• study in the UK

Cost of Living in UK for International Students in 2024

9246 Reads
3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Feb 07,2024 11:31 AM IST

In this blog, international students will learn about the cost of living while studying in the UK in 2024-2025. It includes all the primary and miscellaneous expenses, from housing to extra stuff like stationery, clothes, etc. Living in the UK will be expensive if a student does not know the estimated expenses and the art of money management.

Cost of living in UK for international students.webp

The United Kingdom (UK) stands out as a top study destination as it homes some of the world’s oldest universities and colleges. Studying abroad is a crucial decision for an international student, as it’s not only about studying but experience. While studying, there are a lot of things that require one’s attention. The cost of living is one aspect of studying abroad, along with tuition fees and other miscellaneous expenses. The cost of living depends on the economic conditions of a country.

In this blog, we will discuss the cost of living for international students in 2024. It will help the students who are planning to study with all the expenses while studying in the UK in 2024.

UK as a Study Destination

UK is one of the most desirable study destinations for international students. Notably, it is home to two of world’s top universities out of three, with 26 educational institutions that rank among the top 200. The high quality and innovative teachings of the UK not only provide flexible courses but beneficial skills as well. While studying in the UK, students will experience an unbeatable international cultural scene, trustworthy police help, an inclusive way of life with ancient traditions, and reliable and affordable transportation means. Studying in the UK is a dream for many international students.

UK as a study destination.webp

Living Cost for International Students in UK

It’s not only about studying far away from home. It is more about managing financial blunders. One must know the proper way to manage their expenses while living in the UK. The cost of living in the UK for international students include several expenses. Apart from tuition fees, there are basic and miscellaneous expenses such as housing, transportation, food and grocery, health, mobile and internet, clothing, stationery, and household items. The estimated cost of living in the UK for international students will be between approximately £1,345 and £1,955/month in 2024.

Cost of Living in UK for International Students in 2024...webp

Cost of living (City-wise) in UK in 2024

It is quite interesting that living in a city makes a lot of difference in the living expenses of international students. Some of the cities have the highest cost and some have the lowest cost of living. The below table gives details about the cost of living on the expense scale of 0-100 in the best cities in the UK for international students which shows rents, groceries, and restaurant prices.

Cities	Ranges of Cost of Living (Pound)	Ranges of Rents (Pound)	Range of Groceries expenses (Pound)	Ranges of Restaurant price (Pound)
London	89-90	74-75	84-86	96-98
Derby	68-69	21-22	51-52	69-70
Birmingham	72-73	25-26	58-60	77-78
Oxford	81-83	38-39	67-68	90-92
Newcastle	69-70	24-26	55-56	71-73
Liverpool	70-72	25-27	57-58	72-73
Manchester	77-78	32-33	62-64	83-84

Primary Expenses of international students

Studying in the UK requires financial stability to manage one’s primary expenses, which include tuition fees, living or housing charges, transportation costs, food and grocery expenses, health expenses, and mobile and internet charges. Putting these expenses in the category of primary expenses shows the importance of the basic needs of an international student while studying away from home.

Tuition Fee : The tuition fee of the course or program that the student has opted for will be the primary expense. Paying the fee on time resolves issues related to late fee charges. The tuition fee for a student depends on the course level and university.

Housing Expenses : Some of the universities in the UK provide on-campus living options for their students. On-campus living options save one’s travel expenses because university residences are built inside or near the campus. On the other hand, international students also prefer to live in a private room with a roommate. A good roommate is like a new family member. Roommates become like families, helping students deal with homesickness while studying abroad. Below are the details of accommodation in the UK for international students.

Average monthly cost of living in the UK (In ranges)	London (pound)	Other cities (Pound)
University residence	727-730	515-518
Private room	848-850	505-507
Utility bills	45-47	40-42

Transportation cost: In the UK, transportation costs for international students are notably affordable by using the Oyster card, which offers 30% off travel cards and bus passes. The average cost of transportation is between 40-56 pounds per month.

Food and grocery expenses: Food is the basic human need. The average cost of food and groceries is 100–200 pounds per month in the UK for international students.

Items	Quantity	Prices (pound)
Bread	1 pack	0.71-0.74
Milk	1-1.3L	0.81-0.85
Eggs	6	1.15-1.18
Rice	1kg	1.51-1.53

Health expenses: Being an international student away from family, taking care of one's health is important. Buying health insurance in the UK is a wise decision for a healthy future.

Internet and entertainment expenses: For better connectivity, internet expenses are considered the primary expenses of an international student. Investing in a SIM card with a call and data plan, Wi-Fi, and TV payments keeps one connected and aware of events. Studying in the UK is not about becoming a bookworm. Discovering the charm of places to visit in the UK for refreshing study breaks will make students' journeys in the UK more memorable and joyous.

Miscellaneous expenses of international students

In addition to essential expenses, there are additional expenses that depends on the lifestyle and creativity required to create a comfortable and well-maintained home. International students should closely monitor their monthly budget, as they may be surprised to see how much they have spent on non-essential items such as clothing, footwear, stationery, and household items.

• Everyone has a dream of living a lavish lifestyle. However, keeping an eye on the monthly budget while shopping helps a student manage expenses in the UK. Buying excessive clothing and footwear creates trouble for space and money too.

• Being a student, it is an obvious thing to buy lots of stationery items like pencils, notebooks, sticky notes, pens, colors, and other things. So, buy wisely.

Conclusion

In conclusion, studying abroad is a crucial decision for an international student. It requires a strong financial situation to study in the UK. In this blog, we have discussed the entire cost of living for an international student while studying in the UK. One should keep an eye on a monthly budget while buying anything—the cost of living for an international student is significantly dependent on one’s lifestyle. Connect to our experienced counsellors at Canam to know more about the cost of living in the UK and which city will be a suitable option to start one’s academic journey in the UK.

FAQ

How much is the monthly rent in the UK?

An international student needs to spend approximately 505 to 848 pounds for monthly rent in the UK, which varies according to the cities of the UK.

How can I save money in the UK while studying?

Smart spending saves money. One can also try a ‘’no spend week’’, compare before buying, try to cook at home, make weekly savings, and invest in good things.

Which field is best to study in the UK?

Fields like management, medicine, psychology, law, education, architecture, modern languages, physiotherapy, and computer science are some of the best fields to study in the UK for an international student.

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

World class education waiting for you.

Global University Systems (GUS) - The University of Law - Chester Campus

England, UK • 1 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 11000-18000 / year

SRH Universities - Munich Campus

Bavaria, Germany • 14 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 7800-9450 / year

University of Cincinnati - UC Clermont Campus

Ohio, USA • 17 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 0-0 / year

St. Charles Community College

Missouri, USA • 25 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 8000-8500 / year

Future Skills Academy - Auckland International Campus

Auckland, New Zealand • 9 Programmes

Tuition Fee : NZD 0-0 / year

Shorelight Group - University of Dayton

Ohio, USA • 128 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 44000-48000 / year

Thompson Rivers University - Williams Lake

British Columbia, Canada • 2 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 21000-21500 / year

Mohawk College - Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster (IH) Campus

Ontario, Canada • 8 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 17500-27000 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

University Visits - Mount Saint Vincent University

Study in Canada • University Visit

Chennai • 02:00PM

In-Person Event

University Visit - Northern College

Study in Canada • University Visit

Ahmedabad • 12:30PM

In-Person Event

University Visit - Selkirk College

Study in Canada • University Visit

Mohali • 01:30PM

In-Person Event

Top countries destinations

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland
Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland
Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales
Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria
Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia
Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland
La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria
LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland
Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland
Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland
Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay
Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland
Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland
New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland
The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

Kent state university Ohio
San Jose State University California
Wright State University Ohio
Clark University Massachusetts
Rowan University New Jersey
Arkansas State University Arkansas
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois
University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

Blogs and Articles

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

Part-Time Jobs for International Students in Australia

One of the most asked questions by our Indian students is about the part-time jobs for international students in Australia. Indeed, a part-time job pl...

Updated on • Jul 15,2025 11:45 AM IST • Australia

STEM MBA in USA

STEM MBA may be an odd-sounding combination of courses, but it is fulfilling if pursued. The perfect blend of science and commerce adds to this progra...

Updated on • Jul 12,2025 04:02 PM IST • USA

Highest Paying Jobs in India

Indian parents expect their children to follow a set pattern of going to school, getting into a college and finally pursuing a job. But what are the h...

Updated on • Jul 11,2025 11:32 AM IST • Education

CPT vs OPT: Meaning, Difference, and How to Apply

The USA has always been a popular study destination among international students for its wide variety of courses and post-study work opportuniti...

