How Much Does It Cost To Live In The UK For International Students?
The average cost of living in the UK for international students averages out at around £12,000 - £15,600 per year (data from Abroad Education Consultants) - not including tuition fees.
This figure includes accommodation, food, transport and other personal expenses like entertainment. Bigger cities like London have higher living costs, whereas some cities are more affordable for international students.
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What are the Main Costs for an International Student Living in the UK for 1 Year?
Basic living costs include accommodation, food and transport but there will also be additional costs like entertainment, extras like gym memberships, society memberships where relevant, internet and study materials.
Here’s a breakdown of the average costs for each:
Course fees
Fees for UK courses will depend on course level (undergraduate or postgraduate), the chosen degree and which university you’ll be studying at. Undergraduate tuition fees for international students vary from £11,400 - £38,000 and £9,000 - £30,000 for postgraduate tuition fees (according to the British Council).
Accommodation
One of the main costs for international students is their accommodation during their studies. This can vary depending on whether they choose student halls or private off-campus accommodation.
Student halls can cost around £664 monthly (or £848 in London) whereas private accommodation can cost around £554 monthly for a room (£750 in London) as well as household bills which can be between £80 to £140 extra per month.
Food
Groceries and meals could cost anywhere between £120 and £200 per month depending on where you are living and your lifestyle. For example, if you cook all your meals at home, it is cheaper than dining in restaurants.
Transport
This will vary from city to city. If you live in a small uni city that’s easy to get around, you may be able to walk everywhere, which will save you money. Other cities may have a student or young person discount for transport that could help save money.
Socialising
Again, largely depending on lifestyle and how you choose to socialise, this could cost anywhere from around £80 per month to much more. Whether you choose to socialise on a night out, have a coffee in a local cafe or go out for meals, it all adds up.
Some universities have interesting societies and clubs that you may want to join, which will have associated costs, although usually tailored towards a student’s budget.
Additional costs
From an international SIM plan for your phone, to gym memberships and course materials or equipment, there are many additional costs that could bring up the monthly total.
Flying Home and storage between term time
If you’re going home for summer or other holidays, you may need to budget for that too. Not only the flights, but your luggage too.
Choosing the most affordable international shipping company or opting for student storage can be a cheap way of making sure your things are taken care of whilst you are out of the country.
What Factors Influence Cost of Living for International Students in the UK?
There are various factors which may influence living costs for international students in the UK including:
Location
London is the most expensive city when it comes to cost of living. Other UK cities - especially the bigger cities - can also be more expensive than smaller, less-populated cities. From accommodation options to dining out, location impacts all different types of costs.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle and personal spending habits will affect how much you spend overall. If you are a person who loves to shop and dine out, your monthly bills will inevitably be more than someone who cooks at home, for example.
From going to the gym instead of doing home workouts to buying coffees in cafes rather than making it at home, these little lifestyle choices soon make a difference.
Part-time job
As an international student in the UK, you are only allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week. However, having a part-time job can make a significant contribution to your living costs per month.
How Can International Students in the UK Save Money?
Although living costs can be high, there are ways that international students can save money while living in the UK.
Create and stick to a budget
Having an idea of how much you should be spending per month and where that money goes is important for keeping costs as low as possible.
Make a budget of how much you want to spend per month, factoring in all of your costs - from accommodation and basic living costs to any extras you want to be able to enjoy.
Track your expenses so that you know where you might be overspending and where you could maybe make some cuts.
Choose affordable accommodation options
Wherever you choose to go for university, there will be different accommodation options of various costs. It is always worth exploring the different options - including the university-managed halls of residence (which can be all-inclusive) and average rents for house shares.
Look for student discounts
Purchasing a student card can get you discounts at various retailers, local culture spots, restaurants and sometimes even on transport.
Eat at home
Shopping at cheaper supermarkets and choosing to eat at home most of the time can save you money. It’s possible to prepare delicious meals at home for a low cost. Eating out on occasion is a great way to socialise but it can be expensive if you do it habitually.
Get a part-time job
International students in the UK can work up to 20 hours a week and more outside of term time. This is a great way to earn some extra money and help to support living costs.
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