UK Student Budget Calculator
A free student finance calculator for international students studying in the UK. Estimate your monthly and annual cost of living, add tuition, and compare your total against the UK visa financial requirements.
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Your estimate
How much does it cost to study in the UK?
For 2026 entry, international undergraduate tuition typically ranges from £14,000 to £30,000 per year, with most lab and engineering programmes between £22,000 and £28,000. On top of tuition, plan for £10,000 to £18,000 in living costs outside London, or £15,000 to £22,000 in London.
UK student visa financial requirement 2026
UKVI requires you to show £1,483 per month for London courses or £1,136 per month for courses elsewhere, for up to 9 months, plus your first year of tuition. The calculator above gives you a realistic total so you can confirm your bank statements clear the threshold.
Compare cities side by side in the UK student cost of living comparison, browse city guides, or open a UK student bank account before you arrive.
UK Home students: looking for the Student Finance England loan?
If you are a UK or settled status student, use our dedicated 2025/26 SFE estimator to see how much maintenance loan you'll get based on household income and where you'll live.
Open the maintenance loan calculator →Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to study in the UK as an international student?
Most international students should budget £15,000 to £22,000 per year for living costs on top of tuition. London typically costs £1,400 to £1,800 per month, while cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow run £1,000 to £1,300 per month including rent, food, transport and utilities.
What is the UKVI financial requirement for a UK student visa in 2026?
For 2026 entry the UKVI requires proof of £1,483 per month for up to 9 months if studying in London (£13,347 total), and £1,136 per month for up to 9 months outside London (£10,224 total), in addition to your first year of tuition fees.
How is the UK student budget calculator estimate calculated?
The calculator multiplies your monthly accommodation, food, transport, utilities and entertainment by 12 to get annual living costs, then adds your annual tuition to give a total cost of study. Adjust the inputs to match your city and lifestyle.
What is the average student accommodation cost in the UK?
Purpose-built student accommodation averages £180 to £250 per week outside London and £280 to £400 per week in London. Private shared houses are usually 15 to 30 percent cheaper than PBSA.
Are international students allowed to work part-time in the UK?
Yes. On a Student visa you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time in vacations. Minimum wage for ages 21+ is £12.21 per hour in 2026, so part-time work can cover £400 to £900 per month.