Average Cost of Living in The UK for International Students

As an international student, one of the major challenges that you face when studying abroad is financial strain. Expenses such as housing, food, transportation, tuition fees, and healthcare contribute significantly to this strain. In this situation, you would probably pick a country that is affordable while providing world-class education and job opportunities. The UK fits this description perfectly. Not only does it offer world-class education, but its cost of living is lower than the US – 7.73% cheaper, to be specific, making the UK the ideal place to study. 

In this guide, we will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the living expenses in the UK. By the end, you will have a clear and complete understanding of the costs, which will help you decide whether to pursue your education in the UK.

Top 5 Advantages of Studying in the UK

• There has been a significant increase in employment levels in 2024. According to UK Labour Market Statistics, the number of people aged 16+ was 33 million, and the employment rate for those aged from 16 to 64 was 75% in the period from June to August 2024, reflecting an increase of 340,000 in employment compared to the last year. For international students, the increase in employment levels means better job opportunities.

• Did you know that one of the UK’s cities is the most student-friendly in the world? London is considered the most student-friendly city in the world, topping the chart with an overall score of 100 according to the QS Best Student Cities 2025.  London has consistently held this spot for some time due to its world-class universities, vibrant cultural opportunities, and extensive job opportunities for international students.

• The UK is one of the leading destinations for scholarship opportunities, offering a wide range of scholarships such as Gates Cambridge Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, and university-specific funds. With the help of these, you can significantly reduce your tuition fees, which will make living more affordable in the UK.

• One of the many worries international students have is the cost of transportation. While the transportation costs in the UK can be relatively expensive, the discounts and student passes make it more affordable and manageable. The UK’s transportation department offers a variety of student discount passes to international students, such as National Railcard. The National Railcard is eligible for students who are over 25 years of age and are studying full-time courses in the UK. The Railcard offers international students 1/3rd of rail travel in England, Wales, and Scotland.

• As an international student, food costs are likely to be one of your top concerns when choosing a country for overseas studies. The UK’s food prices are moderately priced when compared to other top student destinations. Additionally, international students can access various food discounts and deals to help manage living expenses, such as supermarket discounts and student discount cards. Supermarkets like Sainsbury’s and Tesco offer student discounts and loyalty schemes that can reduce grocery bills, while student discount cards, like UNiDAYS, provide food discounts at numerous restaurants and delivery services.

Cost of Living in the UK for International Students

Here’s a breakdown of the key components associated with living costs in the UK.

Accommodation Costs

Accommodation costs will be one of the key factors contributing to the overall cost of living in the UK. There are two types of accommodation in the UK for international students – on-campus and private. Here’s the breakdown of the accommodation costs:

Accommodation Type	London	Rest Of UK	Comparison With US
On-campus – Student Halls (Including electricity, water, and other bills)	800 pounds/month	650 pounds/month	The monthly rent for student dormitories ranges from $800 to $1,200 per month (approximately 600 pounds to 900 pounds per month).
Private – Rooms (without bills)	750 pounds/month	550 pounds/month	The monthly rent for private rooms in the US can cost anywhere between $500 and $1,200.

Average accommodation cost in the UK (combining both private and on-campus costs) – 687 pounds/month

Transportation Costs in the UK

Getting around in the cities, such as traveling from home to university, is easy due to the wide range of transportation options available. Here’s a breakdown of the transportation cost:

Transportation Type	Daily Cost	Monthly Cost
Bus	2 pounds – 2.50 pounds	60 pounds – 80 pounds (Monthly pass)
Rail	2 pounds – 5 pounds for a single journey	80 pounds – 130 pounds (Monthly pass)
Tram	1 pound – 2.50 pounds	50 pounds – 80 pounds (Monthly pass)
Cost of transportation in the UK –  80 pounds to 100 pounds/month

For international students, the UK offers student discounts like the National Railcard and Student Oyster Card, both of which provide significant savings on rail travel and buses. In particular, the Student Oyster Card offers a 30% discount on standard fares for tubes and buses within London to full-time students.

Grocery Costs in the UK

International students can expect to spend between 150 pounds and 250 pounds per month on grocery bills. Here are the prices of food items in the UK as of 2024.

Food Item	Price
One loaf of bread	1 pound
One liter of milk	0.90 pound
A carton of eggs	1.95 pounds
A meal at an affordable restaurant	10 pounds to 15 pounds
The average cost of vegetables you can expect to spend in the UK	8 pounds to 16 pounds per month
The average cost of fruits for a person in a month based on regular consumption	30 pounds to 50 pounds

Health Insurance

The UK offers international students a wide range of health insurance options, from private, and government health insurance, to others. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of health insurance prices in the UK:

Type Of Health Insurance	Price/Year
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): This is a health insurance that every international student has to take when applying for a student visa.	776 pounds + additional charges
Private Health Insurance: This insurance covers healthcare services that are not included in the NHS, which is a public healthcare service institution.	150 pounds to 500 pounds per year depending on the type of coverage
University Health Plans: Some universities offer their own healthcare plans to international students.	100 pounds to 300 pounds per year
The average cost of health insurance in the UK –  262 pounds

Tuition Fees

At the end of March 2024, a total of 446,924 sponsored study visas and 139,000 Graduate Route visas were issued to international students, making the UK one of the top destinations for overseas education. When it comes to tuition fees, it varies depending on the location, type of university, and the course chosen. Here’s a breakdown of the tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the UK:

