Cost Of Living in UK For Indian Students 2024: Complete Breakdown

The United Kingdom, with its scenic landscapes, booming job market, and quality education, is a popular destination for Indian students to study abroad. The UK is home to many historic universities of the world, providing world-class education facilities, such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

UK universities welcome many students from all over the world who aim to make their careers in the beaming cities of the United Kingdom like Dublin, London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Where you live and study will affect the cost of living in the UK.

The average living cost in the UK for a single person or a student is estimated to be around 84.7k INR per month (as per numbeo). Compared to the USA, the UK is considerably cheaper in terms of living costs.

You can work part-time as a student in the United Kingdom to manage your expenses! This article will discuss the expenses and living costs in the UK for Indian Students.

Estimated Cost Of Living in UK For Indian Students 2024

The primary cost of living in the UK for a student is the tuition fee. As the UK offers many 1-year master’s courses, it is considerably cheaper than countries like the USA or Canada. On average, you will need to set aside 8L-35L for your tuition.

When calculating your study charges, you must also weigh the charges for the student Visa or IELTS exam, which is mandatory during your admission process. 

As we mentioned, the cost of living in the UK mainly depends on where you live. Cities like London are more expensive, compared to Cardiff or Nottingham. 

Expenses also vary mainly depending on your lifestyle. For instance, if you live in a college dormitory, you are likely to pay less than you would if you rented a 2-bedroom flat or an apartment. 

Living in the city’s heart may cost more than living in the exterior. You must also consider other aspects such as the expenses for your meals and, if you cook, groceries. 

Below is a breakdown of the cost of living in the UK. 

Category	Cost per month in INR
Tuition Fee	8L-35L
IELTS Fee	16,250
Visa charges	49k
Accommodation	50k – 70k
Meal	10k – 20k
Internet	4k
Stationery and textbooks	2k – 4k
Travel	3k – 4k
Gas and electricity	6k

Cost of living in UK: Tuition Fees

For Indian students, the tuition fee is the most significant factor contributing to the cost of living in the United Kingdom. Depending on the degree one intends to pursue, the cost of living in the UK for Indian students can vary.

In addition, the city one is studying in also determines the cost of your education. The tuition fees can vary based on the university, its reputation, location, and demand for the course.

Below is the average fee for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in 2024.

Undergraduate Programs	8L- 30.5L INR
Postgraduate Programs	12L- 35.5L INR

Cost of Studying in Popular Universities in UK

As we mentioned, universities are crucial in deciding your tuition fee. Top universities such as Oxford University or Cambridge University are much more expensive than the others.

The good thing is that you can apply for scholarships to bring down your costs!

University	Average Cost per year
University Of Cambridge	INR 26L- 40L
London School Of Economics	INR 26- 45L
University College London	INR 20L- 54L
University Of Bristol	INR 20L- 50L
University Of Edinburgh	INR 20L- INR 41L

Cost of living in UK: Visa Charges

Visa fees are also an important factor when considering the cost of living in the UK for Indian students. Indian students need a valid student visa to study in the United Kingdom.

To learn and pursue their study, an individual from India should opt for a UK student visa or a Tier 4 visa, which can be applied for about 6 months before the commencement of the course.

As of 2024, applying for a UK student visa will cost INR 53,972 for Indian students (as per the UK Government website). 

To secure a UK visa, you must submit your CAS letter, academic transcripts, English proficiency scores, and proof of funds. An Indian student living in the UK must show they can afford approximately INR 1.4L monthly.

Cost of living in UK: Accommodation

Most schools and universities in the UK provide residential programs with an on-campus residence to house students who opt for the program. If your college has no on-campus housing facility or cannot secure a spot, you must find private housing.

• University Accommodation/On-Campus Accommodation: These facilities are known as Halls of Residence, with self-catering or full board options for international students. Halls are known to minimise the cost of living in the UK for Indian students as they are more cost-effective and affordable than other housing options.
• Private Accommodation/Off-campus Accommodation: You can rent a room or opt for a paid guest facility. The university’s accommodation office can help you find accommodation if you have trouble finding one. The cost of private accommodations substantially varies depending on whether the accommodation is in London or outside the city, as London is the most expensive city in the United Kingdom.

Here’s a breakdown.

