Every year, a sizable number of students from all over the world enrol at UK institutions with the hopes of pursuing their dream careers in the UK's vibrant cities such as London, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. These locations are home to some of the world's best institutions, yet the expense of studying and living in the UK for international students is prohibitively expensive. This blog aims to make your financial decisions easier while studying in the UK, so you don't have to spend every morning there calculating expenses and charges. Is it a smart idea to study in the United Kingdom? Let's take a deeper look at the expense of education in the United Kingdom for Indian students.
The cost of studying in the UK varies depending on the university. Tuition costs at institutions have gradually grown over the years, with EU and UK students paying around £9,250 per year, or nearly US$13,050. At the same time, tuition rates for overseas students start at around £10,000 (US$14,130) and rise to around £38,000 (US$53,700) for specialised degrees in medicine and other fields. Humanities and social sciences degrees are less expensive, but clinical degrees and laboratory studies are more expensive.
In comparison to the United States and other countries, most UK institutions have shorter programmes (3 years for typical undergraduate degrees rather than 4 years and 1 year for Master's degrees rather than 2 years). This may result in significant savings in living expenses and school fees for a year, thereby balancing the equation.
Cost of Study in UK for Indian Students (Highlights)
Types of Expenses |
Cost in (INR & GBP) |
Undergraduate Bachelors Program |
£10,000 to £38,000 |
Postgraduate Masters Program |
£11,000 to £30,000 |
Doctoral Program |
£18,000 |
Entrance Exam Fees |
$185 |
Application Fee for UK Universities |
£50-150 |
UK Visa Application Fees |
£348 |
Study in UK Cost for (Bachelors)
Annual tuition costs for overseas undergraduate students in the UK* in 2020/21 ranged from £9,250 (US $12,870) to £30,548 (US $42,500), or up to £64,652 (US $89,950) for medical degrees.
Programs |
Average Annual Fees (in INR) |
Average Annual Fees (in GBP) |
Engineering (UG Level) |
16 lakhs-22 lakhs |
GBP 16-22,000 |
Arts (UG Level) |
10-15 lakhs |
GBP 10-15,000 |
Medicine Courses (UG Level) |
30-40 Lakhs |
GBP 30-40,000 |
Nursing Courses (UG Level) |
15-18 lakhs |
GBP 15-18,000 |
Dentistry (UG Level) |
30-35 lakhs |
GBP 30-35,000 |
Law (UG Level) |
15-18 lakhs |
GBP 15-18,000 |
Diploma Courses (UG Level) |
10-15 lakhs |
GBP 10-15,000 |
Study in UK Cost for (Masters)
For UK Masters programmes, international students often pay almost twice as much as local students. In the UK, the average cost of a Master's degree for a domestic student on a full-time, taught programme is presently about £8,407 per year.
Programs |
Average Annual Fees (in INR) |
Average Annual Fees (in GBP) |
Engineering (PG Level) |
14-20 lacs |
GBP 14-20,000 |
Arts (PG Level) |
10-15 lacs |
GBP 10-15,000 |
Doctoral Degree |
14-18 lacs |
GBP 14-18,000 |
MBA |
10-40 lacs |
GBP 10-40,000 |
Management Courses (PG Level) |
9-35 lacs |
GBP 9- 35,000 |
Medicine Courses (PG Level) |
25-35 lacs |
GBP 25-35,000 |
Dentistry (PG Level) |
20-30 lacs |
GBP 20-30,000 |
Law (PG Level) |
13-35 lacs | GBP 12-34,000 |
Cost of Studying in UK: Taxes and Insurance
Several UK institutions have launched comprehensive health insurance programmes for overseas students, but this is only relevant while your study is in progress and ends after your programme is completed. Several universities cover the costs of quarantine for Indian students.
Part-time employment is the greatest method for overseas students to handle their daily living expenses in the UK. All Indian students studying in the United Kingdom are offered the option to work 20 hours per week. This is happening while their academic sessions are taking place. During vacations, it becomes full-time.
