London is the home of many top-ranked universities across the world. Many local and international students folk to the country every year to complete different courses at top-ranked universities. With vibrant student life and a diverse population, the city has risen through the ranks of the cities. The city is one of the most expensive destinations in the world. The cost of living for a student in London is high, and one has to be brilliant to get money to complete their studies. A student pursuing their studies here has to run on tight budgets every month; otherwise would end up overspending. The average cost of living for the student depends on how you choose to live in the city.

 Is London expensive for students?

The city of London is expensive for a reason. It is the world's financial capital and captures eastern and western zones. The city has a booming market, with several visitors reaching the city every year. Many companies flock to the city, raising property values and the city's cost of living. The cost of living for the student varies as per the area in which the students choose to live in. Central London is more expensive than the rest of the parts of the city. 

Break down of the cost of living for students in London

When you fly to London to pursue various courses in London, especially from a country with low currency value, you might want to know if London is expensive for international students. Here is a breakdown of costs from tuition fees to weekend spending, which allows you to calculate the cost of living in the city

Cost of Living in London for Students 2022/2023

The average cost of the month for a student in London is approximately £1,500 per month. It includes all the related expenses like accommodation, food, transport, tuition fee, and personal expense. However, you see the fluctuations in the tuition fee according to the course and university you have chosen.

Tuition Fees

International students' tuition fees vary as per their course major and degree. For an undergraduate degree, a student's average cost is between £10,000 - £30,000 for a full-time course. For postgraduate degrees, the student will be paying between £10,000 - £13,000. Laboratory and research programs in different universities will cost up to £14,000. Medical degrees at these top-ranked universities are relatively expensive. 

Travel and Transportation

The well-developed city of London has great transportation facilities. Students living in the city can easily commute between universities and accommodations and move around the city on weekends. You find different means of transport to get there. People in the city mostly use the bus and underground transportation. Hailing on cabs could be expensive for students. The eco-friendly and cheaper means of transport is cycling. On average, the transportation cost for a student living in the city is £43 using public transport.

Accommodation

The student of London spends varying size of money on accommodation depending on various factors like on-campus or off-campus accommodations, purposely building student accommodation or private accommodation. The cost you pay depends on the amities and utilities you use here. Student accommodation in PBSA or off campus could cost you around £200 per week, and on-campus accommodation will be around £210 - £240. Rental charges in the city are as high as £500. 

Food & groceries 

Dinning the restaurants of London could surge the cost of living for the students drastically. One has to spend around £10 to £15 for eating just two to three times a week. Instead, students should rely on meal preparation for their food needs. They can not only prepare authentic home food but also stay within their budgets while having food. There are many grocery stores in London where you can fetch the items at affordable prices. The average cost a student would spend on monthly groceries in London is around £101, which is much more affordable than eating outside. 

Additional study expenses

Study expenses in London are not just limited to the tuition fee. Other expenses include textbooks, learning gadgets, software, and stationery. The student studying in London has various options like buying hard copies, softcopies and second-hand books. The average price for the books would be around £40 - £50 per month.

Leisure and Entertainment

London is also renowned for its vibrant student life, and it greatly impacts students' cost of living. Many places in London are not free for student leisure and entertainment. Exploring the city on weekends could relieve stress from hectic university schedules, but it could cost you money. There are many entertainment activities around the city, like movies, clubs, events and performances. A student's average cost for entertainment will be around £60 per month. 

Tips for international students to save money 

Budget your expenses 

When you have to spend a period in a country which is more expensive than yours, you should always draft your budget for the semester and stick to it on every expense, from food to rent. Rely on weekly rather than monthly budgets so that you can adjust deviations in weekly expenses to fit in monthly budgets. 

Student discounts 

Your research to know if London is expensive for students does not save you big on the pocket. It would help if you learned to live smart, enjoying the student discounts offered in the city. Students UK can enjoy great discounts in every aspect, from shopping for groceries in the supermarket to purchasing movie tickets. The discounts you get can help students manage their great way. Research these discounts and save more money as possible during your stay in the UK.

Save on transportation 

If you live in private accommodation, you may have to commute from the university to accommodation; you should use public transport over cabs, which is a relatively cheaper option and save your pocket during your stay in the city. You can take a transport card to make your commute to different parts of the city more affordable. You can take a rail card or an Oyster card for everyday travel.

Go for smart shopping.

When choosing to cook at home or over-relying on outside food, you need to learn to smart shop, which otherwise will make your grocery shopping expensive. You should shop for the stores that offer student discounts, get things in bulk, and limit the shopping to only necessities. It would help to compare different brands to ensure you make the most of them. Also, look for cheaper alternatives if you run on tight budgets for a month. 

Save on energy bill 

Energy bills are another considerable expense if you are living in private accommodation. To ensure your energy bills don't turn high, unplug unused appliances, and try wearing chilly clothes in winter during your stay at home rather than keeping your heaters running all day. 

Second-hand books 

Apart from the tuition fee mentioned above, you have to spend big on study materials like textbooks that offer study material for students. If you are going for first-hand books, you will need node yes for the question, Is London expensive for international students? The cheaper alternative for this could be borrowing books or purchasing second-hand books. You can check your student accommodation or university library for affordable study material.

Indulge in a part-time job

Getting every penny from home can be tough, especially when you are an international student living in a country with a lower currency value than the UK. The country permits students to work part-time jobs to pocket some money for study. Get into these jobs to make your stay in London financially manageable. You will also gain a good command of your English communication and soft skills. London university students must work on assignments to complete the course. If you lack time to juggle your part-time job and university schedules, you can get student assignment help in the UK to complete your assignments on time and help you achieve good grades.