Cost of Living in UK- Expenses, Accommodation, Travel Cost

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The United Kingdom is one of the most pursued and sought out countries in the world for international students. The average cost of living in UK is around 12,000 euros per year. The average tuition fees of universities in UK vary from 10,000 euros to 30,000 euros depending on the course and the institute. There are many factors which influence the cost of living in UK- starting from the choice of housing to the frequency of their transport, but pre-calculating the potential costs can prove to be very beneficial in the long run. More details about the cost of living in UK as an international student are given below.

Tuition Fees For International Students In The UK

Tuition fees consist of the majority of the cost of living in UK for an international student. The tuition fees for undergraduate courses in UK are less compared to advanced or professional courses like medicine, MBA, engineering etc.

Type of program	Average fee in GBP	Average fee in INR
Undergraduate bachelor program	GBP 11,400 - GBP 38,000	INR 11,43,526 to INR 38,11,753
Postgraduate or master’s program	GBP 9,000 to GBP 15,000	INR 9,02,783 to INR 15,04,639
MBA programs	GBP 30,000 to GBP 50,000	INR 30,09,279 to INR 50,15,465
Doctoral degrees	GBP 18,000 to GBP 35,000	INR 18,05,567 to INR 35,10,825

The tuition fees depend highly on the course demand, reputation, location, etc. The type of programs and the average fees in GBP is provided in a table below.

Also Check: Affordable Universities in UK

International Student Accommodation In The UK

Most universities provide on-campus accommodation while for some, the students might have to look for off-campus accommodation, where the options are plenty. There are various websites and portals like UniAcco which can help students find accommodation in the UK very easily. The average cost for living in the UK is given below.

Residence Type	Monthly cost in London (in GBP)	Monthly cost in Other cities (in GBP)
University residence	GBP 600 (~INR 59,829)	GBP 440 (~ INR 43,874)
Private housing	GBP 710 (~ INR 70,797)	GBP 420 (~INR 41,880)
Utility bills	GBP 40 (~ INR 3,988)	GBP 40 (~ INR 3,988)

The housing charges depend on the university and the type of housing. There are varieties of housing available and they can be single, double, apartment-styled, suite-styled, segregated by gender or not, shared, villa-type, etc. provides the best student accommodation in the UK.

On Campus Accommodation For International Students In The UK

On-campus residence is provided in the form of residential buildings or halls to international students. There are many varieties of accommodations on campus for different universities and the details are stated below.

Halls of residence: This kind of residence halls are maintained and managed by universities in UK and first year applicants are prioritized while booking them. In these residence halls, a private room is allotted to first year residents with kitchen and lounges shared between approximately 4 to 8 people.
Private halls of residence: The private halls of residence are more or less similar to the university halls of residence like inclusive bills and shared spaces but they are generally more expensive. Due to some extra expenses, there are more facilities included along with basic amenities.
Private renting: After completion of first year, private renting is an option that can also be explored by international students. Renting privately is wholly independent and the students are themselves responsible for all bills and cleanliness of the property.

Cost Of Living In UK On Campus

The cost of living in UK in residence halls depends on the university and its campus. Some of the most popular universities in the UK along with their accommodation costs are stated below.

University	Accomodation cost (in GBP/month)
Oxford University	GBP 1,290 and GBP 1,840
University of Cambridge	GBP 700 to GBP 1,100
University College London	GBP 680 to GBP 1280
King’s College London	GBP 800 to GBP 1,675
London School of Economics	GBP 790 to GBP 2,100

Off Campus Accommodation For International Students In The UK

The cost of living in UK off campus varies greatly, based on the housing chosen and the meal plans, but the general off campus housing costs can be summarized as given in the table below.

Type of housing	Average cost in GBP	Average cost in GBP
1 bedroom apartment within the city	895	89,257
1 bedroom apartment outside the city	680	67,816
3 bedroom apartment in the city	1,600	1,59,567
3 bedroom apartment outside the city	1,200	1,19,675

Benefits of Living off-Campus in UK

As an international student, one has the option to apply for off-campus housing as well. There are several benefits of staying in an off-campus housing area and they are stated below.

At off-campus housing areas, students get more liberty and can manage things their own way. They can enjoy activities on and off-campus to keep their college life radiant much easily.
Utilities are often a part of the rent. The cost of water, electricity, gas, cable, security is a part of the lease. Keeping the account of finances is very important while choosing the right kind of housing.
Off-campus establishments generally have way more amenities and facilities when compared with on-campus housing. Students can decorate their rooms the way they want to and therefore make their rooms more comfortable to live in.
Students can get access to a more private environment with off-campus housing. They don’t have to share bathrooms, kitchenettes or spend time in communal areas. They can live in their own way and protect their private lives without any outside influence.
Off campus housing’s extra amenities. There are some extra amenities which make off campus housing structures very appealing. Swimming pools, coffee bars, outdoor grills etc are introduced in many off campus structures in addition to already existing facilities.

