Living expenses in the UK for international students

UK is one of the most popular destinations for students from Nepal. It offers a high quality of life and, of course, quality education. But that quality education doesn’t come cheap; students do have to pay for it. So, in this blog, we will discuss living expenses (alongside fees) in the UK for international students.

Students must have enough resources to cover their course fees and, of course, money to support themselves (i.e., living expenses in the UK). Generally, students must demonstrate:

• Course: at least £11,400 to £38,000 per year (for up to 9 months). Generally, it depends on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
   
• Monthly maintenance fund in the UK for international students (from November 2026): at least £1,570 per month in London (£14,130 for 9 months) and £1,203 per month outside London ( £10,827 for 9 months).
   
• For each dependant (if any): at least £845 per month if in London and £680 per month if outside London (for up to 9 months).
   

Now that students know how much to show in their visa, let’s understand the factors affecting living expenses in the UK for international students:

• Accommodation: Living expenses in the UK depend on the accommodation students choose: on-campus or off-campus. On-campus rooms are generally cheaper than off-campus.
   
• Health care: One of the biggest merits of being healthy is saving health care costs. Of course, students do have to pay for insurance, but it is fixed. The insurance depends on students and their personal circumstances.
   
• Location: Where students study affects living expenses in the UK for international students. For instance, if students choose to study in London, they will face a higher cost of living.
   
• Food: What kind of food students eat and where they eat it also affects living expenses.
   
• Leisure (entertainment): If students don’t want to work or study continuously, they should also account for entertainment.
   

1) Accommodation: Generally, the cost of accommodation depends on whether it is on-campus or off-campus. On-campus is generally cheaper, approximately £300 to £500. Off-campus accommodation can cost approximately £600 or more. For tips on lowering costs, keep reading.

2) Health care: Every international student must have health insurance, which costs approximately £750 to £800.

3) Food: Average food expenses in the UK for international students are roughly £150 to £250 per month. Of course, this depends on how much each student consumes, so plan accordingly.

4) Entertainment: Students can set aside roughly £50 to £150 each month for entertainment in the UK.

5) Utilities: Students can expect to pay roughly £50 to £100 each month for utilities in the UK. Of course, it depends on where students are choosing to live.

• Living with roommates can lower accommodation costs for international students.
   
• Many places offer student discounts; look around to find them.
   
• International students can work a certain number of hours per week. Working in the UK can help students cover some of their living expenses.
   
• Of course, plan your budget thoroughly. Track everything and spend on what you need.
   

Applying to study in the UK can be daunting. Nepali students need to understand the application process for different courses and universities, their entry requirements, living expenses for international students in the UK, fees, scholarships (if any), visa application and more. That is why students should seek professional help, and one of the best experts is Search Education.

We have over 10 years of experience helping students toward their dream of studying abroad. We are an ethical educational consultancy with a long track record of integrity and honesty. Our CELTA- and PGCTE-certified instructors with 20+ years of experience teach English language classes (IELTS (pretty soon online IELTS class)and PTE) and mock tests (both IELTS and PTE) to go alongside them. So, feel free to reach out to us.

We provide study abroad services, including career counselling, program and university selection, scholarship guidance, visa application lodgement, visa interview prep and more.

We help students not only apply for universities/visa but also plan living expenses in the UK.

Don’t just take our word for it; read what our alumni say.

• https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-evidence-for-student-and-child-student-route-applicants