Cost of living in the UK

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image- UK, 800px x 451px
Reading time: 4 minutes

You may have heard that London is one of the most expensive places in the world to live in, but fortunately, London, and by extension, England, does not equate to the whole of the UK. In fact, many UK towns and cities are very liveable when compared to other cities across the globe.  

There is quite a bit to look at when considering the cost of living in the UK. Apart from tuition fees, there’s also the cost of rent, transport, and even entertainment – because if you’re living in the UK, there’s no way you should miss out on everything that this great country has to offer- from the food to the culture.  

Let’s look at some aspects of the UK cost of living, so you can best adjust your budget and prepare yourself for a new life abroad. 

Calculating living costs in The UK 

When looking at the cost of living in the UK, it’s best to use an online currency calculator to convert your currency to the British pound – that will give you a better idea of the true cost of living in relation to your country. 

Here’s a rough guide to the currency conversions we have used in this article, dated March 27th, 2020:

  • AU$1,000 = £500

  • US$1,000 = £805

  • €1000 = £895

Once you have a better understanding of the conversion rate, you can better interpret how much rent, utilities and other everyday costs will affect your budget.  

A weekly UK budget 

There are so many factors that contribute to the UK cost of living that it’s impossible to give you a set cost for each week. But a recommended starting point for a budget for a single student in the UK, per week, averages out to about £300. Let’s see how we got to this number (please note these costs are an average from across UK metropolitan cities, outside of the city center). 

Item Cost
Rent (one-bedroom flat)  £162 
Council Tax  £25
Other Utilities (Electricity, Gas etc.)  £40
Travel Costs (if not living on campus)  £14
Food £60
Total £301 

Students in the UK should always take advantage of student pricing to keep costs down. This can include student rates on monthly transportation passes, university dining halls, Halls of Residence living options (which are around £80 per week), and more. If you can work while studying in the UK, it will bring even further financial relief. 

Taking further costs into account, a single student should budget around £15,000 per annum for living in the UK 

This is of course not a comprehensive list, but it will give you a good starting point when it comes to determining your personal cost of living in the UK. 

Cost of living in different UK cities 

As stated earlier, there’s more to the UK than England and London, and the cost of living can vary greatly between cities and countries. If you’re living within a tight budget, you will be more comfortable in a major regional city or a smaller town. The UK standard of living is largely the same, no matter where you choose to call home.

Here are the variations in the cost of rent in London versus other major UK capitals. Price differences in food and other utilities are also similarly reflected across the UK (e.g. the cost of food in Liverpool can be up to 30% cheaper than the cost of food in London).

City Rent average (monthly)
London £1,665 
Edinburgh  £1545
Manchester  £1212
Birmingham £1082
Cardiff  £1014
Glasgow  £902
Belfast  £842 

How much does education cost in the UK? 

University tuition in the UK is another important factor in the cost of living. The UK has world-class education facilities and caps the amount that can be charged for resident students in the UK and the EU at £9,250 a year. International students will pay more – in London, the annual tuition fee ranges from £16,340 to £32,670 depending on the selected course.

How much is health care in the UK? 

Much like their education system, the UK also has an extensive and first-rate health care system known as the National Health Service (NHS). Citizens of the UK access the NHS for free, as do international students per their visa.  

If you prefer, you can sign up to a private health fund, which can lead to faster access to certain health services. This means that a GP check-up will set you back around £70. 

While expensive, living in the United Kingdom comes with many rewards – from its cultural melting pot to its proximity to Europe for the keen traveler. If you’re planning on making the UK your home in the near future, check out PTE English tests for the UK. 

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    The great UK skills shortage: 5 occupations that can help you move abroad
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    The UK has long drawn people from around the world to live, work and study. It boasts an excellent healthcare system and impressive universities. Its countryside and cities are dotted with historic buildings and castles. Another big plus? The UK is incredibly diverse.  According to the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, about 14% of the UK’s population was born abroad, and 35% of immigrants live in London. And, many of the UK’s migrants come to work. In fact, in 2019 48% of EU residents moved to the UK to work, while 21% of non-EU residents did.

