Cost of living in the UK | 5 expenses you must know about!

The United Kingdom is one of the most popular destinations among aspirants planning to study abroad. Many of these students are concerned about the cost of living in the UK, along with the tuition fees for college. Plus, there are things to consider, like the cost of utilities, housing, food, and recreation. This article provides a compilation of all these expenses, listing out their average costs in the UK. Let’s get started!

What are the factors that affect the cost of living in UK? 

The cost of living in any country depends on various factors. If you are looking to move to the UK, then there are a few standard things that will affect your cost of living in the UK, including-

Location 

The UK is an expensive country to live in for a lot of international students. However, the major reason for high living expenses is the city you choose. There are certain cities which are more expensive to live in than others. 

Places like London, Cambridge, or Oxford in England are considerably more expensive for international students and locals alike. However, you will find more affordable places to stay in the UK, like Edinburgh, Birmingham, Belfast, and Glasgow. 

The southern and south-eastern parts of the UK are more expensive for students since they have less affordable housing options as compared to the northern part of the UK. 

University 

Living cost in the UK for international students also includes study material fees, health insurance costs, charges for electronics, Wi-Fi, etc. While these costs may seem negligible to you right now, they can amount to a much larger number over the year, considerably impacting your living costs. Here’s why…

Country of residence 

This might seem improbable, but the country where you originally reside in can also decide how costly it is for you to live in the UK. If you live in a country whose exchange rates with respect to the UK are not of a considerable amount, then it will seem cheaper to stay there. 

However, for international students whose currency is valued considerably lesser than that in the UK, the living expenses seem even higher with respect to their country of residence.   

Type of accommodation  

The type of accommodation you choose is a major factor in deciding the cost of living in the UK per month. If you are living in campus accommodation, then the cost of living becomes lower due to lower rent in campus accommodations. 

However, if you decide to live in accommodations outside of campus, then your cost of living will increase.   

Average cost of accommodation in UK 

The cost of accommodation is a huge concern for any student traveling to the UK. Accommodation costs not only include house rent but also consists of charges for utilities, especially if you are living in an accommodation that is out of campus. These can include-

1. Electricity 
2. Water
3. Laundry
4. Wi-Fi
5. Gas, etc.

Now, coming to the 2 types of accommodation you can choose from-

University Housing 

The living cost in the UK for international students depends on the university where they will be studying. Most universities in the country, either private or public, offer accommodation to international students at discounted rates. 

University residences are generally on the campus and the accommodation costs also vary according to the type of university accommodation you opt for. Contact your university or visit its website to get the exact details of accommodation costs. 

Private Housing

If you opt to live in private accommodation, then the cost of living will also include utility expenses like electricity, housekeeping, water, and gas. The average cost of private accommodation in the UK is £547 per month. 

The utility expenses can range from £50 to £120 per month. As a student, you should also remember to include internet connection costs as part of your utility expenses. The average monthly cost for an internet connection in the UK is £20. 

Travel costs in the UK 

UK has a great network of public transportation that makes traveling accessible for students. The average travel cost per month UK comes up to around £140 per month. The most extensive network of public transportation in the UK is the tube (underground rail network). Traveling by tube can help save a lot on travel costs. 

However, the tube is not present in a lot of cities across the country. But you can access trains to travel both short and long distances. You can even purchase a ‘Young Persons Railcard‘ for £30 if you are a student at any university in the UK. The railcard lets you avail of a 30% discount on train travel across the UK, lowering your living expenses. Buses are the next best option for travel across the UK. 

If you wish to travel long distances, then you will need to avail flights or long-distance trains. 

Food and recreation costs in the UK 

Food accounts for an important portion of your living expenses in the UK. On average, you might end up spending close to £250 on food if you are only eating outside or ordering in. You can try to save living expenses by cooking food at home. This way, you will end up spending approximately £100 on food, especially if you spend the bare minimum amount. 

As an international student, it is very likely that you will want to experience the lifestyle in the UK and visit places in and around your area of residence. The nightlife in the UK is also very vibrant and attractive to international students. 

Depending on the activities of your interest, you can expect to spend approximately £50-£250 per month. Typically, a meal at a restaurant or a pub in the UK costs approximately £8 to £25. A night out can cost you approximately £30 to £45. 

Additional Expenses 

Visa 

A UK visa cost is approximately £348. An international student requires a tier 4 visa to study in the UK. This requires you to show that you have £1015 to pay as monthly expenses each month. This cost increases to £1265 if you are living in London.  

Insurance

It is mandatory for students to be insured medically. You will need to pay a premium of £15-25 per month against insurance. If you work part-time and earn more than £166 a week, then you will also be liable to pay for national insurance. 

Council Tax 

If you choose to live in a private apartment, your expenses will also include a council tax. This is a tax that is calculated based on your area of residence and also depends on how many people you live with. It is used to aid you with public services in your areas like garbage collection, street maintenance, and police. The average council tax across the UK is £25. 

Miscellaneous costs 

It is important to account for miscellaneous costs. This can include emergency funds, a splurging fund, and funds for emergency medical services. 

Key Takeaways

We know this may be a lot, so we have summarized the cost of living in the UK for you below-

Expense	Approximate Price (Per Month)
Rent	£547
Utilities	£160
Travel	£140
Food	£250
Council Tax	£25
Insurance	£25
Recreation	£250
Miscellaneous expenses	£250
Total	£1647

This pricing for the average cost of living in the UK has been formulated keeping the higher spectrum of costs in mind. Your actual cost of living can be lesser (or more) than what we’ve mentioned above. 

FAQs

1. What is the average cost of tuition fees for an undergraduate course in the UK? 

The tuition fee for undergraduate courses in the UK ranges from £7000 to £20,000. The tuition fee depends on the particular university and the program you attend. 

2. What is the cost of accommodation for a single person in London? 

The average cost of accommodation for a single person in London is approximately £859. 

3. How can I reduce living expenses in the UK as an international student? 

As an international student in the UK, you can take up part-time jobs to earn some extra money. You should use public transport while traveling and get a student travel pass to save more money. Cook at home and avoid eating out too much so that you can curtail your living expenses. 

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