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Study in UK Total cost in 2025-26 | Latest

The United Kingdom has always been one of the best destinations for international students, thanks to its top-ranked universities. This has been especially true for students from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland, who enjoyed the same tuition as local (national) students.

Understanding the Study in UK Total cost is crucial for international students planning to pursue their degrees in the country. While tuition fees can range from £10,000 to £38,000 per year, depending on the course and university, living expenses are another significant factor to consider. While these costs may be daunting, remember that most UK universities offer shorter programmes compared to countries such as the US (three years for the average undergraduate degree instead of four, and one year for a master’s degree instead of two), so you may be able to subtract a year’s worth of fees and living costs from your total budget.

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A Step-by-Step Guide to the Study in UK Total Cost in 2025-26

1. University tuition fees in the UK

Up until now, you could be charged two types of tuition fees in the United Kingdom:

  • the ‘home status’ fee: in general, these are lower fees, paid by local students, Irish citizens, and students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland
  • the ‘international’ fee: higher fees (sometimes 2 or 3 times higher) paid by all the remaining non-EU/EEA students

But following Brexit, things will change significantly. Here are the main aspects you need to know if you’re from the EU/EEA or Switzerland and plan to begin studying in the UK after 1 January 2021:

  • If you arrive in the UK after 1 January 2021 and start your study programme before 31 July 2021, you will still enjoy the ‘home fee status’, and you’ll have the option to apply for a student loan.
  • If you arrive in the UK after 1 January 2021 and start your study programme after 1 August 2021, you will NOT enjoy the ‘home fee status’ anymore, you won’t have access to student loans, and you’ll need to pay the full tuition fees established by each university individually.

Tuition fees at public universities

At public UK universities, tuition costs can vary significantly. The ‘home’ fee usually ranges from 5,500 to 10,200 EUR per year, depending on the university, the type of discipline, and the length of your studies.

The ‘international’ fee usually adds another 3,000–8,000 EUR to the initial ‘home’ fee. In some cases, it might even be 2 or 3 times higher than the ‘home’ fee.

Tuition fees at private universities

While some study programmes at private universities have tuition costs comparable to those at public institutions, it’s generally true that private higher education is more expensive. Additionally, these institutions often don’t differentiate between EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA citizens.

Students can pay anywhere from 5,000 to over 35,000 EUR per academic year. At both public and private universities, Business and Medical studies are the most expensive.

2. Most affordable universities in the UK

You can find free or very affordable (under 5,000 EUR/year) Bachelors and Masters in the United Kingdom. But keep in mind that the vast majority are only available at this low cost to EU/EEA students.

Let’s take a look at some of the most affordable UK universities and colleges:

  1. Cambridge University 
    • Undergraduate: £11,750 – £15,000 per year
    • Postgraduate: £12,400 – £16,000 per year
  2. Leeds Beckett University
    • Undergraduate: £11,000 – £15,000 per year
    • Postgraduate: £11,000 – £15,000 per year
  3. University of the West of Scotland (UWS) 
    • Undergraduate: £12,600 – £14,100 per year
    • Postgraduate: £12,600 – £14,100 per year
  4. University of Suffolk
    • Undergraduate: £15,000 – £18,000 per year
    • Postgraduate: £15,000 – £18,000 per year

3. Student living costs in the UK

Living as an international student in the United Kingdom isn’t exactly cheap.

But how much you end up spending largely depends on where you will live. In popular cities like London, monthly living costs can easily jump over 1,500 EUR (1,360 GBP). In smaller towns, you can get by with a budget of 700–1,200 EUR (635–1,040 GBP) per month.

4. Student accommodation costs

Many universities in the UK provide student residence halls. These living spaces offer great value for money and include the costs of utilities in the overall price. Student residence halls are most popular among first-year students.

After the first academic year, many future graduates choose to rent a private space, either alone or with other peers. This option is more expensive, but it offers a more accurate sense of what it is like to live in the real world:

  • one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: 610 GBP/month
  • one-bedroom apartment in the city centre: 740 GBP/month
  • three-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: 975 GBP/month
  • three-bedroom apartment in the city centre: 1,255 GBP/month

5. Food costs in the UK

Students will spend between 150 and 250 GBP on food and groceries. The following are some of the average prices for food products in the United Kingdom:

  • 1 loaf of bread: 1 GBP
  • 1 litre of milk: 0.90 GBP
  • 12 eggs: 1.95 GBP
  • 1 kg of local cheese: 5.60 GBP
  • 1 kg of apples: 1.80 GBP
  • 1 kg of bananas: 1.10 GBP
  • 1 meal at affordable restaurants: 12 GBP

6. Transportation costs

To commute on a daily basis, you can choose from various means of public transport; and most of them offer discounts to students or young people in general. These discounts might vary from one area or city to another, but here are a few examples:

  • train: 30% discount for full-time students who buy a Young Persons Card, which usually costs 30 GBP
  • tube (metro/subway) in London: 30% discount for +18-year-old students who buy the Oyster Student Card
  • bus: 1.50–2.50 GBP for a one-way ticket

7. Extra costs in the UK

  • entertainment (cinema, concerts, theatre): 50–100 GBP/month
  • student visa fee: 348 GBP (one-time fee)
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service): 470 GBP/year

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

  • As part of your student visa application, if you will stay in the UK and study for more than six months, you will need to pay a fee called an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This will give you access to the UK’s National Health Service.
  • The surcharge for a student visa will be a fee of Â£470 per year for each full year you are in the UK. Where your stay in the UK includes part of a year, you would be charged £235 for periods of 1-6 months and £470 for periods of 6-12 months. For example, if you are doing a 12-month master’s course, you would be charged £705.
  • The amount you have to pay depends on how much leave you’re granted. You can find out how much you will be expected to pay by using the fee calculator on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
  • European students: if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you may be able to apply for a refund for the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Check the GOV.UK website to find out if you are eligible to do so.

8 Scholarships and Financial Aid

In the UK, international students can apply for numerous scholarships and other types of financial support. To be a successful applicant, you need to meet the admission requirements. Scholarships are usually awarded based on different criteria:

  • (financial) need
  • nationality
  • previous academic achievement

Several scholarships are available:

What is the Study in UK Total cost for international students in 2025-26?

The Study in UK Total cost ranges from £22,000 to £50,000 per year in 2025-26.

Does the Study in UK Total cost include visa and health insurance fees?

Yes, the Study in UK Total cost includes visa and health insurance charges.

Is it possible to manage the Study in UK Total cost with part-time work?

Yes, part-time jobs can help students manage the Study in UK Total cost.

Can scholarships help reduce the Study in UK Total cost in 2025-26?

Yes, scholarships can significantly lower the Study in UK Total cost for eligible students.

How much of the Study in UK Total cost goes toward living expenses?

Living expenses make up about £9,000 to £18,000 of the Study in UK Total cost.

Can part-time work help manage the Study in UK Total cost?

Yes, working part-time can reduce the burden of the Study in UK Total cost.

Are there low-cost universities to reduce the Study in UK Total cost?

Yes, choosing affordable universities can significantly lower the Study in UK Total cost.

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