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Cost Of Living in United Kingdom
jasleen kaur
Appear for the TOEFL test and set out on the adventure of living in the UK as a student can be an expensive affair depending on how extravagantly you spend. As an Indian student studying in the UK, you may often end up comparing the cost of everything with the rates back in India. On an average, as per some estimates, studying UK can cost you anywhere between INR 19 lakhs to INR 39 lakhs* depending on the course you do and where in UK you are studying.
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If you’re an Indian student planning to study in London, please note that you are required to show that you can afford at least Rs.1 lakh (£1,265) per month in order to get a Tier 4 Visa.
You must also note that the cost of living is higher in London and South East England compared to the rest of England and Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Which means that studying in Universities like University College London (UCL), Imperial, and Oxford would prove to be more expensive than getting a seat in Nottingham, Cardiff, or Leicester.
An approximate budget has been given below to help you understand the cost of living in UK for Indian students. Towards the end of the article, we have also linked to a calculator to calculate living expenses.
Accommodation
The rent for the place you stay will form a fixed and major part of your budget in the UK (apart from your tuition fees). You can seek accommodation from the university you plan to attend, or look for private accommodation outside. University accommodation usually includes the price of internet connection (if available), cost of basic utilities (like electricity, gas, and water), welfare support staff, 24-hour security and personal possessions insurance.
Private accommodation can be more expensive than most university accommodations and it is wise to look for accommodation close to campus if you plan to stay outside so that you will not have to spend on travel. Take help from your university’s campus-based service which will help you find affordable private accommodation, if available.
Some residential halls or apartments may require one month’s rent as deposit, which will be returned when you leave. The cost of any damage or repair will be subtracted from the deposit. Again, please note that monthly expenses in UK will vary according to the location of your university.
Annual Living Costs for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students (Estimated)
Estimated living costs 2017- 2018 | Undergraduate | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Postgraduate ( Â |
Self-catering flats & residences | 4,620 | 4,56,890 | 5,145 | 5,08,809 |
Average Cost of Apartments
The table below shows the average cost of apartments, in and out of the city:
Rent for an apartment (Monthly) | Average Cost(£) | Average Cost ( |
1 bedroom apartment in the city | 748.00 | 64,057 |
1 bedroom apartment outside the city | 602.00 | 51,554 |
3 bedroom apartment in the city | 1200.00 | 1,02,765 |
3 bedroom apartment outside the city | 934.00 | 79,986 |
Also read:Â Tips for Students to Save Money in UK
Food & grocery shopping
The cost of food will depend on your tastes and how much you can afford. Food and groceries form a significant part of your budget as one of the bare essentials. The table below shows how much meals will generally cost over a complete 40-week Undergraduate course and a 52-week Postgraduate course. Indian students staying together can buy groceries in bulk to save on living costs.
Estimated living costs 2013/14 | Undergraduate | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Postgraduate |
Meals | 1,450 | 1,43,851 | 1,965 | 1,94,942 |
The table below shows the average cost of different items and meal plans.
Restaurant Bill | Average Cost(£) | Average Cost( |
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 10.00 | 989 |
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant | 40.00 | 3,956 |
McDonalds’ Combo Meal | 5.00 | 495 |
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) | 3.00 | 297 |
Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle) | 3.00 | 297 |
A regular Cappuccino (coffee) | 2.30 | 228 |
Soft drink (0.33 litre bottle) | 1.05 | 104 |
Water (0.33 litre bottle) | 1.00 | 99 |
(Also read:Â List of Indian restaurants in the UK)
The table below shows the average cost of common items which would appear on a grocery shopping list in the UK.
A Sample Market List | Average Cost(£) | Average Cost ( |
1 litre o regular milk | 0.96 | 95 |
500g Loaf of Fresh White Bread | 1.00 | 99 |
1 kg Rice | 1.50 | 149 |
A dozen eggs | 2.00 | 198 |
1 kg Local Cheese | 6.00 | 594 |
1 kg Apples | 1.76 | 175 |
1 kg Potatoes | 1.20 | 119 |
1 kg Tomatoes | 2.00 | 198 |
1 kg Onions | 0.72 | 72 |
Study Material
The cost of books and stationery will depend upon your course and on whether you prefer buying books first-hand or second-hand. Certain books can also be procured from seniors, thus reducing your expenditure.