    So what kind of jobs are there in the UK for international applicants? The UK has a skills shortage for a long list of occupations, and professionals who can fill them will have an easier time applying for a UK work visa under the new points-based immigration system.

    In this blog, we’ll explore what top professions can help give you an advantage when applying for a UK work visa, and insight on how to get a job in the UK.

    The top jobs in the UK for international applicants 

    The UK has two shortage occupation lists. One outlines occupations in healthcare and education that need more personnel. The other list features occupation shortages from a range of different fields – including the arts, science, and IT.

    To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, you need to reach 70 immigration points. And working in a job on the Shortage Occupation List counts for 20 points – which can provide you with a big advantage. We’ll expand on a few top jobs on the list:

    1. Nurses

    The UK has faced a nurse shortage for a long time. Right now, England needs to fill more than 36,000 positions, making it an excellent place to look for work if you’re a nurse wanting to move abroad. Already, about 15% of nurses in the UK are trained overseas.

    However, nurses and other healthcare professionals were added to the Shortage Occupation List just this March. “Every year we welcome healthcare workers from across the world to our United Kingdom, with many having played a key role on the frontline of the NHS during the recent pandemic,” said the UK Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, Kevin Foster, in a statement.

    The move, he said, will help ensure international healthcare professionals get the immigration status they deserve.

    Learn more about how to register as a nurse in the UK.

    2. Pharmacists

    Pharmacists were also added to the UK’s Shortage Occupation List in 2021. While not as in short supply as nurses, there’s a pharmacist vacancy rate of about 8% in hospitals. Again, this means there could be of opportunity for internationally-trained pharmacists to find a job in the UK.

    To work as a pharmacist in the UK, you need to register with a regulatory body called the General Pharmaceutical Council, which you can learn more about on the NHS website. (The NHS is the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system).

    3. Engineers

    There are also plenty of engineering jobs on the shortage occupation list. From civil engineers to mechanical engineers, to electrical engineers and everyone in-between engineers from around the world are in high demand in the UK.

    Depending on the field of engineering you work in, you’ll have to make 80% of the going rate for the job to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa.  That’s between about £26,160 and £29,600 per year.

    4. Secondary education teachers

    Secondary education teachers who teach math, physics, modern foreign languages, and computer science are some other jobs on the list. If you’re a trained teacher outside the UK, you can work without getting Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for four years. But after that, you’ll have to become a qualified teacher in the UK.

    You can learn more about teacher salaries on the UK Department of Education website. To qualify for a visa, you’ll have to earn at least £20,480 (or more depending on where you’re located).

    5. Graphic designers

    Are you a graphic designer? Well, you’re in luck. Graphic designers are also a sought-after profession in the UK. It’s common for graphic designers to work on a freelance basis. But keep in mind: to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to get a job sponsorship in the UK from an employer.

    You’ll also have to earn 80% or more of the going rate for graphic designers in the UK. This is about £18,800 per year.

    How to get a UK work visa

    A Skilled Worker visa lets you work in the UK with an employer who is approved by the Home Office, which is a UK government department. As we mentioned above, you’ll have to reach 70 immigration points to be eligible. Having a job offer from an employer, professional skills, and English proficiency all contribute to your points.

    Depending on your situation, you may decide to apply for another type of visa or immigration route, such as the EU Settlement Scheme or UK Graduate visa. There is also a Health and Care Worker visa, which enables healthcare professions to work with the NHS.

    How to find a job in the UK

    So, how can you find an employer in the UK to sponsor you? There are lots of job boards that are related to specific professions. For example, the UK’s Department of Education offers a website to search for teaching vacancies by location. There’s also Nurses.co.uk, which features thousands of nursing jobs. More generally, websites like Reed and Jobsite are also good places to look for employment in the UK.

    All in all, the UK is an excellent place to call home. And better yet, there’s plenty of job opportunities to help you thrive.

    Our Secure English Language test, PTE Academic UKVI, is accepted by the UK’s Home Office for all UK visas to test your four language skills – including the Skilled Worker visa.

    Learn more about the PTE UKVI test today.

