What Is the Cost of Living in UK for International Students?

Many young Indians aspire to move abroad for their higher education. The United Kingdom has today emerged as a popular destination for students to enjoy world-class education. Unfortunately, the benefits of the UK education system often get overshadowed by the high cost of living. The cost of living in India is 66% cheaper than the average cost of living in UK. While choosing the ideal destination to study abroad, students must consider the cost of living as well. If you’re determined to study in the UK, you must plan your finances from the start. Opting for a study loan for abroad can help you get the funds required to enjoy a smooth journey. Before you apply for a loan, you should have a good handle on the cost of your course and how much you would need to live comfortably. Let’s take a closer look at the living expenses in UK for international students to help you plan for the future.

Living Expenses in UK Based on Region

Since the UK is made up of different countries, the cost of living in one area could be very different from the other. For example, the cost of living in London for students is much higher than the cost of living in Wales. Let’s look at the average annual cost of living in various regions of the UK:

What Should I Consider While Evaluating the Cost of Living in UK for Indian Students?

Let’s look at the various expenses that make up your cost of living in the UK.

Rent

Regardless of whether you’re planning to pursue a degree in arts, science or a master’s in education, UK, your first priority should be accommodation. Your rent will depend on the area where you choose to reside. The average rent for a one-bedroom flat outside big cities like London would be around GBP 550 or GBP 650 each month. However, this may increase to around GBP 1,800 in certain areas and cities. It’s a good idea to opt for campus housing or find a rental with roommates to lower your monthly expenses.

Food

Once you have a place to stay, you need to consider the cost of food. Buying ingredients to cook at home or eating out could cost between 5 to 20 GBP. You could try a meal plan or cook at home more often to cut your costs.

Travel 

Owning a car or vehicle in the UK becomes expensive as you have to consider maintenance, parking and petrol costs. You can make use of the country’s robust public transportation system with a monthly travel pass that costs around 55 GBP. You might be eligible for student discounts or other discounts that can help lower your cost further.

Council Tax  

The council tax in the UK helps pay for street maintenance, trash collection, and the police force. Even as a student, you must pay council tax. The amount depends on your area of residence. On average, you could expect to pay 25 GBP per week as the Council Tax.

Television Licence

UK residents have to pay a special television license fee to watch television. This could be in any form – a TV or a personal computer. This license would cost around GBP 150 per year.

Mobile Phone 

As a student, you must ask around to find special mobile phone plans designed for you. You can expect to pay around 40 GBP each month for a plan that offers text, calls and data services.

Utilities 

Apart from rent, you may have to take care of other expenses like water, electricity, and gas. On average, these utilities will cost around 40 GBP per week. Weather changes could impact these costs.

Home Appliances

When you move abroad to study, you may have to purchase a few appliances for your home. Depending on the appliances, you could shell out between 100 to 500 GBP per appliance. However, these are one-time costs.

Clothes 

While most students limit their shopping for non-essentials, you may want to buy new clothes once in a while. Consider budgeting 30 to 100 GBP for every shopping trip for new clothes.

Personal Care

Personal care items often differ from one person to the next. Depending on your preferences and needs, you could have to pay between 20 to 50 GBP per month.

Miscellaneous expenses 

Apart from the expenses listed above, you might also have to consider the cost of healthcare or health insurance, an internet connection and entertainment costs. Putting aside 250 to 300 GBP per month will help you cover all these costs as and when required.

Now that you have a better understanding of the costs associated with living in the UK, you can plan for the future. Always consider your living costs and include them in your education loan amount. You can then enjoy your experience of studying abroad without pinching pennies or worrying about your finances. If you like, you can also pick up a part-time job to boost your financial situation.