Living Expenses in UK for Indian Students
Planning for budgeting living expenses can be headache specially for Indian students who are prepared to go to foreign countries like UK, due to differences in the socioeconomic culture and other economic policies of India and UK. However, they can tackle with such challenges when they have right information and data.
This blog will give an insight into the living expenses in the UK for Indian students including tips to reduce them.
- Living Expenses in the UK for Indian Students: Introduction
- Why Study in the UK?
- Average Living Expenses in the UK for Indian Students
- Living Expenses in the UK for Indian Students: Affordable Cities
- Cost of Accommodation in the UK for Students
- Average Tuition Fees in the UK
- Living expenses in the UK for Indian Students: Accommodation, Meals, Transportation and Utility Bills
- Health Insurance for Indian Students in UK
- Tips to Cut Living Expenses in the UK for Indian Students
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Living Expenses in the UK for Indian Students: Introduction
Living expenses are the expenditures required to maintain normal living standards anywhere. This comprises of cost of accommodation, cost of meals, transportation cost, amusement, utility bills like electricity, gas, phone bills, laundry etc. As of 2023-24, there were about 1,85,000 Indian students residing in the UK.
The living expenses in the UK for Indian students depend on several factors such as lifestyle preferences, living standards and cost of goods and services, local taxes etc. It is required for Indian students to estimate the average living expenses in the UK so that they can have better financial strategies to tackle challenges.
Why Study in the UK?
In recent years, UK has faced several problems at various fronts due to different reasons, which has depressed the enrollment of Indian students in various UK universities. However, that does not mean that pursuing study in the UK is entirely worthless and a waste of time.
UK is home to 90 of the universities that are ranked by QS World University Ranking 2025. 4 UK universities rank in the global top 10 list, and a further 20 universities rank in the global top 50 list. Also, as per the National Student Survey in 2024, almost 90% of international students studying in various UK universities are reported to be satisfied with the quality of their courses.
Average Living Expenses in the UK for Indian Students
An Indian student should make a budget between £1,220-2,200 or INR 1.30 Lakh-2.35 Lakhs per month to cover accommodation, food, transport, amusement, utility services expenses, etc.
Apart from these costs, tuition fees for pursuing courses are also considered which are subject to university revision every year.
It might range from GBP 11,400-38,000 or INR 12 Lakh-40 Lakh per year for undergraduate students and GBP 9,000-30,000 or INR 9 Lakh-32 Lakh per year for postgraduate students. Hence, one should make their financial preparations in advance to avoid any chaos.
| Type of Expenses | Cost of Expenditure (per month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | GBP 600-1000 (52,000-95,000 INR) |
| Food | GBP 200-500 (21,000-53,000 INR) |
| Transportation | GBP 50-150 (5,000-16,000 INR) |
| Amusement | GBP 70-150 (3,000 INR) |
| NHS Health Insurance | GBP 60 (6000 INR) |
| Utilities bill | GBP 240-400 (25,000-42,000 INR) |
| Total | GBP 1,220-2,200 (INR 1.30 Lakh-2.35 Lakh) |
Living Expenses in the UK for Indian Students: Affordable Cities
UK provides every possible opportunity for Indian students to pursue their dreams while studying. However, some might have financial challenges while affording the high standard of living in various UK cities. We have listed below some of the affordable UK cities for Indian students.
| Affordable Cities | Costs of Living (per month) |
|---|---|
| Cardiff | GBP 900-1,200 (INR 96,000-1.28 Lakh) |
| Liverpool | GBP 410-1,092 (INR 43,000-1.16 Lakh) |
| Leeds | GBP 716-1,484 (INR 76,000-1.58 Lakh) |
| Leicester | GBP 700-1000 (INR 74,000-1.06 Lakh) |
| Newcastle | GBP 387-775 (INR 41,000-82,000) |
| Lincoln | GBP 700-1,270 (INR 74,000-1.35 Lakh) |
| Bournemouth | GBP 1200-1,269 (INR 1.06 Lakh-1.38 Lakh) |
Cost of Accommodation in the UK for Students
The cost of accommodation in the UK for students may vary according to location, accommodation type, size of house, amenities requirements, etc.
In most UK universities, it is required to be accommodated in the student hall or student residence located on the university campus for the first year of the program, depending upon the availability of the rooms.
Usually, it costs around GBP 4,000-11,000 or INR 4 Lakh-11 Lakh. On the other hand, if students go for off-campus housing, accommodation rent costs around GBP 3.600-10,800 or INR 3.84 Lakh-11.54 Lakh for a year in private establishments.
| City | Average cost of accommodation (per month) |
|---|---|
| London | GBP 900-1,500 (INR 96,000-1 Lakh) |
| Leicester | GBP 240-1,000 (INR 25,000-1 Lakh) |
| Birmingham | GBP 532-748 (INR 56,000-79,000) |
| Oxford | GBP 745-925 (INR 79,000-98,000) |
| Leeds | GBP 412-920 (INR 44,000-98,000) |
| Edinburg | GBP 370-1,402 (INR 39,000-1.49 Lakh) |
| Glasgow | GBP 600-800 (INR 64,000-85,000) |
| Manchester | GBP 600-1,000 (INR 64,000-1.06 Lakh) |
| Nottingham | GBP 520-1,100 (INR 55,000-1.17 Lakh) |
| Belfast | GBP 600-750 (INR 64,000-80,000) |
Average Tuition Fees in the UK
UK provides quality and premier education to students from all corners of the globe. The average education cost in the UK depends upon the chosen college, course, tuition fee, etc. Every year UK makes specific revisions in the tuition fee, which may affect overall education expenditure.
