Cost of living in the UK for international students

MIE.Malekpour4 Published: Last updated: 12 دقیقه Read

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Cost of living in the UK for international students

People will start their studies from three years old, and mandatory studies will begin from 5 to 16 years old in the UK. The 12 study years in the UK have four main stages:

  • The primary level from 5 to 7 years old is the main stage one.
  • The main stage two is from 7 to 11 years old
  • The main stage three is from 11 to 14 years old
  • The main stage four is from age 14 to 16 years old

There is no doubt that the UK study system is one of the best and most well-known education systems. However, the cost of living in the UK for international students is a very critical issue for students. The stages and study levels in school are in the table below.

Curriculum Year Age
The basic stage Kindergarten 3
Preschool 4
Main stage one 1st year 5
2nd year 6
Main stage two 3rd year 7
4th year 8
5th year 9
6th year 10
Main stage three 7th year 11
8th year 12
9th year 13
Main Stage four/GCSE 10th year 14
11th year 15
A Level 12th year 16
13th year 17

A-level college courses are both one-year intensive and two-year full-time programs, and students intending to study medicine usually choosing two-yea

A-level college courses are both one-year intensive and two-year full-time programs, and students intending to study medicine usually choosing two-year courses. Students who can afford to study and live in the UK can immigrate on a Tier4 child student visa. Also, the students do not need to provide a language certificate.

Table of tuition fees in the UK for international students:

r courses. Students who can afford to study and live in the UK can immigrate on a Tier4 child student visa. Also, the students do not need to provide a language certificate.

Table of tuition fees in the UK for international students:

School The cost of studying in the UK
The American school in London 28.200-32.650
Limespring school 23.100
Key House school 21.387
Hampton School 19.170
International School of London 19.000-26.300
City of London School for Girls 18.384
North Bridge House Senior School 18.150-19.335
Emanuel School 17.997
Brentwood School 7.000-35.000
Bellerbys College 35.000-40.000
David Game College 17.000-30.000

Costs of living in the UK for international students at the undergraduate level

Many students choose the UK considering the cost of studying and living expenses in the UK. Besides studying at world-class universities and receiving the best education, and learning various skills, they can learn the English language, which is the international language. The undergraduate study takes about three years in the UK and sometimes four years in some majors. Bachelor’s degrees in the UK include:

  • Bachelor of Science (BSc)
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • Bachelor of Education (BED)
  • Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)

And the students can choose the following majors:

  • Art
  • Applied sciences
  • Law
  • Business
  • History
  • Engineering
  • And so on.

The applicants for a student visa to enter the UK must present an IELTS or TOEFL certificate. The required score for entering the undergraduate level is at least IELTS 6.

The table below shows the cost of studying in the UK at the undergraduate level.

Major University Annual undergraduate tuition in the UK for international students
Civil Engineering John Morse University Liverpool 10.696
Automotive Mechanical Engineering University of Northumbria 17.923
Civil Engineering University of New England 26.092
Aerospace engineering West University 15.032
Professional piloting Vermont Technical College 27.394
Automotive Mechanical Engineering The University of the West of England 15.032
Mechanical engineering University of New England 32.176
Mechanical engineering University of New England 26.092
Electrical engineering University of East Anglia 10.696
Electronic engineering West University 15.032
Computer Science-Cyber Security University of Manchester 18.119
Cyber Security University of Sunderland 15.039
Computer science University of Middlesex 10.709
Hardware Engineering Coventry University 10.709
Business Management ESE London Center 21.998
Economics and Finance University of Montfort 10.709
Business and Entrepreneurship Management Portsmouth School of Business and Law 10.709
Business Management St. Mary’s University 10.709
Human resources management University of Stirling 18.119
Law University of London 5.658
International law London Law University 10.709
Architecture West University 15.051
Interior design Wolverhampton 10.709

Cost of living in the UK for international students at postgraduate level

The applicants can start postgraduate courses in the UK after completing a bachelor’s degree. It takes a year, unlike in other countries where the postgraduate course takes two years. So, the cost of living and studying in the UK for Students at this level are lower. Master’s degree graduates in the UK have a better career prospect and can cover their study and living expenses in the UK by finding a suitable job during a year. A study by the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency found that 86% of graduate students could find full-time employment, but this amount was lower for undergraduate students (75%).

