Cost of Studying in the UK: Fees, Living Costs, and Visa Funds

Planning your finances for university study in the UK requires a clear breakdown of tuition fees, statutory maintenance requirements, and application fees. This guide details the funds you must demonstrate for your Student visa, official tuition caps, and practical costs to anticipate for daily student life.

Tuition fees and course charges

Tuition fees are set by universities and colleges to cover teaching and course provision. For undergraduate study, the maximum tuition fee for most courses is capped by the government at £9,790 per year in England and Wales, with different limits in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Additional funding, such as scholarships, bursaries, and grants based on background, academic achievements, or chosen courses, is available to support study and living costs across UK institutions.

As of October 2026 — source: Student finance.

Course fees and living funds required for your visa

When applying for a Student visa, you must show you have enough money to pay your course fees and support yourself living in the UK. The exact course fee you must prove is stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), and you must show enough money to cover your course for one academic year (up to 9 months). If you have been living in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of your application, you do not need to prove these course fee funds.

In addition to course fees, you must demonstrate money to support yourself (the financial requirement) for up to 9 months. The amount depends entirely on your study location:

• £1,529 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London, which covers the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.
• £1,171 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London.

You do not need to prove maintenance funds if you have lived in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months prior to your application date, or if you are applying as a student union sabbatical officer. If you bring family members, you must prove extra money for each dependant.

As of October 2026 — source: Student visa: Money you need.

Rules for holding and proving financial evidence

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) enforces strict timing rules on how you hold your maintenance and fee funds:

• You must hold the required money for at least 28 days in a row.
• The end date of this 28-day period must fall within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.
• For example, if you submit your application on 1 January, you must show that the funds remained in your bank account for at least the 28-day period ending on 1 December.
• If you use a student loan or official financial sponsorship, you must provide written evidence directly from your loan or sponsorship company.

Applicants from countries listed under the differential evidence requirement are not routinely required to submit proof of living funds with their application. However, UKVI may contact applicants to request this evidence before making a decision.

As of October 2026 — source: Student visa: Money you need.

Visa application charges and essential checks

Applying for a Student visa carries direct government fees:

• Applying from outside the UK costs £558, with decisions usually taking 3 weeks.
• Applying to switch to or extend a Student visa from inside the UK costs £558, with decisions usually taking 8 weeks.

Alongside your visa application fee, you must plan for mandatory verification steps. You must prove your identity and provide evidence of English language skills. Depending on your nationality and origin, you must check if you need a tuberculosis (TB) test. Furthermore, students undertaking a master’s degree or above in certain technical subjects may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Successful applicants receive an eVisa, an online record of immigration status accessed by setting up a UKVI account linked to their travel document.

As of October 2026 — source: Student visa: Money you need.

Day-to-day living and saving strategies

Daily living expenses in the UK require careful budgeting, as spending patterns differ from home. Carrying out transactions with a bank account from home incurs extra charges on debit card transactions. International students should open an account with a UK bank or use a banking app upon or before arrival. Some UK bank accounts are free to run, whereas others charge a monthly running fee.

Several practical steps help manage routine student costs:

• Student discounts: Always carry your university ID card. You can purchase a Totum card for £14.99 (one year), £24.99 (two years), or £34.99 (three years) for access to over 200 discounts across dining, clothing, and entertainment. For transport, apply for a 16-25 railcard for train savings and a Young Person’s Coachcard for National Express coach routes.
• Course materials: Textbooks are often expensive and used for only a few months. Buy second-hand books online or at on-campus and local bookshops. Books with notes and highlights are often sold at lower prices, and you can sell books back once completed.
• Food choices: Food represents a major expense. You can reduce spending by purchasing supermarket value products, shopping near closing time when items receive discounts, preparing bulk meals with flatmates, and taking packed lunches and drinks to university.
• Connectivity: Avoid costly standard international calling rates by using internet services such as WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, Facebook, or WeChat. Purchase a local UK SIM card offering data packages to handle domestic communications.

As of October 2026 — source: Five ways to save money at university.

Checklist

• Check your CAS statement to confirm the exact first-year tuition fee amount due.
• Calculate your living costs requirement based on location: £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month outside London (up to 9 months).
• Maintain the full required balance continuously in your bank account for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days before your visa submission.
• Prepare official financial documentation if funding studies via a loan company or official sponsor.
• Complete required medical and academic clearances, including any TB test or ATAS certificate for postgraduate courses.
• Budget £558 for the Student visa fee.
• Organise a local UK bank account and local SIM card to manage daily living costs without card transaction penalties.

How Golden Globe helps

Rules and fees change often. Our counsellors check the latest official requirements for your course, help you prepare your documents and plan your timeline. Talk to us for free guidance on studying in the UK.