Estimated living costs 2016/17 | Undergraduate | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Postgraduate  |
Books and stationery | 400 | 39,683 | 490 | 48,612 |
Clothes
UK has distinct climates and seasons, and the amount you spend on apparel will vary as per your taste, fashion and season. The table below shows the average amount it will cost.
Estimated living costs 2016/17 | Undergraduate | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Postgraduate |
Clothes | 400 | 39,683 | 490 | 48,612 |
The table below shows the average cost of a few clothing items so that you can better understand the price.
Clothing Items | Average Cost(£) | Average Cost ( |
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 52.25 | 5,168 |
1 Dress in a Chain Store | 30.00 | 2,967 |
1 Pair of Nike Shoes | 60.00 | 5,934 |
1 Pair of Men’s Leather Shoes | 60.00 | 5,934 |
Also read:Â Advantages of taking the TOEFL test
Transport
Getting around UK, for recreational and non-recreational purposes, will cost you and the table below shows an estimate of the average cost you will have to bear.
Estimated living costs 2016/17 | Undergraduate | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Postgraduate  |
Local transport | 520 | 51,587 | 665 | 65,973 |
There are different modes of transport available like the train, tram, taxi, bike, and bus. The table below shows the price of an average ticket.
Mode of transport | Average Cost(£) | Average Cost ( |
One-way bus ticket | 2.10 | 208 |
Monthly bus pass | 60.00 | 5,934 |
Taxi (1 km) | 1.37 | 136 |
Gasoline (1 Liter) | 1.39 | 138 |
Entertainment and Miscellaneous Living Expenses
Besides accommodation, food, travel, clothes and study material, entertainment and other living expenses also play a big part of expenditure. Miscellaneous items like cinema tickets, your mobile phone bill, and internet usage depend on your lifestyle and how much you tend to spend. Though staying on-campus has many perks like DJs, parties, and unions, staying in private accommodation allows you the freedom of being able to explore the country beyond the walls of your university.
The tables below show the average expenditure for these.
Estimated living costs 2016/17 | Undergraduate | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Postgraduate  |
General living expenses | 1,495 | 1,48,315 | 1,875 | 1,86,014 |
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Utilities (Monthly) | Average Cost(£) | Average Cost ( |
Electricity, Heating, Water Garbage for an apartment 85m2 | 147.26 | 14,545 |
Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 20.00 | 1,976 |
Prepaid Mobile Tariff for Local Calls (per minute) | 0.15 | 15 |
Monthly Salary | 1,740.00 | 1,71,854 |
Cinema (one ticket) | 8.00 | 791 |
Total Living Expenses
Taking all of this into consideration, the table below shows an estimate of how much you will have to spend, either in an Undergraduate course or a Postgraduate course. You can consider a part-time job while in the UK to help pay off any loans or to cover your basic needs.
Estimated living costs 2016/17 | Undergraduate | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Postgraduate  |
Total | 8,885 | 8,81,456 | 10,630 | 10,54,572 |
To calculate your living expenses, use the international student calculator here.
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Sources
“How much does it cost to study in the UK?”, https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/student-finance/how-much-does-it-cost-study-uk
“Cost of living and budgeting”, UKCISA, http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/Preparing — planning/Money-scholarships-cost-of-living/Cost-of-living-and-budgeting/
“Cost Of Living In The UK”, Numbeo, http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=United+Kingdom
“Cost Of Living In The UK”, University of Manchester, http://www.manchester.ac.uk/international/finance/costofliving/
“Estimated living costs 2013-14”, The University of Edinburgh, http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/finance/cost-of-living
“Pound Sterling (GBP) and Indian Rupee (INR) Currency Exchange Rate Conversion Calculator”, Coin Mill, http://coinmill.com/GBP_INR.html#GBP=5,145
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