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Cost of Studying in the United Kingdom

In general, studying in the UK is less expensive than studying at similarly ranked universities in, say, the United States. It is undeniable that studying abroad may be costly for students. If you intend to study in the United Kingdom, there are several costs to consider before moving to the nation.

Of course, tuition fees differ from university to university and course to degree. Living costs vary by city, and studying in London will be more expensive than studying in a small town in Wales or Scotland. In this article, Edu Experts would be happy to assist you in researching expenses specific to you and what you are interested in studying.

£10,000 ~ £38,000

per year

#1 Tuition Fees

UK tuition fees vary depending on your home country. Your undergraduate tuition fees vary from £10,000 to £38,000 or more for medical degrees. Generally, humanities and social sciences degrees cost the least whereas laboratory and clinical degree programmes are more expensive.

Although there is no upper limit on post graduate degree charges for Malaysian students, they are more expensive than most undergraduate courses, and the fee varies depending on the university you are applying to. Malaysian/international students are not eligible to apply for government loans, but there are alternatives such as financial aid and scholarships from their universities or external organisations.

#2 Course Materials

Some universities will often specify that your course may have related costs such as field trips or research expenses for post graduate courses. Textbooks can also be expensive, so it would be beneficial to consider acquiring second-hand books. Most students also possess laptops when going to university, so this is also another cost that needs to be considered. Books and university equipment, on average, will cost £15 per week, or £60 per month.

#3 Living Cost

After considering various expenses and living costs, a single student budget in the UK lands between £5,500 and £8,000 per year (indicative). These costs vary based on where you are in the UK as well as the lifestyle choices you make.

#4 Accommodation

On average, the student rent is approximately £126 per week or £547 a month, however, students in London can expect to pay an average of £168 a week, or £675 a month. Most rents include additional bills, however many students pay bills on top of rent. Utility bills (water, gas and electricity) in rented accommodation come to about £70 per month. Broadband internet costs about £20 per month, however these bills are usually split between tenants.

Most students stay in university accommodation for the first year and then move to private housing for the second and third years. The costs of university accommodation will vary depending on where you are based and what kind of accommodation you choose.

#5 Transportation

Public transportation is available in all cities and major towns of the country. For short distances, you can make use of regional trains, buses and tubes. Some universities or colleges provide shuttle services between your place of residence and campus.

Students studying in London should expect to spend about £23 a week to cover traveling expenses. This includes the London Underground, buses, trams and trains). Outside London and other major university cities, an average single bus journey is about £1.50 and £45 a month for a student travel card.

You can also purchase a ‘Young Persons Railcard’ for £30 for 1 year or £70 for 3 years if you are a student at any university in the UK. The railcard gives you a 30% discount on train travel, which will lower your living expenses.

#6 Food and Recreation

The average monthly food bill in the UK is £250 if you are only eating outside or ordering in. You can try and save living expenses by cooking food at home, this way, you will end up spending approximately £100 a month on food, if you spend the bare minimum amount. Your average weekly food bill can be lowered if you stay in a private catered hall. Food bill costs also depend on your lifestyle choice. A meal in the pub costs between £8 to £15, with a restaurant meal costing about £10 to £25.

With regards to recreation, depending on the activities of your interest, you can expect to spend approximately £50 to £250 per month. A typical night out including travel, drinks and club or event entry is approximately £30 to £45.

#7 Insurance

It is mandatory for students to be insured medically. You will need to pay a premium of £15 to £25 per month against insurance. If you work part-time and earn more than £166 a week, then you will be liable to pay for national insurance.

#8 Council Tax

If you choose to live in a private apartment, your expenses will also include a council tax. This tax is calculated based on your area of residence and also how many people you live with. The average council tax across the UK is £25.