Beginning your academic journey overseas can be thrilling but daunting for many students. Studying overseas in the UK can be pretty expensive compared to studying in other countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia. Furthermore, studying in the UK can be quite treasured as it’s a top study destination in the world right now. UK Student Visa Consultants in Pakistan will guide you with tips and tricks to manage your monthly living expenses in the UK.
The living costs in the UK for any international student can vary from person to person as it depends on the lifestyle and the amount of expenses being spent. The mainstream cities in the UK like London, Manchester, & Birmingham are more expensive as compared to the rest of the cities.
Standard living Costs For International Students
Before digging into exact expenses, it’s vital to recognize the factors that accumulate to the overall cost of living in the UK as an overseas student. These may include lodging, transport, food, healthcare, utilities, and various expenses such as entertainment and personal items.
Accommodation
One of the major expenses for students in the UK is housing. The cost of rental charges can vary conditional to the site, type of housing, and whether you choose to live on-campus or off-campus. There are sufficient options for international students for their accommodation options. The average cost of rent in the UK varies between 350-450 GBP per week. Students can have private accommodation and shared as well to cut the cost.
Transportation
There is a big public transportation system in the UK including buses and trains. Full-time students from all over the UK receive a 30% discount off standard tube and bus fares with a Student Oyster Card if they have a National Railcard. Monthly student Oyster cards for Zones 1-2 cost £103. In London, the average transportation cost is around 100 GBP per week, and around 60 GBP in the rest of the UK.
Food
The UK offers a diverse culinary scene, from trendy cafes to multicultural eateries for international students. Food and groceries account for a major portion of your monthly expenses. It is one of the major expenses for any international student.
You can shop for food items at low-cost supermarkets which are located in each city of the UK. A weekly food shopping list can cost between £25 to £35. You can also buy food items in wholesale at store off times. On average, you need to budget £960-1,380 annually to cover your food or grocery expenses in the UK. Again, the cost can vary from city to city with a bit of change in the prices of food items.
Household Bills
Rent isn’t the only bill, you’ll need to budget for other utilities too like electricity, water, gas, and internet. In the UK, students may have to pay around 1200-1300 GBP annually for their entire bills. If you are living in shared accommodations, then you can divide your utility bills with colleagues to further decrease your bills.
Shopping & Entertainment
International students living in the UK are regularly moving out for weekly shopping or entertainment with friends in City Centers. Shopping budgets can be quite variable as every student and person has their own choices and preferences. In the UK, there are regular promotions for shopping items like clothes, shoes, gift items, etc. A monthly budget of 80-100 GBP would be sufficient for shopping for international students.
Talk To Our Advisor
To get the latest updates on the cost of living in the UK, you can always contact UK Student Visa Consultants in Pakistan for up-to-date information. Our advisors will guide you in detail on how you can manage your monthly expenses in the UK as an international student. Book your appointment today to make sure you plan realistically.
