The UK is a country that many students dream of studying in. The high-quality education in the UK has always been praised by the world. So, how much does it cost to study in the UK? Here is some information aboutHow much does it cost to study in the UK?Cost of studying abroad in the UK, ,Is studying in the UK cheap?, ,How much does it cost to study abroad in the UKThe problem.
1. How much does it cost to study in the UK?
1. Living costs when studying in the UK
Currently, the UK student visa requires that if you want to study outside of London you must have at least £1,015 per month in your bank account, which equates to £12,180 per year.
To study in London, you'll need to budget more - at least £1,265 per month, or £15,180 per year.
However, you can take advantage of student discounts to reduce the cost of living - for example, students in London can get an 18+ student discount card which includes discounts on 30% and bus/underground fares.
Another way to study abroad without tightening your belt is to study in a UK city with a lower cost of living. The Natwest cost of living index shows that the cheapest cities for students in the UK are Cardiff, the capital of Wales, Aberdeen, Scotland and Durham in the northeast of England.
2. Accommodation costs for studying in the UK
The biggest difference between London and other places in the UK is the rent. According to estimates by University College London (UCL), the cost of accommodation is £8,073 per year (9 months/39 weeks). However, you can also find cheaper options in Unihall or shared apartments.
According to the International Student Housing Data Survey conducted by Savethe Students, students spend an average of £125 per week, with a significant polarization: in Northern Ireland, students spend only £91 per week, which is only half of what students spend in London (£182). If the rent does not include water, electricity and internet charges, you may spend an additional £70.
3. Average cost of other matters in the UK
A weekly food shop trip costs around £30, and a meal in a pub or restaurant costs around £12;
Depending on the course, you may spend at least £30 per month on books and other course materials;
Yours is probably at least £15 a month;
Gym membership costs about £32 per month, but some student discounts are available;
In terms of entertainment, if you want to watch TV in your room, you need a TV licence - which costs £159 per year. Cinema tickets cost around £10.
Depending on your spending habits, you might spend around £35-55 a month on clothes.
4. Tuition fees for international students in the UK
Tuition varies by institution and major. Across all data, humanities and social sciences degrees tend to cost the least, while laboratory and clinical degrees are significantly more expensive.
According to the University of Reading's tuition fee survey, for international students, undergraduate course fees for the 2020/21 academic year are around £10,000 to £30,000 per year or even higher.
At the postgraduate level, international fees for taught programmes for international students range from about £10,000 to £36,000. For courses that require experiments, the average annual fee ranges from £12,000 to £38,000, with medical students paying more.
When you combine these costs with the average cost of living in the UK, you'll have to prepare more money than many places. The average cost of studying in the UK is estimated to be at least £22,200 a year, and studying in London can be even more expensive.
While these numbers are daunting, university programs in the UK are also shorter than in the US and other countries (undergraduate programs in the UK are three years instead of four, and postgraduate programs are one year instead of two), so you can shave a year off your overall budget.
5. UK scholarships and student funds
Undergraduate students at only three private universities in the UK can apply for tuition loan, living cost loan and living grant. However, tuition loan may not cover the full amount.
There are also a large number of scholarships available for studying in the UK from the government, individual universities, independent organisations and various charities. This website provides information on scholarships offered by bodies such as the British Council.
2. Application process for UK study visa
1. Fill in the online application form
Before booking an appointment, you will need to fill out an application form online.
After completing the form, print it and sign it. If you use online payment service, you need to print the confirmation letter issued by Worldpay and bring it to the visa application center as proof of payment.
Note: All information filled in must be accurate and true. After completing the online application, you will receive an email containing an application number (ie "GWF reference number"), please remember this number.
2. Make an appointment online
After filling in the application form, you will enter the online appointment system. Select the visa center where you want to submit your application, and select the appointment date and visit time.
Note: Summer camps and designated destination tour groups should complete the online application, but should not make online reservations. The tour leader should contact the local visa application center to make group reservations.
3. Visit the Visa Application Centre
Bring all your documents including the printed application form, passport and passport photo, and cash for visa fees if you have not chosen online payment, to the visa application centre for your appointment. Then your biometric information will be collected, i.e. a photo and digital fingerprint scan. When you submit your visa application and biometric information at the visa application centre, you may need to attend a short interview. The interview aims to understand your true purpose for coming to the UK. This type of interview is also called an integrity interview.
