The cost of studying in the UK for international students is typically £30,000 to £40,000 for the first year of a one-year master’s degree, once you add tuition, living costs and visa fees together. Tuition usually ranges from £15,000 to £40,000 a year depending on the course, while medicine can cost £60,000 or more.
For your Student visa, you must also show £1,570 a month for living costs in London or £1,203 a month elsewhere (for applications from 30th November 2026).
- Tuition fees: Typically £15,000 to £40,000 a year, and £35,000 to £60,000+ for medicine and dentistry.
- Living costs for your visa: £14,130 in London or £10,827 elsewhere for nine months (applications from 30th November 2026).
- Visa and health fees: £558 visa fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year.
- Cheapest cities: Newcastle, Liverpool, Cardiff and Lincoln.
- Ways to reduce costs: Scholarships, shared accommodation and part-time work of up to 20 hours a week.
Latest Updates
- Visa living costs: From 30th November 2026, the amount you must show rises to £1,570 a month in London (from £1,529) and £1,203 a month outside London (from £1,171).
- Visa fees: The Student visa fee has been £558 and the Graduate visa fee £937 since 8th April 2026.
How Much Does It Cost to Study in the UK?
Your total cost depends on your course, university and city. Alongside choosing the right course and university, building a realistic budget is one of the most important parts of planning to study in the UK. It helps you avoid surprises once you arrive, and it’s what your visa application will be assessed on.
This example shows a first-year budget for a one-year master’s degree, using the Student visa living cost amounts that apply from 30th November 2026.
| Cost |
London |
Outside London |
| Tuition fees (example) |
£22,000 |
£18,000 |
| Living costs (visa amount for nine months) |
£14,130 |
£10,827 |
| Student visa fee |
£558 |
£558 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (around 16-month visa) |
£1,164 |
£1,164 |
| Total (before flights and English test) |
£37,852 |
£30,549 |
Also budget for flights, your English test, any tuition deposit due after your offer and a few months’ living costs after the nine-month visa benchmark if your course runs longer. For undergraduate students, a foundation year adds an extra year of fees and living costs. Scholarships and part-time work can offset some of this.
Expert View
“Students often budget for tuition and rent but forget scholarship deadlines close months before the course application deadline. Applying for funding at the same time as your university shortlist, not after you get an offer, is what actually makes the UK affordable.” – Vijayalakshmi V, Counsellor, StudyIn.
How Does the Cost of Living in the UK Compare With Other Countries?
| Country |
Average Monthly Cost (Excl. Rent) |
| UK |
£812 |
| USA |
$1,200 |
| Canada |
C$1,500 |
| Australia |
AUD 1,600 |
| Ireland |
€990 |
Overall, the UK is competitive on cost, especially because most master’s degrees take one year rather than two. That shorter course length is one of the main reasons to study in the UK.
How Much Money Do You Need for a UK Student Visa?
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) sets a minimum amount for living costs that every Student visa applicant must show, held in an account for 28 consecutive days. You must also show any unpaid tuition fees for your first year. The amount depends on when you apply.
| Study Location |
Applications Before 30th November 2026 |
Applications From 30th November 2026 |
Nine-Month Total (From 30th November 2026) |
| London |
£1,529 per month |
£1,570 per month |
£14,130 |
| Outside London |
£1,171 per month |
£1,203 per month |
£10,827 |
If your course lasts less than nine months, you only need to show funds for the length of your course. If you’ve already been in the UK with permission for at least 12 months, you normally don’t need to show funds. The full financial rules and documents are covered in the UK Student visa requirements.
What Are the Living Expenses in the UK for International Students?
Your living costs include accommodation, food, transport and personal expenses. Here’s a breakdown of what most students typically spend each month.
Accommodation
| Type |
London (Per Month) |
Rest of UK (Per Month) |
| University halls |
£750 to £900 |
£500 to £700 |
| Private housing |
£850 to £1,100 |
£450 to £750 |
Utilities such as electricity, water, Wi-Fi and gas typically cost £100 to £160 a month, though they’re often included in student accommodation. Compare halls and private renting in more detail in the student accommodation guide.
Food and Groceries
Monthly food costs usually range from £120 to £250. Shopping at supermarkets such as Aldi, Tesco and Lidl, and cooking at home, can significantly reduce costs compared with eating out.
Transport
| City |
Monthly Cost |
| London |
£100 to £150 |
| Manchester |
£60 to £80 |
| Birmingham |
£50 to £70 |
| Leeds |
£45 to £65 |
Other Monthly Expenses
- Mobile plan: £10 to £20
- Study materials: £20 to £50
- TV licence (if you watch or stream live TV): Around £15
- Leisure and social activities: £50 to £150
How Much Are UK University Tuition Fees for International Students?
| Subject Area |
Typical Annual Fees |
Notes |
| Humanities and social sciences |
£15,000 to £22,000 |
Lower-cost programmes with flexible pathways |
| Business and management |
£18,000 to £35,000 |
Higher fees at top-ranked universities and for MBAs |
| Engineering and technology |
£20,000 to £35,000 |
Includes lab and facility costs |
| Computer science and AI |
£20,000 to £40,000 |
High-demand field with strong career outcomes |
| Medicine and dentistry |
£35,000 to £60,000+ |
Most expensive because of clinical training |
| Creative arts and design |
£16,000 to £25,000 |
May include additional studio costs |
Fees vary by course and university, so research specific programmes early. Compare fees and entry requirements for the top business and management degrees, top UK universities for artificial intelligence and affordable medical schools. If you’re applying for an undergraduate degree, you’ll apply through UCAS, which costs £34.50 for up to five choices.
What Does a UK Student Visa Cost?
