Monthly cost of living for students in the UK
Monthly budget
| Cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | £500 to £900 outside London, £900 to £1,400 in London |
| Food and groceries | £150 to £250 |
| Transport | £50 to £120 (student railcards and bus passes help) |
| Utilities and phone | £60 to £120 (often included in halls) |
| Health | Covered by the NHS after paying the Immigration Health Surcharge with your visa |
Total: £1,000 to £1,400 a month outside London; £1,500 to £2,000 in London.
By city
| City | Room rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| London | £900 to £1,400 for a room | Tube, bus and Overground with an 18+ Student Oyster card giving 30 percent off travelcards. |
| Birmingham | £500 to £800 for a room | Buses, trains and the West Midlands Metro; New Street is 80 minutes from London. |
| Manchester | £550 to £850 for a room | Metrolink trams, buses and a direct airport with flights across Asia and the Gulf. |
| Edinburgh | £600 to £950 for a room | Buses and trams; Lothian Buses student passes. |
| Glasgow | £500 to £800 for a room | Subway, buses and trains; the Subway is the third-oldest underground in the world. |
| Leeds | £450 to £700 for a room | Buses and a walkable centre; two hours to London by train. |
| Liverpool | £400 to £650 for a room | Merseyrail trains and buses. |
| Cardiff | £450 to £700 for a room | Buses and trains; the centre is walkable. |
| Bristol | £600 to £900 for a room | Buses and cycling; London is 90 minutes by train. |
| Oxford | £650 to £1,000 for a room | Buses and cycling; London is an hour by train. |
Offsetting costs with part-time work
20 hours a week in term time, full time in vacations. At £10.00 to £12.21 an hour (National Minimum and Living Wage rates), twelve to fifteen hours a week covers a meaningful share of living costs but never tuition.
Practical tips
- Over 160 universities and higher education providers, from 900-year-old Oxford to universities founded this century.
- A 16-25 Railcard cuts a third off most train fares.
- Most halls include all bills and internet in the rent.
- International students can open a UK bank account with a passport and a proof-of-address letter from the university.
- The academic year normally runs from late September to June.
Figures are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.
Get this checked for your case
Rules change and every application is different. A counsellor confirms the current position for your country and course. Free.
Talk to a counsellorRelated questions
How much study gap is accepted for a UK master's?
Most universities accept a gap of two to five years if you can explain it: work, family, an exam attempt, or a business. Gaps longer than that are still possible with relevant work experience. We help you write the explanation the university and the visa officer both want to see.
How much money do I need to show for a UK student visa?
Your first year's tuition fees (minus anything already paid) plus living costs of £1,483 a month in London or £1,136 elsewhere for up to nine months. The money must sit in your or your parents' account for 28 days before you apply. Education loans from recognised lenders are accepted.
Can I get permanent residence after studying in the UK?
Not directly from a student visa. The usual path is Student visa, then Graduate Route, then a Skilled Worker visa with an employer, and after five years on qualifying visas you can apply for settlement. The rules changed in 2025 and may change again, so treat this as the current picture, not a promise.
Do I need IELTS for the UK?
Many universities accept a Medium of Instruction letter, or your school English marks, instead of IELTS, especially for students from India, Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. Others insist on IELTS, PTE or the Duolingo English Test. We check each course before you spend money on a test.