cost of living in London
A general view shows Tower Bridge in central London. Source: Justin Tallis/AFP

Are you about to begin your studies in London? The city is one of the top student destinations in the world, and for good reasons. It’s a centre of excellence for education, in addition to being home to some of the best museums and galleries, fantastic food, and buzzing nightlife. 

Another undeniable, famed factor about the city? The high cost of living in London. A global financial capital, London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, which makes it important to know how much you’ll need in a month to survive in the city.

This cost should cover accommodation, utility bills, food, public transport fees, and groceries, to name a few. You should also set aside some money for entertainment and leisure.

You are, after all, studying in a top student city. Despite the eye-watering expenses, you should not let them hinder you from getting the most out of your student life. 

cost of living in London

A customer shops for tins of tomatoes and pasta sauces at a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Walthamstow, east London on Feb. 13, 2022. Source: Tolga Akmen/AFP

Cost of living in London: How much is it? 

Imperial College notes that students moving to London for the term 2022-23 may require about 360 British pounds a week. This totals about 1,500 pounds per month and £18,000 a year. Meanwhile, King’s College London recommends students budget approximately £1,250 per month. 

Do note that these figures exclude tuition fees and are only rough estimates — you may need more or less, depending on your lifestyle. For instance, students who meal prep and walk instead of taking public transport may spend less. 

Now that you’re aware of how much you’ll need, let’s dive into the cost breakdown: 

cost of living in London

The cost of living in London can be eye-watering, so be sure to budget according. Source: Ludovic Marin/AFP

Breakdown of the cost of living in London 

Rent 

The cost of rent depends on whether you stay in university halls or private accommodation. The location of your accommodation is a significant factor too. 

For example, if you stay in the heart of London, rent will likely cost more. Instead, opt to live in places located in Zone 2 or 3 so that rent is cheaper. (London is divided into “zones”, ranging from one to six. “Zone 1” refers to the city centre, while “Zone 6” is on the outskirts of the city.) 

Another thing to take note of is rent for university halls in London can cost as much as private accommodation. Having said that, most university halls do not require you to pay utility bills, unlike private accommodation. 

For reference, Imperial College notes that university halls cost £209 per week, while private accommodation costs about £201. It’s worth noting that reports show that some university halls advertise for at least £240 per week, while certain private student accommodation providers are charging as high as £539 per week.

Approximate cost per week (if you choose to stay in university halls): £209 

Public transport 

London’s public transport fares for students are cheaper than its regular prices, thanks to the 18+ Student Oyster card. Another great way to get cheaper public transport fares is to travel during off-peak hours. 

If you’re going to rely on public transport in London a lot, you might have to set aside a bigger budget for it. 

According to the Student Living Index, as quoted by Universal Student Living, London students spend about £43.30 per month on public transport. This costs about £11 a week. 

Approximate cost per week: £11 

cost of living in london

People gather in bars and restaurants at Leadenhall Market, central London, on June 1, 2022.
Source: Paul Ellis/AFP

Personal, leisure and entertainment 

London has a lively entertainment scene, many of which are free to enjoy. This includes popular tourist attractions as well as public events and performances. 

You should still factor in costs like watching movies, clubbing, tickets for festivals and paid tourist attractions. 

Approximate cost per week: £60 

Food 

Ask any Londoner, and they’ll tell you that eating out in the city can be expensive. According to Bystored, dining at a typical restaurant can set you back by £10 to £15.

Assuming you eat out about three times a week, that would cost around £30 to £45. 

Approximate cost per week: £40 

Groceries 

SaveTheStudent notes that students in the UK usually spend around £101 per month on groceries, which breaks down to about £23 per week. 

Approximate cost per week: £23

Total per week: £343

Ultimately, this is just an approximate figure of how much you will need for your weekly cost of living in London. However, it’s important to remember that you still need to put aside money for other expenses such as tuition, emergency fund, academic support, and other unexpected costs. 

You should also consider the initial costs of arriving in London, such as purchasing kitchen tools, bedsheets and deposit for your accommodation, to name a few.