International students have to confirm tuition fees before applying for a particular course. Here is the table enlisting the average tuition costs of different streams in the UK
| Streams | Average tuition fees per year (UG course) | Average tuition fees per year (PG course) |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | GBP 8,000-35,000 (INR 20 Lakhs-40 lakhs approx) | GBP 14,000-28,750 (INR 14 Lakh-42 Lakh) |
| Engineering | GBP 9000-29,000 (26 Lakhs-47 Lakhs INR approx) | GBP 13,700-28,600 (INR 14 Lakh-29 Lakh) |
| Business Management | GBP 12,500-27,800 (25 Lakhs-42 Lakhs INR approx) | GBP 10,100-28,200 (INR 10 Lakh-29 Lakh) |
| Law | GBP 11,750-23,850 (15 Lakhs-36 Lakhs INR approx) | GBP 11,000-29,950 (INR 11 Lakh-31 Lakh) |
| Applied & Pure Sciences | GBP 12,200-28,700 (26 Lakhs-40 Lakhs INR approx) | GBP 14,500-27,900 (INR 14 Lakh-28 Lakh) |
| Computer & Mathematical Science | GBP 13,700-27,700 (21 Lakhs-40 Lakhs INR approx) | GBP 10,200-30,000 (INR 10 Lakh-32 Lakh) |
Living expenses in the UK for Indian Students: Accommodation, Meals, Transportation and Utility Bills
Following is the overview of the average cost of accommodation, traveling, food, and exploring tourist attractions in the major cities of the UK.
| Expenditure (per month) | London | Birmingham | Glasgow | Belfast | Edinburg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | GBP 900-1,500 (INR 96,000-1 Lakh) | GBP 532-748 (INR 56,000-79,000) | GBP 600-800 (INR 64,000-85,000) | GBP 600-750 (INR 64,000-80,000) | GBP 370-850 (INR 39,000-1.49 Lakh) |
| Meals | GBP 250-400 (INR 26,000-42,000) | GBP 450-540 (INR 34,000-70,000) | GBP 150-320 INR (15,900-34,000) | GBP 90-180 (INR 9,500-19,000) | GBP 250-450 (INR 26,600-47,900) |
| Transportation | GBP 70-150 (INR 7,000-15,000) | GBP 70-90 (INR 10,600-19,100) | GBP 50-120 (INR 5,000-12,000) | GBP 30-70 (INR 3,100-7,400) | GBP 50-90 (INR 5,300-9,500) |
| Utilities Bills | GBP 110-200 (INR 11,000-21,000) | GBP 20-80 (INR 21,100-8,500) | GBP 90-140 (INR 9,000-14,000) | GBP 40-70 (INR 4,200-7,400) | GBP 40-90 (INR 4,200-9,500) |
| Total | GBP 1,330-2,250 (INR 1.42 Lakh-2.40 Lakh) | GBP 972-1,668 (INR 1.03 Lakh1.78 Lakh) | GBP 890-1.380 (INR 95,000-1.47 Lakh) | GBP 760-1,070 (INR 81,000-1.14 Lakh) | GBP 710-2,032 (INR 75,800-2.16 Lakh) |
Health Insurance for Indian Students in UK
It is an important component of the living expenses in the UK for Indian students. The National Health Service (NHS) is one such effort of the healthcare care system of the UK where just paying the fee of a nominal amount that is GBP 776 or INR 82,000 per annum, students can gain access to a world-class healthcare system.
This fee is known as the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) included in the visa application process. Students only need private medical insurance if they are studying a course that lasts less than six months. An immigration health surcharge is a mandatory upfront payment that must be made when applying for entry or residency in the UK.
Tips to Cut Living Expenses in the UK for Indian Students
Exploring academic courses in a foreign land like the UK might be expensive to international students, including Indians, because of the high costs of accommodation, transportation, meals, and utility bills. However, you can follow these steps to reduce the cost of living in the UK.
- To reduce the cost of accommodation, choose shared accommodation whether you want an on-campus or off-campus stay.
- Prefer to cook and have meals at home rather than in restaurants to reduce monthly food expenses.
- Use public transport service rather than buying cars or motorbikes. You can also purchase a bicycle to commute.
- Prepare a budget on a weekly or monthly basis as it will help estimate the expenditure costs.
- Explore part-time job opportunities to help you manage your expenses and foster the necessary skills for future employment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the living expenses in the UK for Indian students vary according to city and preference of living standards. Since the UK is a student-friendly country that welcomes millions of students every year from all over the world, it provides various assistance and needful help so that students can meet their academic goals without any worry. There are multiple opportunities for overseas students by which they can reduce their financial burden and improve their skills.
FAQ
How much more expensive is living in the UK than in the US?
The cost of living in the UK is slightly lower than that of the USA by 14.6% due to number of factors such as lower cost of accommodation, groceries. Transport and healthcare services etc.
Is the UK costly for Indian students?
In comparison to countries like the USA, the cost of living in the UK is low. However, UK can be considered a costly country among other European countries. With the right budgeting and planning to spend money on requirements rather than wants, students can save and invest in the right place to sustain themselves.
How much money is needed to sustain Indian students in the UK?
The minimum amount needed to survive in the UK is GBP 1,334 or INR 1.42 Lakh (for London) and GBP 1,023 or INR 1.09 Lakh.
How can I apply for a tuition and maintenance loan in the UK?
You can apply for the tuition and maintenance loan on the official website of the Government of UK from the start of the academic year. Also there are several other options to opt for education loans from banks and NBFCs.
What are the new rules for international students in the UK?
From the 1st January 2024, most international students can no longer bring family members to the UK. This was brought into immediate effect to slash the unhealthy use of the immigration system.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
