How much money should I take along with me to cover initial months' living expenses as a master's student in the UK?

You should plan to bring enough funds to cover both the UK visa maintenance requirement and your actual living expenses for the first few months.

- Visa maintenance funds (required):
- London: £1,529/month (up to 9 months), total £13,761
- Outside London: £1,171/month (up to 9 months), total £10,539
- These figures are current and subject to change.

- Typical monthly living expenses:
- Accommodation: £750 - £1,200 (London), £450 - £850 (other cities)
- Food: £150 - £250
- Transport: £60 - £100
- Utilities: £80 - £140 (if not included in rent)
- Miscellaneous: £100 - £200
- Total estimate: £1,140 - £1,790/month

Recommendation: Bring at least the visa-required maintenance amount plus 3 months’ living expenses. For London, this is about £17,200 - £19,100; for other cities, £14,000 - £15,900.

If you need help planning your finances, connect with your LeapScholar counsellor.