On top of the funds you must show, there are separate visa fees every international student needs to budget for. These increased on 8th April 2026.
| Cost Type |
Amount |
Details |
| Student visa application fee |
£558 |
One-time fee, the same from outside or inside the UK |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) |
£776 per year |
Paid upfront for the full length of your visa, with half the rate for any extra period of six months or less; gives access to NHS services |
| Priority visa service (optional) |
Around £500 |
Faster decision, typically within five working days, where available |
| Super priority visa service (optional) |
Around £1,000 |
Decision by the next working day, where available |
| Flights to the UK |
£250 to £1,000 |
Depends on where you’re flying from and when you book |
Priority service prices vary by country, so check the current fees on GOV.UK before you apply.
What Does the Graduate Route (Post-Study Work Visa) Cost?
Many students plan for tuition and living costs but forget what happens after graduation. The Graduate Route lets eligible students stay in the UK to work, or look for work, without a job offer or employer sponsorship.
The application fee is £937, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge at the standard adult rate of £1,035 per year. For an 18-month visa for bachelor’s and master’s graduates, that’s £2,489.50 in total. For a three-year PhD graduate visa, it’s £4,042.
Wondering if your budget covers the full picture, including life after graduation?
What Are the Most Affordable Cities in the UK?
| City |
Average Monthly Cost |
Key Benefits |
| Cardiff |
£800 to £1,100 |
Low rent, compact city, strong student support |
| Leeds |
£900 to £1,200 |
Large student population, lively social scene |
| Liverpool |
£800 to £1,100 |
Affordable housing, cultural hub |
| Leicester |
£850 to £1,150 |
Diverse community, lower living costs |
| Newcastle |
£800 to £1,050 |
One of the most budget-friendly cities |
| Lincoln |
£800 to £1,100 |
Small city, lower accommodation costs |
Remember that your visa funds are set by UKVI, not by your city’s real costs. Outside London, actual living costs can be lower than the £1,203 a month you must show.
How Can You Manage Your Budget as a Student in the UK?
1. Choose Shared Accommodation
Sharing accommodation significantly reduces rent and utility costs compared with living alone.
2. Use Student Discounts and Travel Cards
Railcards, bus passes and the 18+ Student Oyster card in London can cut travel costs by up to a third.
3. Cook Meals at Home
Cooking at home is far cheaper than eating out regularly and can noticeably lower your monthly food spend.
4. Work Part-Time During Your Studies
International students on degree-level courses can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during official holidays, which can help with living costs. You can’t count future earnings towards your visa funds, though.
5. Create and Track a Monthly Budget
A budgeting app or a simple spreadsheet helps you monitor your spending and spot overspending early.
6. Apply for Scholarships and Bursaries Early
Many scholarships have earlier deadlines than the course application, so applying early improves your chances of funding.
What Scholarships Are Available for International Students?
| Scholarship |
Coverage |
Eligibility |
| Chevening Scholarships |
Full tuition, living costs, flights |
Future leaders with work experience, from eligible countries |
| Commonwealth Scholarships |
Full funding, travel, living allowance |
Students from eligible Commonwealth countries |
| Marshall Scholarships |
Full funding, living costs, flights |
High-achieving US citizens |
| GREAT Scholarships |
At least £10,000 towards tuition |
One-year postgraduate students from selected countries |
| University scholarships |
£2,000 to £15,000 fee reduction |
Merit-based or need-based |
Fully funded awards are highly competitive, so most students combine a partial university scholarship with savings, family funding or an education loan.
What Career Outcomes Can You Expect After Studying in the UK?
| Job Role |
Indicative Salary |
Typical Degree |
| Software engineer |
£40,000 to £70,000 |
Computer science, IT |
| Data scientist |
£41,000 to £75,000 |
Data science, mathematics |
| Civil engineer |
£34,000 to £55,000 |
Engineering |
| Business analyst |
£38,000 to £65,000 |
Business, finance |
| Healthcare professional |
£30,000 to £80,000+ |
Medicine, nursing |
Salaries vary by role, experience, employer and location, and starting salaries are usually at the lower end of these ranges. See which sectors are hiring most actively in in-demand jobs in the UK for graduates.
Plan Your UK Study Budget With StudyIn
Understanding the true cost of studying in the UK, from tuition and living costs to visa fees and life after graduation, is essential for planning your studies. StudyIn, formerly SI-UK, has over 20 years of experience helping international students study in the UK and across multiple destinations.
Our counsellors build a realistic cost plan for your course, city and nationality, then support you through scholarships, financial evidence, visa applications and enrolment. Our service is free throughout the process.
Ready to see exactly what your UK study plan will cost?
FAQs
How much does it cost to study in the UK?
Total costs typically range from around £22,000 to £65,000 or more a year, including tuition and living expenses, depending on your course, city and lifestyle.
Is the UK affordable for international students?
It can be, especially because most master’s degrees take one year. Scholarships, shared accommodation, a city outside London and part-time work can all help manage costs.
What is the cheapest city to study in the UK?
Cities such as Newcastle, Liverpool and Cardiff are among the most affordable, with average monthly living costs well below London.
How much money do I need to show for a UK Student visa?
For applications from 30th November 2026, you need £1,570 a month in London or £1,203 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months, plus any unpaid first-year tuition.
How much does a UK Student visa cost in 2027?
The Student visa application fee is £558, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year, paid upfront for the full length of your visa.
How much does the Graduate Route visa cost?
The application fee is £937, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year. For an 18-month visa, the total is £2,489.50.
Do EU students pay international fees in the UK?
Most EU, EEA and Swiss students now pay international fees. Exceptions include students with settled or pre-settled status, and Irish nationals, who can usually pay home fees.
Can international students work in the UK?
Yes. Students on degree-level courses can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during official holidays.