Updated on • Jul 11,2025 10:40 AM IST • USA

Masters in Computer Science in UK: Top Colleges, Eligibility, Scholarships

The UK is an excellent choice to study a Masters in Computer Science. It is a home to world-renowned institutions offering a high standard of educatio...

Updated on • Jul 10,2025 11:29 AM IST • study in the UK

Highest Paying Jobs in the World

With super-advanced technologies like AI entering every field, the assumptions are high that the job roles that exist today won't exist after some yea...

Updated on • Jul 08,2025 01:40 PM IST • Study Abroad

MBA in Australia for Indian Students: Best Universities, Requirements, Scholarship, Courses, Jobs

Master of Business Administration (MBA) has always been a popular postgraduate degree for Indian students to pursue in order to gain advanced sk...

Updated on • Jul 08,2025 01:35 PM IST • Australia

Canada vs Australia: Which Country is Better for Indian Students in 2025?

Human life is filled with making choices every day. In 10th grade, we choose between arts and commerce, after 12th grade, the college, but those were ...

Updated on • Jul 07,2025 12:46 PM IST • Education

France vs Germany: Which Is Better for International Students?

In 2024, many vintage study destinations, including the Big 4, saw a drop in international enrolment, and this trend continues till this year. This le...

Updated on • Jun 30,2025 05:15 PM IST • Education

Top 10 Agricultural Universities in USA

Agriculture or farming is not merely the growing of crops or taking care of animals, but it’s the largest contributor (27%) to global employment. It...

Updated on • Jun 27,2025 05:25 PM IST • USA

Most In-Demand Future Careers in 2025

The world of work is changing faster than ever. Technology, climate change, aging populations, and space exploration are creating jobs we’ve never s...

Updated on • Jun 26,2025 04:41 PM IST • Education

How Much Do Nurses Make in the U.S.?

Do you also think, “How much is the salary of a nurse in the USA?”. If yes, then you are not alone. Being one of the noblest professions in the wo...

Updated on • Jun 23,2025 03:59 PM IST • USA

Study MBBS in the USA

There are innumerable professions, but a career in MBBS is respected and admired more than any other line of work. Many of us harbour a drea...

Updated on • Jun 21,2025 02:00 PM IST • USA

MBA in UK: Universities, Eligibility, Types, and Career Opportunities

Master of Business Administration from UK is a prestigious academic degree, especially when gained from the UK. Business schools in the UK are well kn...

Updated on • Jun 19,2025 04:09 PM IST • UK • study in the UK

Scholarships in France for Indian Students

Are you planning to study in France but are scared of the expensive tuition fees? But now there is no need to fear because you can take advantage of F...

Updated on • May 29,2025 05:22 PM IST • France

Intakes in Dubai for Indian Students

World-class universities, a multicultural environment and tax-free earnings are some of the benefits that attract Indian students to Dubai. However, i...

Updated on • May 27,2025 03:34 PM IST • Study in Dubai

France Student Visa 2025 – Requirements, Fees, Checklist & Application Process

Imagine this: Today is the day you will sit for your dream job interview. You practised all possible questions, wore formal attire, and collected all ...

Updated on • May 23,2025 03:36 PM IST • France

MBA in France for Indian Students in 2025

MBA is one of the most sought-after master’s programs worldwide. France is increasingly becoming popular as an overseas education destination. The r...

Updated on • May 22,2025 05:35 PM IST • France

PTE Accepted Universities in Australia

In recent years, PTE has emerged as one of the alternatives to IELTS to study abroad. Many top study-abroad destinations like USA, UK and New Zealand ...

Updated on • May 22,2025 05:31 PM IST • PTE

PTE Accepting Universities In USA

PTE stands among the most popular English language proficiency exams accepted by various institutions worldwide. Students applying to study in the USA...

Updated on • May 22,2025 05:24 PM IST • USA

Cost of Living in UK for International Students in 2024

Table of Contents

UK as a Study Destination

Living Cost for International Students in UK

Cost of living (City-wise) in UK in 2024

Primary Expenses of international students

Miscellaneous expenses of international students

Conclusion

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland

Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland

The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

University of Warwick England

De Montfort University England

University of West London England

University of Strathclyde Scotland

Aston University England

University of Bath England

University of Liverpool England

Durham University England

Newcastle University England

Kent state university Ohio

San Jose State University California

Wright State University Ohio

Clark University Massachusetts

Rowan University New Jersey

Arkansas State University Arkansas

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois

University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams