Living Cost in UK for International Students: Accommodation, Groceries, Transportation

Did you know that in recent times, amid rising complications in immigration policies for international students in the USA and Canada, the UK has emerged as one of the best study-abroad destinations in the world? While cities like London are known for their quality of education, student-friendly environment, and global exposure, many individuals still find it difficult to clearly understand the actual cost of living in the UK.

The list of expenses in the UK can be extensive, depending on individual choices and preferences. However, tuition fees, accommodation, transportation, and food make up the major portion of a student’s total expenses. Since understanding these key costs helps answer the question of how much it really costs to study in the UK, we’ve covered all these important factors in the sections below.

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Living Cost in UK for International Students – Expenses Bifurcation

Studying in the UK can be one of the best experiences of your academic life—but only if you are not financially stressed during your studies. This is because many of the UK’s popular cities, including London, are quite expensive, where comfort and convenience often come at a high cost, making them less budget-friendly for international students. However, experts suggest that taking a closer look at the breakdown of expenses in the UK can help students gain a clearer understanding of the overall cost of living.

With this in mind, we have compiled a list of common yet unavoidable expenses that most students are likely to incur while studying in the UK.

Expense Category	Description	Average Monthly Cost (£)	Notes / Tips
Accommodation	Rent for university halls or private housing	£500 – £1,200 (₹53,000 – ₹127,000)	Varies by city & housing type (cheaper outside London)
Utilities	Electricity, gas, water, internet	£50 – £150 (₹5,300 – ₹16,000)	Often included in student halls rent
Food & Groceries	Daily meals, groceries, occasional dining out	£150 – £300 (₹16,000 – ₹32,000)	Cooking at home is cheaper
Transportation	Public transport, student bus pass, occasional taxi	£40 – £120 (₹4,200 – ₹12,700)	Discounts available with student travel cards
Mobile & Internet	SIM plan and home Wi-Fi (if separate)	£20 – £50 (₹2,100 – ₹5,300)	Compare plans from Giffgaff, Voxi, etc
Study Materials	Books, stationery, printing, software	£30 – £60 (₹3,200 – ₹6,400)	Libraries help reduce costs
Health Insurance (IHS)	Immigration Health Surcharge (mandatory)	£776/year (approx.) (₹90, 270)	Paid upfront for visa; gives NHS access
Miscellaneous	Emergencies, gifts, memberships, etc.	£20 – £80 (₹2,100 – ₹8,500)	Keep a buffer fund

 

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Cost of Living in UK – Cities with Accommodation Cost for Students

From studying to working, the city one chooses to live in can significantly impact the overall cost of accommodation in the UK. Your cost of living can only remain affordable if your housing expenses are within budget. This is possible when you have a clear understanding of which UK cities are the most affordable and which are not. To help you compare the cost of living across different cities, we have compiled a list of the best UK cities along with their average and expected living expenses for students.

City	Type of Accommodation	Average Monthly Rent (£ / ₹)	Notes / Highlights
London	University Halls / Private Flat	£900 – £1,500 (₹95,000 – ₹160,000)	Most expensive; varies by zone (Zone 1–2 higher)
Manchester	University Halls / Shared Apartment	£600 – £1,000 (₹64,000 – ₹106,000)	Popular with students; good private housing options
Birmingham	Halls / Studio	£550 – £950 (₹58,000 – ₹101,000)	Moderate cost; large student population
Leeds	Shared Flat / Ensuite	£500 – £900 (₹53,000 – ₹95,000)	Affordable northern city
Glasgow	University Halls / Private Studio	£500 – £850 (₹53,000 – ₹90,000)	Lower rent than most English cities
Edinburgh	Shared / Ensuite / Studio	£650 – £1,100 (₹69,000 – ₹117,000)	Higher demand; book early
Nottingham	University Halls / Shared Flat	£500 – £850 (₹53,000 – ₹90,000)	Competitive student rental market
Liverpool	Shared Apartment / Studio	£450 – £850 (₹48,000 – ₹90,000)	Affordable and student-friendly
Sheffield	University Halls / Shared Flat	£480 – £850 (₹51,000 – ₹90,000)	Reasonable prices, low cost of living
Bristol	Shared / Ensuite / Studio	£700 – £1,100 (₹74,000 – ₹117,000)	High demand; book early
Newcastle	Shared Flat / Studio	£500 – £850 (₹53,000 – ₹90,000)	Popular among international students
Coventry	Halls / Studio	£500 – £900 (₹53,000 – ₹95,000)	Near Warwick & Coventry Universities
Leicester	Shared / Ensuite	£480 – £850 (₹51,000 – ₹90,000)	Affordable student city

 

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Cost of Living in UK for Students – Daily Groceries and Beverages Expenses

Planning to study abroad in the UK on a budget? If so, you must pay attention to practical details, such as understanding the cost of groceries and beverages. After tuition fees and accommodation, the cost of daily groceries and beverages makes up the second-largest portion of the total living expenses for students in the UK. Hence, it makes sense to know the daily groceries and beverages expenses for the foreign students in the UK.

