Before applying to universities, you also need to consider the budget. Planning your budget around the cost of living in the UK is a big hurdle for many students. We hope to help you in that area.
The tuition fee for your course is fixed and transparent but the miscellaneous cost of living is unclear. Like the student experience and the general atmosphere, the cost of living also changes from city to city.
Here we have an exhaustive list of all the average costs you’ll have while studying in the most popular student cities in the UK.
Table of Contents
- Average cost of living in the UK for students
- Cost of living in London
- Cost of living in Glasgow
- Cost of living in Liverpool
- Cost of living in Manchester
- Cost of living in Brighton
- Cost of living in Southampton
- Cost of living in Bristol
Average cost of living in the UK for students
The United Kingdom is a vast and diverse country with different living costs. The cost of living varies significantly depending on the state, city, and neighbourhood you choose to live in. Understanding the average cost of living in the UK is essential for students, professionals, and anyone considering a move to the country. Here is the list of expenses, from housing and transportation to food and healthcare.
| Expenses | Average monthly costs in GBP |
|---|---|
| Rent (1-bedroom apartment) | £400 - £1,000 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) | £25 - £60 |
| Groceries | £100 - £120 |
| Dining out | £80 - £150 |
| Transportation (public transit, gas, insurance) | £60 - £140 |
| Health insurance | £470 (per year) |
| Entertainment | £100 - £200 |
| Internet and phone | £50 - £150 |
| Clothing | £40 - £100 |
| Miscellaneous | £100 - £150 |
The average cost of living in the UK can vary significantly depending on location, lifestyle, and income level.
Also read: Study in UK: A Complete Guide for International Students
Housing
Housing costs in the UK vary widely depending on location, size, and type of housing. The cost of housing will be higher in major metropolitan areas such as London. However, housing costs can be surprisingly affordable in many smaller cities and towns.
Cost of living in London
- Accommodation – £200 / Week
- Food – £30 / Week
- Household expenses (laundry, gas, electricity…) – £8 / Week
- Transport – £25 / Week
- Entertainment – £40 / Week
- Connectivity – £7 / Week
Cost of living in Glasgow
- Accommodation – £110 / Week
- Food – £20 / Week
- Household expenses (laundry, gas, electricity…) – £8 / Week
- Transport – £20 / Week
- Entertainment – £35 / Week
- Connectivity – £7 / Week
Cost of living in Liverpool
- Accommodation - £75 – £135 / Week
- Food – £25 / Week
- Household expenses (laundry, gas, electricity…) – £15 / Week
- Transport – £20 / Week
- Entertainment – £20 / Week
- Connectivity – £7 / Week
Cost of living in Manchester
- Accommodation – £135 / Week
- Food – £35 / Week
- Household expenses (laundry, gas, electricity…) – £15 / Week
- Transport – £10 / Week
- Entertainment – £35 / Week
- Connectivity – £7 / Week
Cost of living in Brighton
- Accommodation - £115 / Week
- Food – £30 / Week
- Household expenses (laundry, gas, electricity…) – £10 / Week
- Transport – £15 / Week
- Entertainment – £20 – £30 / Week
- Connectivity – £7 / Week
Cost of living in Southampton
- Accommodation - £110 – £200 / Week
- Food - £30 – £40 / Week
- Household expenses (laundry, gas, electricity…) – £20 / Week
- Transport - £14 – £25 / Week
- Entertainment - £35 / Week
- Connectivity – £7 / Week
Cost of living in Bristol
- Accommodation – £111 / Week
- Food – £25 / Week
- Household expenses (laundry, gas, electricity…) – £10 / Week
- Transport – £12 / Week
- Entertainment – £30 / Week
- Connectivity – £7 / Week
We hope this will help you make informed decisions in choosing your student city. These are just average ballpark figures and can vary depending on multiple factors. So once you’ve narrowed down your top cities feel free to reach out to our educational advisors for detailed information.
Also, bear in mind that controlling your cost of living is in your hands, by planning your activities ahead you can save a lot of money.
