Indians and students worldwide have long considered the United Kingdom to be one of the best places to pursue higher education. Oxford University, the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London are among the most prestigious educational institutions globally, all located in London. For Indian students, overseas education and the cost of living in the United Kingdom are relatively high.
This is due to hefty tuition fees, which are inflated much more when living is included in.
The monthly cost of living in the United Kingdom is often substantially greater than in other countries. Let’s look at what your monthly cost of living in the UK would be:
| Details | Average Monthly Expenditure (GBP) |
| Tuition Fee (Undergraduate) | 7000 to 10,000 per annum |
| Tuition Fee (Postgraduate) | 15,000 to 25,000 per annum |
| Visa Charges | 1,015 to 1,265 (One-time) |
| Accommodation (Outside London) | 550 to 650 per month |
| Accommodation (London) | 1000 to 1500 per month |
| Utilities | 200 to 350 per month |
| Sustenance | 150 to 300 per month |
| Transportation (Outside London) | 100 – 150 per month |
| Transportation (London) | 150 – 200 per month |
| Taxes | As applicable |
Tuition Fee
For Indian students, the tuition fee will be the most significant contributor to the cost of living in the United Kingdom. The overall cost of living in the United Kingdom for Indian students is highly dependent on the type of degree you intend to pursue and the college you wish to attend. It’s a personal choice that necessitates a thorough examination of your needs and expectations from a course. In addition, the cost of your education is determined by the city in which it is located.
Humanities and arts-related college fees are typically less expensive than specialized courses such as engineering and medicine. The cost of pursuing a postgraduate degree from a British college can be even greater. An undergraduate degree might cost somewhere between 7,000 and 10,000 pounds per year on average. The typical annual salary for a Ph.D. degree is between 15,000 and 25,000 GBP.
Visa Charges
When considering the cost of living in the UK for Indian students, visa fees should come first. A valid student visa is required to study in the United Kingdom. To learn in the United Kingdom, Indian students must get a Tier 4 visa. It is possible to apply six months before the course commencement, and the results usually take three weeks. The 348 GBP visa fee must be factored into the cost of living in the UK for Indian students.
According to Tier 4 Visa regulations, students must either pay the first academic year’s tuition charge or provide evidence of financial security. Documents demonstrating sufficient finances for nine months’ worth of living expenses are also required. When staying outside of London, these fees are roughly 1,015 GBP per month, and when staying in London, they are around 1,265 GBP per month.
Accommodation Charges
Most schools and universities provide residential programs and have an on-campus residence to house students who enroll. For overseas students, these facilities are known as Halls of Residence. Self-catering or full-board options are available at the Halls of Residence. In most situations, halls minimize the cost of living in the United Kingdom for Indian students because they are more cost-effective than other housing options. It is one of the most convenient solutions available to you while continuing your education in the United Kingdom. However, it might be problematic from a financial standpoint. This attracts a lot of competition, so you’ll need to apply ahead of time to secure a spot.
If your college doesn’t have on-campus housing or if you don’t get a spot, you’ll have to find private housing. You have the option of renting a room or using a paying guest facility. If you’re having trouble finding a place to stay, you can seek assistance from your university’s accommodation office. They can assist you in locating suitable housing in the college’s vicinity. The cost of private accommodations varies substantially depending on whether the accommodation is situated in London or outside the city.
A one-bedroom accommodation can cost somewhere between 550 GBP to 650 GBP per month outside London and anywhere between £1,000 – £1,500 in London.
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Utilities
When calculating the cost of living in the UK for Indian students, don’t forget to factor in utility costs such as electricity, water, and the internet, ranging from 40 to 50 GBP per month. In addition, the monthly cost of living in the United Kingdom will include local community service charges, council tax, and other expenses. Depending on your use and the size of your property, utilities can cost anywhere from 200 to 300 GBP.
Tip: As a student, you can apply for a council tax waiver by submitting your university enrollment letter to the council.
Sustenance
Most university residence halls and private housing are equipped with a fully working kitchen, and most students choose to cook for themselves. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencers, Waitrose, and other supermarket chains can be found throughout the country. The majority of retailers sell essential items for preparing Indian cuisine. They usually have pre-cooked, frozen Indian food as well. Other locations in London with a higher concentration of south-Asian communities, such as Brick Lane, Harrow, East Ham, and others, have dedicated Indian stores where you can buy practically any Indian ingredient or utensil. Students generally tend to take a trip to these areas once in a few weeks to stock up on food and other items.
Even the essential sustenance items are city-dependent and can vary anywhere between £150 – £300 per month.
Transportation
In the United Kingdom, public transportation is the most widely used kind of transportation. This includes the well-known London Underground (also known as “The Tube”) and the famed red double-decker buses.
Other cities in the United Kingdom, such as Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Oxford, have their bus, tram, or train systems. In university towns like Cambridge and Oxford, students also utilize bicycles to get around campus.
A monthly underground pass for students in London typically costs between £180 and £250, depending on the zones chosen. For other cities, the rates are lower.
Students who submit their student ID cards can receive significant savings on monthly transportation passes.
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Frequently asked Questions
Q1. What is the cost of living in the United Kingdom for Indian students?
Ans. For Indian students, the estimated yearly living expenses in the UK is roughly 12,000 GBP. Students in UK can also prefer working part-time to help pay for their education.
Q2. Is the United Kingdom inexpensive for Indian students?
Ans. The monthly living cost fluctuates from £1100 and £1400, based on where you reside and other factors. Prepare an annual living expenditure budget of a minimum of £11000 to £15000.
Q3. Is the United Kingdom a suitable place for Indian students?
Ans. The United Kingdom is ranked second among foreign study destinations and seventh among all study in European destinations.
Q4. Is it affordable to study in the United Kingdom?
Ans. It is common knowledge that British universities are one of the costliest places to study. That is just partially correct. The explanation why British education appears to be so costly is due to living expenditures rather than tuition fees. For Indian students, London has been the costliest student destination in the world.
Q5. Is it preferable to study in India than the United Kingdom?
Ans. In terms of undergraduate education, India outperforms the United Kingdom. And for graduate and doctorate degrees, the UK clearly outperforms India. One of the chief factors is that India’s educational system emphasizes theory over practice.
At ForeignAdmits, we understand how important this decision is. We are here to help you every step of the way, from finding the right school to getting admitted and securing scholarships.
We have a team of experienced counselors who can provide you with customized guidance based on your individual needscontact us today to get started. We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals!