The United Kingdom is a popular destination for international students to study at globally recognized universities. Studying in a different country can be a lifetime experience for international students. However, it can cost you a good number of pennies and time. However, an efficient and organized budget plan can help you manage your living expenses more effectively.

1. Tips to Manage Cost of
Living and Studying in the UK

2. Tips to Manage Cost of
Living and Studying in the UK
Studying abroad is a life-changing but confusing process. The United Kingdom is
a popular destination for international students to study at globally recognized
universities. Studying in a different country can be a lifetime experience for
international students. However, it can cost you a good number of pennies and
time. However, an efficient and organized budget plan can help you manage
your living expenses more effectively. As a result, before departing your home
country ensure that you consider expenses like accommodation, food, health
insurance, entertainment and travel along with your tuition fee while
calculating your total expenses in the United Kingdom.
Moreover, living expenses in the UK vary on the basis of an individual's lifestyle
and personal circumstances. At the very beginning, international students
should start out calculating the costs that they will have to bear during their
study period. Let’s take a look at each of the costs and the ways to manage
those while living in the UK.
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3. 1. You Can Arrange Central Scholarship or Funding
Tuition fees at UK universities largely depend on the institution and
course you’ve enrolled in. In the UK, there are many high-ranking
universities and colleges with their own fees and structures.
Additionally, the fees also depend on where your university is
located because there are different rules for England, Scotland,
Northern Ireland and Wales. The fee also depends on students’ level
of degree.
The most common way to reduce your tuition fees is to get a
scholarship or funding from their university. UK universities offer a
large number of scholarships for both local and international
students. We recommend looking at national-level scholarships to
find open scholarships. Your community and school are a good
starting point to look for them as well. Your guidance counsellor or
anyone designated to help graduating seniors can provide you
with several scholarships available for seniors. You may also
contact the Universities representatives. Most of the information
you may also get on the University website.
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4. The scholarships are:
❖ Commonwealth Scholarship
❖ Rhodes Scholarship
❖ Fulbright Scholarship
❖ The Chevening Scholarship
❖ The Global Study Awards
❖ The Royal Society Grants
❖ Gates Cambridge
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5. 2. How to Reduce Your Accommodation Costs
In the UK the accommodation costs vary on a large scale. Most UK universities offer
on campus accommodation facilities called the Halls of Residence to international
students. These can be self-catered or full board. Moreover, cities like London and
Manchester are costlier than small cities and towns.
In the UK, international students can live either in their university dorms or
residences or go for private or shared apartments. As most UK universities offer
accommodation for international students, it should be the most preferred and
financially beneficial option for them. In addition, living on-campus residency will
add conveniences for students as their universities are just a walking distance away.
This is how they can save their transportation costs. At the beginning you might
need to share your room with a roommate but if you get lucky you’ll get a separate
room with an attached bathroom soon. Additionally, various universities include
food, utility and other costs which reduces the cost to some extent and brings down
your extra hassles.
On the other hand, students who can afford to live in private apartments can live
outside the campus. They will experience and enjoy privacy in their days in the UK.
Also, if students rent an apartment with their friends or mates it will reduce their
costs and give them the exposure to meet new people and allow them to socialize
with other people.
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6. Average accommodation in the UK is
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Average Monthly Costs Mega Cities (UK) Small Cities (UK)
University Residence £700- 800 £500-550
Private Housing £800- 900 £500- 600
Utility Bills £45- 50 £40- 50

7. 3. Reduce Transport Cost
After finalizing your accommodation the first thing
will come to your mind is how to lessen your
transport costs because it is the second most
important cost to consider in your monthly
budget. Transport costs also vary from city to city
and the mood of transport you’ll use is similar to
the accommodation costs. Those who live on
campus can go to the campus by walking or
cycling.
Moreover, in the UK buses and trains are the most
common and affordable mood transport for most
of the foreign students. The best way to reduce
your bus or train fare is to buy a monthly bus or
rail card. Using travel cards for intercity is also
something students should definitely take
advantage of if they wish to save money in the
longer run. An overview of the average transport
costs based on some UK cities:
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City Name Monthly Average Costs
London £55- 60
Manchester £45- 50
Liverpool £45- 50
Birmingham £45-50
Leeds £40-50

9. 4. Food Costs in the UK
International students who opt for an
on-campus accommodation do not need
to pay for their food costs or if they need
to pay the amount is very little. On the
contrary, those who privately rent
apartments need to bear all their food
related expenses. Grocery cards are
highly beneficial to manage your food
expenses in an organized way.
International students should go through
a deep research from locals nearby to
get useful insights related to grocery
items, daily or weekly meal plans etc.
The list of staples of grocery items with
their cost and other details:
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Item Quantity Price
Bread 1 pack £0.71
Milk 1.13 L £0.81
Eggs 6 £1.51
Chicken 300 g £1.57
Rice 1 KG £1.51
Cooking Oil 1 liter £1.11
Water 1.5 L £0.81

11. 5. Entertainment
Costs in the UK:
Students need to include their
entertainment cost while calculating
their total while living in the UK
because it will be impossible to live
without it. You need an outlet other
than studies to keep yourself busy as
you’ll be away from friends and family.
In addition, internet, cell phone, TV,
and related costs will also fall under
the entertainment category and
should be included in your monthly
budget. You’ll find various discounts
and offers from your service providers.
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In the end, miscellaneous expenses are really important in the UK.
Some extra expenses apart from food, accommodation and
transport will always be available. You can start making your plan
from now on since you have got an idea of costs of living and
studying in the United Kingdom.

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Thanks!
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