'Thinking about a UK education? Budget planning is crucial.'
Before you apply to study in the UK, you will need an idea of how much it is likely to cost you, so that you can plan properly.
You can find out about how much courses in the UK typically cost here. Remember, course fees are likely to be one of your biggest expenses, so you'll need to make sure you can finance yourself well before you leave your home country.
Your day-to-day living costs will vary depending on your place of study - for example if you are a child coming to a boarding school, your school will normally provide meals, laundry, accommodation etc as part of your fees. Or if you are coming to study at a university and living in a hall of residence, your hall may provide you with meals.
It is therefore worthwhile checking with the school, college or university what is included in the fee.
But for a general idea of living costs for UK students, have a look at the International Student Calculator. This online tool will help you work out how much your living costs are likely to be, how to manage your money and build a budget for living and studying in the UK.
Starting your UK education will mean thinking about how to budget. Using the International Student Calculator, it’s a good idea to plan a weekly ‘living cost’ budget. Include food, study equipment, leisure activities and travel as well as things like gym membership and a mobile phone bill if necessary.
It’s a good idea to try and get a student card too – you’ll find that there are lots of student discounts available. Visit the National Union of Students (NUS) for more information.
Utility bills for international students
If you share a house or a flat with other students, you will probably have to split the cost of utility bills between you. How much you pay for gas, electricity and water varies depending on your supplier and where you live in the UK. As a rough guide, these would be typical utility bills for four people sharing a four-bedroom house in London in August 2011:
You can find out about how much courses in the UK typically cost here. Remember, course fees are likely to be one of your biggest expenses, so you'll need to make sure you can finance yourself well before you leave your home country.
Your day-to-day living costs will vary depending on your place of study - for example if you are a child coming to a boarding school, your school will normally provide meals, laundry, accommodation etc as part of your fees. Or if you are coming to study at a university and living in a hall of residence, your hall may provide you with meals.
It is therefore worthwhile checking with the school, college or university what is included in the fee.
But for a general idea of living costs for UK students, have a look at the International Student Calculator. This online tool will help you work out how much your living costs are likely to be, how to manage your money and build a budget for living and studying in the UK.
Starting your UK education will mean thinking about how to budget. Using the International Student Calculator, it’s a good idea to plan a weekly ‘living cost’ budget. Include food, study equipment, leisure activities and travel as well as things like gym membership and a mobile phone bill if necessary.
It’s a good idea to try and get a student card too – you’ll find that there are lots of student discounts available. Visit the National Union of Students (NUS) for more information.
Utility bills for international students
If you share a house or a flat with other students, you will probably have to split the cost of utility bills between you. How much you pay for gas, electricity and water varies depending on your supplier and where you live in the UK. As a rough guide, these would be typical utility bills for four people sharing a four-bedroom house in London in August 2011:
- Gas £1044 a year (each person pays £261)
- Electricity £578 a year (each person pays £144.50)
- Water £372 a year (each person pays £93).
Source: uswitch.com, Thames Water.
As an international student in the UK, you have the same payment options as everyone else. The best and cheapest way to pay utility bills is to set up Direct Debits (automatic payments from your bank account on a fixed date each month) as most companies will offer you a discounted rate. The amount and date of the debits are usually decided by your utility provider, although some allow their customers to choose.
Alternatively you can pay your utility bills by setting up payment plans with utility providers, or buying pre-payment cards that you insert into your gas and electricity meters. It can be easier to plan your budget with these cards, but they are generally more expensive than direct debit.
You can compare utility prices from different UK providers on the Uswitch website.
International student household costs in the UK
If you are over 18 and come to live and study in the UK, you may have to pay Council Tax. This is a charge for local community services such as police, fire brigade, refuse collection, street lighting and leisure facilities. How much you pay depends on where you live in the UK.
If you share UK accommodation with other students or live in halls of residence you shouldn't have to pay Council Tax. To find out more about Council Tax visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website.
If you own a TV in the UK you must pay an annual TV Licence of around £145. One licence will cover all televisions in a private shared student house or flat, so you can split the cost with your housemates.
More information is available on the TV Licensing website.
Buying equipment for your UK education
When you begin your UK education, your place of study will provide a list of recommended books and equipment. Study materials can be expensive so check what is essential for your course or degree.
Many textbooks or pieces of equipment will be available second-hand, so look on campus notice boards or check out auction websites. And if you don't see what you need, it's worth putting up your own notice on the campus notice board in the hope that students moving into their next year will want to sell the textbooks that you're looking for.
Shopping and groceries on a student budget
Before you set off to the UK, it's a good idea to browse the websites of UK supermarket and department stores. This will help you to find out what you'll find in UK shops and how much things cost.
You'll find that it's usually cheaper to buy food in bulk at large supermarkets in the UK, but don't forget to try the local shops near your place of study to get a taste of traditional UK culture. For clothes, household goods and electrical equipment you can go to your local high street shops, supermarkets or specialist superstores. Most stores have bargains available during their seasonal sales at least twice a year.
If you're looking for fresh food and cut-price clothing, your nearest town or city will probably have an outdoor market. And it's worth browsing in the charity shops on your local high street to find cheap second-hand clothes, books and music. Supermarkets and coffee shops offer loyalty cards for regular customers which can save you money over time.
