Cost of Living in UK: Tuition Fees, Food, Rent & Transportation

The cost of living in UK for Indian students is more than the cost of living in any Indian city. Indian students planning to get their higher education in the country must match their budget and total estimated cost of living and studying in the UK before making the move.

The cost of living in the UK differ greatly depending on your lifestyle, spending habits, the city where you are studying and living and the course that you are pursuing. The cost per programme may also vary; for example, humanities and social science courses cost the least to students while courses including laboratory work and medical practices cost the most. You can estimate the required budget to live in the UK based on the data given in this article, along with your period of stay in the UK. 

The average cost of living in the UK for Indian students in 2026 may range from £15,000 to £24,000. This amount includes the cost of your accommodation in the UK, groceries, bills and other expenses during your studies.

The average cost of student accommodation in the UK ranges from £690 to £955 for a month (depending on the city they are living in). For example, the cost of living in London for Indian students is higher than in the rest of the UK. However, there are some affordable accommodations in London that may not put much of a load on students' pockets. 

How much is the Estimated Cost of Living in the UK for 2026?

For foreign students living in the UK, the monthly living expenses vary as they choose a city. This difference is broadly classified between London and the other cities in the UK, as London is definitely the costliest city in the country to live at. The cost of living for international students in UK's London varies from £1,300 and £2,000+ per month - based on several differnt choices made by students. In London, the accommodation rent alone can cost around £1,000 to £3,000+ per month, but students generally prefer cheaper accommodations. While the cost of living in other cities of UK except London ranges from £900 to £1,400+ a month. 

Table Source: British Council, University of Oxford and Numbeo.

What is the Cost of Living in UK per Month for Students?

The cost of living in UK per month for students is approximately £1,300-£1,529 in London and £900-£1,300 elsewhere - according to the Study UK - British Council and official government guidance. The major expenses include the expenses of accommodation, food and utilities. Most students take up part-time jobs in UK that help them cover most of their monthly expenses.  

Cost of Studies in UK in 2026

For international students to study in the UK, the undergraduate tuition fee ranges from £12,000 to £38,000 per year for full-time courses. Note that the higher range is for medical degrees at the best colleges. For masters in the UK for Indian students, the average tuition fees of full-time programs range from £12,000 - £45,000 per year. For laboratory and research-based programs, average annual fees stand at £14,000 - £30,000. For medical degrees, the average figure is £22,200 and it can go up to £52,000. Libraries in London offer you a great space to study with the stock of some of the best books that there are. Check here the top 10 Libraries in London fro your future references. 

How Much Money is Required to Study and Live in the UK: Officially Recommended Amount for 2026

In 2026, the UK Visa and Immigration require you to have a budget of £1,529 per month for a period of 9 months (or £13,761) to study in London on a UK student visa. This amount includes the tuition fees as well. Remember that this is the minimum amount you need to show to get a visa to study in London.

For other places in the UK, the amount will be less. If you study at colleges outside London, you will need to show a minimum amount of £1,171 per month for a period of 9 months (or £10,539) as requested by UK Visa and Immigration. However, if the student is going to stay at a residential independent school, then they will be required to pay the boarding fees, mentioned on their CAS Letter.

Note:- Students must have these amounts in their bank account for 28 consecutive days within 31 days of applying for the student visa. 

If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.