Cost of Studying in the UK 2026: Full Breakdown
A realistic international-student budget covering tuition, Student visa fees, the immigration health surcharge, financial evidence, housing and daily costs.
Short answer
There is no single official total for studying in the UK as an international student. Your real budget is:
exact university tuition + £558 Student visa fee + immigration health surcharge + accommodation + food + transport + course-specific and travel costs.
The university, course, city, accommodation choice, visa length and exchange rate can change the total substantially. Use the university's current fee page and offer letter rather than an unsourced national average.
Key takeaways
- International tuition is set by each university and course. The England home-student figure of £9,790 is not an international tuition fee.
- A Student visa currently costs £558 whether applying from outside the UK or extending or switching inside the UK.
- The student immigration health surcharge is £776 per year and is calculated using the visa length, not only the advertised course length.
- Where financial evidence is required, the maintenance amount is £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months.
- Any income from part-time work should be treated as a possible supplement, not as guaranteed funding for tuition or visa evidence.
Your complete cost formula
| Cost | How to calculate it |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Use the exact annual fee in the university offer and official course page. |
| University deposit | Check the offer and CAS policy. Deposits vary by provider and applicant. |
| Student visa | £558 per applicant at the 27 July 2026 fact-check. |
| Immigration health surcharge | £776 per visa year for students, subject to the official visa-length calculation. |
| Visa financial evidence | Unpaid first-year tuition plus the applicable London or outside-London maintenance amount, unless an exemption applies. |
| Accommodation | Use the full contract price, deposit, bills and any guarantor requirement. |
| Living costs | Include food, transport, phone, utilities, personal spending and course materials. |
| Travel and arrival | Include flights, airport transfer, luggage, temporary accommodation and initial purchases. |
Tuition fees
International tuition fees are set by each university and can vary widely between courses at the same institution. Laboratory, clinical, specialist and MBA programmes may cost more than classroom-based programmes.
Before accepting an offer, confirm:
- the exact 2026–27 tuition fee;
- whether the fee rises in later years;
- the deposit required before a CAS is issued;
- the refund and deferral rules;
- whether placement, laboratory, examination or field-trip charges are additional;
- the payment schedule and accepted currencies.
UK bachelor's degrees are commonly three years and many taught master's degrees are one year, but course length varies. Integrated master's degrees, Scottish undergraduate degrees, medicine, architecture, placements and foundation routes may take longer. Calculate the total from the exact programme structure.
Student visa fee and processing time
The Student visa application fee is currently £558 from outside the UK and £558 when extending or switching inside the UK.
A decision is usually made within three weeks for an application outside the UK and eight weeks for an application inside the UK. Complex cases can take longer. Faster services may be offered during the application process, but availability is not guaranteed.
Check the current Student visa rules and fee on GOV.UK.
Immigration health surcharge
The student immigration health surcharge is £776 per year. The exact amount depends on the visa length, which may be longer than the course itself.
Do not estimate the final IHS only by multiplying the advertised course years. Use the calculation presented during the official visa application.
Student visa financial evidence
Where the financial requirement applies, you normally need to show:
- unpaid course fees for the first academic year, as shown on the CAS;
- £1,529 per month for up to nine months in London, a maximum of £13,761; or
- £1,171 per month for up to nine months outside London, a maximum of £10,539.
The funds normally need to be held for 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period no more than 31 days before the application date. Exemptions and differential-evidence arrangements can apply.
Payments already made to the university must be correctly recorded on the CAS or evidenced as required. Do not assume payments to a private landlord reduce the visa maintenance requirement.
Living costs
There is no single official UK-wide living-cost total. Rent and transport can differ substantially between cities and between neighbourhoods in the same city.
Build a monthly budget using current quotes for:
- accommodation and deposit;
- electricity, gas, water and internet if not included;
- groceries and household products;
- local transport;
- phone service;
- course materials and software;
- clothing and personal spending;
- emergencies and exchange-rate movement.
University accommodation pages and signed housing contracts are more useful than generic city averages. Check whether the accommodation covers 39, 42, 44, 50 or 52 weeks, because a lower weekly price can still produce a higher annual total.
