The cost of living in the UK depends on your city, accommodation and lifestyle. For 2026–27, university estimates in this article range from £1,100–£1,700 per month in Glasgow to about £1,770 in London, according to the cited university figures. The UKVI Student visa maintenance requirement is £1,529 per month for study in London and £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months. These are visa-funds requirements, not a guarantee that the amount will cover your actual living expenses. Rent is often the largest budget item.
The cost of living for students in the UK refers to regular expenses outside tuition fees, such as accommodation, utilities, food, local transport, phone and personal spending. UKVI sets a minimum financial requirement for Student visa applications, while universities publish their own estimates of student living costs. Actual expenses vary by city, accommodation type, course schedule and personal circumstances.
Last updated: 27 September 2026 Breadcrumb: Home → Study in UK → Cost of living UK students
When planning to study in the UK, distinguish between the money you must demonstrate for your visa and the amount you may actually spend each month. University estimates can help you build a realistic budget based on your destination and housing plans. Global Edge, counselling from Green Park, New Delhi, uses university-published estimates during SPEC9 profile evaluation. For tuition, visa and other first-year expenses, see Cost of Studying in UK.
How much does it cost to live in the UK as a student?
Compare university living-cost estimates with the UKVI minimum
Start with the estimate published by your university, then adjust it for your accommodation and lifestyle. For 2026–27, the cited estimates include approximately £1,770 per month at King’s College London, £1,546 for Edinburgh undergraduates, £1,484 for Manchester undergraduates and £1,100–£1,700 at the University of Glasgow. By comparison, the UKVI maintenance requirement is £1,529 per month for London and £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months. The visa minimum should not be treated as a full personal spending budget.
| City and university estimate | Monthly living-cost estimate | UKVI monthly maintenance requirement |
|---|---|---|
| London (King’s College London) | £1,770 average; £1,331–£2,342 range | £1,529 |
| Edinburgh (University of Edinburgh) | £1,546 undergraduate / £1,542 postgraduate | £1,171 |
| Manchester (University of Manchester, undergraduate) | £1,484 (£1,503 self-catered) | £1,171 |
| Glasgow (University of Glasgow) | £1,100–£1,700 | £1,171 |
| Leeds (University of Leeds, 2025 estimate) | £199–£423 per week | £1,171 |
Sources: King’s, Edinburgh undergraduate, Edinburgh postgraduate, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, UKVI.
“We do not recommend that you create a budget around this figure.”
The University of Edinburgh explains that the UK government’s visa financial requirement may be substantially lower than the amount students need for actual living expenses in Edinburgh. Use your university’s estimate as a planning reference and tailor it to your own circumstances.
Source: University of Edinburgh — Living costs for postgraduate study | https://study.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/fees-funding/living-costs
What are the main monthly student living expenses in the UK?
Accommodation, food and transport usually make up a large share of the budget
Accommodation is often the largest expense, but the balance varies by city and housing arrangement. King’s College London estimates a monthly average of £1,164 for accommodation, £167 for food, £173 for travel in zones 1–4 and £266 for personal and leisure costs in 2026–27. The University of Edinburgh’s undergraduate estimate includes £980 for accommodation and utilities, £248 for food and shopping, £58 for local bus travel for students aged 22 and over, and £248 for socialising.
| Monthly expense | London (King’s, 2026–27) | Edinburgh (undergraduate, 2026–27) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £1,164 | £980 (including utilities) |
| Food | £167 | £248 (food and shopping) |
| Transport | £173 (zones 1–4) | £58 (local bus, age 22+) |
| Personal / social | £266 | £248 socialising, plus £12 phone |
| Published monthly total | £1,770 | £1,546 |
King’s College London estimates that students should allow approximately £1,770 per month for living costs in 2026–27, excluding tuition fees. Its estimate includes £1,164 for accommodation, £167 for food, £173 for travel in zones 1–4 and £266 for personal and leisure expenses. The university also gives a monthly range of £1,331–£2,342, illustrating how individual budgets can differ.
Source: King’s College London — Living expenses | https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/student-experience/living-expenses
Accommodation prices can vary considerably even within the same city. UCL’s published 2026–27 figures show hall rents ranging from £153.86 to over £455.71 per week, while shared private housing is listed at £650–£1,300 per month, excluding bills. Check the accommodation type, contract length and included utilities before comparing rent estimates. See UCL’s cost-of-study page.
Myth: The UKVI maintenance requirement of £1,171 per month is a realistic living budget for every student outside London.
Reality: It is a visa financial requirement, not a city-specific estimate of actual expenses. The cited 2026–27 university estimates are £1,546 per month for Edinburgh undergraduates and £1,484 for Manchester undergraduates. Edinburgh explicitly advises students not to build their personal budget around the UKVI figure.
How does student living cost vary between UK cities?
Accommodation and individual circumstances affect the total
Living costs differ across cities, but the figures are not always directly comparable. Universities may use different budgeting periods, student categories and expense categories. Rent is a major factor: King’s estimates average London accommodation at £1,164 per month, while UCL lists a broad range of accommodation prices. Glasgow’s published total range is £1,100–£1,700 per month. Use the figures as planning references, not as a definitive city ranking.
The University of Manchester’s 2026–27 undergraduate estimate uses a 41-week budgeting year. Its cited self-catered accommodation figure is £810–£829 per month, with groceries estimated at £250. Check the university’s current page for the applicable course year and student circumstances.
