To study in the UK is life-changing. It hits different.
Many of us want to study in the UK for many good reasons. We want to get a degree that lead to rewarding careers and make memories during the most important era of our lives.
If it wasn’t valuable, why would 758,855 leave everything behind to study in the UK in 2022-23? That figure is a record high and a 12% rise on the previous year, when there were 675,200, reports the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
And they’re willing to pay a substantial amount for this.
Each student pas up to 38,000 pounds (US$51,038) per year for undergraduate programmes and 30,000 pounds (US$40,293) per year for postgraduate programmes.
This does not include what you’ll have to spend for housing, food, and travel.
Still, as the many success stories to emerge from UK unis, all these pounds spent is more than worth it.
Don’t let those numbers scare you away from what could easily be the best decision – and investment – of your life.
Don’t think you can afford it?
We’re here to tell you how you can still study in the UK without breaking the bank.
You’ll need to cough up a lot of money to study in the UK. Source: AFP
The non-tuition-related fees you’ll need to pay first
Before you even look at the tuition fees of universities, there are three other costs you’ll want to be very aware of: the costs of applying to the university through UCAS, the UK Student visa, and the compulsory immigration health surcharge (IHS).
The UCAS application
For international students to apply for a UK university, you need to do so through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
It’s as easy as registering for an account and starting your application. But before you can send those applications out, you’ll need to pay the fee of 28.50 pounds (US$38) for up to five choices for 2025 entry.
The UK student visa
One of the most important steps after you get your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the university is applying for the UK Student visa.
The earliest you can do this is six months before you start your programme. The application takes under three weeks to process and approve, and costs 524 pounds (US$703) to apply from outside the UK.
The immigration health surcharge (IHS)
As part of your online immigration application, international students must pay 776 pounds (US$1,042) per year towards the IHS. So, if you’re applying for a three-year programme, that’s 2,328 pounds (US$3,126) total.
Paying this fee allows you to use the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) free of charge during the length of your visa. However, note that you’ll still need to pay for certain types of services, such as prescriptions, dental treatments, eye tests, and assisted conception.
Most people only think of the same handful of cities when they think about where to study in the UK. But if you take the beaten path, you might find better opportunities lie there too. Source: AFP
How much does it cost to study in the UK
Your tuition fees depend on which university and programme you join.
But you can estimate some figures based on where the university is located, its rankings, and the type of programme you’re looking to join.
- Universities located in the capital cities of London (England), Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales), and Belfast (Northern Ireland) tend to be more expensive, primarily due to the fact that these cities have more people and more amenities.
- Universities with better university rankings also have higher fees, as their degrees are valued much higher.
- Some programmes cost more than others, like how a degree in Accounting and Finance will cost less than a degree in Medicine – partly because of the subject and because of how much longer the latter takes to complete.
For example, UCL’s Computer Science BSc costs 43,500 pounds (US$58,426) per year for those beginning the course in the 2025-2026 academic year. The university is ranked #9 on the QS World University Rankings 2025.
That’s not to say all universities in the capital (or big) cities have the highest tuitions fees. Birbeck, University of London’s BSc Computer Science costs 18,060 pounds (US$24,256) per year.
Here is how much the BSc Computer Science programme costs at other universities around the UK:
- The University of Edinburgh, located in Edinburgh, Scotland, and #27 on QS: 36,800 pounds (US$49,427) per year.
- Queen’s University Belfast, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and #206 on QS: 25,300 pounds (US$33,981) per year.
- Ulster University, located in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, and #559 on QS: 17,010 pounds (US$22,846) per year.
- De Montfort University, located in Leicester, England, and #711-720 on QS: 16,750 pounds (US$22,497) per year.
- University of Lincoln, located in Lincoln, England, and #851-900 on QS: 17,900 pounds (US$24,042) per year.
Our advice? Don’t just look at the university’s rankings and location – there are other factors you should take into account when choosing where to study in the UK, and that can come with a better price tag too.
If you choose to study in the UK, you’ll get your pick of schools that not only boast academic excellence and great student experiences, but you’ll also have a chance to study within some pretty neat architectural sights. This picture features Newnham College at the University of Cambridge. Source: AFP
The most expensive vs the least expensive universities in the UK
The University of Cambridge holds the title of having the most expensive undergraduate programme in the UK. Its Medical and Veterinary Science (including for this purpose the Second M.B. and Second Vet.M.B. Examinations) costs 70,554 pounds (US$94,763) per year.
