Cost of living in the UK
The single biggest variable in your UK budget is location: studying in London costs far more than studying in most other cities. The government's visa maintenance figures are a useful, if conservative, baseline for what you'll need each month.
The maintenance benchmark
For the Student route, you must show living costs of about £1,529/month in London and £1,171/month outside London (2025–26 figures — confirm on gov.uk). Treat these as a realistic floor rather than a comfortable budget.
Where your money goes
- Rent is the largest cost — university halls and private student accommodation in London run well above regional cities. See accommodation.
- Transport — a railcard and local bus/metro passes cut commuting costs significantly.
- Food — cooking at home is far cheaper than eating out; supermarket own-brands stretch a budget.
- Bills — often included in halls but separate in private shares.
- Upfront visa costs — the visa fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, paid before you arrive.
London vs the rest
Cities like Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Leeds offer materially lower rents and living costs than London, often with strong universities and job markets. For many students, choosing a regional city is the most effective way to make the numbers work.
Stretching your budget
- Use your term-time work allowance and work full-time in the holidays.
- Apply for university bursaries and scholarships early.
- Get a 16–25 or student railcard for travel discounts.
Official sources: gov.uk — Student visa: money, UKCISA.