How Much Does it Cost to Study in the UK?

By meet univesity

Study in the UK
Study in the UK

Studying in the UK will costs you less at equally ranked universities than in the universities of the United States. The UK has always mapped as the top education center for all international students. In terms of money and quality of education, you’ll get the best outcome in return.

By Study in the UK, you’ll get the best in less. That doesn’t mean that you lack in quality or your education pattern will be different or low. Rather you will expose to more opportunities, world-class education, traveling to other cities, making new friends, encounter different cultures- you’ll experience the best by paying less than the US.

Maybe your local college will ask you for less, but trust me, they won’t be able to give you the experience, the ventures one can hold while studying abroad or the global network you’ll form. Now, this value one just can’t beat.

Before actually planning to Study in the UK, let’s break all expenses that one needs to study abroad. This blog will consist of – tuition expenses, accommodation, miscellaneous expenses, health, and visa expenses. Also, will provide you some ways to fund your expenses. The article is a complete package for the most important factor of studying abroad- Money!

  1. Tuition Fees – Your tuition fees highly depend on the course and the university you’re applying for. All universities and colleges Study in the UK has their own fee structure. Your fee structure depends on certain aspects. Firstly, your fee depends on where in the UK you are studying (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland).

Secondly, it depends on your study level-

  • For Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree – INR 8 Lakh to INR 17 Lakh per year
  • For Postgraduate Master’s Degree – INR 8 Lakh to INR 17 Lakh per year
  • For Doctoral Degree – INR 12 Lakh to INR 20 Lakh per year

And lastly, it depends on the course you opt for Study in the UK. Most commonly humanities, arts, and education courses are comparatively cheaper than courses like medicine and engineering. If you wish to Study in the UK at the postgraduate level, the tuition fees are higher depending on the program. For laboratory-based programs, average annual fees vary from INR 12 Lakh to INR 29 Lakh. An undergraduate medical degree can cost overseas students up to INR 55 Lakh per year.

  1. Accommodation expenses – Most universities in the UK offer on-campus accommodation to their students called ‘Halls of Residence’. Many universities offer catered or self-catered houses or flats to their students which are very affordable. Your costs for living on-campus will vary from INR 6,000 to 16,000 per week depending on the services you choose for. The price varies if including all or any of the following costs – an internet connection, gym membership, insurance, one’s own personal bathroom, and sometimes a cleaning service. This is the most affordable option as one has to pay less amount then living off-campus. But you need to apply for the residence separately and also at the earliest before they get all booked.

And if you are not able to find yourself space, then you need to rent a house in private or shared with your classmates outside the campus. The price will vary according to the area you’re living in, the services you choose, and the quality of the room. Note that you have to pay your all bills – electricity, water, internet connection, gas prices, transportation costs, security, agreement, council tax (if above 18), etc. separately. A cost for one-bedroom is INR 51,000 to INR 61,000 monthly. Also in some cases, the universities itself help students to find on-campus and off-campus accommodation. As per the reports, London has the highest average weekly rent approximate INR 14,000, and Northern Ireland has the lowest average weekly costs at INR 7,000.

  1. Miscellaneous expenses– Aside from the tuition fees and accommodation costs, there are various miscellaneous expenses one needs to spend on his/her living. Books, travel, food, entertainment, and other wants of students also contribute a large part to expenditure, also, it largely depends on each student’s lifestyles and goals. The amount required by the Home office for living per year is INR 12Lakh to INR 15 Lakh. This amount is to ensure each student has a safe and comfortable place to live in, has plenty to eat, plenty to spend, and plenty to save in case of some emergencies.

You can also keep an account of your expenditure, as in foreign countries money flows like water. So, it’s better to keep an account of your expenditure so that you don’t overspend.

Expenses Approximate costs (monthly)
Bills (electricity, gas, water ) INR 4000- INR 5000
Food – A meal in pub costs – INR 800 – INR 1200- A meal in restaurant costs–INR 1000– INR 2000- A Big mac – INR 300
Mobile phone INR 2000 –  INR 4000
Books and stationery INR 2000
Socializing – Cinema ticket – INR 700- A typical night out including travel, drinks, and club or event entry will costs – INR 3000- Events or acts tickets – INR 400 – INR 5000
Clothes and shoes INR 3000 (also depends on the brand and market you choose to buy)
TV license INR 2000

4. Health and Transport – Many universities have starts to give health insurance plans for their international students as long as your program is ongoing and at the times of completion of the program, the insurance also ceases. According to the National Health Service (NHS), you are required to pay INR 30,000 per year for the duration the visa will be granted. Gym membership typically costs about INR 5000 a month but many gyms offer student discounts. If you want to join any sports academy then it will costs INR 1000 to INR 2000.

Sometimes your institution provides you door-to-door services. Those living at on-campus accommodation, don’t require any fees as the distance is very short. For short distances, you can use regional trains, buses, taxes, and tubes. You can also take monthly passes to get cheap fares. Also by showing a valid student ID you can get discounts on transportation. If using your personal vehicle then include car maintenance, repairs, and fuel bills in your debit sheet. For long distances between cities, you can use the long-distance bus, rail, and air services. The average monthly transportation will cost you up to INR 3000.

5. Student Visa Costs – To Study in the UK the first step is to secure a valid study visa that comes with its own costs. The costs of visa application will be based on the type of visa you need to obtain for going to the UK. For a student visa, it will cost you approximately INR 33,000.

*Note- Figures are tentative

Financial Support Available

There are some ways by which you can fund your study-abroad expenses. Let’s have a look:

  1. Scholarships – In some cases, foreign universities, government, and other organizations provide various scholarships to an Indian student, so that they can maintain their expenses. These scholarships, grants, and bursaries are provided on the basis of their academic excellence and financial needs. However, these scholarships don’t cover your entire costs of living and tuition fees but give you some relief. The scholarships on an average from INR 1 Lakh to 8 Lakh. The Education UK website provides an overview of scholarships available from the British Council and other organizations. Prominent UK scholarships for international students-
  • Chevening Scholarships – Government-funded UK scholarships to Study in the UK at the postgraduate level at accredited UK universities.
  • Marshal Scholarship – Scholarships for high-achieving US students to study in the UK.
  • Commonwealth Scholarships and fellowships
  1. Student Loan– Another aspect that is you can loan to fund your study abroad plans. Full-time and part-time home or EU undergraduates will receive a tuition fee loan from the government to pay their course fees. Maintenance loans are also available to fund your living costs. However, you will find some difficulties to apply for loans, as they are available only to students who have lived in the UK for at least three years prior to starting their course.
  2. Apply for a part-time job –UK universities allow foreign students to work part-time. Working part-time while Study in the UK is a very convenient method of earning some extra bucks which will lighten your burden. The money you make from working could help you to cover the cost of your tuition fees, travel expenses, accommodation, and food and will make you an independent and responsible person. But in order to work, you’ll need to follow some tough rules and restrictions. You’re allowed to work up to 20 hours at a maximum per week during term-time and full-time during holiday breaks. For detailed study go to -Can I work in the UK while Studying?
  3. National Union of Students (NUS) card – A very smart method to lighten your expenses. All students can apply for a National Union of Students (NUS) card, provides discounts of up to 50 percent on technology, food shopping, eating out, going out, media subscriptions, clothes, and travel. Banks also offer student incentives such as free railcards, apple gadgets, and Amazon vouchers.