Note: Applicants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult when registering their biometrics. This does not include application centre staff.
4. Collect your passport
Once your visa application has been processed, you can choose to collect your passport in person at the Visa Application Centre, or pay an additional fee to have your passport couriered.
3. UK Study Accommodation Arrangement Guide
1. Homestay
Initially, it was a form of guardianship accommodation for underage students. Now it has developed into a more common accommodation option. Students of all ages can submit their accommodation applications through schools or institutions.
The family will provide students with accommodation and catering services, or they can apply to use the kitchen to cook for themselves. If they can get along well with each other, they will have the opportunity to participate in family gatherings and social activities, which is very helpful for everyone's adaptation.
However, there will be certain troubles, because as outsiders, international students can only adapt to the internal rules of the family. At this time, they must actively communicate and exchange, make sure that their opinions can be conveyed directly, and get along more friendly.
2. School dormitory
Dormitories will be the first choice for freshmen, and everyone’s application will be given priority. Basically, as long as you receive the offer confirmation, you can make a formal application, and the possibility of successful approval is very high, and everyone can move in smoothly.
Dormitories are generally double or multi-person rooms. Some require shared bedrooms, while others have separate bedrooms, but generally require shared bathrooms. While you can build good relationships, you also lose a certain degree of privacy. However, overall there are still many advantages.
3. Renting an off-campus apartment
Since living on campus does not have much cost advantage over renting a house, and may even be more expensive, most students choose to move out after their freshman period. The difference lies in whether they rent a house alone or share it with others.
When looking for housing, you must find it from a reliable platform. Introductions from schools and friends are good, and you can also go to professional rental agencies to get effective information. You can find a more suitable house by spending money. Of course, you can also consider sharing a house.
The advantage of renting a house is that you will have a relatively private space. Even if you share the house with others, you will have your own bedroom. In addition, a kitchen is standard in rented houses, so you can cook for yourself and save money.
4. Benefits for students studying in the UK
1. Free medical care
NHS (National Health Service) public health system, international students can get a number of free services including prescription drugs, dentistry, eye care, travel medical care, etc. In fact, these fees have been paid when applying.
2. International Student Card
In the UK, if students apply for an international student card, they can enjoy considerable discounts when buying train tickets, plane tickets, visiting museums, etc.
3. Shopping tax refund
You can enjoy the tax refund policy three months before your study visa expires. The store will ask for your passport number and domestic address. Keep the receipts and items so that you can get a tax refund when you leave the country within three months.
If you have many receipts from a store, you can get a master receipt from the store before you leave to ensure that the tax refund is made within three months before your departure. Please fill in the purchase amount, items and signature at the store to make it a valid tax refund form.
When you arrive at the airport customs, hand the tax refund form to the customs staff and you can choose to get cash or have it deposited into your card.
4. Work
The British government currently allows international students to work. The specific regulations are: a maximum of 20 hours per week during the semester, and full-time work during holidays. Most British institutions have dedicated staff to help students find jobs.
5. Transportation card discounts
Overseas students aged between 16 and 25 can apply for a visa at any major train station with their passport and bareheaded photo.
Young Person Rail Card, enjoy a 1/3 discount on train fares. Overseas students aged 25 and over,
You can apply for it with an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). The card fee is 27 pounds.
In addition, students in London can apply online for a 30% discount on the Oyster Card on Transport for London, which will allow them to enjoy discounted fares on the London Underground and buses.
6. Family members accompanying students
If the spouse and children under the age of 18 of international students obtain visas as family members to study in the UK, they can also enjoy many benefits: they can enjoy the same medical benefits as the international students themselves; if the international students hold a visa of more than 12 months, the spouse and children can generally work or study full-time in the UK without the need for additional permits.
7. International Students Office on Campus
British institutions generally have a special office for international students, which is responsible for providing guidance to international students in all aspects of study and life, such as visas, free medical care, housing, work, etc. Some also include psychological counseling.
Summary of how much it costs to study in the UK
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