Living expenses at university will vary considerably according to your personal circumstances and lifestyle choices.
You must have sufficient funding in place before enrolling on your course so it is important to consider the real costs involved. Underestimating this figure could have a negative effect on your studies and, in rare cases, can result in a student having to withdraw from their course, or accruing substantial debts.
Below is a rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London. Estimates cover accommodation, food and travel but exclude tuition fees.
39 week academic programme of study – generally Undergraduates
This table provides estimated living costs for students studying a 39-week academic programme of study (generally undergraduates) when living in halls accommodation. This includes Medical students on years 1 to 4 of their course. Year 5 and 6 Medical students may want to refer to the information for 52-week programmes.
| Weekly (£) | 39 weeks (£) | |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and utilities: College Halls of Residence1 | 1682 | 6,552 |
| Accommodation and utilities: Private | 155 | 6,0453 |
| Food | 50 | 1,950 |
| Travel (Zones 1–3 with 18+ Student Oyster) | 28 | 888 |
| Personal and leisure | 50 | 1,950 |
| Books and course costs | 10 | 390 |
| Total | 293 – 306 | 11,223 – 11,730 |
52-week academic programme of study – generally Postgraduates
This table provides estimated living costs for students studying a 52-week academic programme of study (usually postgraduate). This includes Medical students on years 5 and 6 of their course. Medical students studying on years 1 to 4 may wish to refer to the information for 39-week programmes above.
| Weekly (£) | 52 weeks (£) | |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and utilities | 155 | 8,060 |
| Food | 50 | 2,600 |
| Travel (Zones 1–3 with 18+ Student Oyster) | 28 | 1,058 |
| Personal and leisure | 50 | 2,600 |
| Books and course costs | 10 | 520 |
| Total | 293 | 14,838 |
Overseas students
Tier 4 student visa applicants must have sufficient funds to cover their tuition fees and living costs for their first year of study.
The estimates above do not include the cost of flights or insurance.
We estimate that you will need to budget up to £750 for 'start up' costs such as an accommodation deposit and flights.
Don't forget that if you are planning to arrange initial short-term accommodation when you arrive in London, you will need to budget for this expense on top.
