Can you compare some countries for studying abroad focusing on budget and living expenses in UK/Australia?

Studying in the UK generally costs you less overall because your degree finishes faster, a 3-year undergraduate or 1-year Master's, even though Australia's higher minimum wage of $24.10 AUD an hour makes part-time work more effective at covering your bills. Monthly living costs run £1,000 to £1,500 in the UK versus $1,800 to $3,200 AUD in Australia, with both figures climbing sharply in capital cities like London, Sydney or Melbourne.

UK vs Australia Cost Overview

How Your Monthly Living Costs Break Down

• In the UK, rent outside London runs £500 to £800 a month, groceries at Aldi or Lidl cost £150 to £220, and transport passes average £50 to £100 outside the capital
• In Australia, shared apartments in Sydney or Melbourne cost $900 to $1,400 AUD, groceries run $300 to $500 AUD, and monthly transit passes cost $100 to $200 AUD
• Smaller cities cut your costs further: Adelaide or Perth shared housing runs $600 to $1,100 AUD, well below the big Australian hubs

My Advice

If minimising total spend matters most to you, lean toward the UK's shorter degree structure, since fewer years of living costs can outweigh the higher sticker-price tuition. If you can commit to steady part-time work, Australia's $24.10 AUD minimum wage can meaningfully offset your higher rent, especially if you avoid Sydney or Melbourne city centres.