However, if you acquire a job in the UK while still studying, you will be required to pay national insurance and tax.
National Insurance: If you make more than 166 pounds per week, you must pay National Insurance. (16,458 INR)
Income Tax: If you make more than £1,042 per week, you must pay income tax. (1,03,300 INR)
As a student, you must be insured, for which you must pay a monthly premium of around £15 to £25 (1,400 – 2,300). Other personal expenditures include study materials, books, clothing, cleanliness, and so on, all of which will cost approximately £100 (£8,900) each month.
Application Fee for UK Universities
The application costs for universities in the UK range between £50-150 (INR 5000-15,000), however, if you apply to specific universities, you may be able to save the full sum. So, here is a list of Universities in the United Kingdom that do not charge application fees.
These UK Universities Charge Application Fees
University of Warwick |
£50 |
University of Newcastle |
£40 |
University of Bath |
£25 £50 £60 |
University of Nottingham |
£25 £30 |
Durham University |
£60 |
University of Manchester |
£60 |
University of Cambridge |
£100 |
University of Oxford |
£100 £150 |
London School of Economics and Political Science(LSE) |
£50
|
Imperial College London |
GBP75 GBP 150 |
University College London(UCL) |
£75 |
SOAS, University of London |
Nil |
University of Edinburgh |
£50 (few Courses) |
University of Surrey |
Nil |
UK Visa Application Fees
Prospective non-EU applicants are primarily eligible for three types of UK student visas, depending upon their choice of the program:
Type of Visa |
Application Fees |
Short-term study visa |
97 GBP for 6 months; 186 GBP for 11 months |
Tier 4 student visa (General) |
348 GBP |
Tier 4 student visa (child) |
348 GBP |
95 percent of overseas students who apply for higher education at UK Institutions choose full-time studies, necessitating the need for a Tier 4 student visa.
Scholarship to Study in UK
There are several scholarships available for Indian students studying in the United Kingdom, which you should look into if you want to further your education there. Here are the finest scholarships you should be aware of to assist you to pay the cost of studying in the UK and cover the daily living costs in the UK:
- Chevening Scholarships offered by the UK government to international students planning to pursue master's degree programs at the leading universities in the country.
- UK University Scholarships offered by the University of Cambridge, University College London, King's College London, Imperial College London, University of Oxford, etc.
- Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan for one-year master's courses as well as a doctoral degree of three to four years in the UK.
- Charles Wallace Scholarships by the British Council
- Euraxess UK by the British Council
- Marshall Scholarships
- Castlesmart Scholarships for undergraduate students from all nationalities
- Saltire Scholarships
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme at UK Universities
Cost of Living in UK
The monthly cost of living ranges from £1100 to £1400 (98,000 – 1,21,000) depending on where you live and other considerations. Make sure to budget at least £11000 to £15000 (£9,75,000 – 13,28,000) for your yearly living expenses.
Another key factor that contributes significantly to the expense of studying in the UK for Indian students is accommodation.
- University Accommodation: Most colleges provide on-campus accommodations or subsidised lodging for overseas students. You may get this for free as part of your offer or for a fee. In general, university residence halls are the finest and most affordable alternatives.
- Private Accommodation: If you decide to live in a private house, look for options that are near to your university. In general, you can find a nice location to live and study for £350 to £550 (31000 – 49000) each month. These prices might vary between cities in the United Kingdom, with London being the most costly.
Living abroad may be difficult since you must constantly consider expenditures. The expense of studying in the United Kingdom for Indian students is a major problem that necessitates thorough investigation and comparison, particularly in terms of housing and rent. For overseas students, the expense of living in the UK may be too expensive. If you're not sure how to manage your costs in the UK, the professionals at AECC Global can help you discover affordable housing, establish a budget, and look into scholarship options.