STUDENTS: UK cost of living

13 July 2009 908 views

Why UK

UK qualifications are recognized and respected throughout the world. Your UK qualification will be a strong foundation for building your future, boosting your career and prospects for a higher salary. Quality standards for UK institutions are among the best in the world.

There are more than three thousand educational institutions that welcome international students in the UK.UK degrees can take only three years and postgraduate Master’s courses only one year - compared with four years and two years in most other countries. This means you will save a great deal on both tuition fees and living costs - and you will be able to start working and earning money sooner. UK degree courses are shorter because they are more intensive, and therefore more efficient in terms of your time and money.

Health care is often free for international students. You are likely to be able to take advantage of National Health Service (NHS) treatment, as well as reduced-cost medicines, dental treatment and eye tests. Find out whether you are entitled to NHS care in the Advice section of the website.

Thousands of scholarships and bursaries are offered by UK institutions just for international students, while more than twenty-one thousand international students receive scholarship funding from the UK Government every year. You can also get more information about these from the scholarships page.

Thanks to changes in work regulations, international students in the UK can now work up to twenty hours a week when studying and full time during vacations.

You may first wish to contact your own Ministry of Education or Education Department, as they should have details of scholarship opportunities for students wishing to study overseas. They will also be able to advise you on your own government’s conditions for studying abroad. You may also contact the British Council office in your country of origin, which should have details of British scholarship schemes. The British Council will be able to give you information about educational and training courses and about living in the UK, including how much it costs to study. If there is no British Council office,contact your nearest British Embassy or High Commission.

Medical Care:If your course lasts for more than six months, you will be entitled to free medical care under the UK’s National Health Service. Even if your course lasts for less than six months, your country might have a reciprocal agreement with the UK which will mean that you also are entitled to free medical care. If your country does not have a reciprocal agreement however, and your course lasts less than six months you should set aside sufficient funds to pay for medical insurance.

Until recently, if you wanted to take a job whilst studying in the UK you first had to obtain permission to do so. This situation changed this year. You are now allowed to work up to twenty hours per week during term time and an unlimited number of hours during vacation time. Similarly you are able to do work placements which are part of a ’sandwich degree’ or undertake internship placements with multinational employers.

Average Cost of Accommodation in London
Flat-Share Rental per month		One Bedroom Flat Rental per month
East London	£200 - £390 (single), £350 - £500 (double)	East London	£350 - £7450
West London	£280 - £330 (single), £350 - £690 (double)	West London	£200 - £400
South London	£280 - £300 (single), £350 - £650 (double)	South London	£200 - £500
North London	£300 -£350 (single), £330 - £550 (double)	North London	£250 - £450

UK cost of Food & Drink
Average weekly grocery bill (including food, basic laundry and toiletry items for 2 people)	£40
Average pub meal	£6 - £10
Average restaurant meal	£12 - £20
Pint of beer	£2.50 - £3
Average bottle of wine	£10
Average meal for two in mid-priced restaurant	£40

UK cost of Transportation
Weekly Zone 1-6 Travelcard	£41
Monthly Zone 1-2 Travelcard	£86
Train trip to Edinburgh	£110 (standard single)
Train trip to Cambridge / Brighton	£17 - £20 (single)
Avg mid-sized car rental for a weekend	£70
Return budget flight to Spain	£120 - £150 (budget carrier)
Eurostar return ticket to Paris	£125 (standard class)
Return flight to Ireland	£50 - £60 (budget carrier)

UK cost of Entertainment
Movie	£7-£10
West End Theatre	£25+
Club/Pub Entry	£5 - £20
Live music/concerts	£10+
Chart CDs	£8 - £12
New release DVD rental	£3.50