The idea of studying in a country with posh accents and indulging in afternoon tea and biscuits as your daily routine can indeed be an exciting thought. As buzzing as it sounds, however, you can’t avoid planning the expense of your entire studies before even thinking about bursting the university gates to enrol in your new adventure. 

If you’re curious to know what the expected cost of taking up a degree fully in the UK is, then you’ve landed on the right page.

To make things easier for you, we will walk you through the cost based on tuition fees, cost of living, additional expenses and provide you with a breakdown of the UPDATED 2023 total cost of studying a degree in the UK at the end of this article.

Tuition fees for International Students

Being a popular study destination, studying in the UK is far from being inexpensive. 

The cost of tuition varies between universities and is also influenced by the kind of degree you are enrolled in. On average, you must expect the cost of the annual tuition fee to be around £21,000, which converts to RM112,000 in our local currency.

A regular degree programme lasts roughly three years, therefore if you multiply the cost by three, the total tuition fee is RM336,000.

Although a UK degree is quite expensive, it is still ranked lower in cost compared to the annual cost of a degree in the USA and Australia. This is because the degree programs in the UK are generally shorter than in the USA and Australia. Undergraduate degrees typically take three years to complete in the UK, compared to four years in the USA and Australia. This shorter duration means that students spend less on tuition fees and living expenses.

Apart from that, the UK government also regulates tuition fees for domestic and international students. The tuition fees for international students in the UK are generally lower than in the USA and Australia. This is partially due to the fact that UK universities are subsidized by the government and can charge lower tuition fees.

Cost of living

The average cost of living there will be broken down into several parts, to give you an idea of how much you would be spending as an average student living a day-to-day life in the UK. 

1) Accommodation

Accommodation per month can vary depending on the location and type of accommodation chosen. On average, a student can expect to pay around £8,000 per year for accommodation. This includes the cost of rent, utilities, and internet altogether.

2) Food 

The average cost of food for a student in the UK is around £2,500 per year. This includes groceries and eating out at restaurants and cafes.

3) Transportation

The cost of transportation may differ depending on where the university is located and the student's means of transportation. An average student can anticipate spending about £1000 a year on transportation, which includes the cost of public transportation and occasional taxi rides.

4) Personal expenses

The cost of personal expenses can also vary depending on the student's lifestyle. On average, a student can expect to pay around £2,000 per year for personal expenses. This includes the cost of clothing, toiletries, studying materials, and entertainment.

Overall, the total cost of living for an international student in the UK is about £40,500 for three years, depending on the factors listed above. It is important to note that this is just an estimate, and the actual cost of living can vary widely depending on the individual circumstances of each student.

Additional Expenses

To make sure that you would get an accurate estimate for your overall study abroad cost, we need to know what are the hidden costs that may not come to mind. 

Realistically, you won’t be able to pass the boarding gates as a student if you don’t hold a student Visa. The cost of the visa fee can vary depending on the type of visa and the length of the student's stay in the UK.

As of February 2023, the current visa application fee for a Tier 4 (General) student visa, taking up a course longer than 6 months, is £348. 

*Visa application fees are subject to change and students should check the latest information on the UK government's official visa website before applying.

Additionally, students may need to pay a healthcare surcharge as part of their visa application, which gives them access to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) during their studies. The healthcare surcharge is currently set at £470 per year for most students. The healthcare surcharge gives students access to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) during their studies, which provides free or low-cost medical treatment to UK residents. 

While the healthcare surcharge provides access to the NHS, it may not cover all medical expenses. Students may want to consider additional health insurance coverage to supplement the NHS, particularly if they have specific medical needs or want to ensure that they have access to private medical treatment. 

On that particular note, international students should carefully consider their individual health needs and budget when choosing a health insurance plan, and should also check with their university to see if they offer any health insurance options for students. Some universities in the UK may offer discounted health insurance plans or other healthcare services for international students.

Aside from Visa and Health Insurance, you don’t want to miss out on a full university experience by joining student activities and clubs, which can be a great way to meet new people and get involved in the community, and pursue hobbies and interests outside of academics. Some activities and clubs may require a fee to participate, so you should expect around £5 to £30 per academic year, depending on the club and the university. To be safe, set aside about £50 per year in case you want to join multiple clubs, or join certain campus activities that may require you to pay more fees. 

The Big Breakdown

Now that we have covered the tuition fees, cost of living, and additional expenses that an international student may incur, we can finally calculate the overall cost of studying in the UK for a degree. 

The estimated total cost can be seen in this table:

OR, Watch the clip below:

In conclusion, you can expect that the total cost of studying a standard 3-year degree programme in the UK would be around RM563,870. 

Surely that’s a lot of money to churn out, but the experience and quality of academic knowledge you’ll gain from a UK degree is priceless. 

Aside from getting personal sponsorship from your very own F-A-M-A (father and mother), you have another option if you wish to seek financial support. 

Here's several scholarship options you can consider that will cover your studies in the UK.

If scholarship is not an option for you, 

there are actually 2 more options you can take, that will still earn you a UK Degree.

This is the cheapest option for you to get a UK degree.

Aside from that,

You might also want to check out this study option that allows you to study in both Malaysia and the UK under one programme!

Traveling to the UK is one thing, but have you considered what path will secure you for a stable career? Hmm...well,

This might help you determine which course will stay in demand for upcoming years.

Overall, studying for a UK degree as an international student can be a transformative and life-changing experience, and the cost should not deter students from pursuing their academic and personal goals. With careful planning and budgeting, you can make the most of your time in the UK while experiencing the unique culture and opportunities of studying abroad. 

If you are still hesitant about your study plans, you can talk to our education counsellors for FREE, ready to help you ease your biggest doubts! 

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