How much does it cost to study in a British University?

How much does it cost to study in a British University? Before Brexit, EU/EEA and Swiss students had a “home fee status” which allowed them to pay the same tuition fees as local students in the UK. This will not change for students who started a course at a university or another education institution in the UK before 31 July 2021.

But international students coming from the EU/EEA or Swiss who will enroll after 1 August 2021 will no longer enjoy a home fee status. They will have to pay the same tuition fees as international students, which can sometimes be 2, 3 or 4 times higher than local fees depending on the university they choose.

Tuition fees charged by British Universities

As in every country, tuition fees also vary according to the degree and the specialization students choose. In 2020-2021, tuition fees in the UK for international undergraduate students started at around £9,250 a year and went up to £64,652 a year for medical degrees.
Generally speaking, most tuition fees for undergraduate international students fall somewhere between £10,000 and £20,000 a year, £12,000 being the average.

Regarding postgraduate programs, tuition fees for international students usually start at £4,800 and can rise as much as £36,984 a year. They can also go up to £49,950 for medical degrees and £59,490 for MBA.

One should keep in mind that these are estimates. It is difficult to precisely calculate how much it costs to study in a British university as tuitions fees vary across universities, degrees and type of courses.

Here is how the UK compares to the rest of the world according to Save the student:

Living costs at British Universities

On top of tuition fees, international students also have to keep in mind that they will need to have enough money for their daily life in the UK (housing, health insurance, food, books, transport, social activities…). Do not forget about living costs when you calculate the cost to study at a British University!

Current UK student visa requirements state that you must have a certain amount of money in your bank account before coming to the UK to study.

How much money you will need actually depends on how long and where you will be studying:

• You will need £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) in London
• You will need £1,023 per month for courses (for up to 9 months) outside London

According to the latest National Student Money Survey, the average living costs for students in the UK are about £795 per month, the biggest part of the budget being dedicated to rent.

At their arrival in the UK, most international students choose to live in university halls of residence. Most universities offer this sort of accommodation. Rent often falls between £85 and £220 per week.

The Guardian, estimates the yearly costs to £7,000 for an entire academic year of 40-42 weeks. The price generally includes food as well as internet connection and sometimes access to some facilities such as gyms, which is very convenient for freshly arrived students.

International students can also choose private sector accommodation, which costs around £148 a week for a room and around £193 for a studio. Price will vary depending on the quality and the type of accommodation you are looking for. Keep also in mind that rent usually does not include the Internet or utilities. You will also need a guarantor and money to secure a flat!

Nacel helps you work on your project to study in the UK.