Studying abroad can be an expensive affair for students going to study in the UK. However, an efficient budget plan can help you manage your living expenses more effectively. Before you depart from India, ensure that you consider expenses like accommodation, food, health coverage and travel along with your tuition fee when calculating the estimated cost of studying in the UK.
Tuition Fees In The UK
In the UK, the response regulator in setting the range of tuition fees is the government. However, the fees set for international students is quite higher than fees for students who are residents of the UK. It will also further depend on your nationality, the course and the academic level of your course that will account into your tuition fees in the UK. Fees, in the UK, cover the entire cost of tuition along with excess fees including information technology, tutoring and library services that may be available.
In 2020, an undergraduate degree would cost an international student up to between £10,000 and £26,000 per annum and an undergraduate medical degree may cost up to £58,600 per year. To earn a postgraduate degree, an international student in the UK may have to pay a minimum of £20,000 per annum. However, there is no upper limit on the charges for a postgraduate degree in the UK. Institutions in Wales may charge no less than £9,000 per year and students applying to Northern Irish universities may be required to pay up to £9,250. The fees in Scotland might go a little higher for a foreign student.
With all that being said, the UK government makes a number of financial resources available to international students coming to pursue higher education in the UK. These various types of financial aid include scholarships, student loans and other grants. Of the top, the most popular scholarships for Indian students in the UK include Chevening Scholarship- India, Inlaks Scholarship, The Felix Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarships, and more.
Student Accommodation
Most universities in the UK offer on-campus residence facilities called the Halls of Residence to international students. These can be self-catered or full board. Certain campuses also provide self-catered shared houses or flats to their students. Living as a resident on-campus is a very affordable option. However, you need to apply for it separately, and well ahead in time to secure a slot for yourself.
If you are unable to find such accommodation, you might have to look for a room on rent, homestay or find localhost. Your university’s accommodation office may help you out in this case too as they often have a list of accommodation options available in the nearby area.
Your checklist when looking for a place:
- Costs
- Facilities
- Deposits
- Inventory
- Rent book
- Bill payment
- Tenancy agreement
- Council tax
- House rules, if any
The cost will vary from city to city. If you opt to rent an apartment, you will have to additionally pay for utility bills like electricity, internet, water usage and also tenant’s insurance (in some areas of housing). House rent for a one-bedroom apartment generally ranges between £550 and £650 (Indicative).
Note that anyone over the age of 18 living in the UK is required to pay for local community services such as rubbish collection, police, fire brigade, leisure services, etc. You’ll have to pay for council tax if you’ll be living anywhere apart from an on-campus accommodation or sharing a home with a family or other full-time student.
Cost of your student visa
To study in the UK, the first step is to secure a valid study visa and that comes with its own costs (approx. £348). Feel free to consult your IDP counsellor for latest updates and information on the visa application process and related costs.
Living expenses
You need to keep a little money aside for your grocery shopping, social activities, and emergencies. When living in a foreign country as a student, it is better to keep track of your expenditures so that you do not overspend.
Expenses | Approximate cost (monthly) |
Bills (electric/ gas/ water) | £40 – £50 |
Food and housekeeping | £160 – £200 |
TV licence (mandatory with TV or watching BBC online) | £12.56 (or £150.50 per year) |
Mobile phone | £15 – £50 |
Clothes and shoes | £25 |
Leisure & sports (calculated on membership for the students’ sports centre) | £10 – £20 |
Books & stationery | £21 |
Socialising | £120 |
Travel & transport (based on the monthly cost of a student bus pass) | £32 |
Childcare (if needed) | £656 |