Cost of Living in London for International Students 2025
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Living costs in London for Indian and other international students vary between £20,000 - £24,000 on an annual basis. Students can expect to pay £1,450 - £2,100 on a monthly basis, which includes rent, food, and other necessities. Thus, it is expensive to live in London while studying, as London is the 15th most expensive city in the world (based on 2025 mid-year Cost of Living Indices).
Those planning to study in the UK and choosing London city for their higher education, the cost of living in London for a student can vary based on their choice of accommodation. Take a closer look at the article and check out the components of expenditure under cost of living in London in 2025. You may also want to learn about the top 10 universities in London in 2025.
- Cost of Living in London Student Highlights
- Cost of Living in London for Indian Students 2025
- Living Expenses in London for International Students
- Cost of Living in London FAQs
Cost of Living in London Student Highlights
| Cost of Living in London (annual average) |
£20,000 - £24,000 |
| Estimated Tuition Fee |
|
| Accommodation Costs (rented) |
|
| Cost of Grocery (per month) |
£155 |
| Top 10 Most Expensive Places to Live Ranking |
15th (According to the Cost of Living Index 2025 - Numbeo) |
| Annual Disposable Income |
£2,492.00 |
| One Day Accommodations |
£140 - £160 |
| Paying Guest |
£165 - £700 |
| On-Campus Accommodations |
£650 - £1,909 (per month) |
Cost of Living in London for Indian Students 2025
The city of London ranks #4 for being the most expensive city in the world to live in. The cost of living in London may range from £18,000 to £40,000 annually. Let us check out the cost of living in London for Indian students and how costs are affected below:
- The cost of living will vary based on the applicant’s choice of accommodation-rented or non-rented accommodations, or even on-campus housing options.
- If choosing a small rented accommodation without sharing, applicants will have to pay between £750 - £1,130 per month.
- Whereas those going for on-campus housing accommodations can pay up to £848 per month.
- Through part-time jobs in the UK while studying in London, only 2% of the living costs can be covered for a month.
- Finally, those who have relatives or have someone known in London, then they can either not pay any money or pay meagre amounts, which is £20 - £30 a month.
Thus, with high living index scores, it can be said that living costs in London are very high for international students.
Check out the Cost of Living in the UK
Living Expenses in London for International Students
International students studying in London will have to spend the following amounts to cover their living expenses on a monthly basis:
| Living Expenditures in London |
Costs Incurred (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| Monthly Pass for Travel |
£103 per month (Student Oyster Card for Zone 1-6) |
| Meal for two people from outside |
£20 - £80 |
| Basic Utilities - Mobile bills, WiFi, Gasoline, Electricity, Broadband and TV License |
£158 (per month) |
| Clothing |
£36 - £96.53 |
| Sports & Leisure |
£82 |
| Groceries |
£155 (per month) |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment within the City |
£2,130 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment outside the City |
£1,540 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment within the City |
£4,000 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment outside the City |
£2,540 |
| Entertainment |
£15 |
Since fluctuations in currency can happen at any given point in time, applicants must keep a buffer amount to rely on for their living expenses coverage in London while studying. Check out the Cost of Studying in the UK for International Students.
Expenditure Analysis in London for International Students
International students studying in London will have to keep this expenditure breakdown in mind before finalising their living expenses. Since living costs are not just about accommodation and food costs, there are other costs that are incurred and covered within this category:
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Based on the above-given graph, international students who are going to study at the universities of London will have to incur costs in the above-given areas. The highest expenditures in London are required for monthly rented accommodations, this is followed by market errands where an applicant can spend around 19.4% of his or her set expenses. The lowest expenditures are incurred on clothing and shoes and on sports equipment in London.
Also Read: Best Banks in UK for International Students
The following is a more detailed analysis of the groceries that are included in the market component in the above-given expenditures.
| Grocery Items |
Rates in London |
Rate as per Indian Currency (exchange rate as on 18 Aug 2025: 1£ = ₹118.48) |
|---|---|---|
| Dining in an inexpensive restaurant |
£20 |
INR 2,369.55 |
| 1 litre of milk |
£1.31 |
INR 155.21 |
| White bread loaf |
£1.53 (per 500 gm) |
INR 181.27 |
| 1 kg white rice |
£2.23 (per kilo) |
INR 264.20 |
| A dozen eggs |
£3.51 |
INR 415.86 |
| 1 kg local cheese |
£7.19 |
INR 851.85 |
| 1 kg red meat |
£11.69 |
INR 1,385 |
| 1 kg apples |
£2.10 |
INR 248.80 |
| 1 kg bananas |
£1.22 |
INR 144.54 |
| 1 kg oranges |
£2.07 |
INR 245.25 |
| 1 kg tomatoes |
£3.04 |
INR 360.17 |
| 1 kg potatoes |
£1.17 |
INR 138.62 |
| 1 kg onions |
£1.11 |
INR 131.51 |
| 1.5-litre water bottle |
£1.16 |
INR 137.43 |
| Cappuccino |
£3.60 |
INR 426.52 |
| Coke / Pepsi |
£1.96 |
INR 232.22 |
Also Read: Top 10 Libraries in London
Thus, these are just some of the basic items that are required by students studying in London and who have chosen accommodation in apartments or off-campus basically. There may be other personal use items which may require the applicant’s expenses more than usual.
Studying and living in London can be an expensive affair for international students, hence, the applicants should ensure that they have proper planning in terms of their expenses and how they wish to spend on each of the items of use in future.
This was all about the cost of living in London for Indian and international students. If you are looking for admissions at universities in London, then sign up for free counselling at Shiksha Abroad Counselling or shoot in your queries in the comments section below.
Cost of Living in London FAQs
Residing in London with a monthly budget of $1,000 is a significant challenge that requires careful financial management. The city's steep living costs make it difficult to cover basic necessities like rent, groceries, and transportation on such a tight budget. To cope with the high costs in such a low budget, you may need to embrace a minimalist lifestyle and think about sharing a room in a more budget-friendly area.
Students should secure a minimum ‘D’ grade to be declared pass in the UK 12th board exam. As per the rules of the UK Board 12th exams, those who obtain an 'E' grade in a subject will not be declared as pass in that subject. Those who could not clear the UK 12th exam can appear for the UK 12th supplementary exam. The UK 12th supplementary exam will be held in July. Through proper preparation and planning, students can easily clear the UK Board 12th exam.
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According to some reports, an annual income of £45,000 to £60,000 is typically adequate for a comfortable lifestyle in London, particularly considering the city's elevated cost of living relative to other areas in the UK. However, personal choices, circumstances and lifestyle choices can affect this amount.