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    7 benefits of studying in the UK
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Students around the world have long been drawn to study in the UK. And, it’s for a good reason. The UK is known for its world-class education, diversity, and bustling student cities – making it a great place to study abroad. 

    In recent years, the UK has also announced more incentives to attract international students – such as visa changes and friendlier immigration policies. Overall, it hopes to recruit 600,000 international students per year by 2030. In 2019/2020, international university students made up 22% of the student population! 

    So, why should you consider studying in the UK? In this article, we’ll explore 7 benefits and how studying at a UK university can help prepare you for the future.

    1. The UK is home to top universities 

    UK universities are among the most respected in the world. In fact, according to QS World University Rankings 2021, eight UK universities are ranked among the top 50 universities globally. They are: 

    Universities in the UK are well-known for their R&D capabilities, medicine, and arts and humanities courses – and there are more than 100 universities to choose from. To see which universities in the UK excel in your specific area of study, QS World University Rankings also breaks down universities by subject.  

    2. It’s incredibly diverse 

    Fourteen percent of the population in the UK was born abroad, about 9.5 million people. This means international students who move overseas to the UK could have the opportunity to learn about numerous different cultures and make friends with people from around the world. This is especially true if you’re moving to London, where 35% of the population was born outside the UK. Even more, you’ll also likely be able to stay closely connected with your own culture, through attending community events or visiting restaurants that serve food from home – things that can help with homesickness and culture shock.

    3. There is support for overseas students 

    There is plenty of support for international students in the UK. This might be online, through your university, or through the local government. For example, each university has an office set up to address international students’ needs, and answer questions about tuition, housing, and academic support, etc. You can also be in touch with this office before you apply to a university.

    The UK Council for International Student Affairs, which is an advisory body for international students, boasts lots of great information on their website for international students, as well – including resources on mental health support, housing, working, and immigration. They also have a hotline you can call with questions. Learn more here.  

    You might be interested in our articles: scholarships for international students in the UK and UK loans for international students. 

    4. Studying in the UK will improve your English skills 

    What better place to practice your English than England, where the language originated from? By studying in the UK, you’ll get the chance to hear numerous different British accents – including English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh, all of which might sound distinct in different regions.  

    Since the UK is so diverse, you’ll also be exposed to different English accents from around the globe, giving you a real-world listening experience you might not get at home.

    5. There are job opportunities after graduation 

    This March, the government announced they’d soon open up applications for the Graduate route – a move that’s set to attract even more students to study in the UK. Starting in July, international bachelor’s and master’s students will be able to apply to stay for 2 more years after graduation, while international doctorate students can stay for 3 years. This makes it easier for new professionals to settle and begin their careers in the UK. 

    There are also lots of career opportunities, especially if you work in a job on the UK’s Shortage Occupation List. In the UK, there is a shortage of nurses, pharmacists, teachers, engineers – and more – and the government actively recruits professionals for these positions from abroad.  

    Learn more:  The great UK skills shortage – 5 occupations that can help you move abroad 

    6. It’s a great place to live

    So, what’s it like to live in the UK? According to the OECD Better Life Index, pretty good. People in the UK ranked their general satisfaction with life a 6.8 out of 10 (which is higher than the OECD average). The UK also ranks above average in things like jobs, education and skills, and social connections – all things that may be important to international students.

    7. Finally, you’ll have a lot of fun 

    From London to Glasgow, to Manchester, to Nottingham, the UK is home to a whole range of great student cities for international students to explore.

    You might want to enjoy the UK’s pub culture through university student nights or visit your new city’s world-class art galleries and museums. You’ll get the chance to tour centuries-old castles, and explore landscapes, cliff sides, and picturesque towns. Most of all, you’ll get to meet friends from around the world – and with them, enjoy all the UK has to offer. 

    PTE Academic can help you get started on your journey to the UK. Our English language test is accepted by 99% of UK universities as proof of English proficiency. 

    Learn more about the PTE Academic test, and how you can start preparing today.

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    The UK’s new Graduate route: post-study work visa requirements
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    International students in the UK now have the option to stay longer after graduation. 

