UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that you have £9,207 per academic year, equivalent to £1,023 per month for nine months. This is designed to cover your daily living expenses and includes things like accommodation, food and local travel.
The £9,207 figure is based on a nine-month stay in the UK. If you're staying for 12 months, you're likely to need at least £12,276 to cover your living costs, based on the UKVI's minimum monthly amount.
Example monthly costs
It's important to budget your money carefully. We estimate total monthly living expenses of £900-£1,350 based on feedback from our current international undergraduate and master's students.
Of course, your actual living costs may vary significantly according to your lifestyle and choice of accommodation. They might typically include:
- University halls accommodation (including electricty, gas, water, and Wi-Fi): £600-£900 per month
- Private accommodation (varies between location and number of students living in the property): £400-£700 per month
- Household bills for private accommodation (electricty, gas, water, and Wi-Fi): £50-£200 per month
- Travel and transport (bus, trains, taxis and local travel): £20-£80 per month
- Food and other household necessities: £150-£400 per month
- Mobile phone bill: £15-£50 per month
- Television Licence: £13.25 per month (you can also make a one-time payment of £159 for the full year)
- Socialising and entertainment: £50-£200 per month
- Study costs (books, photocopying, etc.): £10-£30 per month
- Gym membership (based on University Sports Centre): £20 per month.
Please note, the accommodation costs shown include University and private accommodation options. University accommodation offers a wide range of room types including single, premier, deluxe studio and premier studio apartments.
Calling home
You'll probably want to keep in regular contact with family and friends back home. There's lots of options to make cheap calls from either a landline in your accommodation or from a mobile (cell) phone.
International phone calls can be very expensive so it's important to ensure that you compare the best deals from different network providers to find the mobile contract that best meets your needs.
Popular networks in the UK include O2, Vodafone, EE and Three. You should also check call rates offered by networks such as Giffgaff, Lyca and Lebara who specialise in international calls.
Study costs
There may be some additional costs in relation to your studies that aren't covered by your tuition fees. From general costs like stationery and course books to subject-specific costs like lab coats, scrubs, equipment or course-related travel expenses, such as for a placement.
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