The United Kingdom, comprising England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, has consistently been one of the most preferred study destinations for students from across the globe. With its world-renowned education, promising career opportunities and vibrant culture, it’s no wonder it keeps attracting hundreds of thousands of international students yearly.
Before one can achieve the dream of becoming a UK international student, they must first ask the important question: “What expenses do I need to consider to study in the UK?” In this article, we’ll go through the different factors that play a part in UK study abroad costs and give a rough guide on what students can expect in terms of finances.
UK study abroad costs
The cost to study in the UK varies widely depending on multiple factors decided by the student–their university, program, field and level of study, region and city. For example, the cost of living in London is known to be much higher compared to any other city in the UK. Humanities and social sciences degrees tend to cost the least, while laboratory and clinical degree programs tend to cost the most. In terms of tuition, international students can expect to pay between £11,400 to £38,000 for an undergraduate degree (three to four years) and £9,000 to £30,000 for a postgraduate degree (one year of full-time study).
Figuring out UK study abroad costs can be confusing or overwhelming, but luckily, there are tools that help international students project their possible expenses. One such tool is provided by the British Council and allows students to input their preferred field, level of study and region, then generates a list of suggested universities with their corresponding program offerings and tuition fees.
The standard financial aspects a UK international student would have to account for include:
- tuition and other fees: textbooks, class materials, clubs and extracurricular involvements, etc.
- accommodations and utilities: rent, electric and water bills, Wi-Fi, etc.
- living expenses: food, transportation, recreation, socialisation, etc.
UK scholarships
While going to study in the UK might not be the most affordable choice for some, there are tons of ways for students to cut costs through financial aid. Many become UK international students through grants and scholarships from their universities or external organisations.
UK scholarships give international students an opportunity to pursue an education in the country in a way that challenges them and acknowledges their potential. There are many scholarships offered to international students who want to study in the UK. Check out our detailed list of the different ways students can gain UK scholarships.
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