Cost of Living in UK for International Students in 2025
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Cost of Living in UK for International Students in 2025

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Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Nov 24, 2024 23:00 IST

Cost of Living in UK 2025: The living cost in the UK for Indian students is more than the cost of living in any of the Indian cities. Indian students opting to pursue their higher education abroad must match their budget and the total cost of living and studying in their desired city abroad before making the great move. 

Cost of Living for International Students in UK

With the increasing living costs in the UK, international students have to be mindful of their expenses for the upcoming year 2025. The cost of living in the UK varies greatly depending on your lifestyle, spending habits, the city where you are studying and living and the level of course that you are pursuing. The cost per programme may also vary significantly; for example, humanities and social science courses cost the least to students while courses including laboratory work and medical practices cost the maximum. You can estimate the required budget based on the data given in this article below and your period of stay in the UK, using the cost of living calculator. Note that the average cost of living in the UK for Indian and international students in the year 2025 may range from £14,000 to £22,000 per year (covering accommodation, groceries, bills and other expenses during their studies).

On the other hand, the average cost of student accommodation in the UK ranges from £690 to £955 for a month (depending on the city they are living in). For example, in one of the most expensive cities in the world, the cost of living in London for Indian students is higher than in the rest of the UK. However, there are some affordable accommodations in London that may not put much load on the students' pockets. Let us now learn about the cost of living in the UK in detail.

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Check: Top 10 Reasons to Study in the UK

How much is the Estimated Cost of Living in the UK for 2025?

Check the detailed account of the cost of living in the UK from the table given below. 

Cost of Living in UK 2025

Particulars

Average Monthly Costs

Accommodation

£690 - £955

Food

£200 - £350

Bills (Gas, electricity. broadband, TV license and water)

  • London: £200
  • Rest of UK: £120

Groceries

  • London: £175
  • Rest of UK: £136

Mobile phone

£18 (SIM-only plan) 

Laundry

£25 (approx.)

Stationery and textbooks

£35 - £55

Travel (buses, trams, and trains)

  • £110 (in London)
  • £70 (in rest of the UK)

Movie ticket

£9 (approx.)

Dinner at restaurant

£15-16

Source: British Council and University of Oxford

Cost of Studies in UK 

For international students to study in the UK, the undergraduate tuition fee is around £10,000 - £38,000 per year for full-time courses. Note that the higher range is for medical degrees at the best colleges. For masters in the UK for Indian students, the average tuition fees of full-time programs range from £9,000 - £30,000 per year. For laboratory and research-based programs, average annual fees stand at £14,000 - £15,000. For medical degrees, the average figure is £22,200 and it can go up to £52,000.








Also Read: Top 10 Libraries in London

How Much Money is Required to Study and Live in the UK: Officially Recommended Amount 2025

UK Visa and Immigration require you to have a budget of £1,483 per month for a period of 9 months (or £13,347) to study in London. This amount is in addition to the tuition fees. This is the minimum amount you need to show to get a visa to study in London. For other places in the UK, the amount will be lesser. If you study at colleges outside London, you will require a minimum amount of £1,136 per month for a period of 9 months (or £10,224) as requested by UK Visa and Immigration. However, if the student is going to be boarding at a residential independent school then, they will be required to pay the boarding fees which will be mentioned on their CAS.







Check: Cost of Living in London for Students.

If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.

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Cost of Living in UK FAQs

Q. Which is cheaper for international students - Canada or UK?

A. The UK is home to a number of world's best universities and is stepping up its game to benefit international students once they are done with their graduation. On the other hand, Canada has lower overall living and study costs and has provided international students with flexible post-study work opportunities. 

Q. What is the average cost of living in UK for Indian students?

A. The average cost of living in UK for international students is around £14,000 to £22,000 per year. The cost of living in UK includes factors like accommodation, food and groceries, household bills, transportation, entertainment, etc. 

Q. Which city of the UK is best for international students?

A. According to the QS best studies cities 2025 rankings, London is the best student city in the world for international students. Some of the other top cities in the UK for international students include Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Coventry, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Nottingham, etc. 

Q. Can international students stay in the UK after completing their graduation?

A. Yes, a graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years once you complete your course in the UK. With a graduate work visa, you can work for most jobs, look for work, be self-employed, do voluntary work, etc. 

Q. Is UK a great place to study for international students?

A. Undoubtedly, UK is a great place for international students. The universities situated there offer quality education. However, to survive in UK, you must keep some tips in mind such as improving your fluency in English, searching for an affordable accommodation, looking for a part-time job, learning about the transport system, being receptive of the weather challenges, etc. 

Q:   How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?

A:

The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses: 

The Undergraduate Application Process:  

Step 1:  You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.

Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.

Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.

Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements. 

Check out:  tips to improve your SOP

Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS. 

Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.

Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.

The Postgraduate application process: 

Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\

Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.

Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.

Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course. 

To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application. 

Step 5:  If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester. 

Q:   Does the University of Essex require IELTS?

A:

International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:

English Language Test

 Score

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section

The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:

English Language Test

 Score

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 72 to 114

PTE

Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section

Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities

Q:   Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?

A:

The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.

Q:   What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?

A:

The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:

Ranking Body Ranking
The Guardian University Guide 2024 #101
The Complete University Guide 2024#117

Q:   What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?

A:

University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.

  • Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
  1. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
  2. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
  3. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
  4. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
  5. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
  6. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
  7. #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
  • Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
  • Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD    is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
  • High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.

Q:   Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?

A:

Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students

Q:   How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?

A:

Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.

  • Know the exam pattern
  • Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
  • Solve previous year question papers
  • Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
  • Revise regularly
  • Figure out weaker areas and learn them well

With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.

Q:   How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?

A:

Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024. 

  • Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
  • Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
  • A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
  • Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024
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Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert

Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio

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UK Expertise

Neha Nain Kuntal, a highly qualified professional, holds an MBA in International Business and Marketing, a Master’s in Commerce, a PG Diploma in International Business Operations, and a Bachelor’s in Education. With... Read Full Bio

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Comments

(48)

A

Ahz Associates

5 months ago

In 2024, the cost of living in the UK for international students varies by city but typically ranges from £10,000 to £15,000 per year, covering accommodation, food, transportation, and personal expenses. London is more expensive, with costs up to £18,000 annually, while cities like Manchester, Birmi

...more

Reply to Ahz Associates

A

Athirawebservices

7 months ago

Good deep research on this cost of living in the UK. I can understand that a single person needs at least 1000 Euro per month to lead a decent life in the UK. Accommodation occupies major cost in the UK. From Classiblogger.

Reply to Athirawebservices

H

Hari joshi

2 years ago

I want to pursue undergraduate (hotel management) course in uk .can i pay 2nd year fee by myself? I am now 19 years old?

Reply to Hari joshi

A

Aprant Agarwal

2 years ago

Hello. It is advisable that you arrange funds for complete course as with part-time work won't you might not be able to pay his complete tuition fee.

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Shaveta Vasudev

2 years ago

What is the average cost per month for living in London in a shared accommodation (2 people living in small flat).

Reply to Shaveta Vasudev

P

Piyush Kohli

2 years ago

Hi Shaveta, international student needs to have a budget of at least £1,265 per month for staying in London, so, you need approx. £200 to £300 per week to live in or around London.

S

Sagar A M

3 years ago

Hi, am interested in studying about gems and goldsmith courses, which university is best please suggest me Thank you

Reply to Sagar A M