How Much Does It Cost to Study in UK? Complete Breakdown

When you decide to study in UK, one of the first questions you will probably ask is: How much will it cost me in total? For many Indian students, the UK is one of the best study-abroad destinations because of its high-quality education, excellent job prospects, and cultural richness and diversity. In addition, you will have many networking opportunities when you are in this country. But there’s often not enough clarity about the cost of studying in the country. In this blog, we will give you a detailed breakdown of the same. So, keep reading!

Table of Contents

Why Studying in UK for Indian Students is a Good Idea?

There are many reasons why Indian students should choose the UK as their study-abroad destination. The top ones include:

The quality of education in the UK is commendable; the focus is on skill development, ensuring that students are ready for the job market.
Shorter course durations (most undergraduate courses are 3 years; master’s programs are usually 1 year).
A wide range of scholarships and financial aid is also available.
You get to be a part of a multicultural environment, where your perspective widens and you get many new, unique experiences.
The post-study work visa is also very flexible in the UK.

The Cost of Studying in the UK for International Students

Let us now take a closer look at the different costs you will have to bear when studying abroad in the UK:

● Tuition Fee

Tuition costs are among the most significant expenses associated with studying abroad. If you decide to study in UK, the fee will vary from one university to another. It will also depend on the courses you choose. The table below mentions the approximate fees for various courses:

Undergraduate Degrees
Courses	Approx. Fees
Humanities and Social Sciences	£10,000 – £18,000 per year
Engineering and Technology	£13,000 – £22,000 per year
Medicine and Dentistry	£30,000 – £45,000 per year
Postgraduate Degrees
Courses	Approx. Fees
Arts and Humanities	£11,000 – £20,000 per year
STEM Courses	£13,000 – £25,000 per year
MBA Programs	£20,000 – £45,000 per year

● Living Costs

The cost of living in the UK will depend on your lifestyle choices, the kind of accommodation you choose, and the city you live in. While it is high in cities like London, other cities have cheaper alternatives. Let’s have a look at the different expenses in the table below:

Expense Category	Average Monthly Costs
Accommodation	£690 – £955
Food	£200 – £350
Bills (Gas, electricity, broadband, TV license, and water)	London: £200Other Cities: £120
Groceries	London: £175Other Cities: £136
Travel	London: £110Other Cities: £70
Mobile Phone	£18 (SIM-only plan)
Laundry	£25
Stationery and Textbooks	£35 – £55
Movie ticket	£9
Dinner at a Restaurant	£15-16

● Additional Costs

When you study in UK, in addition to the fees and cost of living, there are many other expenses you need to know about. Some of these are one-time, others recurring. Here’s a list of these:

1. Visa Application Fee

Student visa fee: Approximately £490

2. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)₹

Required for access to the National Health Service (NHS): £776 per year (for students)

3. Flight Tickets

A round trip from India to the UK can set you back ₹50,000 to ₹90,000, depending on when you book.

4. Study Materials

Expect to spend anywhere between £300 and £600 per year on books and study materials. The good thing is that many reference materials are available online (PDFs) or in the library. So, make sure not to spend on books you can find here.

Scholarships and Financial Aid: A Great Support for Students

Studying in UK for Indian students isn’t as expensive as it might seem. This is because there are many scholarships and financial aid programs for students. Some of the most popular ones are:

Name of Scholarships	Important Details
Chevening Scholarships for Indian and International Students	Covers tuition fees, living costs, and flight fareFor one-year master’s programs
Rhodes Scholarships	Fully funded Full timeFor postgraduate programs
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship	Given to students from Commonwealth countries Available scholarships include: Commonwealth PhD ScholarshipsCommonwealth Split-site ScholarshipsCommonwealth Master’s ScholarshipsCommonwealth Shared ScholarshipsCommonwealth Distance Learning ScholarshipsCommonwealth PhD ScholarshipsCommonwealth Professional Fellowships
GREAT Scholarship	Covers one year’s tuition fee for postgraduate degrees Jointly funded by the UK Government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council
Erasmus Mundus	Includes tuition fees, travel, and living expensesThe scholarship amount varies with the level of education

If you need help navigating these scholarships or have any queries about studying abroad, you should get in touch with a reliable abroad study consultancy.

Part-Time Work Opportunities

Now that you are aware of the different costs you need to pay when you study in UK, you should also know that there are multiple part-time work opportunities that you can take up to cover a significant part of these expenses.

A valid student visa allows you to work:

Up to 20 hours per week during term time
Full-time during vacations

Some common part-time jobs available include:

Retail
Hospitality
On-campus roles
Tutoring
Freelancing

Summing Up

Deciding to Study in UK benefits you amazingly well in the future. You don’t just get knowledge but skills too. If you feel overwhelmed by the costs, remember that smart budgeting, scholarships, and part-time work can keep you steady. With clear direction and a dedicated approach, your journey of studying in the UK will be smooth and memorable. So, when are you applying?