Item / Category	Average Price per Unit (£ / ₹)	Typical Weekly Spend (£ / ₹)	Notes / Tips
Milk (1L)	£1.25 (₹133)	£3 – £4 (₹318 – ₹424)	Buy 2L packs for better value
Bread (loaf)	£1.50 (₹159)	£3 – £5 (₹318 – ₹530)	Store-brand loaves are cheapest
Rice (1kg)	£2.00 (₹212)	£3 – £5 (₹318 – ₹530)	Buy from Asian or bulk stores
Pasta (500g)	£1.20 (₹127)	£2 – £3 (₹212 – ₹318)	Easy and cheap meal option
Eggs (6-pack)	£2.00 (₹212)	£4 – £6 (₹424 – ₹636)	High in protein, budget-friendly
Chicken (1kg)	£6.00 (₹636)	£6 – £10 (₹636 – ₹1,060)	Bulk buying saves money
Vegetables (mixed, 1kg)	£3.00 (₹318)	£6 – £10 (₹636 – ₹1,060)	Local markets are cheaper
Fruits (mixed, 1kg)	£3.50 (₹371)	£7 – £10 (₹742 – ₹1,060)	Seasonal fruits save money
Cooking Oil (1L)	£3.50 (₹371)	£4 – £5 (₹424 – ₹530)	Buy larger bottles to save
Tea / Coffee (100g pack)	£3.00 (₹318)	£2 – £4 (₹212 – ₹424)	Instant or store-brand options
Bottled Water (1.5L)	£1.00 (₹106)	£4 – £7 (₹424 – ₹742)	Tap water is safe to drink
Soft Drinks (1.5L)	£2.00 (₹212)	£3 – £5 (₹318 – ₹530)	Optional, not essential
Snacks (biscuits, crisps, etc.)	£2.00 (₹212)	£5 – £10 (₹530 – ₹1,060)	Compare brands for savings
Dairy (cheese, butter, yogurt)	£4.00 (₹424)	£2 – £4 (₹212 – ₹424)	Indian stores offer better deals

 

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Cost of Living in UK for International Students – Daily Transportation Expenses Bus, Taxies, Train

Now that you are aware of the costs of accommodation, groceries, and beverages, you might also want to know about transportation expenses. The UK offers seamless and efficient transport services across the country, and public transport remains the most affordable option for students. By choosing accommodation close to their institutions, students can significantly reduce their daily transportation costs within the city. Here’s a more detailed look at the average costs of bus, taxi, and train rides in the UK.

Mode of Transport	Average Cost per Trip (£ / ₹)	Average Daily Cost (£ / ₹)	Notes / Tips
Local Bus	£1.50 – £2.50 (₹159 – ₹265)	£3 – £5 (₹318 – ₹530)	Use student bus cards (e.g., Stagecoach, Arriva) for savings
London Bus (Oyster Card)	£1.75 (₹186) per journey (daily cap £5.25 ₹556)	£5 – £6 (₹530 – ₹636)	Daily fare capped; cheaper with contactless card
Taxi (short city ride, 3–5 miles)	£8 – £15 (₹848 – ₹1,590)	£8 – £20 (₹848 – ₹2,120)	Uber or Bolt often cheaper than black cabs
Uber / App-based Taxi	£6 – £12 (₹636 – ₹1,272)	£6 – £15 (₹636 – ₹1,590)	Cheaper at non-peak times
Train (local commuter trip)	£4 – £10 (₹424 – ₹1,060)	£8 – £15 (₹848 – ₹1,590)	Get 16–25 or 26–30 Railcard for 1/3 off fares
Underground (London Tube)	£2.80 – £4.50 (₹296 – ₹477)	£6 – £8 (₹636 – ₹848)	Contactless & Oyster have daily caps
Bicycle (own / rental)	£0 – £3 (₹0 – ₹318)	£1 – £2 (₹106 – ₹212)	Many UK cities have cheap student bike rentals

 

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FAQs

What is the cost of living in the UK for Indian Students?

Well, there is no fixed answer to this question. The cost of living is directly associated with the personal choices and preferences of the individual. How much one might have to spend in the UK comes down to their lifestyle, spending habits, and location of residence. But just for reference and to get a general idea, the cost of living for an Indian student might be somewhere between £900 to £1,500 per month. The cost includes monthly rent for accommodation, meals, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.

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Is the UK safe for international Students?

While the UK might not be affordable for all students, it is considered safer than many other countries in the world. The UK’s best-in-class legal system, policing, and administration have contributed to low crime rates, strong public safety measures, and an overall high quality of life. In short, living in the UK for study means experiencing excellent public safety and infrastructure.

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How can students save money while studying in the UK?

The tried and tested way for international students to save money is to control the general tendency to live a lavish lifestyle. This includes using public transport, cooking meals at home, and living in shared accommodation, among other things. In short, leading a simple academic life with greater focus on studies can lead to positive outcomes in the long run.

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