International students have always favoured the United Kingdom as a study abroad location. This has been particularly true for international students who paid the same tuition as domestic (national) students, including those from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland. The University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the London School of Economics and Political Science are just a few of the oldest universities in the world which are located in the United Kingdom. A large portion of the students who enroll in these universities each year do so with the goal of pursuing their dream careers in the sparkling UK cities of London, Dublin, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Even though some of the greatest colleges in the world are located in these areas, studying and living in the UK is expensive for international students.
However, as a result of Brexit, new regulations will take effect in 2021 for all citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. This article aims to make financial decisions easier for you while you pursue higher education in the UK so that you won’t have to spend every morning there figuring out fees and expenses. Is attending school in the UK really a smart idea? Let’s look more closely at the price of attending school in the UK, which includes expenses like student visa costs for international students.
UK University Tuition Costs
There have previously been two different tuition fee structures available in the UK-
- the “home status” fee: typically, local students, Irish residents, and students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland pay these lower rates.
- ‘International’ charges greater tuition payments made by all remaining non-EU/EEA students, sometimes by a factor of two or three.
However, after Brexit, a lot will be different. If you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland and intend to start studying in the UK after January 1, 2021, the following are the key details you need to be aware of-
- You will still enjoy the “home fee status” and be able to apply for a student loan if you arrive in the UK after 1 January 2021 and begin your study programme before 31 July 2021.
- If you enter the UK after January 1, 2021, and begin your academic programme after August 1, 2021, you will lose the benefit of the “home fee status,” lose access to student loans, and be required to pay the full tuition fees that each university has set independently.
- Irish nationals and students who began their courses prior to the implementation of this new policy are not affected by these changes.
For international students, the expense of studying in the UK is largely made up of tuition fees. Undergraduate tuition costs can easily range from £8000 to £9000, with the maximum rising as high as £30000 depending on the university, the prestige of the programme, the location of the university, etc. For instance, the first year’s tuition for an undergraduate programme at LSE abroad in 2020 is £21,570. When you take an MBA, an engineering degree, or a clinical degree into consideration, postgraduate tuition prices tend to be more expensive. Arts courses are relatively less expensive. Overseas costs can be as high as £35,000 and vary from £12000 to £15000.
In contrast to other nations where the tuition charge is determined by the course, in the UK the tuition fee is determined by the course’s organizational style. The pricing for your course will be different from one that is focused on practical learning, laboratories, etc. if your course is based on classroom instruction, lectures, etc.
Medical courses are considerably different from these two and place equal emphasis on learning in the classroom and performing various types of investigations in the laboratory. Medical and MBA courses have significantly expensive tuition fees as compared to other programmes. This is due to the fact that these programmes are the most sought-after and highly specialized.
| Study Program | Average fee in GBP |
| Undergraduate bachelor program | GBP 7,000 to GBP 20,000 |
| Postgraduate master’s program | GBP 10,000 to GBP 25,000 |
| Doctoral program | GBP 15,000 to GBP 30,000 |
- Public University Tuition Costs
Tuition prices at public UK universities can vary widely. Depending on the university, the discipline, and the length of your studies, the “home” cost typically runs from 5,500 to 10,200 EUR annually. The initial “home” fee is typically increased by 3,000–8,000 EUR by the “international” fee. It may even be two or three times as much as the “home” charge in some circumstances.
- Private University Tuition Costs
Private higher education is often more expensive, while some study programmes at private universities have tuition costs that are equivalent to those at public institutions. Furthermore, these institutions frequently do not distinguish between people of the EU/EEA and those of other countries. Per school year, students may pay anything from 5,000 to over 35,000 EUR. The most expensive majors at both public and private colleges are business and medicine.
Top Affordable Universities in the United Kingdom
- Staffordshire University
- Teesside University
- Leeds Beckett University
- Leeds Trinity University
- University of Cumbria
- University of Bolton
- London Metropolitan University
- University of Chester
- Coventry University
- York St. John University
UK Student Visa Costs
The Tier 4 Visa Costs are an additional expense for international students applying for student visas to the UK. To study in the UK, an international student needs a Tier 4 visa. In order to obtain a visa, you must either pay your first academic year’s tuition in full or provide documentation demonstrating that you have the money necessary to do so. International students now pay more to study in the UK as a result. In addition, you need to show proof that you have enough money saved up to pay your bills for nine months. You must demonstrate that you can afford to pay £1015 a month, or £1265, if you live in London, over the course of nine months.
