Cost of Studying in UK for Indian Students in 2024

The United Kingdom is a top choice for many Indian students because of its great education system and fun student experience. It is home to the world’s most prestigious and top-ranking universities, making it a popular destination for higher studies. While the quality of education is really good, the high cost of studying in the UK for Indian students is a big worry.

In this article, we will give you a detailed look at the cost of studying in the UK for Indian students. This information will help you plan and manage your expenses properly.

Cost of Studying in UK for Indian Students: An Overview

The cost of studying in UK universities range between GBP 9,000 and GBP 38,000, depending on whether it’s a public or private university, what level you’re studying at and where the university is located. As an international student, you’ll also need to pay several other fees and charges while studying in the UK. This makes it really important to carefully plan and manage your expenses. In this article, we’ve split the overall costs of studying in the UK into three parts:

• Tuition fees
• Living expenses
• Visa application expenses
• Other expenses

Cost of Education in UK: Tuition Fees for Indian Students

The cost of studying in the UK for Indian students depends on the course and institution you choose. The Russell Group of Universities is a cluster of 24 universities that are top-ranked in the world and known for their intensive research facilities and reputation. In a way, the Russel Group is equivalent to Ivy League of the US. Some of the well-known universities include University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, London School of Economics, University of Bristol, etc. The international student tuition fees in these universities range from GBP 26,500 to GBP 50,835 (approximately) per year, depending on bachelor’s or master’s course.

However, the cost of studying in the UK for Indian students in private universities is quite affordable. Some of the top private universities in the UK include University of Buckingham, BPP University, St. Mary’s University, Regent’s University London, etc. The average cost of studying in the UK in these universities range between GBP 6,000 to GBP 24,000 (approximately) per year.

Here’s the list of best UK universities for Indian students to study in 2024

Average Cost of Living in UK for Indian Students

Your living expenses will be a big part of the total cost of studying in the UK from India or another country. Living expenses include paying for your housing, food, travel, travel, bills, shopping and other activities.

The average cost of living in the UK for Indian students living in London would be around GBP 1,300-1,400 per month. This covers rent, bills, groceries, and other living costs. In other parts of the UK outside of London, you can expect to pay between GBP 900-1,300 per month for the same living expenses. The accommodation cost in the UK for international students can go up to GBP 848.

Source: British Council

Also read: How to Find Accommodation in UK for Indian Students?

UK Student Visa Cost for Indian Students

Here are the expenses you must bear for applying for a UK Student Visa.

Source: Student visa – Government of UK

There are four specific conditions to apply for a Student VISA if you want to study in the UK:

• You must be 16 years of age or older.
• You must have an admission letter from a UK university.
• You must have proof of your education sponsorship or bank statements that reflect enough funds to support your education.
• You should have a consent letter from your parents if you are a minor.

Other Expenses in UK for Indian Students

1. Immigration Health Surcharge

When applying for a UK student visa lasting over six months, you must pay an Immigration Health Susrcharge (IHS). This fee allows you to use the UK’s National Health Service while you’re there.

The IHS costs GBP 470 every full year you’ll be in the UK as a student. If you’re staying for part of a year, you pay GBP 235 for 1-6 months.

2. University Application fees

When applying to study in the UK, students must pay a registration fee to each university they wish to apply to. The amount of this fee can vary between different universities. 

University application fees can cost anywhere from GBP 20-90. To find out more specific information about the registration fees, students should visit the website of the particular university they are interested in applying to.

3. Flight tickets

You need to book your flight tickets right after getting your visa. The cost of tickets will depend on where you’re flying from in India, your destination city in the UK, and which airline you choose. A one-way economy class ticket to London can cost up to INR 80,000 or even more. If you book tickets at least 4-5 months prior to your journey, the airfare can go as low as INR 27,887.

Also read: 2024’s Most Affordable Cities in the UK for International Students

Total Cost of Studying in UK for Indian Students

Pursuing higher education in the UK for Indian students can be quite expensive. When accounting for expenses before and after arriving in the UK, the total cost of studying in the UK for Indian students range from approximately INR 24 lakhs to INR 55 lakhs. The actual amount may fluctuate based on various factors.

Source: British Council

Tips to Manage Cost of Studying in UK for Indian Students

• Open a student bank account with an interest-free overdraft. Open another account for your day-to-day expenses. Why? So that you don’t end up spending on your bills, tuition fee and items from the list of your fixed expenses. 
• Opt for buying from stores that offer off-season discounts. 
• As an  International student, you can get a part-time job and work up to 20 hours a week during term time
• Save money on books by borrowing from your university’s library or buying them second-hand online.
• Prepare your food at home, and save small expenses you may need later. 
• Use public transport whenever possible, it’s cheap and efficient in the UK. Find roommates to share housing with. You can get a bigger space for lower rent and reduce your overhead costs.

Study in the UK with The WorldGrad

The WorldGrad is an award-winning and trusted academic partner to 50+ reputed universities in Australia, the UK and the US. Our Smart Programs allows students to progress to globally-ranked universities for both bachelor’s and master’s courses. 

Our Global Year 1 Program, UniSmarter Program and UniSmarter Pre-Masters Program allows students to gain admission into the best universities in the UK. 

Below are the list of universities in the UK partnered with The WorldGrad:

• De Montfort University
• Edge Hill University
• Northumbria University
• University of Bedfordshire
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Sunderland
• University of the West of England Bristol
• Wrexham University

The WorldGrad Benefits for Students:

• Multiple intakes in a year
• Save costs through fee subsidies and scholarships
• Get unlimited 1-1 academic support from highly qualified international teachers
• Benefit from a 2X higher visa success rate

Cost of Studying in UK for Indian Students in 2024 FAQs

Q1. What is the average cost of living in the UK?
A1. The average cost of living in the UK for Indian students living in London would be around GBP 1,300-1,400 per month. In other parts of the UK outside of London, you can expect to pay between GBP 900-1,300 per month for the same living expenses.

Q2. What is the total cost of studying in the UK for Indian students?
A2. The total cost of studying in the UK for Indian students is INR 19,39,650-71,82,884 approximately.

Q3. Which is the cheapest city in the UK for Indian students?
A3. Cardiff is the most affordable city in the UK for Indian students.

Q4. Is living in UK expensive for Indian students?
A4. In Tier-1 cities in the UK like London, Liverpool, etc, the living expenses for Indian students can go up to INR 1,47,349. Whereas, the living expenses in other parts of the UK is less.

Q5. Is UK too expensive to study?
A5. Yes, the cost of education in the UK is known to be expensive but still many Indian students choose UK for its education system and fun student experience.

Author: Stanley Lazarus Chelli

Stanley is our seasoned writer known for his deep knowledge of the ed-tech industry. He delivers insightful and impactful content that resonates with readers. Beyond his exceptional writing abilities, he is a die-hard petrolhead with a profound love for the automotive industry. Additionally, Stanley is a soon-to-be professional keyboardist.