The cost of living in the UK is one of the most important factors for international students to consider, alongside the degree and university you’re applying to. Understanding the monthly expenses you might face can help set a realistic budget and prevent surprises once you’re in the UK.
On average, the monthly cost of living in the UK for Indian students ranges between £1,425 and £2,035 (INR 150,000–230,000) in 2025, depending on lifestyle and location. For example, you may find Liverpool is less expensive than London, and that Cardiff’s rent and transport costs are among the most affordable in the UK.
In this guide, we’ll walk through each cost factor, including average tuition fees, visa and health insurance costs, and living expenses such as accommodation, food, transport, and utilities. Let’s get started.
The UK is renowned for its high-quality education, attracting students from around the world with its prestigious universities, diverse cultural landscape, and promising career prospects.
The UK has 90 universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2025, with four in the global top 10 and another 20 in the top 50. The UK’s higher education institutions are also known for student satisfaction, with 90% of international students rating universities positively in the 2024 National Student Survey. UK degrees are also widely respected for their academic excellence, which gives graduates a competitive edge in the job market.
The UK also offers an enriching lifestyle with its diverse, multicultural society and vibrant student communities. You can immerse yourself in the UK’s rich history, experience cultural events, enjoy a variety of cuisines and festivals, and make the most out of your life as a student.
The UK has a lot to offer to international students, but the cost of living is a common concern that many international students have. So, let’s first explore the monthly cost of living for international students in the UK and how it compares to other popular study destinations.
Compared to other top study destinations like the US and Canada, the UK provides a balanced cost of living for Indian students. Along with the range of scholarships available, this makes the UK an appealing choice for high-quality higher education.
Here’s how the cost of living in the UK compares to other popular higher education destinations worldwide:
| Country | Average monthly cost of living (excluding rent) |
|---|---|
| UK | INR 87,000 (£812) |
| USA | INR 100,000 ($1,200) |
| Canada | INR 91,000 (C$1,500) |
| Australia | INR 87,000 (AUD 1,600) |
| Ireland | INR 90,000 (€990) |
Overall, the UK is either more affordable or comparable to most countries popular for higher education. Let’s now look at how much it costs to study and live in the UK and the different expenses that make up the cost of living in the UK for Indian students.
The Student visa requirements by UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) can give you a better idea of the overall cost of living in the UK:
The cost of living in the UK for Indian students mainly includes rent, utilities, food, and transportation, with additional smaller costs like mobile phone plans, study supplies, and leisure activities. Let’s break down each expense to understand how it contributes to living costs.
Accommodation costs vary by type and include expenses for utilities like electricity, water, laundry, Wi-Fi, and gas. You have several options here, such as university halls, hostels, and private rentals, with costs differing based on location and accommodation type. The table below offers a snapshot of monthly accommodation costs for Indian students in the UK.
| Type of residence | London | Rest of the UK |
|---|---|---|
| University residence | INR 80,000 | INR 60,000 |
| Private housing | INR 92,000 | INR 55,000 |
Utility costs such as electricity, water, laundry, Wi-Fi, and gas can cost around £160 (INR 18,000) in London and £100 (INR 11,000) in the rest of the UK. These costs are included in the above estimation.
Food and grocery expenses make up another major part of living costs. Shopping at budget-friendly stores like Aldi and Tesco and planning meals can help you manage this expense. Here’s a look at the monthly cost of food and groceries for Indian students studying in the UK:
| Type of cost | London | Rest of the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Food | INR 11,000 - 27,000 | |
| Groceries | INR 17,000 | INR 13,000 |
Travelling in the UK is easy and many transport options are available, some of which are discounted specifically for students. Travelling by taxi can be costly, but coaches and trains have student-friendly prepaid travel cards you can top up. These cards can reduce the cost of transportation, often with percentage reductions on fares. For example, in London, the 18+ Student Oyster card offers a 30% discount on travel cards and bus/tram passes!
Here’s an overview of typical monthly transportation costs across major UK cities for Indian students:
| City | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| London | INR 11,000 |
| Manchester | INR 5,900 |
| Birmingham | INR 5,000 |
| Cardiff | INR 5,000 |
| Liverpool | INR 5,000 |
| Leeds | INR 4,700 |
Additional costs like mobile plans, textbooks, and occasional dining or entertainment can impact your budget. These expenses may seem minor, but they can add up over time. Here’s a list of these smaller expenses to help plan your budget better:
| Type of cost | Estimated amount |
|---|---|
| Mobile phone (SIM-only plan/month) | INR 2,000 |
| Stationery and textbooks | INR 2,000 to 4,000 |
| Movie ticket | INR 880 |
| Dinner at a restaurant | INR 1,600 |
| Music festival ticket | INR 5,400 |
For Indian students like you planning to study in the UK, budgeting for monthly living expenses – typically ranging between £1,425 and £2,035 (INR 150,000 and INR 230,000) – can provide a realistic view of the costs associated with accommodation, food, transportation, and other essentials. Now that you have an understanding of what makes up your cost of living in the UK, let’s take a look at the average tuition fees in UK universities for Indian students.
