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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    Studying abroad is the experience of a lifetime. You’ll have an untold number of opportunities,  make friends, grow your network and broaden your horizons. But there are nerves too – and lots of questions before you start packing your bags.  

    So, if you’re considering moving to the UK to study for a pre-sessional English language course, a degree, or even a Ph.D., we have some top tips.  

    Read on to explore our short guide to studying in the UK for international students. 

    1. Setting up a bank account 

    Unless you plan to stuff your money in your mattress (not recommended), you’ll probably need to open a bank account in the UK. The process is usually completed in one or two days and is much simpler if you do it once you’re living in the country.   

    If you’re a student and come from abroad, you’ll need to show the bank a number of things before you can open your account, including: 

    • A valid passport and visa; 

    • Proof you are studying in the UK (your student ID or a letter from your university); 

    • Recent proof of address in the form of a utility bill that’s less than three months old (e.g. electricity bill); 

    • A bank or credit card statement that’s less than three months old. 

    Note that the requirements may differ from bank to bank and you may also need to show proof of employment. Some banks, like HSBC, also allow you to set up your account in your own country before leaving for the UK.  

    2. Student accommodation in the UK 

    You have two main options when it comes to student accommodation in the UK:  

    On-campus accommodation 

    In the UK, on-campus student accommodation is often referred to as living in halls. When you apply to live in halls, you are given a room in shared accommodation. Your room is usually private, however you will often share bathrooms, kitchen, and other communal areas with other students.  

    Living in halls is recommended if you’re coming from abroad. Not only does the university manage the housing, but it will be easier for you to find a place with other students.  

    Shared student accommodation 

    You can also opt to go through the university and find a place in privately rented accommodation. Second and third year students usually choose this option and move in with friends. Generally, this type of housing has been approved by the university, but you will be responsible for paying rent to a private landlord.  

    Ask your university admissions department or student services about the right option for you.  

    Alternatively, you may wish to rent privately, through a real estate agent. However, this is likely to be a far more expensive option and you won’t necessarily have university support. 

    Average student rental prices 

    The cost of living in the UK varies from region to region. According to a Save the Student survey in 2021, the average rent for students in the UK is £146 per week.  

    Here’s the breakdown of costs: 

    • Scotland: £127 per week 

    • Northern England: £122  

    • Wales and the Midlands: £119 to £129 per week 

    • East Anglia: £132 per week 

    • Southwest: £147 per week 

    • Southeast:  £146 per week 

    • London:  £152 per week 

    Living cost in the UK for international students 

    On top of rent, you also have to consider how much food, leisure, transport, and other expenses will be. Our handy guide to living expenses in the UK for international students, outlines the following, and also compares costs in different cities: 

    • Groceries – £100 per month  

    • Going out – £46 per month  

    • Transportation– £46 per month  

    • Household bills (like electricity and water) – £37 per month 

    • University tuition fees for international students – £10,000–£38,000 per year (Reddin survey of university tuition fees) 

    3. Health care systems in the UK 

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    UK culture and traditions are rich and diverse – and it’s not all about drinking tea at 5 o’clock, we promise. There are lots of British festivals and events, and you’ll never find yourself stuck for things to see and do. If you’re studying at a British university, you’ll definitely want to make your time as memorable as possible.  

    That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best cultural events and festivals in the UK. You can take a break from your studies and go exploring at weekends throughout the academic year.  

    With everything from flower shows to fashion shows - you’re sure to find a UK festival that suits you.  

    Read on to discover the best 10 British cultural events for international students. 

    1. London Fashion Week  

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    How to prepare for your UK university interview
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    Do interviews make you nervous? You feel under the spotlight. Every answer is important – and it’s even scarier when something big is at stake, like a place at your dream university.

    But college interviews really don’t have to be nerve-wracking!  

    First, remember that not every UK university or subject will ask you to do an admissions interview. Only some universities, like the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and University College London always interview their applicants.  

    For others, it will depend on the course you are taking. Dentistry, teaching, social work and medicine, tend to feature admissions interviews, for example.  

    In this guide, we’ll share some interview tips for freshers, so you’ll feel fully prepared by the day of your university interview. You’ll soon be able to leave your nerves behind and walk into the interview room with confidence.  