    Back in March, the UK’s Home Office announced the Graduate route. This will let students continue living in the UK for two to three years after finishing their studies. It’s a big deal, giving students the opportunity to begin their careers, as well as set long-term goals for themselves abroad.

    “As we rebuild from the global pandemic we want the world’s brightest talent, who aspire to a career at the highest levels of business, science, the arts and technology to see our United Kingdom as the natural place to fulfill their aspirations,” said Minister for Future Border and Immigration Kevin Foster in a statement.

    In this article, we’ll take a look at everything graduates and prospective students need to know about the new UK visa.

    The Graduate route: how will it work?

    The UK hopes to welcome 600,000 international higher education students per year by 2030. The Graduate Route contributes to this plan. It is designed to attract students to study in countries throughout the UK. In fact, since the route was announced back in 2019, enrolments from students outside the EU hit a new high – increasing 17% year-over-year.

    So, how will the new UK visa work? International students who’ve completed an undergraduate degree (or above) should be able to apply. With the route, bachelor’s and master’s students will be able to stay in the UK to work or look for work for two years after graduation. Doctorate students will be able to stay for three years.

    The new Graduate route within the UK immigration system is meant to be flexible. That means you won’t need a job offer to apply. There’s no salary limit and you can change jobs whenever you want. However, if you find a job you like, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK.

    It’s important to keep in mind that the Graduate route doesn’t count for settlement. So if you want to stay in the UK permanently, you may consider applying for a work visa which does count toward settlement sooner.

    Who is eligible?

    If you’ve finished your undergraduate, master, or doctorate degree and have a valid student visa when you apply, you are likely to be eligible for the Graduate route.

    People studying remotely outside the UK during the pandemic are also eligible, at least for a time:

    • If you began university in fall 2020, you’ll have until June 21st of this year to enter the UK on your Student visa. Do so and you will be eligible for the Graduate route later on.

    •  If you started in winter 2021, you’ll have until September 27th.

    How can you apply?

    The cost to apply to the Graduate route is £700 for both two and three-year Graduate route applications. On top of this, there will be an extra Immigration Health Surcharge of £624 each year. This gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service on generally the same basis as a UK permanent resident.     To discover more about the visa application process and the UK visa requirements, be sure to check the UK Visas and Immigration website.

    Other visa options

    The Graduate route is welcome news for international students in the UK. However, it’s not the only option when it comes to UK work visas. For example, after graduating you might also be able to apply for a:

    Start-up or innovator visa

    If you have an innovative business idea and plan, you might be eligible for a Start-up visa. This lets you stay in the UK for up to two years. To apply, you need to be endorsed by either a UK university or a business organization. There’s also the UK Innovator visa, which lets you stay in the UK for three years.

    Global Talent visa

    The Global Talent visa is made for people who are leaders (or potential leaders) in digital technology, arts and culture, and academia.

    Getting this type of visa isn’t easy. You need to apply for an endorsement through the Home Office, which experts in your industry will review. If you get granted the visa, you’ll be able to stay in the UK for up to five years. You will only be required to renew your visa each time you want to stay longer.

    Skilled Worker visa

    The Skilled Worker visa lets you stay in the UK for up to five years to work for a UK employer. To apply, an employer needs to sponsor you. Your job will also need to be eligible for the visa.

    That said, there is a long list of occupations in the UK that need filling including nurses, teachers and engineers so if you work in these jobs, you’ll have a big advantage when applying.

    Learn more on our blog, “The great UK skills shortage:5 occupations that can help you move abroad”.

    Why stay to work in the UK?

    There’s no doubt that having a UK degree is valuable. But getting UK work experience afterwards? That’s priceless.

    The UK is also an excellent place to settle. According to the OECD Better Life Index, the UK ranks above average in important areas like health status, civic engagement, jobs and earnings, education and skills, and environmental quality.

    Not to mention, people who work 5 days a week get lots of holiday time – 5.6 weeks a year!

    If you want to move to the UK to study and work, PTE Academic can help you get there. Our computer-based, unbiased English language proficiency test at PTE Academic is approved by the UK Home Office for all visas including student and post-study work visas.

    Learn more about PTE Academic UKVI.