Category	Cost per month
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	1.6L INR
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	92.3k INR
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	1.8L INR
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	1.4L INR
University Housing	45k-65k INR

Cost of living in UK: Utilities

Services like water, electricity, gas, and other essential utilities in the UK have their own costs. Most of these utilities are included in your rent if you live in student housing. However, if you’re living off-campus, you may have to pay for them separately.

Here’s an overview of some of the living expenses in the UK.

Category	Cost per month
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)	26.7k INR
Mobile Phone Plan	1.2k INR
Internet/Wifi	3.1k INR

Cost of living in UK: Transportation

Travelling in Europe is simple and affordable. The biggest perk of living in the UK as a student is that you can easily wander all over Europe in hours! 

Here’s how:

• For Short Distance: If you’re travelling shorter distances in the UK, public transportation, such as regional trains, tubes, and buses, the most viable options, can be used. If you travel often, getting a monthly pass for buses or tube trains is a good idea! You can also commute by taxi. 
• For Long Distance: The UK is well connected to the rest of Europe. Travelling to cities like Paris, Lille or Amsterdam through railway services is quite easy with services like Eurostar- UK’s highspeed train services. You can also choose to travel by bus or take a flight. 

Here is a cost breakdown.

Category	Cost in INR
Monthly Bus/Transport Pass	16k
One-way ticket (local transport)	165
Taxi tariff, 1km (normal tariff)	170
Gasoline (1 litre)	176

Cost of Living in UK: Food

The UK is home to people from all over the world, and as a result, it produces some of the finest culinary destinations in the world! 

The cost of meals or food in the UK will depend on where you eat. As a student, eating out every day is inevitably expensive. However, you can reduce costs if you cook at home or opt for a meal plan at the University. Remember to budget separately for groceries. 

The prices of groceries and essentials may vary slightly depending on where you buy them. According to sources, supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl offer much lower prices than elsewhere.

The cost of groceries in the UK is listed below.

Item	Price in INR
1 Litre of Milk	INR 129
1 pound of Bread	INR 127
1KG of Rice	INR 165
1 Dozen of Eggs	INR 313
1KG of Cheese	INR 719
1KG of Chicken Fillets	INR 687
1KG of Apples	INR 217
1KG of Banana	INR 118
1KG of Onions	INR 108
1KG of Tomato	INR 282
1 Litre of Water (Bottle)	INR 113

If you love an occasional binge, you’re in for a treat, as the UK is home to some of the fanciest restaurants. Fast food chains such as Greggs, KFC, McDonalds, Toby Carvery, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Dominos, and Subway are preferred by students as they offer affordable prices on food. 

Here’s a breakdown of how much eating out will cost you in the UK.

Items	Cost (INR)
Meal, normal Restaurant	1.2k
A meal in a Mid-range Restaurant (Two people), Three-course	5k
McDonald’s McMeal	600

Average Cost of Living in UK for Indian Students: City-Wise List

The average living expenses in the UK for international students vary with the city they reside in. Cities like London and Manchester are the most happening locations, filled with tourist attractions, corporate hubs, and the best universities in the world. The demand for housing and employment is high in these areas. Therefore, they are slightly more expensive.

Coventry, Birmingham, and Edinburgh are considered some of the most affordable cities in the UK.

The average expenses as per the cities are as follows –

City	Cost of living (without rent) per month in INR
London	96k
Manchester	75k
Edinburgh	71k
Glasgow	74k
Coventry	68k
Nottingham	74k
Birmingham	68k
Brighton	79k

To Summarise

On average, studying in the UK can cost a student anywhere between INR 19 lakhs to INR 39 lakhs, depending on the course and the location where one is studying.

Living expenses in the UK are higher in South East England and London than in other parts of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Hence, studying at Oxford University, Imperial University, and University College London (UCL) is more expensive than Cardiff, Leicester, and Nottingham.

It is essential to budget for the month to ensure that your you spend wisely. UK allows students to work 20 hours a week on their student visa, therefore, it’s easy to earn some money with part-time work.

You can also save money by opting for a travel card that offers certain discounts to students, such as a railcard or an oyster card.

If you plan to study in the UK, contact our team of experts! Leap Scholar has helped thousands of students move to the UK for studies; now is your turn!

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