The table below shows the cost of studying in the UK at the postgraduate level.

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Major University Annual postgraduate tuition in the UK
Architecture and interior design Lincoln University 18,524
Architecture University of South London 15,954
Architecture Metropolitan University 19,103
Graphic Design University of Middlesex 16,093
MBA ESE London Center 40,522
Robotic Engineering Lincoln University 18,501
Chemical engineering University of Birmingham 25,080
Materials Chemical Engineering University of Manchester 12,060
Automotive design and transportation engineering Coventry University 16,188
Aerospace engineering Coventry University 18,269
Automotive Engineering University of Hertfordshire 14,627
Robotic Engineering University of Salford 16,547
Geotechnical engineering University of Birmingham 25,080
Chemical engineering and process management University of South London 15,934
Building Services Engineering GCU University 14,569
Civil Engineering Portsmouth University 17,460
Mechanical engineering University of Sunderland 15,032
Mechanical engineering University of Montfort 16,304
Oil and gas engineering Brunel University, London 21,646
Oil and gas engineering Coventry University 17,402
Oil and gas engineering University of South London 17,460
Materials Engineering University of Birmingham 24,768
Mining Engineering University of Exeter 27,404
Electrical engineering GCU University 13,297
Financial department University of Kent 21,303
Computer North Hampton 14,762
Computer science Birkbeck University of London 17,598
International Law and Commercial Law Lincoln University 18,026
Language translator University of Birmingham 19,676
Teaching English University of Birmingham 20,736
International Management University of Newcastle 21,992
Financial department ESE London Center 27,786
International Banking and Finance University of Glasgow 32,904
International Banking and Finance University of Glasgow 32,904

Tuition and living expenses in the UK at the doctoral level

Students with a master’s degree can study at the doctorate level. Sometimes undergraduate students can apply for a doctorate. The studying and living expenses in the UK are higher for students at this level. However, they can obtain a scholarship much easier at this level. The doctoral degree in the UK takes three years. Students who decide to study in the UK for a Ph.D. must submit an IELTS degree of 7 or higher. Tuition fees in the UK for international students at different universities and cities vary according to their study field. The table below shows tuition fees in the UK for international students at the doctoral level.

University The tuition fees in the UK for international students at the doctoral program
University of Leicester 14.850-32.175
Queen Mary University of London 15.500-43.560
Manchester University 19.000
University of York 17.300-21.700
University of Sheffield 17.600-49.160
Liverpool University 16.700-22.000
Birmingham University 17.580-23.310

Cost of living in the UK for international students and affordable universities

The United Kingdom is on the same level as the United States in terms of education and quality of universities and colleges. However, the cost of studying and living expenses in the United Kingdom is lower than in the United States. Generally, the universities have higher academic level receive higher tuition fees. We have described the cost of studying in UK universities at different levels, and the cost of studying varies according to the field and the university. In the table below, you can see some of the universities that offer cheaper tuition fees.

University Undergraduate tuition fees Postgraduate tuition fees
University of Chester 9.250-11.950 12.000
University of Cumbria 1.554-15.500 3.500-15.500
University of Bedfordshire 11.500 1.200
Wrexham Glyndwr University 11.750 12.500
Teesside University 11.825 11.825
Leeds Becket University 12.000 11.500-12.500
University of West London 12.000 12.000
University of West London 12.500 12.500-15.000
Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, East Lothian 12.500 13.500
University of Stirling, Stirling 12.140 14.460

The cost of living in the UK for international students at top universities

The United Kingdom is in a pretty good educational position and has good international rankings. It provides the best educational services after the United States. Tuition fees in the UK for international students are a very critical issue for top UK universities, which is pursued by students who are at a very good academic level. The following table lists the top universities and the tuition fees in the UK for international students.