Type Of Studies	Tuition Fees/Year
Undergraduate studies	10,000 pounds to 26,000 pounds
Postgraduate studies	9,000 pounds to 30,000 pounds

If you find the cost of studying in the UK expensive, you can apply for scholarships to help you save money on your studies. Here’s a breakdown of the different scholarship options for international students:

Scholarship	Description
Chevening Scholarships	The scholarship is for students who are going to pursue a Master’s at one of the universities in the UK. This scholarship covers the entire tuition fee, along with travel expenses, living expenses, and accommodation.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships	The scholarship is for those outstanding international students who are going to pursue postgraduate studies at Cambridge University. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, airfare, and living allowance.
Rhodes Scholarships	The scholarship is for outstanding international students who are going to pursue postgraduate study at a university like the University of Oxford. The scholarship covers tuition fees and a living stipend. It is given to those students who have excellent academic achievements and demonstrate exceptional leadership.
Commonwealth Scholarships	The Commonwealth Scholarship is awarded to students from middle-income Commonwealth countries to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree at any university in the UK.

Miscellaneous Expenses

In addition to these, you will have miscellaneous expenses such as dining costs, entertainment, and more. Here’s a breakdown of these miscellaneous expenses:

Activities	London Price	Rest Of UK Price
Dining	A meal at a restaurant in London costs approximately 16 pounds	A meal at a restaurant in the rest of the UK costs approximately 15 pounds
Mobile bill	18 pounds	18 pounds
Gym	20 pounds	15 pounds (Note: Many gyms across the UK offer student discounts)
Cinema	A cinema ticket in London costs anywhere between 12 pounds and 18 pounds	A cinema ticket in the rest of the UK costs anywhere between 10 pounds and 15 pounds
Nightlife	Nightclubs in London charge from 10 pounds to 20 pounds for entry	Nightclubs in the rest of the UK charge from 5 pounds to 10 pounds for entry
Concerts	A concert ticket price in London can be anywhere between 25 pounds to 50 pounds	A concert ticket price in the rest of the UK can be anywhere between 15 pounds to 50 pounds
The average cost of miscellaneous activities in the UK – 100 pounds/month

Cost of Study Visa

Visa	Cost
Study Visa	400 pounds to 700 pounds for international students. It is a one-time payment.
If you are switching to a work visa from a student visa, there are different price ranges for each type of work visa.
Skilled Worker Visa	600 pounds to 1,400 pounds
Start-Up Visa	Around 360 pounds
Innovator Visa	Around 1,000 pounds
The average cost of a visa for international students – If you were to apply for a combination of visas (for example, a Graduate Visa followed by a Skilled Worker Visa or Innovator Visa), the average price can be anywhere between 700 pounds to 3,800 pounds

Total Average Cost of Living in the UK for International Students

Total Average Cost Of Living In The UK
Accommodation Costs	Approximately 8,000 pounds per year
Transportation Costs	Approximately 1,080 pounds per year
Grocery Costs	Approximately 2,400 pounds per year
Health Insurance Costs	Approximately 260 pounds per year (private and university health insurance) + 770 pounds for IHS insurance (one-time payment)
Tuition Fees	Approximately 18,500 pounds per year
Miscellaneous Activities	Approximately 1,200 pounds per year
Visa Fees	The average price of the combination of visas can be anywhere between 700 pounds to 3,800 pounds (This is a one-time fee)
Total average cost of living in the UK for international students: Approximately 34,000 pounds per year. Remember, the living cost in the UK can increase depending on various factors, such as inflation, location, and other factors.

Comparison – UK living Costs vs other Countries

Country	Average Living Cost
UK	Approximately 34,000 pounds per year
USA	$30,000 – $70,000 per year depending on the city
Canada	CAD 30,000 – 50,000 per year
Australia	AUD 40,000 – 70,000 per year

Tips to Manage Living Costs in the UK

Here are a few key strategies that you can employ to manage living costs while studying in the UK:

• Opt for shared accommodations. This way you can split the rent with your friend and save a significant amount of money on rent.
• Explore local markets like Borough Market in Leeds, which offers fresh produce, meat, and other food items at lower prices. There are many such local markets spread across the UK.
• Join student bulk-buying groups. By joining such groups, you can save money on essentials like laundry detergent, toilet paper, and other essentials.
• If you are planning for career development after completion of your studies, make use of free student support services at universities. The support services are free and offer counseling on career and personal development.
• Use cashback or reward apps for grocery shopping. Apps like Nectar, reward you with points on purchases. You can use these points when purchasing groceries in the future.
• Make use of scholarships to manage your tuition fees. Many universities and the government offer a wide range of scholarships to cover your tuition fees and other expenses. With the help of scholarships, you can significantly reduce your living costs in the UK.
• Keep an eye on free travel days. Some cities in the UK offer free public transportation or discount rates on specific routes. Make use of such opportunities.
• Find part-time jobs. The UK allows international students to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week on a student visa. During holidays, students are allowed to work full-time.

Conclusion

Did you get a clear picture of the cost of living in the UK? If so, what are you waiting for? Start exploring universities and plan your studies in the UK. Begin your application process now to make the most out of your studies and everything the UK has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)