Source: University of Manchester | https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/cost-of-living/
For tuition-fee comparisons, see UK Tuition Fees for International Students. For visa funds, always consult the current UKVI Student visa money requirements, since university living-cost estimates and immigration financial requirements serve different purposes.
If you want to create a monthly budget for your intended city and accommodation, Global Edge can help you review the figures in Delhi — book a SPEC9 profile evaluation.
How should Indian students plan a UK living-cost budget?
Build your budget around expected expenses rather than assuming that part-time work will cover a shortfall. Include rent, utilities, food, transport, phone, personal spending and one-off arrival expenses such as accommodation deposits, temporary housing and household essentials. The University of Leeds advises students to budget without relying on part-time employment. Check your individual visa conditions and course details before considering work income.
- Estimate accommodation: Compare university halls, shared housing and private rentals, including bills, deposits and contract length.
- Plan food and essentials: Estimate groceries and household purchases based on your expected routine.
- Include transport: Consider the distance between your accommodation and campus, available student concessions and travel frequency.
- Allow for arrival expenses: Set aside funds for initial accommodation costs, deposits and basic items.
- Keep an emergency buffer: Exchange rates, unexpected expenses and changes in housing costs can affect your budget.
- Check visa requirements separately: Confirm the current UKVI financial evidence rules, including the required funds and evidence period.
For parent-focused planning, see How Much Money Should Parents Keep Ready.
When preparing a budget, use the estimate for your actual destination and accommodation rather than relying on the visa minimum alone. If the university’s estimate is higher than your initial plan, revisit your housing and spending assumptions before departure. Shared accommodation, where suitable, may change the overall budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the monthly cost of living for students in the UK?
It depends on the city, accommodation and lifestyle. The cited 2026–27 university estimates include about £1,770 per month at King’s College London, £1,546 for Edinburgh undergraduates, £1,484 for Manchester undergraduates and £1,100–£1,700 at Glasgow. Check the relevant university’s latest estimate before making a budget.
Is the UKVI maintenance requirement enough to cover student living expenses?
Not necessarily. The UKVI requirement is a minimum amount of money students may need to demonstrate for a visa application. Actual living costs can be higher, and universities may publish their own estimates. Edinburgh specifically advises students not to base their budget on the visa figure alone.
How much is student accommodation in London?
It varies by accommodation type, location and contract. King’s estimates average accommodation costs of £1,164 per month for 2026–27. UCL’s published hall-rent range is approximately £153.86 to over £455.71 per week, while shared private housing is listed at £650–£1,300 per month excluding bills. Check the university’s current accommodation listings and contract terms.
How much should students budget for food in the UK?
The cited university estimates differ: King’s lists £167 per month for food in London, Edinburgh lists £248 for food and shopping, and Manchester estimates £250 for groceries. Your spending will depend on shopping habits, dietary needs, cooking arrangements and how often you eat out.
Can part-time work cover student living costs in the UK?
Do not rely on part-time work as your main source of living-cost funding. Some Student visa holders studying full-time at degree level or above with an eligible higher education provider may work up to 20 hours per week during term time, with different conditions applying to other courses and sponsors. Work is not guaranteed, and visa conditions restrict certain types of employment. Check your own visa conditions and the official Immigration Rules: Appendix Student.
What expenses should I include besides rent and food?
Include utilities if they are not part of your rent, local transport, phone, study-related materials, personal spending and one-off arrival costs. Depending on your housing arrangement, you may also need to budget for deposits, household essentials and temporary accommodation.
What is the UK Student visa living-cost requirement?
Current GOV.UK guidance lists £1,529 per month for study in London and £1,171 per month for study outside London, for up to nine months. The course-fee requirement is separate and is based on the unpaid tuition amount shown on the CAS. Check the official UKVI Student visa money page for the latest rules, evidence requirements and exemptions.
The Bottom Line
- Takeaway 1: The cost of living in the UK varies by city, accommodation and lifestyle; use your university’s estimate as a starting point.
- Takeaway 2: The UKVI maintenance requirement is a visa-funds threshold, not a guarantee that the amount will cover your actual expenses.
- Takeaway 3: Rent is a major budget item, so compare accommodation options, contract terms and included bills before deciding.
Global Edge can help you prepare a UK study budget in Green Park. University estimates support financial planning, while UKVI publishes the official visa financial requirements. Confirm the latest figures with the relevant university and government pages before making financial commitments.
Interested to Study Abroad?
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How much does it cost to live in the UK as a student?
Your total depends on the city, accommodation, lifestyle and personal expenses. Use university estimates for planning and check UKVI requirements separately.
You are budgeting carefully when:
- You use the current estimate from your university
- You account for rent, utilities, food, transport and personal costs
- You plan for deposits and other arrival expenses
- You avoid relying on unconfirmed part-time income
- You check the latest UKVI financial evidence requirements
Review your budget if:
- It is based only on the visa maintenance minimum
- You have not checked the rent and bills for your accommodation
- You have omitted deposits, temporary housing or arrival costs
- You are relying on a job that you have not secured
Sources
- King’s College London — Living expenses
- University of Edinburgh — Living costs, undergraduate
- University of Edinburgh — Living costs, postgraduate
- University of Manchester — Cost of living
- University of Glasgow — International students FAQ
- University of Leeds — Living costs and budgeting
- UCL — How much does it cost to study at UCL?
- UKVI — Student visa: money you need
- UK Government — Immigration Rules: Appendix Student