What Is The Cheapest City To Live In The UK For International Students?
Belfast is the cheapest city to live in the UK for students according to the latest data from Natwest. Other cheap cities include Bath, Derby, Glasgow and Ormskirk.
On top of tuition fees, international students coming to the UK need to consider affordable living costs when planning their time abroad.
Before coming to the UK, students may want to think about the cheapest city where they can get a great education at an affordable rate.
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What are the Top 5 Cheapest UK Cities for International Students?
According to the latest data from Natwest, the most affordable UK cities for international students are the following:
Belfast
Life in iconic Northern Ireland city Belfast costs around £1,100 to £1,400 for international students, including accommodation, food, transportation and entertainment, according to UniAcco.
Tuition costs on average £17,900 or £14,910 for Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, respectively (data from GoStudyIn).
Bath
Bath - one of the UK’s most historial hubs - is also one of the cheaper cities for international students, costing around £1,400 - £1,500 per month.
Average tuition costs are £14,400 for Bath Spa University or £19,600 for the University of Bath.
Derby
Voted #1 city for affordability back in 2019 (TechTalk), Derby has maintained its reputation of being an affordable city for international students.
With accommodation costs of around £115-£163 per week, around £40 per week on food and £40 extra for activities and entertainment, international students will spend around £276.50 weekly (data from the University of Derby).
The average undergraduate tuition for the University of Derby is £14,045 annually.
Glasgow
Glasgow is not only Scotland’s largest city but also one of the most affordable UK cities for international students. With plenty of culture and tons of cheap activities available, it is a great option for students coming to the UK.
The University of Glasgow estimates a living cost of around £1,100 to £1,700 per month, depending on lifestyle factors.
There are different tuition options depending on the chosen university in Glasgow, including an average of £13,000 at Glasgow Caledonian University, £17,650 at the University of Strathclyde and £21,920 at the University of Glasgow.
Ormskirk
Close to Liverpool and Manchester, without the big city prices, Ormskirk is one of the cheaper cities in the UK for international students.
With an average tuition of £12,500 at Edge Hill University and low accommodation costs (an average of £137 per week according to StudentCrowd), it is a great option for international students moving to the UK.
Other Cities
Other cities highlighted in the top 10 cheapest cities in the UK included Edinburgh, Plymouth, Sheffield, Portsmouth and York.
How Much is the Cost of Living for International Students in the UK?
There is a great deal of variability across the UK when it comes to living costs, but on average students pay around £157.78 per household bill according to Natwest.
The British Council estimates that international students can expect to pay around £900-£1,300 per month - covering accommodation, bills, groceries and additional expenses.
International students in London will pay more, with an average of around £1,300 to £1,400 per month.
What Makes Cities Cheaper for International Students in the UK?
Certain factors make cities more affordable for students, including:
Cheaper rent - certain UK cities have significantly lower rent than others. International students can choose to live in purpose-built student accommodation, on-campus housing or off-campus housing. When choosing which UK city to study in, international students should look at the prices of each of the options to see what’s most affordable.
Easy to get around - choosing to go to a city that’s easily walkable could save money on transport costs. If you need to rely on transport, look at the cost of public transportation and see if it’s affordable for students in the city.
Everyday expenses - groceries, household items and entertainment in the city can soon add up. Some UK cities have lower costs for these kinds of expenses, which can help international students budget.
What Additional Costs Are There For International Students?
In addition to tuition costs and everyday expenses, international students will have to factor in additional costs, including:
Visa and immigration: International students coming to the UK will typically need to apply for a student visa, depending on where they are coming from. Students coming from outside of the EU or EEA will also need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge, allowing them access to the National Health Service. Certain countries will require students to pay for a residence permit or similar document.
Health insurance: Depending on where they’re from, international students may need to pay for mandatory health insurance coverage. The price of this will depend on the provider and level of coverage.
Travel: If coming to the UK from abroad, students will need to think about the cost of getting there. They will need to budget for flights to the UK, flights back from the UK and how often they would like to go home in between.
Storage: When going to and from the UK, it can be tricky to know where to leave belongings, especially during out-of-term time. Those going home for the summer could think about storage by the box as it tends to be much cheaper than traditional storage units. At The Box Co. we offer an affordable solution for student storage that allows international students to remain flexible with their plans.
International shipping: If you’re finally moving home after your studies, it can be expensive to ship all of your belongings. Luckily, there are affordable options available for international shipping. Whether you’re sending one suitcase or boxes of things, you can send your belongings to over 150 countries across the globe with The Box Co. - safely, securely, flexibly and affordably.
Student Storage and Shipping with The Box Co.
Whether you want affordable storage between term time or cheap international shipping, The Box Co. helps international students live affordably in the UK, whatever city they choose to study in.
We can collect your belongings straight from your university accommodation to store safely and securely for as long as you need or send them back to your home country - straight to your door.
Click here to get a free quote and see how we can help you lower the cost of being a student in the UK.
