Topics reviewed in this article:
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.
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 |
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!