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Home > Blog > Student > Cost of Living > Cost of Living in the UK for Indians: Rent, Transport & More!
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Raj Abhisar Agarwal
MA Economics - Boston University
- 9min Read
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The cost of living in the UK is relatively high, varying by location. Key expenses include accommodation, food, transportation, healthcare, education, utilities, and entertainment. Cost of living in London for Indians may be higher, while smaller towns may offer a more affordable lifestyle. Plan and budget accordingly. The total monthly expenses in UK for a single person without rent is £650 (~INR 65,000). The cost of living in the UK with rent may differ depending on the city you may reside in. In London, may be around £1,500 (~INR 1.5 lakh). In a smaller city such as Belfast, the average monthly rent may be around £800 (~INR 80,000). The cost of living in the UK for an Indian family may range from £3,000-£5,000 (INR 3 lakh to 5 lakh) without rent.
Careful consideration must be given to ensuring adequate financial support when investing in a quality education abroad, especially when considering the cost of living UK. Compared to the United States of America and Australia, the UK offers favourable affordability regarding educational expenses, with average prices being significantly lower.
In this blog, we delve into the factors that influence the cost of living in the UK, including education cost in the UK, explore key expenses, and provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions about your financial well-being while living or studying in this captivating country.
What’s the Cost of Living in the UK?
The cost of living in the UK is a considerably vast topic and solely depends on the city you choose to live in. The monthly cost of living in London, is higher than in other places, though the metropolitan city has its own advantages.
For an individual studying in London, the average expenses in the UK for international students would look like this:
- Accommodation cost – £750 to £848 based on the type of accommodation
- Transportation – £103 (check for full-time student discounts)
- Food – £200
- Utilities – £140
- Healthcare – £81 (15-minute doctor’s appointment)
- Entertainment – £148 (best seats in the theatre, tickets for 2)
- Health Insurance -£470 (International students have to pay £470 yearly for NHS insurance)
Accommodation Costs in the UK
Let’s discuss the financial implications of securing accommodation in the United Kingdom. As we explore this significant aspect, we aim to shed light on the intricate details of the accommodation costs in the UK.
Average living expenses in the UK, including location, property size, and amenities, can be one of the most expensive parts of the cost of living in the UK that a student has to incur. The next big expense after UK university fees for international students might be the accommodation costs.
| Monthly expenses | London | Rest of UK |
| Rent (student dorm rooms, inclusive of other costs, but might vary based on catered/non-catered preference) | £848 (INR 80,000 approximately) | £664 (INR 60,000 approximately) |
| Rent (per person cost for a shared flat) | £750 (INR 70,000 approximately) | £554 (INR 50,000 approximately) |
| Household bills/Utilities (gas, electricity, water, broadband, TV licence) | £140 (INR 14,000 approximately) | £80 (INR 8,000 approximately) |
| Food/groceries | £200 (INR 20,000 approximately) | £167 – £194 (INR 16,000 – 19,000 approximately) |
| Public transport (though full-time students are offered 30% discounts on standard tubes and bus fares) | £103 (INR 10,000 approximately) | £54 (INR 5,000 approximately) |
| Dining out/Socialising | £150 (INR 15,000 approximately) | £80 (INR 8,000 approximately) |
| Mobile phone bill (SIM-only plan) | £18 (INR 2,000 approximately) | £18 (INR 2,000 approximately) |
| Student gym membership | £20 (INR 2,000 approximately) | £15 (INR 1,500 approximately) |
| Health Insurance (NHS) | £470 (INR 47,000 approximately) | £470 (INR 47,000 approximately) |
*Your rent can vary depending on the number of people the flat accommodates. So if you share an apartment with some people your rent can reduce accordingly.
Read more about travel insurance to the UK.
Work Opportunities for Students in UK
UK student visa amounts up to £363 and allows students to be employed as part-timers with a 20-hour work week during a term (40 hours off-term). It is necessary to note that by working longer hours, you will be breaching your visa, which could prevent you from obtaining a visa in the future, and you may be subject to legal repercussions.
You are, however, allowed to work during vacations. So if you require some extra cash or are looking for work experience, it is advisable to work during the holidays and save up! This will allow you to focus on studying during the academic year and provide you with some extra cash or work experience. Additionally, paying £470 for an Immigration Health Surcharge while applying for a visa gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service facilities and care, with a 25% discount for student visa holders.
