Living costs
In addition to paying your tuition fees you will also need to consider how you are going to meet your living costs while you are studying.
Planning ahead
Funds will be required to cover the costs of your accommodation, food and travel as well as other costs associated with your studies, such as books, and everyday life, such as clothes and entertainment.
"Average living costs" can be difficult to predict, as every student will have different priorities and lifestyle choices. However, for a rough idea, there are some estimations below for a postgraduate in UCL halls and any student renting privately in London.
All costs other than rent and travel are guided by Save the Student's annual National Student Money Survey for 2019.
| Costs | Per week | Per 52-week academic year |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | £213 | £11,076 |
| Student bus pass | £15 | £780 |
| Food | £30 | £1,560 |
| Course materials | £4 | £208 |
| Mobile phone | £4 | £208 |
| Going out | £12 | £624 |
| Clothes, health, other | £14 | £728 |
| Total | £292 | £15,184 |
| Costs | Per week | Per 52-week contract |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | £170 | £8,840 |
| Household bills | £8 | £416 |
| Student bus pass | £15 | £780 |
| Food | £30 | £1,560 |
| Course materials | £4 | £208 |
| Mobile phone | £4 | £208 |
| Going out | £12 | £624 |
| Clothes, health, other | £14 | £728 |
| Total | £257 | £13,364 |
Things to keep in mind
- Students who have a dependent spouse and/or children will require a significantly greater amount.
- All students should be aware that they will incur initial expenses such as a deposit for accommodation and the purchase of books.
- Some international students may also need to buy clothing for the British climate.