How much does it cost to study in the UK?

Cost of studying in the UK: tuition fees for international students

All UK universities charge tuition fees, even for UK nationals - though UK nationals can apply for student loans. Here we can give you a general idea of what the cost of studying in the UK for international students is. And, remember, if these UK tuition fees seem a little high for you, it may be possible to apply for some help with funding. Read all about UK scholarships for international students.

Undergraduate university fees for international students

Most undergraduate courses run for three years, although some can run for longer. The average cost of an undergraduate degree for an international student is between £11,400 (US $14,100**) and £67,892 (US $83,950) per year. Though these costs vary per university, and whether you study for a medical degree or not.

Looking at the cost of tuition alone, this means the average degree will cost between £34,200 (US $42,300) and £203,676 (US $251,850) over three years. This would be even more for a four-year course. Of course, this doesn't include the cost of living, which can amount to several thousands of pounds every year.

** All currency conversions were rounded to the nearest $10 and were correct as of May 2022.

Here are the cost of tuition fees in specific universities in the UK

• Tuition fees for the University of Oxford - Between £28,950 and £44,240 per annum (though clinical medicine fees will be significantly higher for overseas students

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• Tuition fees for the University of Cambridge - Between £24,507 and £37,293 per annum (if you plan to study medical or veterinary science that could cost as much as £63,990).

• Tuition fees for the Durham University - This depends on type of course you want to study, for example Accounting and Finance would be £26,250, Psychology £30,250, and Law £24.250

• Tuition fees for the University of Edinburgh - Between £22,500 and £35, 000 - medical and veterinary science are likely to be more.

• Tuition fees for the University of Manchester - The minimum annual tuition fees are: Arts - £20,000. Science - £25,000. Clinical - £48,000

• Tuition fees for the University of Leeds - Costs will vary depending on course. But, here are a few examples of annual tuition fees: Accountancy - £26,000. Law - £27,500. Healthcare Science - £27,500

• Tuition fees for the University of Bristol - Costs range from £21,100 to £29,900 per annum expect for: Dentistry - £39,000. Medicine - £26,800 Veterinary - £33,600

Postgraduate tuition fees for international students

Think of taking up postgraduate studies in the UK? Then you’ll find annual tuition fees range between £6,500 (US $8,040) and £51,360 (US $63,510). Medical degrees are more expensive with fees ranging between £7,500 (US $9,270) – £54,500 (US $67,400).

For an MBA, fees start at £8,500 (US $10,510) and rise to as much as £63,000 (US $77,900).

But the majority of postgraduate courses at most universities charge international students between £12,000 – £25,000 (US $14,840 – $30,920) in 2021/22.

Please note that at most universities Masters and postgraduate research fees are set on a course-by-course basis. So the best place to find more information is on the individual course pages of each university’s website.

What is the average cost of living for students in the UK?

Of course, tuition fees are not the only cost to consider if you’re moving to the UK to study. There’s also the cost of living and, as we all know, that’s on the rise all over the world. On top of that the UK does tend to have a higher cost of living than most average countries. A recent study found the UK to be the 12th most expensive country in the world to live in – although it was cheaper than other popular destinations like Australia and the US.

One variable factor is the city or area you choose to study in. Costs will vary widely all over the UK, with London being undoubtedly the most expensive. In helping you decide on a city, why not read our article on the UK’s most student friendly cities?

Let’s take a look at the estimated living costs (according to uniacco.com) in some of the UK’s most popular student cities.

London

London, with its 18 universities, is an academic hotspot in the UK - offering you so much choice. But, as the capital of the UK, it’s also an expensive city to live in. However, it’s a big city so costs will vary depending on which area you choose to live in. Costs will also depend on what you eat and how often you go out. On average, the cost of living in London for students ranges between £1,237 and £1,309 per month.

Bristol

Bristol, England’s largest city in the South West, is a fun and lively place to study. Outside London it has one of the largest media hubs in the UK with a number of creative companies. It’s one of the best rated student cities in the UK. Students tend to come here and stay - making a life for themselves in this lovely city. It’s also home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities. It offers students a high-quality life. The average cost of living in Bristol for international students ranges between £1,166 and £1,490 per month.

Edinburgh

This beautiful and historic city really is a jewel of a place to live and study - despite its colder climate. It’s home to some of the top-ranking institutions in the UK and the world, and year on year is among the favourite destinations for international students. Its cost of living for students can range from £1,739 to £1,934, depending on whether you live on or off-campus.

Manchester

Manchester is the UK’s third-most populous metropolitan city and is also ranked as the second most affordable UK city for students, according to Top Universities. With an industrial heritage, the city has become one of the leading and most modern cities in the UK. Every year it welcomes thousands of students from all over the world to its top universities. It also offers affordable living. It’s recommended that students have a monthly budget of around £1,456 to £1,644 to live comfortably here.

Leeds

Every year, over 8,000 international students enrol at Leeds’ five universities. Not only is Leeds very student-friendly in terms of its education and social life, it also has a large global community. Plus, it’s quite affordable for international students - compared to other cities. It’s advised that students budget between £1,057 and £1,181 per month in order to live comfortably here.

Clearly there’s a lot to think about financially when you come to study in the UK. To help you think about all the ins and outs we’ve put together all about money management for international students. We hope you find it useful.

Studying abroad with WorldRemit

So, we’ve looked at the cost of living and at the UK tuition fees for international students However, these aren’t the only things to consider when moving. You may even be considering a move to study in another country. If so, don’t forget to check out our blog for more resources and guides to living abroad, and how you may be able to support your family, and how they can support you, by sending money with WorldRemit.

International student fees in the UK: FAQs

How much money do you need to study in the UK?

This will completely depend on the type of course you choose (Arts and Humanities subjects tend to cost less in fees than Medicine and Veterinary), and where you study. But the total average cost of studying in the UK according to www.topuniversities.com is estimated to be at least £22,200 (~US$25,339) per year. However, studying in London is likely to be significantly more expensive.

Can I work in the UK as an international student?

Yes. Many international students in the UK take part-time jobs, work placements or internships alongside their studies. Most courses allow students to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time and this isn’t restricted to on-campus employment. To find out more about the hours and types of work you can do, visit the UKCISA website.

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.

*https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/cost-studying