From Accommodations to Transportation: Cost of Living in the UK!
Learn everything you need to know about living expenses in UK
and get end-to-end expert guidance from us.
From Accommodations to Transportation: Cost of Living in the UK!
Learn everything you need to know about living expenses in UK and get end-to-end expert guidance from us.
Cost of Living in UK for Indian Students
Living expenses in the UK for International students can be much higher than in many other nations, though it varies based on area and individual circumstances. In the UK, the average monthly cost of living costs for a family of four is £2,268, excluding rent. Without rent, the average monthly cost of living in the UK for a single person or student is £651.
It is essential to understand the approximate cost of living in the UK if you wish to budget and plan ahead for a comfortable visit. Continue reading to find out everything there is to know about living expenses in the UK.
What is the Cost of Living in the UK Per Month?
Without rent, the average monthly living expenses in UK for international students are about £754.0.
List of essentials and their prices for daily life in the United Kingdom:
|
Particulars |
Monthly Costs |
|
Accommodation |
£500 - £700 |
|
Food |
£100 - £200 |
|
Gas and electricity |
£60 |
|
Internet |
£40 |
|
Mobile phone |
£50 |
|
Laundry |
£25 |
|
Stationery and textbooks |
£20 - £40 |
|
Clothing |
£50 - £75 |
|
Travel (buses, trams, and trains) |
£30 - £40 |
|
Movie ticket |
£9 |
|
Dinner at restaurant |
£15 |
Accommodation Costs in UK for International Students
Rent is a significant component of many people's budgets because it often makes up half of their income. According to ONS data, private rental costs in the UK increased by 6.4% annually in the 12 months that ended in October 2023.
Rental prices in the UK vary depending on the kind of housing, the area, the size of the household, and the needs. The cost of living varies based on the kind of house, but for a single person, the average monthly expense is about £726
In the UK, there are two kinds of student housing:
- On-campus accommodation: The average weekly cost of on-campus housing in the UK is £146, depending on your location and preferred living style. London has expensive living costs; a typical week's rent is £203.
- Living off campus: In the UK, living off campus can cost anything from roughly £61 a week for shared housing in homes or apartments to more than £201 a week for studio apartments in posh neighbourhoods. The property's size, location, and utilities are all factored into the prices.
|
City |
Apartment Type |
Average Monthly Cost (£) |
|
London |
1 bedroom apartment/ 3 bedroom apartment |
£1,799/£3,309 |
|
Manchester |
1 bedroom apartment/ 3 bedroom apartment |
£925/£1,738 |
|
Edinburgh |
1 bedroom apartment/ 3 bedroom apartment |
£926/£1,845 |
|
Cardiff |
1 bedroom apartment/ 3 bedroom apartment |
£763/£1,717 |
Food & Grocery Costs in UK for International Students
While staying on campus reduces dining expenses, students who rent private housing must account for that as well. Cooking at home is more economical, even though dining out occasionally might be fun.
The following list includes some typical grocery goods along with an estimate of their average price:
|
Item |
Quantity |
Price (in £) |
|
Rice |
1 kg |
1.51 |
|
Eggs |
6 |
1.51 |
|
Chicken |
300g |
1.57 |
|
Milk |
1.1.3L |
0.81 |
|
Bread |
1 pack |
0.71 |
Transportation Costs in UK
In terms of monthly expenses in UK for Indian students, the second-highest is the cost of transportation. The average cost for international students in the UK is typically lower thanks to municipal transit, which frequently provides student discounts. The application process for a rail card is now open. The cost of taxis will blow your budget if you use them frequently. When travelling within or around towns, we advise foreign students to use travel cards.
Indian students' approximate transportation costs are as follows: a bus or transport monthly pass for £140, a one-way local transport ticket for £1.5 and a taxi fare of £1.5 per kilometre.
|
City |
Average Monthly Costs (in £) |
|
London |
56 |
|
Manchester |
47 |
|
Birmingham |
45 |
|
Liverpool |
45 |
|
Leads |
43 |
Healthcare Costs in UK
International students who want to stay in the UK for more than six months are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when applying for a visa. For those with student visas, which enable them to use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, the price will be £1035 after a 25% discount.
The publicly funded healthcare system found in all four of the UK's member states—England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales—is a significant advantage of living there. The NHS has traditionally been considered to be of the highest calibre; current reports rank it as the world's fourth-best healthcare system.
Utility Costs in UK
UK Living Expenses for International Students are greatly affected by utility expenses. Internet, gas, water, and electricity are included in the utility costs. The ONS reports that in the year ending in October 2023, gas prices fell by 30.0%, and electricity expenses fell by 15.5%.
The amount of these fees depends on the size of the property and its usage patterns. With an average yearly cost of £1,130, fuel accounts for about 5% of the average household budget. The average monthly cost of energy is £35, while the anticipated annual expenses of water and sewerage varies based on region and is approximately £400.
Broadband services, which include TV and the internet, typically cost £26.50. If the costs of gas, electricity, and water are not covered by rental agreements, the monthly expenses total approximately £155.
The cost of utilities is displayed in the following table.
|
Items |
Cost (£) |
|
Basic utilities including (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Garbage, water, laundry) |
£160 |
|
Internet (unlimited-60mbps) |
£20 |
Entertainment and Leisure Costs in UK
Undoubtedly, the life of an overseas student encompasses more than just textbooks, tests, and quizzes. Making friends and saving money will allow you to enjoy your spare time and the vibrant nightlife in the UK. Students in the UK spend anywhere from 10 to 50 pounds on entertainment.
|
Entertainment expense |
Amount |
|
Prepaid SIM package |
10.12 £ |
|
TV Licence |
156.25 £ |
|
TV + Wi-Fi package |
50.54 £ |
|
Call Costs |
0.15-0.46 £ |
|
Movie Ticket |
10.12 £ |
|
Concert or Theatre Ticket |
50.57 £ |
|
Restaurant Table for Two |
40.46 £ |
Average Cost of Living in UK: City-Wise
As previously said, the UK is not just about England and London, and living expenses can differ significantly between cities and towns. A smaller town will suit you better than a large city if you're on a limited budget. No matter where you decide to call home, the cost of living in UK for Indian students is nearly the same.
The following table shows the differences in rent prices between London and other major UK cities.
|
City |
Rent average (monthly) |
|
London |
£1,665 |
|
Edinburgh |
£1,545 |
|
Manchester |
£1,212 |
|
Birmingham |
£1,082 |
|
Cardiff |
£1,014 |
|
Glasgow |
£902 |
|
Belfast |
£842 |
Related Blog: Places to Visit in UK
Average Rent in the UK
- With new rentals, the average UK rent has now hit £1,235, an increase of +7.2% over the previous year.
- This means that, in comparison to a year ago, tenants in the UK now pay an additional £955 annually.
- On the other hand, compared to the previous two years, this rate of inflation is lower. Rental growth fell from +11.5% to +8.1% in 2023 alone.
Tips to Save Money in UK for International Students
Here are a few tips for international students studying in the UK to help them save on their expenses:
- Live together in an apartment
Rent in the UK might account for nearly half of your monthly income due to the astronomical price of housing. In order to get around this, sharing an apartment is common in the UK.
- Open a bank account locally
Having a local bank account might make things easy. Once in the UK, obtaining one is simple and just requires a few documents. Get accommodation and the necessary paperwork in order to open a local bank account first.
- Try to lower your monthly expenses
By controlling overall consumption, general utility bills (such as those for electricity, air conditioning, heaters, etc.) can be decreased. So in the winter, try dressing warmly instead of constantly cranking up the heat.
- Aim to settle your bills as quickly as you can
The most important thing is to pay off your credit card debt, education loans, and any other personal liabilities. Once you've completed that, you may begin saving. It's important to realise that paying off debt is the best approach to saving money because loan interest rates are very high and prevent you from making financial savings.
- Look for discounts
If you already own a phone, look for "sim only" bargains and choose the ones that offer good returns for less money. By the end of the year, these small adjustments can save you a significant amount of money.
- Avoid pricey restaurants
Eat at inexpensive restaurants, take advantage of sales, prepare meals at home, or purchase ready-to-eat grocery items with vibrant yellow tags at the end of the day to save money.
Takeaway
The cost of studying in the UK for Indian students and international ones can be high, but careful budgeting helps. Opt for affordable housing, utilise student discounts, cook at home, and take advantage of deals on essentials. Managing expenses effectively ensures a more comfortable and financially sustainable student experience.
To learn more about how to fulfil your dreams of studying in the UK, contact AECC. Our expert counsellors will guide you thoroughly every step of the way.
Contact AECC today to Know more about living expenses in UK!