As an international student in the UK, you have the same payment options as everyone else. The best and cheapest way to pay utility bills is to set up Direct Debits (automatic payments from your bank account on a fixed date each month) as most companies will offer you a discounted rate. The amount and date of the debits are usually decided by your utility provider, although some allow their customers to choose.
Alternatively you can pay your utility bills by setting up payment plans with utility providers, or buying pre-payment cards that you insert into your gas and electricity meters. It can be easier to plan your budget with these cards, but they are generally more expensive than direct debit.
You can compare utility prices from different UK providers on the Uswitch website.
International student household costs in the UK
If you are over 18 and come to live and study in the UK, you may have to pay Council Tax. This is a charge for local community services such as police, fire brigade, refuse collection, street lighting and leisure facilities. How much you pay depends on where you live in the UK.
If you share UK accommodation with other students or live in halls of residence you shouldn't have to pay Council Tax. To find out more about Council Tax visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website.
If you own a TV in the UK you must pay an annual TV Licence of around £145. One licence will cover all televisions in a private shared student house or flat, so you can split the cost with your housemates.
More information is available on the TV Licensing website.
Buying equipment for your UK education
When you begin your UK education, your place of study will provide a list of recommended books and equipment. Study materials can be expensive so check what is essential for your course or degree.
Many textbooks or pieces of equipment will be available second-hand, so look on campus notice boards or check out auction websites. And if you don't see what you need, it's worth putting up your own notice on the campus notice board in the hope that students moving into their next year will want to sell the textbooks that you're looking for.
Shopping and groceries on a student budget
Before you set off to the UK, it's a good idea to browse the websites of UK supermarket and department stores. This will help you to find out what you'll find in UK shops and how much things cost.
You'll find that it's usually cheaper to buy food in bulk at large supermarkets in the UK, but don't forget to try the local shops near your place of study to get a taste of traditional UK culture. For clothes, household goods and electrical equipment you can go to your local high street shops, supermarkets or specialist superstores. Most stores have bargains available during their seasonal sales at least twice a year.
If you're looking for fresh food and cut-price clothing, your nearest town or city will probably have an outdoor market. And it's worth browsing in the charity shops on your local high street to find cheap second-hand clothes, books and music. Supermarkets and coffee shops offer loyalty cards for regular customers which can save you money over time.
Travel
If you've just moved to the UK, you might be planning a few trips around the country to explore your new surroundings. The cheapest way to get around is often by public transport, and there are some great deals available to help you save money.
The UK's train service is fast, efficient and a great way to see the country. It is nearly always cheaper to book train tickets online, in advance. You risk paying much more if you buy tickets from a train station on the day. A good place to start looking for cheap fares is The Trainline or National Rail. Both have emailing lists which can alert you when cheap deals come in. If possible, try and book at least a month in advance - you'll find that prices are much cheaper.
If you are aged 16-25 or a full-time student, you may also be eligible for a young-persons rail card, which saves you a third on all rail journeys.
Coach travel is generally cheaper than trains and if you can afford to take a bit longer over your journey it's definitely worth seeing what's available. Coach routes link most major towns and cities in the UK - National Express is a good website to visit (it also offers a young persons discount coach card), as is MegaBus, which has some journeys available for as litte as £1.50. You may also want to consider buying a bike for short distances - just remember to wear a helmet!
Useful links
International Student Calculator: international.studentcalculator.org.uk
National Union of Students (NUS): www.nus.org.uk
For deals, vouchers and advice: www.moneysavingexpert.com
What Price - www.whatprice.co.uk
Uswitch - www.uswitch.com
Citizens Advice - www.citizensadvice.org.uk
TV Licensing - www.tvlicensing.co.uk
If you've just moved to the UK, you might be planning a few trips around the country to explore your new surroundings. The cheapest way to get around is often by public transport, and there are some great deals available to help you save money.
The UK's train service is fast, efficient and a great way to see the country. It is nearly always cheaper to book train tickets online, in advance. You risk paying much more if you buy tickets from a train station on the day. A good place to start looking for cheap fares is The Trainline or National Rail. Both have emailing lists which can alert you when cheap deals come in. If possible, try and book at least a month in advance - you'll find that prices are much cheaper.
If you are aged 16-25 or a full-time student, you may also be eligible for a young-persons rail card, which saves you a third on all rail journeys.
Coach travel is generally cheaper than trains and if you can afford to take a bit longer over your journey it's definitely worth seeing what's available. Coach routes link most major towns and cities in the UK - National Express is a good website to visit (it also offers a young persons discount coach card), as is MegaBus, which has some journeys available for as litte as £1.50. You may also want to consider buying a bike for short distances - just remember to wear a helmet!
Useful links
International Student Calculator: international.studentcalculator.org.uk
National Union of Students (NUS): www.nus.org.uk
For deals, vouchers and advice: www.moneysavingexpert.com
What Price - www.whatprice.co.uk
Uswitch - www.uswitch.com
Citizens Advice - www.citizensadvice.org.uk
TV Licensing - www.tvlicensing.co.uk