The cost of tuition for international students in the UK varies based on factors such as the type and duration of the programme. While courses in social sciences and humanities can start at around £14,000 (INR 15 lakhs) per year, fees for high-demand programmes like medicine or MBA can reach £45,000 (INR 50 lakhs) or more.
Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular courses offered by UK universities and their approximate tuition fees per year:
| Programme | Cost in INR | Cost in GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Programmes | ||
| Business Administration (BBA) | INR 21–44 lakhs | £20,000–40,000 |
| Computer Science (BSc) | INR 21–44 lakhs | £20,000–40,000 |
| Medicine (MBBS/MBChB) | INR 32–74 lakhs | £30,000–68,000 |
| Engineering (BEng) | INR 21–38 lakhs | £20,000–35,000 |
| Psychology (BSc) | INR 16–33 lakhs | £15,000–30,000 |
| Law (LLB) | INR 21–44 lakhs | £20,000–40,000 |
| Natural Sciences (BSc Biology) | INR 16–33 lakhs | £15,000–30,000 |
| Hospitality and tourism management (BA) | INR 16–27 lakhs | £15,000–25,000 |
| Postgraduate Programmes | ||
| Business Administration (MBA) | INR 27–54 lakhs | £25,000–50,000 |
| Computer Science (MSc) | INR 21–44 lakhs | £20,000–40,000 |
| Medicine (MD) | INR 33–74 lakhs | £30,000–68,000 |
| Engineering (MSc) | INR 21–38 lakhs | £20,000–35,000 |
| Psychology (MSc) | INR 16–33 lakhs | £15,000–30,000 |
| Law (LLM) | INR 21–44 lakhs | £20,000–40,000 |
| Natural Sciences (MSc Biology) | INR 16–33 lakhs | £15,000–30,000 |
| Hospitality and Tourism Management (MSc) | INR 16–27 lakhs | £15,000–25,000 |
Now that we’ve taken a look at tuition costs, let’s break down additional expenses, such as visa application fees, airfare, and mandatory student health insurance.
All international students must demonstrate their ability to cover their living and study expenses in the UK to be eligible for a Student visa. Here are the UKVI requirements:
In addition to demonstrating your financial capabilities, you’ll also have to account for your pre-arrival costs. Here are the main costs associated with getting a Student visa and arriving in the UK:
The UK Student visa application fee for Indian students is £490 (approx. INR 54,000). You also have to provide proof of sufficient funds to cover any remaining course fees for the first academic year and nine months of living expenses as per the UKVI requirement.
Also known as the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), student health insurance is a must when getting a Student visa. It costs £776 per year (around INR 85,000) and gives you access to National Health Service (NHS) treatment. This covers medical treatment and other essential health services, so you won’t have to worry about unexpected medical costs while studying.
Indian students have access to direct flights to the UK from major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Airfare may change depending on your departure location, arrival city, and the time of year, typically ranging from INR 20,000 to over INR 100,000. You have some freedom to choose when you fly since you can arrive in the UK before your course starts (up to one week before if your course is six months or less, up to a month before if your course is more than six months). Flying in November is generally the most affordable, with average costs of around INR 30,000.
While these are the upfront expenses you need to consider, tuition fees and living expenses make up the majority of your expenses as an Indian student in the UK. Now, let’s explore some avenues for you to manage these expenses, starting from the most affordable cities in the UK.
While London tends to be the most expensive city, other student-friendly cities like Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, and Newcastle offer a range of affordable options without compromising on quality education.
Here are some of the most affordable cities in the UK, with estimated monthly costs based on an average student lifestyle:
| City | Average Cost of Living (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| Bournemouth | INR 106,000–138,000 |
| Cardiff | INR 96,000–128,000 |
| Leeds | INR 76,000–158,000 |
| Leicester | INR 74,000–106,000 |
| Lincoln | INR 74,000–135,000 |
| Liverpool | INR 43,000–116,000 |
| Newcastle | INR 41,000–82,000 |
You can lower your cost of living considerably by using cost-saving strategies for major expenses and leveraging scholarships offered by the UK government and universities. Let’s take a look at these options next.