Costs students often miss
University deposits
Many providers require a deposit before issuing a CAS. The amount, deadline and refund terms are provider-specific. Read the written policy before paying.
Accommodation and guarantors
Private accommodation may require a tenancy deposit, advance rent or a UK guarantor. Verify the proposed contract and who protects the deposit.
TB tests and ATAS
Depending on nationality, residence and course, you may need a tuberculosis test or an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.
Course-specific expenses
Professional clothing, equipment, software, portfolios, field trips, clinical checks or professional-body fees may be additional.
Travel and arrival
Include flights, baggage, airport transfers, temporary accommodation, bedding, kitchen equipment and initial food purchases.
TV Licence
A colour TV Licence costs £180 a year from 1 April 2026. It is required for live television and BBC iPlayer, not solely for non-live Netflix or YouTube use.
Can part-time work cover the costs?
Some Student visa holders can work, but the sponsor, course and conditions recorded on the immigration permission control whether work is allowed and how many hours are permitted. Many eligible full-time degree-level students are limited to 20 hours per week during term time, but this is not universal.
From April 2026, the statutory minimum hourly rates are:
- £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over;
- £10.85 for workers aged 18 to 20.
At £12.71 per hour, 20 hours a week is £254.20 gross. Four weeks at the full permitted hours would be about £1,016.80 gross, before tax and deductions. This is an illustration only. Jobs, shifts and permitted hours are not guaranteed.
Scholarships
Scholarships can reduce tuition, but each scheme has its own nationality, course, university and deadline requirements.
- Chevening Scholarships support eligible one-year UK master's degrees through fully funded awards. Applications are competitive and opening dates change.
- GREAT Scholarships offer £10,000 towards tuition fees for eligible students on participating one-year taught postgraduate courses. The 2026–27 programme lists more than 140 scholarships from more than 60 universities.
Use only the official scholarship and university pages. Never pay someone who claims they can guarantee a scholarship.
Build your personal budget
Complete this table using verified amounts before accepting an offer:
| Item | Your verified amount |
|---|---|
| First-year tuition | £ |
| Deposit already paid | £ |
| Remaining tuition | £ |
| Student visa fee | £558 |
| IHS from the official calculation | £ |
| Accommodation for the full contract | £ |
| Food and transport | £ |
| Travel and arrival | £ |
| Course-specific costs | £ |
| Emergency and exchange-rate buffer | £ |
| Total | £ |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in the UK as an international student in 2026?
There is no single official total. Add the exact university tuition fee, the £558 Student visa application fee, immigration health surcharge, accommodation, food, transport, travel and course-specific costs.
How much is the UK Student visa fee in 2026?
The fee is £558 when applying from outside the UK and £558 when extending or switching to a Student visa from inside the UK, based on the official fee checked on 27 July 2026.
How much is the immigration health surcharge for international students?
The student rate is £776 per year. The final amount depends on the length of the immigration permission and the official part-year charging rules.
How much money must I show for a Student visa?
Where the financial requirement applies, you normally need unpaid first-year course fees plus £1,529 per month for up to nine months in London or £1,171 per month outside London. Exemptions and evidence rules can apply.
How long must Student visa funds stay in my account?
The required funds normally need to be held for 28 consecutive days. The end of that period must be within 31 days of the visa application date.
Can international students work while studying in the UK?
Some Student visa holders can work, but permitted hours depend on the sponsor, course and conditions recorded on their immigration permission. Part-time income should not be treated as guaranteed funding or as a replacement for required visa funds.
Is Ready Study Global application support free?
Ready Study Global does not charge students a consultancy fee for university application guidance. Tuition, deposits, visa charges, tests, accommodation, travel and other provider or third-party costs remain payable.
Need help comparing the real cost of your options?
Ready Study Global can help you compare course fees, provider requirements and application routes. We do not provide legal, immigration or regulated financial advice.
Primary sources
Important: This article provides general information only. Ready Study Global does not provide legal, immigration or regulated financial advice. Tuition, visa, accommodation, scholarship and exchange-rate information can change. Check the current official rules and written provider terms before making a payment or submitting an application.