportunities for Indian students in the UK. As an international student, you can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during the academic session and full-time during the summer. Many universities have career services that can assist you in finding suitable part-time job possibilities.

Ans. Many students may find studying in the United Kingdom between 2023 and 2024 worthwhile. UK universities offer outstanding education and opportunities for personal and professional development. It can improve your prospects by providing access to various programs, research opportunities, and a globally renowned degree. To ensure That the decision corresponds with your academic and financial goals, evaluate aspects such as tuition, living costs, and scholarships.

Ans. In many circumstances, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is necessary for study in the UK. UK universities and colleges often accept it as proof of English language proficiency. The needed IELTS score may vary based on the institution and course. Examining the language requirements of your preferred university or college is critical to determine whether IELTS is required and what score you must obtain.

Ans. The average accommodation cost for Indian students in the UK varies according to the city and kind of accommodation. On average, the accommodation cost between £600 and £800 monthly.

Ans. According to the QS University Rankings, the top universities in UK are the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, the University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, and the University of Manchester.

Ans. Undoubtedly, the UK is an excellent destination for overseas students. The universities located there provide high-quality education. To survive in the UK, you must consider several ideas, such as improving your English fluency, finding affordable housing, looking for part-time work, learning about the transportation system, being adaptable to weather issues, and so on.

Ans. According to the QS Best Study Cities rankings, London is the top city for international students. Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Coventry, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Nottingham, and other cities in the United Kingdom are popular among overseas students.

Ans. A UK student visa permits you to stay as long as your course duration and extra 2 years under PSW (3 years for PhD) and requires an unconditional offer to study a course with a licensed student sponsor. For this, you must give a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. You must also provide proof of your English skills and medical and financial records. An international student must pay £500 for a UK student visa.

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