Guide
Cost of Living in the UK for International Students
Last updated: September 2026
Tuition is only part of your budget — accommodation, food, and transport make up the rest, and they vary far more by city than tuition does. London costs noticeably more than most other UK university cities, mainly driven by accommodation.
What actually makes up your monthly budget
- Accommodation — usually the largest single cost. University halls are often more expensive than private shared housing outside London, but come with fewer upfront logistics.
- Food — cooking for yourself costs meaningfully less than eating out regularly, and this is one of the more controllable parts of a student budget.
- Transport — most UK cities offer a discounted student travel pass; London's public transport costs noticeably more than most other university cities even with a student discount.
- Phone, utilities, incidentals — smaller individually, but add up over a full year.
Why the city you choose matters as much as the university
A university with lower tuition in a cheaper city can end up costing less overall than a mid-tuition university in London, even before comparing the tuition figures directly. See real, sourced tuition data (not living costs) in the cheapest UK universities guide — several of the lowest-tuition options are also outside London, compounding the savings.
The official minimum figure — and why it's not a real budget
As part of your Student Route financial requirement, the Home Office publishes a minimum living-cost figure you must show funds for (higher for London than elsewhere) — see the visa requirements guide. This figure exists to satisfy the visa application, not as a realistic monthly budget — most students spend more than the minimum once rent, food, and transport are all accounted for. Check the current official figure on gov.uk, and build your actual budget around your specific city and lifestyle, not the visa minimum alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is cost of living the same as tuition?
No — tuition is a separate, fixed annual cost you pay to your university. Cost of living covers everything else: accommodation, food, transport, and day-to-day expenses, and it varies far more by city than tuition does.
Is London much more expensive than other UK cities?
Yes, noticeably — accommodation in particular is significantly more expensive in London than in most other UK university cities. A lower-tuition university outside London can end up cheaper overall than a similarly-priced one in London, once accommodation is factored in.
Does the UK publish an official minimum living-cost figure?
Yes — as part of the Student Route financial requirement, the Home Office publishes a minimum amount of funds you must show for living costs (with a higher figure for London than elsewhere). This is a minimum for visa purposes, not a realistic full budget — check the current figure on gov.uk, and budget above it based on your actual city and lifestyle.
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