Application Fee for Universities in the UK
Applying to universities in the UK costs between £50-150, but if you apply to particular universities, you may not have to pay the entire fee. The universities in Britain that don’t charge an application fee are listed below-
| University of Warwick | £50 |
| University of Newcastle | £40 |
| University of Bath | £25-£50-£60 |
| Durham University | £60 |
| University of Nottingham | £25-£30 |
| University of Manchester | £60 |
| University of Oxford | £100 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | £50 |
International Students’ Living Expenses for Studying in the UK
Depending on where you live and other considerations, the cost of living might range from £1100 to £1400 each month. Make sure to budget between £11,000 and £15,000 per year for living expenses. The cost of living is broken down in the below-
- Accommodations
Another crucial component that significantly raises the price of studying in the UK for international students is lodging.
- University Housing: The majority of universities provide on-campus housing or affordable housing for overseas students. This can be obtained either for no additional cost as part of your offer or for a fee. Residence halls at universities are frequently the best and least priced options.
- Private Housing: If you decide to live in a private residence, look for housing options close to your university. Typically, you may find a respectable location to live and study for between £350 and £550 per month. London is the most costly of these cities in the UK, though costs might vary.
- Transportation
In and around the UK, the subway is the most affordable form of transportation. London’s Tube system features a huge network and affordable rates. To reduce the expense of travel, many student discounts are offered.
- Buses, regional trains, and tubes are readily available for short distances. Getting a monthly bus or subway pass is the most cost saving option. It is advisable to make sure that a taxi is on the meter before you order one. It is best to decide on a quantity in advance to prevent confusion in cases where the meter is not functioning.
- It is advisable to choose any of the following choices if you need to travel a great distance, such as from one city to another:
- Railways
- Air
- A commuter bus
- Utilities
Electricity, water, gas, and other necessary utilities range in price from £50 to £120 per month. The required lists of utilities and daily/monthly necessities are as follows:
- Electricity, gas, and water bills
- clothing, toiletries, and mobile phones
- both cooking and cleaning
- books and office supplies
- such as transportation
- Food Costs
To conserve money, costs of meals should be kept to a minimum. If you order takeout or eat out, you can spend about £250 per month, or about £80 to £100 if you cook at home.
International students’ Taxes and Insurance in the UK
The ideal approach for overseas students to handle their everyday living costs in the UK is through a part-time job. There is an opportunity for every international student in the UK to work 20 hours per week. While their classes are in session, they are doing this. It switches to full time during breaks. If you land a job in the UK while you’re still in school, you’ll have to pay tax and national insurance-
- If you make more than 166 pounds per week in income, you must pay national insurance.
- If you make more than 1,042 pounds per week in income, income tax is due.
As a student, you must have insurance, for which you must pay a monthly cost of between £15 to £25. Other personal expenses include those for clothing, hygiene, books, study materials, etc., which run about £100 per month.
Scholarships for International students in the UK
- Chevening Scholarship UK
The Chevening Award is a fully financed international student fellowship. Only master’s degree studies are eligible for this award, regardless of field. The Chevening Scholarship pays all university tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, a one-way economy trip to the United Kingdom, and other scholarships and allowances to cover other necessary expenses.
- Institution: UK Universities
- Study in: UK
- Level of Study: Masters
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship
For international students, the Gates Cambridge Fellowship is a fully financed award. This fellowship is open to students pursuing graduate and doctoral degrees. This scholarship offers a yearly salary of £17,500, health insurance, academic advancement grants of up to £2,000, and a family allowance of up to £10,120.
- Institution: University of Cambridge
- Study in: UK
- Level of Study: Masters / PhD
- Imperial College London PhD Scholarship
The Imperial College London PhD Scholarship is open to international candidates and is fully supported. Up to ten full scholarships are given out each year. This scholarship includes a £16,553 annual tax-free maintenance contribution in addition to covering tuition.
- GEMS International Undergraduate Scholarship
International students may apply for GEMS International Undergraduate Scholarships. For four years, this plan saves £2,000 in costs each year.
- Institution: University of Stirling
- Study in: UK
- Level of Study: Undergraduate
- Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship
International students at Simmons University are eligible for fully funded Kotzen Scholarships. Undergraduate studies are eligible for a scholarship. The scholarship pays for all costs, including lodging and required fees.
- Institution: Simmons University
- Study in: UK
- Level of Study: Undergraduate
For years, students have been most interested in studying abroad in the UK. Without a question, the education system in this country is the best in the world. You can probably now imagine how many foreign students there are in the UK. International evidence supports the high caliber of education in the United Kingdom. People who have completed higher education will be regarded as gems and appreciated by any employer. Additionally, there are lots of work chances for students studying medicine and public health.
The United Kingdom is the ideal study location for many international students due to its academic excellence and vibrant student culture. Although there is no question about the quality of education, what is most worrisome is how expensive it is for international students to study in the UK. The UK is regularly ranked as one of the top five most expensive nations to study abroad since it can be a costly experience. On the plus side, most courses in the UK are only a few weeks long, which lowers overall costs.
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