City University Global ranking 2019 Cost of studying in the UK
Oxford Oxford 21 25740-36065
Cambridge Cambridge 27 21168-55272
London College London 49 18430-34660
Edinburgh Edinburgh 57 19800-26000
Manchester Manchester 74 18500-24500
Nottingham Nottingham 116 18420-23760
London London Economics and Political Science 117 21570-36984
Leeds Leeds 128 22500
Coventry Warwick 131 12924-16887
London Imperial College 153 9250

The cost of living in the UK for international students and scholarships

The cost of living and studying in the UK is higher than in other European countries. However, students can cover part of their studying and living expenses in the UK by receiving a scholarship. The University of Oxford offers approximately 140 scholarships to international students annually. This scholarship is awarded based on the academic potential of each student and research background. The University of Edinburgh awards scholarships to outstanding doctoral students to reduce their study and living expenses in the UK. Besides, the University of Bristol has invested 500,000 pounds to help the brightest and best international students. Tuition discounts at this university are from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds. The University of the West grants scholarships to students from developing countries to pay for tuition and living expenses in the UK.

There are other scholarships in the UK for several periods, including the University of Sheffield Scholarship, the University of Nottingham Scholarship, the University of Brittany Scholarship, etc.

Row Universities and institutions
1 University of Bristol Scholarship
2 University of Edinburgh Scholarship
3 West University Scholarship
4 University of Sheffield Scholarship
5 University of Nottingham Scholarships
6 Donna Bull Scholarship for A Level Course
7 Castle Smart Scholarship
8 Imperial College London Scholarships
9 Channing Scholarship
10 Kingston University Scholarship

The cost of living in the UK for international students and student work income

Job search conditions in the UK are pretty good, and students can pay part of the cost of studying and living expenses in the UK by working according to their work permit. The unemployment rate in the UK was about 3.9 in 2019. Therefore, the working conditions are ideal for students.

Undergraduate students can work part-time for up to 10 hours a week, and postgraduate and doctoral students can work 20 and 30 hours per week. The average salary that students receive varies between 10 to 18 pounds per hour. However, working in the UK cannot cover all the costs of studying and living expenses in the UK.

The cost of living in the UK for international students and accommodation

Housing and accommodation costs are critical for international students in the UK. The living expenses in the UK vary according to a person’s lifestyle and accommodation. The cost of studying and living expenses in the UK is different in different cities for different periods. However, a student who wants to get a dormitory has to spend between 135 to 210 pounds a week. Also, the cost of renting a suite is about 130 to 260 pounds a week. Also, if a student wants to rent a small apartment, the expense is about 140 to 340 pounds per week.

The cost of living in the UK for international students in different cities

The living expenses in the UK and the cost of studying in the UK vary from city to city. London has higher costs than other cities in the UK. The students can apply for cities with lower tuition and living fees because most of the universities in the UK are scientifically highly ranked. They are well located, and a person can look for work in the UK after graduation. We describe the living expenses in the UK in different cities and compare them in this section.

City/Cost The living expenses in the UK for a family of four The living expenses in the UK for a single person
London 3.626 1.022
Bristol 3.056 887
Brighton 3.003 864
Cambridge 2.974 869
Edinburgh 2.947 838

The cost of living in the UK for international students and the income of various occupations

Although the cost of living and studying in the UK is higher than in other European countries, the income of various jobs is equally high. The average income in the UK is about 4,627 pounds per month. The highest salary is around 20,491 pounds, and the lowest is about 626 pounds per month in the UK. People’s wages are different in different jobs.

The table below shows the income of different occupations. The salary is much higher than the cost of studying and living in the UK. So a person can pay for all the expenses by working for a year.

Job Average monthly salary
Accountants 3,124
Administrative Assistant 2,479
Architect 4,014
Lawyer 6,786
Biomedical Engineer 4,140
Cashier 2,572
Master chef 3,670
Administration Manager 10,497
Chief Financial Officer 9,776
Civil Engineer 4,299
Computer technician 3,628
Dentist 11,301
Electrical engineer 4,549
Primary school teacher 3,156
Sales Manager 7,435
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