This article is based on the one posted by Times Higher Education. How much does it cost to study in the United Kingdom? If you want to study in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales, one of the most crucial factors to consider is how much everything will cost. This indispensable guide breaks down the costs of every area of university life to ensure that you are well prepared.
Tuition Fees
Tuition rates in the United Kingdom vary based on your native country. English institutions can charge up to £9,250 per year for an undergraduate degree for home students.
For lecture-based undergraduate degrees, overseas students should expect to spend between £10,000 and £26,000 each year. An undergraduate medical degree may cost up to £58,600 per year for international students. There are also many grants and scholarships available to the home and/or EU students but international students are not eligible for many of them.
Living Costs
The average student rent in 2020 was £126 per week, or £547 per month; however, students in London may expect to spend £182 per week, or £640 per month. The average yearly cost of education for students is £4,914. (based on a 39-week contract). Most rentals include some sort of cost, while one-third of students will pay expenses in addition to rent. The projected total cost of lodging at the completion of a standard three-year undergraduate degree is £14,742.
The government offers a maintenance loan to home and EU students to help with living expenses (including accommodation). Students often live in university housing for the first year before moving to private housing for the second and third years. The cost of university housing varies depending on where the student lives in the UK and the type of housing they choose.
Utility Bills
Utility bills (water, gas and electric) in rented accommodation are approximately £50 per month, with mobile phone bills ranging from £10 to £60. Broadband internet costs around £20 per month, however this is typically distributed among renters.
Transportation
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. Students at central London universities should expect to spend £23 a week on travel (covering London Underground, buses, trams and trains) or £140 a month.
Students also benefit from one-third off travel on regional trains with a 16-25 Railcard. For example, a single adult ticket booked on the day of travel from London to Brighton (a popular day trip destination) is £17.50, or £11.50 with a student railcard.
Food & Entertainment Costs
The average weekly meal expense in the United Kingdom is £50, however this figure may be lower if you stay in private catered halls. The cost of food varies based on your diet and where you live in the country. A lunch at a pub cost between £8 and £12, whereas a meal in a restaurant cost between £10 and £25. A movie ticket costs on average £7.41, while a Big Mac costs £3.39. However, costs in London and the southern cities will be greater than in the northern cities. Gym memberships are normally £50 per month; however, many gyms offer student discounts.
It is crucial to know that many locations, such as the cinema, theater, restaurants, and a variety of businesses, may offer student rates or a student discount. So keep your university student card with you at all times, or look into discount cards and websites for students that may offer some decent deals.
Financial Support
Most full-time and part-time home or EU undergraduates will get a government tuition fee loan to cover their course expenses. Maintenance loans are also available to them to help with living expenses.
International students, on the other hand, face additional challenges because loans are only accessible to students who have resided in the UK for at least three years prior to beginning their study. For international students, there are several scholarships, bursaries, and grants available. All of them are incredibly competitive, but UK universities are continuously striving to increase their foreign student numbers, so taking the time to explore all of your alternatives is important. It’s also worth checking your preferred university’s website to see if they provide any scholarship.
Furthermore, all students can apply for a National Union of Students (NUS) card, which provides proof of student status and offers discounts of up to 50 per cent on technology, food shopping, eating out, going out, media subscriptions, clothes, travel and university supplies. There are separate cards and programs that offer a broader range of discounts, such as UNiDAYS and Student Beans.
We hope this guide aided you in planning and budgeting your life as a college student. Stay tuned for another article which will brief you on how to save money as a student as well. Bon chance!