Learn more about the cost of living in the UK for Indian students!
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In a Nutshell
The accommodation costs in the UK can vary depending on the city of residence and area within the city. It can range from £800 (INR 80,000 approximately) to over £2,000 (INR 2 lakhs approximately). Other expenses such as health insurance, entertainment, food, transport and other miscellaneous expenses can add up and increase the living expenses.
Average Cost of Living in the UK Compared to India
The cost of living in the UK is 6.5 times more than that in India. This includes the cost of studying in the UK for Indians as well. When you consider the UK’s cost of living compared to India, in the global ranking list of most expensive places to live in, India ranks at 194, while the UK ranks at 12.
Moreover, in India, living in a joint family or with your parents is common practice. Certain hidden costs may not be visible while residing with family members as others may cover these expenses. However, when living alone, miscellaneous expenses such as money spent on SIM cards or smaller domestic goods become noticeable.
- A meal that costs around ₹300 in India will cost £ 6.16 (INR 600 approximately) in the UK.
- Monthly rent in India amounts to ₹42,131 (£409), whereas in the UK, it is £1,848 (INR 1 lakh approximately)
- Transportation charges can vary greatly depending on several factors, including city and area of residence, the type of transport used, etc. The minimum one-way fare in the London tube is approximately £2.80 (~INR 300). In major cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, the minimum one-way metro ranges from INR 10 to INR 20 (£0.19).
- Cold medicine for 6 days in India would cost INR 145 (£1.41), whereas, in the UK, it would cost £3.52 (INR 400 approximately).
Tips to Save Money as an Indian Student in the UK
- Share a flat
- Get a zero forex markup travel card from India to save on forex payments
- Get a local bank account
- Reduce household/Utility bills
- Pay off debts soon, and generate good credit score
- Avoid dining out at expensive places
- Commute by public transportation
- Compare prices and look up bargain deals. Bargain deals may include using credit cards to maximise cash back and getting a high-yielding savings account.
You may need to look into other potential financial adjustments:
- Opening a Wise Multi-currency account – send, spend, receive and convert British Pound (GBP) to Indian Rupee (INR) as and when required.
- Creating an international debit card, if required
- Get a zero forex markup to save up to 5% on all forex spending.
- Choosing the right visa – skilled worker visa, student visa, family visa, ancestry visa are among a few.
- Opening a UK bank account
- Choosing the right residential area – rental properties can be viewed on websites/platforms such as Rightmove, OpenRent, Zoopla and Spareroom.
- Finding the right employment to reimburse the cost of studying in the UK for Indians.
Key Takeaways
- Living in the UK as a student is a fresh and new experience, it comes with high living expenses in the UK.
- The minimum living cost in the UK includes several expenditures like personal items, groceries, eating out, entertainment, and accommodation.
- Living expenses per month in the UK can go up to £650 (INR 60,000 approximately), excluding rent. Rent can cost up to £2000 (INR 2 lakh approximately) in big cities such as London and Brighton.
- In smaller cities such as Belfast, the average monthly rent may be around £800 (INR 80,000 approximately)
- The education cost in the UK can be over INR 30 lakhs a year, which may differ depending on the level of study, course and university.
- Using the right budget instrument, working part-time and undertaking other budgeting methods is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.How much should I budget for groceries and dining out in the UK?
Groceries within London amount to £200, whereas the rest of the UK pays about £167 – £194. Dining out is more expensive in London, £150, than in the rest of the UK, £80.
2.What is the average cost of transportation in the UK?
On average, transportation charges amount to £103 within London, whereas it is up to £54 in the rest of the UK. This cost may reduce with discounts for full-time students as they are offered 30% off standard tubes and bus fares.
3. How much should I expect to pay for utilities such as electricity, water, and internet?
Household bills/Utilities inclusive of gas, electricity, water, broadband, and TV licence amount on an average up to £140 in London and £80 for the rest of the UK.
4. What are the average rental prices in popular cities like London or Manchester?
The average rental cost in the UK amounts up to £758 (₹75,800) for a one-bedroom flat in the city and up to £614 (₹61,400) outside of London.
5. What financial considerations should international students have when planning to study in the UK?
Some student considerations include using student discounts, creating a rail card/accessing discounted student fares on buses and tubes, sharing flats to reduce accommodation payments, and reducing utility bills. One should also factor in the cost of health insurance for international students and other costs of living in the UK.
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