How Much Does Living Cost In The UK For International Students?

The cost of living in the UK for international students can cost anywhere from £900 to £1400 per month, depending on location and lifestyle. 

This cost covers accommodation, groceries, utility bills and other expenses. Tuition costs are extra and vary between institutions.

It can be hard to know how to keep living costs low but by creating a budget, seeking out student-friendly services and getting a student card to benefit from discounts, you can cut costs significantly while studying.

At The Box Co., we help international students all over the UK keep their storage costs low between terms - with flexible, affordable storage solutions starting from just £3.56 per box, per month.

Get a quote today!

 

What Is The Average Living Cost For International Students In The UK? 

 

The British Council estimates that the average living cost for international students in the UK is around £900-£1300 per month, or £1300-£1400 in Central London. 

There is a great deal of variation depending on lifestyle; for example, international students who go out regularly, buy their food in restaurants and join many societies will have a higher cost of living than those who stay in and cook at home.

Also, living costs vary greatly by area in the UK. For example, the best cities for international students when it comes to cost of living include Belfast, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham. London, Brighton, Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh, on the other hand, have far higher living costs for students. 

 

 

What Are The Main Costs For International Students In The UK?

 

The main costs for international students in the UK include: 

 

Accommodation 

Students will need somewhere to live during their studies but they usually have a choice of catered university halls, other university accommodation or off-campus, private housing. 

University-owned accommodation is usually more expensive than off-campus accommodation but might come with additional benefits such as catering, proximity and university-run social activities. 

Off-campus, you could choose to live as close to your university as possible (which will usually mean paying more) or live further out and travel further to reach your university. If you do decide to privately rent, you might want to look at rental guarantor services that allow you to rent in the UK.

These will all be things to consider when determining budget and considering priorities for your time studying in the UK.

 

Utilities And Internet

If you’re living off-campus, you’ll need to pay utilities like water and electricity as well as internet for your home. These costs are usually included in university-owned accommodation which is something worth thinking about when deciding where to live.

 

Groceries

It’s true that certain areas of the UK have a higher cost of living in general, even extending to the prices found in the supermarkets. However, as a student you do have a certain level of control when it comes to how much you spend on groceries. 

Choosing cheaper supermarkets and local markets, shopping with a meal plan and sticking to a budget can all help to keep costs low. Similarly, opting for home-cooked meals rather than ordering takeaway meals or eating in cafes and restaurants will help you save money. 

 

Entertainment

A large part of student life in the UK is enjoying everything your uni and the local area has to offer - from uni societies to making the most of the nightlife. However, this all adds up. Make sure to budget for everything that’s not studying when moving to the UK as an international student. 

 

Health

International students can access NHS services but may need private healthcare too. Also for general health, international students might want to budget for things like a gym membership alongside their studies.

 

Transportation

Getting around as a student can be cheap but will vary depending on the city. Many student-friendly cities offer a student transport card or something similar. Walking will always be cheaper than taking the bus or train but isn’t always an option. If you want to go home for Christmas break or summer holidays, you may need to budget for flights too.

Rather than paying extra for luggage and taking your items back and forth, student storage can be a good option to keep costs low when going home during the holidays.

At The Box Co., student storage solutions start from just 79p per week - with transport and insurance included. Get a quote today!

 

Visa

As an international student, you’ll need a visa to study in the UK. The cost of a visa includes, at the most basic level, an application fee, immigration healthcare surcharge (paid per academic year). This is already over £1,000 for one year of study.

 

Tuition Fees 

Depending on where you study and your subject, you’ll be looking to pay anywhere from £11,400 to £38,000 annually for undergraduate degrees. If you’re an international student on a postgraduate course, this could cost between £9,000 and £30,000.

 

How Can International Students In The UK Save Money On Cost Of Living?

 

There are plenty of ways international students in the UK can save money on the cost of living. 

 

Student-Friendly Services

Look for services that are catered to students and understand the specific needs of a student. For example, as an international student you’ll likely need storage for your items between academic years.

Opt for a flexible, affordable student storage service who understands the need for short-term contracts at a low price.

Similarly, university-provided services - from on-site bars to exercise classes - offer prices especially tailored to students that may be cheaper than off-campus.

 

Student Card

Getting a student card can help you save money across many different services - from transport to museums, local entertainment and retail. You can also take advantage of the many discount students available. 

 

Make A Budget

Creating a realistic monthly budget (and sticking to it) will help you save money as an international student. It will make you aware of where you spend your money and help you keep costs as low as possible while still making the most of student life. 

 

Affordable Storage For International Students In The UK

 

One way to keep living costs low as an international student in the UK is choosing the most affordable storage options. 

Instead of shipping your items back and forth or paying for extra rent just to accommodate your belongings, keep your living costs lower with affordable storage. 

With storage by-the-box solutions starting from just £3.56 per box, per month - including transport and up to £100 insurance per box - you can save significant money on storage with more money to spare on enjoying life in the UK.Contact us today to get a quote!