    1. Take care of the practical preparation 

    If you’re attending an in-person interview, research how to travel there and make sure you have your ticket organized. It might even be worth doing a trial run a few days before. This will  just to make sure you know exactly where you’re going.  

    University campuses can be confusing, and departments can be spread out over different buildings. So, make sure you know the exact street address, floor and office number where your university interview is being held.  

    What if you are doing an online university interview? Well, the standard Zoom interview tips apply! Make sure that your laptop is connected to charge, that your microphone is working properly, that you have a good Wi-Fi signal and a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. You might also want to set up a neutral virtual background, if you think your surroundings look unprofessional. That way, you won’t get distracted during the interview and you’ll be able to do your best to answer the student interview questions you’ll be asked.  

    It’s also a good idea to do a bit of research into the academics who will be interviewing you. You don’t have to read all their published works, but showing that you are at least familiar with their research will create a good impression. It will tell them that you have a genuine interest in the subject and in their work.  

    On that note, it’s important to dress smartly. You don’t need to wear a suit, but wearing something smart like a shirt or a blouse shows that you are taking the interview seriously and that you want to give the interview panel a good impression.  

    2. Prepare some relevant student interview questions and answers  

    Preparation is key when it comes to how to impress in an interview. That being said, it’s not a good idea to learn answers off by heart. Even if the exact question you have prepared for comes up, you’ll be so focused on trying to remember your answer that your answer will seem stilted. It’s better to make notes about the things you’d like to talk about, and then your answers will flow more naturally, and you’ll be able to convey your enthusiasm and excitement.  

    So, what are some common student interview questions that you might be asked? Let’s take a look: 

    • Tell us about yourself.  

    • Why do you want to study at this university? 

    • Why have you applied to study this particular course?  

    • What are your academic strengths and weaknesses?  

    • Tell us about someone you admire.

    • What would you like to be doing ten years from now?

    • What are you reading at the moment?

    • What do you like doing in your free time?

    • What will you contribute to our institution?  

    When you’re preparing, it’s important to remember there are no right or wrong answers. The interviewers want to get to know you, so try to give full, detailed answers to the questions. The final question you are likely to be asked is:  

    • Do you have any questions for us?  

    It’s really important to prepare some thoughtful questions for your student interview panel in response. This is where your research can come in handy! You can ask the panel about their work and how it informs the course, or any questions you have about the university.  

    A well-informed question shows the panel that you are well-prepared and you’ve done your research. Again, this will create a good impression.  

    And if there is a question you don’t understand, don’t panic! Just ask the interviewer to repeat the question, or ask for clarification. Likewise, if you make a mistake when you’re speaking, try not to worry or get embarrassed. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes - even fluent English speakers!  

    3. Read over your personal statement just before the interview  

    Your personal statement is what got you the interview, and it’s likely to set the agenda for the conversation. So, it’s a good idea to read it over before your interview as part of your interview preparation, and remind yourself of the talking points.  

    Your interviewers will refer to the things that you said in your personal statement when they are asking you questions, so it’s worth refreshing your memory - after all, you probably wrote it a few months ago.  

    Rereading your personal statement will also help you feel more confident. It will remind you of everything you’ve achieved so far. Seeing your qualifications, talents and attributes written down in black and white can have a powerful effect. It will help you to shake off any lingering imposter syndrome and you’ll go into the interview feeling that you deserve to be there.  

    Get tips on how to write a great personal statement for your UCAS application.  

    4. Do a power pose 

    Research has found that power posing - standing in an open, expansive stance for two minutes - can change your body chemistry and make you feel more confident. In a job interview experiment, researchers found that people who did a two minute power pose before the interview projected more confidence, seemed less flustered, and were more dynamic and enthusiastic when speaking. As a result, the interviewers scored their performance higher than people who didn’t do the power pose.  

    So even if you’re doing an interview over Zoom, it’s worth doing a power pose beforehand. Just stand with your legs wide apart and your arms held up and out in a wide, expansive pose. The idea is to take up as much space as possible. Hold this pose for two minutes - and you’ll be ready to impress!  

    Learn more 

    If you need to prove your level of English as part of the UCAS application process, PTE Academic can help you. You’ll typically receive your score in typically just 48 hours, and PTE Academic is accepted by the UK Home Office for student visas, as well as by 99% of universities in the UK.  

    Learn more about how PTE Academic can help you achieve your dream of living and studying in the United Kingdom.