Cost of Studying in the UK
The United Kingdom has been a very popular destination for students wishing to pursue higher education.
With its natural beauty replete with the snow and sea, its illustrious history and its rich heritage of art, music,food, language and culture, the UK is truly an all-in-one package for most international students.
Furthermore, it is well known for its cultural and ethnic diversity, which makes it easier for foreign students to settle in well, especially in the case of Indians, given the Indian immigrant population present all over the United Kingdom.
Studying in the UK is like a dream for most students, given the multitude of excellent universities it is home to. Most colleges in the UK not only have top notch faculty and educational facilities, but also have a rich history that goes back decades and wonderful, sprawling grounds akin to castles.
Furthermore, these universities offer a range of courses and programmes, in both graduate and undergraduate levels, in fields like arts, humanities, sciences, business, economics, medicine, etc.
The University of Oxford, University College London, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, King’s College, University of Edinburgh, etc. are some prestigious universities in the UK that appeal to students all over the world and are extremely tough to get into, due to their rigorous standards.
However, getting into a university is simply the first step, since there is also a huge financial consideration to be made when choosing to study in the UK.
The costs of an international education are significant and therefore, one must have a complete idea of the financial burden they are undertaking before joining any college. In this article, we give you an overview of the costs that would be borne if you choose to study in the UK.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees can vary a lot depending upon the field of study, the university that you are joining as well as whether the programme is of Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate level. Furthermore, fees also differ for students from EU and non-EU countries.
At the undergraduate level, fees for international students can range from around 10,000 Euros all the way up to 38,000 Euros. Costs of tuition for humanities, arts and social sciences tend to be lower than those for science degrees. In fact, fees for medical degrees can go up to 53,000 Euros, which is significantly higher than the others.
Financial Aid
Most universities in the UK offer merit-based as well as need-based scholarships that are applicable to international students as well. Before choosing a university, it would be wise to conduct research about whether or not scholarships are offered, and what the criteria is for availing the benefits.
There are also various sponsored awards like the Chevening Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarship, DIFD Scholarship, etc. which are also offered to students. However, most of these are quite competitive and can be hard to achieve.
Accomodation
The question of accommodation is an important one, especially since it also has a significant impact on the overall costs incurred while completing the chosen programme.
There are three main types of accommodation options for international students i.e. on-campus, off-campus and homestay.
Most universities guarantee on-campus accommodation for international students, at least for the first year. The costs of these accommodations can range from 130 Euros to 350 Euros per month, depending upon the university.
Similarly, if students choose to rent a flat or a shared house off-campus, the costs can range from 150 Euros to 500 Euros per month, depending on the type of accommodation, number of roommates and facilities offered. Homestays can be a cheaper option, since the student chooses to stay with a host family rather than in a rented place.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is another major cost that one must bear when deciding to study abroad. There is no singular cost of living that can be calculated, since it varies according to a lot of factors.
The city of residence, the type of accommodation you choose, eating habits, amount of transport required, nearness to the university as well as the student’s personal expenses, all need to be taken into account to figure out what the cost of living could be.
The average cost of living in the UK ranges from 9000 Euros to 11,000 Euros per year. However, in cities like London, where the prices and rent are considerably higher than elsewhere, the costs can go up to 13,000 or more Euros per year as well.
Employment Opportunities
Most international students choose to take up a part-time job while also studying, to help offset the high costs. Working part-time is almost a necessity in places like London, where the cost of living can be quite high and therefore be a big financial burden.
Those studying with a Student Visa are eligible to work for 20 hours per week during the course duration and full time during course breaks and holidays.
Students can opt for a wide variety of jobs ranging from working in restaurants or cafes, working as paid interns, teaching and research assistants to professors, or freelance workers. Most jobs pay from 5 to 7 Euros per hour, which means that a student can earn 400 to 600 Euros per month.