Managing tuition fees and living expenses in the UK can seem challenging, but with a few smart strategies, you can budget effectively and make the most of your finances. Here are some practical tips to help you manage your costs while studying in the UK:
Sharing accommodation, whether on or off-campus, can significantly reduce costs. It’s a practical option that allows you to split bills, making both rent and utilities more affordable.
Using public transportation can help keep travel costs down. Student travel cards like the Student Oyster Card, 16-25 Railcard, and UniRider bus pass offer discounts. For example, the 16-25 Railcard saves you 1/3 on rail fares across Great Britain! You can also combine it with other cards like the Oyster Card for additional savings.
Shopping at affordable grocery stores like Aldi, Lidl, Asda, and Tesco can help you keep food costs low. Additionally, some universities offer subsidised meals on campus, which can help reduce your daily food expenses.
As a student visa holder, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time if enrolled in a full-time degree programme. A part-time job can provide extra income to help manage living expenses and gain valuable work experience.
Setting a weekly or monthly budget that includes rent, food, travel, and other essentials can help too. Having a realistic estimate of your monthly expenses will help you track your spending and adjust as needed.
Scholarships can also play a big role in offsetting costs. The UK government, many universities, and private donors offer scholarships for international students, some of which cover tuition fees, living allowances, and visa costs. Let’s now dive into the scholarship options available for Indian students.
Indian students aiming to study in the UK have access to scholarships offered by the UK government and independent universities, covering tuition fees, accommodation, visa application fees, and more. Here are some of the top scholarship options in the UK for Indian students:
| Scholarship | Type of Funding/Coverage | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Scholarships | Most are fully funded and cover:
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| Chevening Scholarship | Fully funded and covers:
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| Felix Scholarship | Fully funded and covers:
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In addition to these government-funded scholarships, UK universities offer their own scholarships, usually providing discounts on course fees as either flat reductions or percentages. If you want to learn more, our comprehensive scholarship search can help you find the ideal scholarship.
Now that we’ve gone through what makes up the cost of living in the UK for an Indian student, let’s take a look at what you can expect after graduating; job opportunities and salaries.
With the ability to get a two-year post-study work visa after graduation and the UK’s high employability rates, Indian students like you have many career opportunities. You can explore various well-paid roles across many sectors, from finance and tech to healthcare and law. Here’s a look at some of the top-paying jobs in the UK and the degrees that pave the way for them:
| Job | Average Annual Salary* | Degree Required |
|---|---|---|
| Anaesthesiologist | £88,621 | MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine) and MD (Doctor of Medicine) in Anaesthesia |
| Auditor | £30,392 | Accounting |
| Business Analyst (Finance/Banking) | £38,999 | Business Administration/Information Technology |
| Civil Engineer | £34,087 | Civil Engineering |
| Data Scientist | £41,431 | Computer Science or Computing |
| Mechanical Engineer | £33,945 | Mechanical Engineering |
| Orthodontist | £76,238 | Biology, Chemistry, or Related Field and DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) |
| Software Engineer | £40,670 | Computer Science or Computing |
*Salaries are approximate and can vary based on location, experience, and specific job roles. Salary data for 2024, from PayScale.
While the cost of living, tuition fees, and other expenses can seem overwhelming at first, understanding and planning for these expenses can help you make the most of your study abroad experience and help you work towards your goals with minimal stress.
Studying in the UK is an investment that can open you up to a world-class education, global career opportunities, and a rich cultural experience. Reserve a free consultation with our experts at SI-UK to understand your options for universities, scholarships, and more.
You can expect to budget between INR 150,000 and INR 230,000 per month as an Indian student living in the UK in 2025, depending on the location and your lifestyle. This cost mainly comprises accommodation, food, groceries, and transportation—with other relatively lower costs for essentials like mobile phone plans.
It can cost between INR 13–17 lakhs for an Indian student to live in the UK (excluding tuition fees). The officially recommended amount to get a Student visa by UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) can give you a better idea of this. UKVI requires students in London to budget £1,334 (approx. INR 146,000) per month and students outside of London to budget £1,023 (approx. INR 112,000).
The most affordable cities in the UK for students include Bournemouth, Cardiff, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool, and Newcastle as the cost of living in these cities ranges from INR 41,000–138,000 per month. They also have great universities for you to choose from.
As an Indian student in the UK, you can work up to 20 hours per week. Here are the amounts you can expect to earn per hour with a part-time job:
Yes, several UK mobile providers offer student discounts. Here are some of the popular student discounts you can get for mobile plans:
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