It can be difficult to predict your living expenses and set a budget if it is your first time in the UK. We have made the following guide to help you with budgeting. Of course, lifestyles and budgets differ greatly from person to person, so we have just outlined the most cost-effective solutions to help give you a preliminary sense of the minimum funds required.

Tuition Fees

As a guideline, undergraduate programmes are likely to cost between £12,000 and £17,000 for international students and postgraduate programs can cost anywhere from £15,000 to £25,000 for international students. Other courses and schools offering GCSEs and A-Levels vary greatly in cost, and, for this reason, we recommend that you contact the schools directly to get the best estimate.

Accommodation

Student halls cost £50-£125 per week. Some student halls are catered, but most are self-catered. It’s important to consider your food budget in your estimation of living expenses, as this can have a significant impact on your total budget.

Commuting

Travel passes usually range from £50-£110 per month, depending on the type of transportation involved. This is an important part of your budget and should be considered in line with your accommodation. Make sure you check for any student discounts when purchasing your travel passes.

Other Costs

1. £5-£30 per week for food is probably the minimum expense. This is based on cooking at home and shopping at the cheaper supermarkets, such as Asda, Lidl and Aldi. Remember that the prices in different supermarkets can vary greatly, even for the same products.
2. £10 per month for BT landline rental and calls will be charged on top of this.
3. £5-£35 per month for mobile phone (pay-as-you-go or contract).
4. £3-£5 per week for Internet access if it is not provided by your accommodation.
5. £10 per week for a TV licence (this is sometimes covered by the student halls).
6. £7 per week for stationary (i.e. notepads, pens, printer cartridges, etc).
7. £8-£20 per week for gym fees.

Leisure Activities

The cost of leisure activities can vary significantly based on your region and the type of activities. A pint of beer in a student hall is typically around £1-£2, whereas it can cost as much as £4.50 in a London pub. A cinema ticket ranges from £3-£8 depending on the day/time and any available discounts. Most companies offer a discount for students, and it is important to get a student NUS card, as this will make you eligible for most of these discounts.

Please note that council tax is exempted for students.