Cost of Living in London for International Students | Detailed Guide For you

London is one of the most fascinating, colorful, and cultural cities in the world. Experiencing everything the city can offer as a student is still affordable. The cost of living in London as a student is higher than in any other UK city. For an international student, tuition and living expenses are his / her main expenses during their stay in the country.

All the international students don’t want yo start their student career in London with full of worries. Therefore, we have prepared this guide to give you a clear picture of the cost of living in London.

Though the living standards are comparably high in London, there is a wide range of student discounts to take full advantage of. You can get money from all the essentials and Non-essentials like food, clothing, public transport and entertainment, theatre tickets. Here the following video will educate you what it costs to be a student in London.

Followings are the list of cheapest Universities for International Students in the UK.

Staying safe in London as an international student

The London Metropolitan Police, also known as ‘The Met’, does a great job of keeping London among the safest big cities in the world. The British Council has created a very useful guide on how students in London and the UK can stay safe. Here are some tips to help you stay safe from minor crimes as a student.

• Keep your valuables safe– Thieves are frequently operating at cash machines, car parks, around bus stations, tube stations, and crowded areas. Therefore, when you are out and about never leave your things anywhere in London.
  
• Withdrawing cash– Do not keep all your valuables in one place and do not carry large sums of money with you. If you are an international student and need funding for your attendance, you may want to consider getting a prepaid cash card instead. This allows you to load money and you use it in a similar way to a debit card.
  
• Staying safe on or around campus– There are a few security issues, and it’s a good idea to be aware when you’re in an area near campus or UCL. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UCL Security, located on the ground floor of Foster Court, Malet Place, in front of the Petroleum Museum.
  
• Contact Student Support and Wellbeing if there is a necessity.

Tuition fees for International students

A tuition fee is a fee charged by a university to cover your studies. These fees may vary not only between universities but also between courses. Different fees apply if you are an international student. Tuition fees may vary significantly depending on the university you choose, the course of study and the level of study as well as your home country.

Undergraduate tuition fees

Undergraduate fees for the International students are usually split into three categories of courses.

• Classroom-based courses-£10,000 to £16,000 per year
• Laboratory-based courses-£12,000 to £26,000 per year.
• Clinically based courses-£30,000 to £37,000 per year

Postgraduate tuition fees

This Postgraduate courses split into two main categories such as postgraduate taught courses and postgraduate research courses.

Postgraduate taught courses

Although some course courses are two or three years long, this usually refers to the one-year master courses. And also the programs focus on a series of lectures and seminars, with a research project at the end of the program. They are divided into three main categories

• Classroom-based courses-£8,000 to £29,000
• Laboratory-based courses-£11,500 to £35,250
• Clinically based courses-£11,400 to £39,000

Postgraduate research courses

Postgraduate research courses are generally referred to the doctorate degree courses like MPhil or PhD. Students may have access to lectures and seminars, but they are assessed on a research project basis only. Doctoral degree courses usually take three or four years. Tuition fees for PhD courses range from £11,000 to £30,000 per year. 

Source: Tuition fees at London universities

Cost of living in London for International students

Apart from the university tuition fees the cost of living in London as an international student you need to spend money on various things. So the whole cost will depend on your accommodation. And also with your living essentials. Through the following details, you will be able to understand how the costs flow through with comparing with the other states.

Above table shows you how the basic living expenses differ in different countries.

Student Accommodation Costs and Options

As an international student, London will be a great city for you to have a university education. Most of the students used to live in university halls as their residence in their first year until they moved into rental place. Most universities offer both self-care and hostels.

Rents are the biggest difference in the cost of living in London compared to the rest of the UK. The University College London (UCL) estimates that the cost of accommodation is £8,073 (US $ 11,400) per academic year (nine months / 39 weeks). However, you can find a flatshare or more affordable accommodation in university halls.

Campus accommodation for the first year is guaranteed to international students who apply according to the accommodation deadline. So this certification applies to all Pond’s partner universities. And also University halls typically cost $85 to $220 a week.

Depending on the university, this price may include any or all of the following facilities. Internet connection, exercise membership, content insurance, one’s personal bathroom, and perhaps a cleaning service.

If you want to be in private housing, on the other hand, a room in a shared house which is privately owned by a landlord. However, while you are using private accommodation you need to consider the extra costs hidden with it. They are deposit, admin fees, utility bills, insurances, etc.