It’s important to note that medical programmes usually have high tuition fees, as they involve the use of the advanced equipment and facilities and professors with the highest qualifications in the field.
However, programmes such as Economics, Social, and Political Sciences, and Law cost 27,024 pounds (US$36,296) per year.
On the other hand, one of the most affordable UK universities is Queen Margaret University (QMU).
Located near the centre of Scotland’s capital, the school is ranked #951-1000 on QS. Annual tuition fees for the 2026-2027 undergraduate programmes start at 9,725 pounds (US$13,061) and go up to 17,325 pounds (US$23,269).
The struggles you go through to study in the UK will be worth it. Source: AFP
4 of the most realistic ways to afford to study in the UK
Secure scholarships
The most obvious way to lessen the financial burden is to secure a scholarship for your studies in the UK. This can come from the university, the government, or an organisation.
The easiest way to get started is by looking for the scholarships offered by the university you’re attending or plan to attend, as all the information will be compiled into one page.
Take note that it’s good to start searching even before you apply to the university because each institution has different requirements that you may need more time to meet.
Get Early Payment Discounts
If you’re able to, many UK universities offer their own Early Payment Discounts for students who received a conditional offer and have accepted it before a set deadline.
Each university has its own requirements, but the gist is the same: pay your fees before a particular deadline, and you’ll be eligible to receive a discount of varying amounts, depending on the university.
For example, all Coventry University and Coventry University London first-year international students (excluding EU) can save 2,000 pounds (US$2,686) on their tuition fee starting this May 2025 if their full tuition fee deposit has been cleared funds in the university’s account by the date outlined in their offer letter.
Other universities that offer Early Payment Discounts include, but aren’t limited to Newcastle University, the University of East London, the University of Bradford, the University of East Anglia, and the University of Northampton.
It can be expensive to study in the UK, but if you’re willing to spend some time hustling on the side with a part-time job, your finances might not get as strained. Source: AFP
Pay your tuition in instalments
One lesser-known method of easing financial hardship is simply by paying your tuition in instalments – something that many UK universities offer.
Depending on the university, this allows you to stagger the fee in intervals so that you’re not paying a lump sum of money from the get-go.
However, the danger in this is that if you fail to pay up by the required amount by the next period, the university may take action, such as not permitting to enrol for the next year of your programme of study, or any new programme, until the debt has been paid in full, or a repayment schedule that is satisfactory to the university has been agreed.
Find part-time work
As a UK student visa holder, you can work up to 20 hours a week in term time if you study in the UK at degree level or above.
Better yet, you can work full-time outside of term time, which includes during vacations, before your programme starts, on work placements, and after your programme ends.
Another great way to save money while you study in the UK: Pick where you stay wisely
A big part of your life as you study in the UK will revolve around where you live. Some universities will offer their international students priority for on-campus accommodations, though you might not be so lucky all the time and might have to seek a living arrangement elsewhere.
Naturally, your accommodation fee depends on where you live and what sort of place you’re staying in.
For example, Swansea University in Wales has multiple offerings based on its two campus locations. The cheapest accommodation on its Bay Campus is a shared twin ensuite room that costs 135 pounds (US$181) per week and comes with a 44-week contract, totalling 5,940 pounds (US$7,978) for one academic year.
Meanwhile, its most expensive accommodation is a one-bed flat costing 210 pounds (US$282) a week and has a 44-week contract, totalling 9,240 pounds (US$12,410).
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Over at the University of Portsmouth, their cheapest accommodation is a self-catered and shared bathroom room that starts at 110 pounds (US$147) per week. That totals 4,400 pounds (US$5,909) for the entire academic year.
The university’s most expensive living space comes with catering and has an en-suite bathroom, which will cost 206 pounds (US$276) per week and total 8,240 pounds (US$11,067) a year.
And while there may be a benefit to living off campus, living on campus often means having easy access to the university’s facilities and not worrying about your unpredictable utility bill – something that might become a problem when winter comes and you’re unwilling to use the heater just to save some money.
Ultimately, where you choose to live depends on what your finances are like and what experience you’re looking for. One Redditor advises: “Everyone should live in halls or other shared accommodation at least once (i.e. not just staying with parents) as it gives you a completely different view of life and experiences that you otherwise miss.”
