How much does it cost to study at University in the UK as an international student?

What are the study costs and what help is there out there?

UK tuition fees have changed dramatically over the last 20 years. UK students could attend university for free before the millennium, whereas UK and EU students are now required to pay up to (but often the total amount) £9250 per year.

International Student Costs

International students looking to take an undergraduate degree can expect to pay more, from £10 000 to nearly £70 000 per year. The top-end tends to be for the more competitive places such as medical degrees, or for the more competitive universities. Most universities tend to be up to £20 000 per year. Post-grad fees range from around £6 000 and £65 000 per year. You will also have to pay your living cost, which can be considerable in certain locations, such as London. Many international students will also need to apply for their study visas, and you will be asked to demonstrate proficiency in English.

So why Study in the UK?

British universities are internationally recognised for their creative and challenging environments, high standards, and academic experts on hand, leading them to be generally high in the international university rankings. They can lead to an excellent work future, no matter where you take your next step. The UK is multicultural and welcoming, and London is a truly global city. The UK is the world's second most popular destination for overseas students. You have a chance to mix with people from around the world. You can also work up to 20 hours a week whilst you are here. More than 395 universities and colleges offer over 50 000 international undergraduate places in the UK.

Financial Reasons

A UK degree takes three years to complete, except in specific courses such as medicine or architecture, less than many other countries, making it not such an expensive proposition and one that can get you into the workforce quicker. There are also scholarships, grants and bursaries from universities and third parties. These may cover fees in full or contribute towards them.

Financial Help: Scholarships and Bursaries

University scholarships may be based on academic merit or excellence, based on your educational background and your extracurricular skills.

• Subject-specific scholarships are similar to university scholarships but for specific courses or subjects, where eligibility is generally based on your interest, skills and experiences.

• Performance-based scholarships are awarded to those with exceptional ability in extracurriculars, such as sports, music and the performing arts.

• Equal access/sanctuary scholarships are for asylum seekers and refugees who have fled from persecution and will be dependent on immigration status. If you receive any other funding from elsewhere, you will not qualify.

• Disability scholarships support international students with learning difficulties, disabilities, mental health conditions or other special needs.

• Bursaries are one-off payments that may be awarded to international students based on prior relationships, such as previous qualifications at the university, family studying at the university, or participation in the university summer schools.

• International scholarships are awarded by organisations such as The British Council, the Commonwealth Commission, the Royal Society and the Government.

• Some countries, for example, Nigeria, also provide scholarships for their students to study in the UK.

Applications take place online with the universities directly and can be a lengthy process requiring supporting evidence, although bursaries can be issued quickly where appropriate.

Non-university scholarships and bursaries are generally provided by governments and organisations from your own country or the UK. It is worth contacting your government and checking with the UK university of your choice, to which they have links. The application processes can be wide and varied.

You can read the experience of an international student coming to study in the UK, here.

We can help with international applications, from finding the right course and university and completely through the whole application process, contact us here.