• Deposit- £750 refundable depending on the condition of accommodation at end of tenancy
• Admin fees-£350 non-refundable
• Utility bills -£110 per month
• insurance- £77 per month

Best places to live in London foe students

• Bermondsey
• Camden
• Tower Bridge
• Docklands
• Richmond
• Brixton

Student Transportation Costs

There is no denying that everyone has travel options to London. Whether speed is your thing, you should go cheap and happy, or cut your carbon footprint. You will spend the second-largest amount on transportation costs. The cost depends on the mode of transportation you use. In addition to walking and cycling, you can choose to travel by bus and train. Public transport usually offers discounts to students and should consider using a train card to reduce the overall cost of living in the UK. From walking to uber, take a look at the options available:

walking

Walking is definitely the cheapest and most eco-friendly way to get around London. So depending on how close your dormitory is to your university campus and facilities, you can save a penny and get a decisive workout from walking.

Cycling

Cycling is another cheap and quick way. And also the traffic there is a famous thing, so you need to be a reliable cyclist to navigate the roads. However, there are currently eight ‘cycling superhighways’ across London that connect stations, city centres and major destinations.

Bus

London has a 24-hour bus service that operates over 700 different routes and is relatively inexpensive to use. A bus fare costs £1.50 and you can get unlimited bus travel for free within an hour of the first touch if you ‘pay as you go’. so if you will use buses or trams to travel you need to pay £4.50 for a day. And also make sure that you cant pay using the cash. Therefore you need to have a travelcard, Oyster card, or contactless payment card. As a student, you might be able to save 30% by these travel cards.

Uber

The luxury of using a barber to get around London is its easiness. So book a trip on your phone, get out of your door and into the waiting car, no need to bother paying with cash or card, and then head straight to your destination. Basic fares start at £2.50 and go up to £0.15 per minute (or £1.25 per mile). The minimum fee is £5.00 and if you reserve and change your mind, you will receive a cancellation fee of £6.00.

Food cost in London for the International students

If you are living in the campus accommodations, it saves you from the cost of food and students living on private rent should consider the cost of food. Getting a retail card will help you shop peacefully. Therefore, it is always a pleasure to seek suggestions from the locals. So make a grocery list, make a meal plan, and shop in the right places for the right items.

The cost of food in London varies depending on where you buy it, but international students should find that they can buy food to suit their budget. The estimated value of the food costs is £50-£300 per month. Therefore, by buying and preparing your own meal makes you save a lot while living as a student.

There are some great choices for restaurants in the UK and London. Local takeaways and fast food chains offer a cheap meal, but if you chase after something a little healthier, the average restaurant meal costs £15.00. A meal for two at a mid-level restaurant costs £50.00.

University equipment costs

You will need to cover expenses for everyday essentials such as accommodation, bills, transportation, food and equipment needed for your university curriculum. And also it prompts you to spread out glossy new textbooks, table organizers, pencils, pens, etc. And there are plenty of places to bargain and save money. Most of the equipment offers equipment loans for the students.

• You can save some money by searching for your textbooks online. So check out the second-hand books websites for the best bargains that cost you less.
• Check out the high-street stationers that offer discounts to students using your NUS discount.
• Buy as much online as you can. And also buying on high-street is often cheaper. Many universities offer equipment loan services that can provide students with a variety of AV/media equipment.

Cost of socialising as a student in London

It is important to find a balance between managing your university role and spending time with your housemates or the roommates and friends. And also your university time is one of the most interesting and formative in your life with new people, new places and new experiences.

However, the students spend more time socializing, that they are more interested in getting an education and that students have a lot of social activities to attend in London. So whether it’s a cool pizza night with your students or a club at your university, or a new hobby or a student night out of town, everyone has something to suit them and their budget.

Therefore, you can get started by checking out the SU bar and venue at your own university that has an event schedule. And also there are various clubs to join your university. Then this is a great way to meet new people with similar interests and make new friends.

Summary

Finally below summary will help you to have a clear idea about the overall cost as an international student who is living in London.

In fact, the overall cost of living in London as an international student might be £1,100-£1,300 per month for all living expenses, with the costs of accommodation, travel, food, laundry, study, and other personal expenses. Make sure that your cost might be depending on your lifestyle and the requirements. So with this guide, you will have complete details on the costs of living in London as a student. So keep in touch with us to gain more details articles related to your career.