'When you’re planning your budget for UK study, it’s not just course fees you need to think about. You need money for utility bills, council tax, food, books, equipment and, of course, a social life. We’ve put together some tips to help you manage your money.'
Before you arrive to study in the UK your institution will help you plan your budget. They will provide exact prices of accommodation, together with indicative costs of meals on campus, bills you will be expected to pay and the cost of living in the area where you live.
It’s important to plan your own budget as you get ready for life as an international student in the UK. It's much easier to manage your money when you know what you have to pay for the essentials.
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 noticeboards or check out auction websites such as Ebay. And if you don't see what you need, it's worth putting up your own notice on the campus noticeboard 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 store such as Tesco and Debenhams. 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.
Useful links:
- What Price - www.whatprice.co.uk
- Uswitch - www.uswitch.com
- Citizens Advice - www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- TV Licensing - www.tvlicensing.co.uk