Also Check: Cost of living in London

Transportation Costs For International Students In UK

The main forms of transport which are available in the UK for international students are: trains, trams, buses, taxis and bikes. The price ranges for transportation for international students are provided in a table format below.

Mode of transport	Average cost in GBP	Average cost in INR
Taxi (1 kilometer)	1.24	123
Gasoline (1lr.)	1.56	155
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)	2.50	250
Monthly bus pass	65	6,482

International students have a lot of ways to choose their preferred mode of transportation, though most would use a bus pass to travel regularly. There are travel cards students can purchase and tram pass tickets. Buses, trams, and coaches are primarily methods of traveling around the city and they go to a lot of locations, thereby giving students an easy ride.

Miscellaneous Expenses For International Students in UK

Apart from accommodation, tuition fees, clothing, meal, study materials, transportation, the miscellaneous and additional expenses must also be acknowledged as cost of living in UK. Also, students who stay off-campus will have different expenses compared to students staying on-campus because of the lifestyles and housing costs. The type of expenses along with their costs are given below.

Utilities (monthly)	Average cost in GBP	Average cost in INR
Electricity, heating, water, gas	185	18,550
Internet/Wifi	32	3,191
Prepaid mobile tariff for local calls per minute	0.12	12

Some of the Best Universities in UK for International Students with enviable world rankings are situated here like University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, King’s College etc. However, with the right planning and budget improvisation, students can ease the cost of studying and living there. Apart from that, there are also financial assistance options like scholarships, financial aid, loans, federal work study options students can avail in order to make the expenses lesser.

Financing tips for students who wish to study in UK

UK is a prime destination for studying abroad due to its cultural diversity, infrastructure, advanced teaching methods and research. In UK, students can plan their financing sources through the following options:

Part-Time Jobs: In UK, students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during semesters and full-time during vacations. On average, students can earn around 11 GBP (1,100 INR) per hour while working part-time. Part-time jobs in UK are a popular way of earning easy cash as a student.
Scholarships: Scholarships to study in the UK are one of the most reliable options to complete higher education. Students can get scholarships from their home country, universities, UK government and external donors. Fortunately, some of the popular scholarships in UK cover up to full tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses.
Education Loans: Students always get plenty of loan options to study in UK. Some students are offered interest-free loans from different banks, government institutions and organizations to complete their study in UK.
Hybrid Education Model: The hybrid educational model allows students to complete their first year of education while staying in India. Students can complete the rest of the program in UK from the second year of study. This reduces the living and associated costs in UK.
Supplementary Financing Options: In UK, there are a plethora of supplementary funding options for students pursuing courses across different academic levels and disciplines. You can avail travel grants, research assistantships, health service funding and funding from external organizations among other methods.

To help in funding the cost of living in UK, have a look at the top Scholarships!

FAQs

Ques. Is it more expensive to study in London compared to other UK cities?

Ans. Yes, London is generally more expensive than other UK cities due to the higher cost of living. Accommodation, food, and transportation costs are usually higher in London. However, some universities offer student accommodation and discounted transport passes to help reduce expenses.

Ques. Are there any ways to save money on accommodation in the UK?

Ans. Yes, there are several ways to save money on accommodation in the UK. Here are some tips to help you save:

Look for shared apartments or houses.
Opt for university-provided accommodation, which is usually cheaper.
Search for accommodation in areas that are a bit further from the city centre.
Negotiate the rent with the landlord.

Ques. How much does it cost to eat out in the UK?

Ans. Eating out in the UK can be quite expensive, with prices varying depending on the type of restaurant and location. Here are some average costs:

Fast food: A fast-food meal at a chain restaurant such as McDonald's or KFC will cost around £5 to £7 per person.
Casual dining: A meal at a casual dining restaurant such as Nando's or Pizza Express will cost around £10 to £20 per person.
Fine dining: A meal at a fine dining restaurant will cost around £30 to £50 per person or more, depending on the restaurant and the type of cuisine.

Ques. What are the average transportation costs in the UK?

Ans. The average transportation costs in the UK can vary depending on the mode of transport and the location. Here are some average costs for transportation:

Bus: GBP 2-GBP 3 for a single journey
Train: GBP 5-GBP 20 for a single journey
Monthly pass: GBP 50-GBP 100

Ques. How much should I budget for personal expenses?

Ans. Personal expenses vary depending on individual preferences and lifestyle. However, it is advisable to budget around GBP 100-GBP 200 per month for personal expenses, including entertainment, shopping, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Ques. How can I manage my finances while studying in the UK?

Ans. Managing finances while studying in the UK can be challenging for international students, but there are several ways to make it more manageable. Here are some tips to manage your finances effectively: