Whether you’re planning to visit the UK for a few weeks or to stay and study for several years, it’s important to know the cost of living in the UK to plan how much money to budget for your trip.
Moving to the UK for your studies is an exciting adventure, but it’s important to be prepared for the varying costs of living in different cities. Here, we break down the cost of living in five popular student destinations: Brighton, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, and York.
What is the cost of living in the UK?
The phrase ‘cost of living’ refers to the prices of important everyday items. These are things that you need on a daily or weekly basis: food, travel, accommodation and ‘extras’. Extras could include your mobile phone, going to the cinema and eating or drinking in a restaurant.
It is really important to make sure you have enough money for essentials before you start spending money on other items.
For example, commuting (travelling to work or to school/college) is a big part of the cost of living in the UK. You can save a lot of money by walking to school, but there are ways to keep public transport cheap too. In most cities, you can buy a local travel pass that will let you use public transport as much as you need. Paying in advance for journeys can help you save money if you’re a frequent traveller.
Let’s compare the cost of living in five different UK cities where BSC has an English Language College:
Brighton
Brighton, on the south coast of the UK, is a seaside city famous for its (stony) beach, Regency-like architecture (think Bridgerton!), culture, and for celebrating diversity.
Accommodation in Brighton
Brighton, known for its vibrant culture and seaside atmosphere, has relatively high accommodation costs. Living near the Lanes or the beach will be expensive compared to other places. Expect to pay around £700-£900 per month for a room in a shared house or flat.
Entertainment in Brighton
With a lively arts scene and numerous festivals in Brighton, entertainment costs can vary. Try to budget around £50-£100 per month for activities like cinema, theatre, and social events. Some examples of activities to explore include visiting Saltdean Lido, exploring Brighton Palace Pier or checking out the Upside Down House!
Food in Brighton
Groceries in Brighton can be moderately priced, averaging £150-£200 per month. Try to make your own lunch, rather than buying it, as this can decrease costs. Eating out at local cafes and restaurants might cost around £15-£20 per meal: there are lots of independent cafes and bistros around the Lanes. Don’t forget: no stay in Brighton would be complete without fish and chips on the beach!
Transport in Brighton
At just over an hour away by train, London is an easy weekend travel destination by train. A student bus pass costs just under £20 per week. Brighton is also very walkable and bike-friendly, which can help save on day-to-day costs. Watch out for the wind – and tourists(!) if you cycle along the beach front.
English Language Training in Brighton
Visit our Brighton page to find out about the exciting courses you can take at our college, and how much they cost.
Edinburgh
Accommodation in Edinburgh
In Edinburgh, the historic capital of Scotland, accommodation is slightly cheaper than Brighton, ranging from £500-£700 per month for a room in a shared apartment. Do consider different types of accommodation and make sure that you have all your documentation ready.
Entertainment in Edinburgh
Edinburgh offers a rich cultural scene, especially during the Fringe Festival. As well as gorgeous historic buildings such as Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland, make sure you explore the amazing nature that Edinburgh and the surrounds has to offer. Walking up ‘Arthur’s Seat’ is one of the best things you can do!
Plan for around £100-£150 per month for entertainment and social activities.
Food in Edinburgh
Expect to spend £150-£200 per month on groceries in Edinburgh. Dining out can range from £12-£20 per meal, depending on your preferences. If you are feeling adventurous, check out Edinburgh Street Food: food, drink and entertainment all in one location!
Transport in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a transport system card called Ridacard. This pass offers unlimited travel and makes trips far more cost-effective than buying a ticket everyday. This is true whether you are a student or using an adult pass. It costs around £20 for a week, £60 for four weeks or £600 for a year.
English Language Training in Edinburgh
Visit our Edinburgh page to find out about the exciting courses you can take at our college, and how much they cost.
Manchester
Accommodation in Manchester
Manchester is known for being more affordable than London. Accommodation costs range from £600 per month for a room in a shared house or flat.
Entertainment in Manchester
Manchester has a dynamic social scene, with numerous music and sports events. Manchester’s music scene is famous for producing such artists as Oasis, The 1975 and Joy Division.
Plan for about £100-£150 per month on entertainment. If you are a fan of Manchester City (or United!), it can be both challenging and expensive to get match tickets. There are many pubs in the city where you can watch matches – and soak up the atmosphere of live football!
Food in Manchester
In Manchester, groceries are fairly affordable, with monthly expenses around £150-£200. Dining out typically costs £12-£20 per meal, if you are dining out.
Transport in Manchester
As well as being able to travel by bus, commuters in Manchester have the option of using the tram network. A 28-day young person (16-21)/student (16-26) Bee AnyBus travelcard costs just over £60. A 28-day Zones 1-2 MetroLink card (for trams) is also just over £60.
If you are travelling around the city centre in Manchester, you could try the free bus service.
The Bee Network website provides up-to-date information on travel and transport in and around Manchester, including to and from the airport.
English Language Training in Manchester
Visit our Manchester page to find out about the exciting courses you can take at our college, and how much they cost.
London
Accommodation in London
London is the most expensive city in the UK, particularly for accommodation. A room in a shared house or flat can cost between £800-£1,200 per month, depending on the area. The more central the accommodation, the more expensive it will be.
Entertainment in London
London offers endless entertainment options, but many come at a price. Budget £100-£200 per month for activities like theatre, concerts, and exhibitions. If you are interested in theatre in the West End, websites like Seat Plan can help you find more affordable tickets.
There are, however, lots of inexpensive options too. Many of London’s famous museums, such as the British Museum and the National Gallery, offer free entry to the majority of their exhibitions. However, queues can be long: make sure you arrive in plenty of time!
Food in London
Groceries in London are relatively expensive, with monthly costs around £200-£250. Eating out varies widely but typically costs £15-20 per meal. Shopping in ‘corner shops’ or independent supermarkets can be more expensive than using high street supermarkets such as Aldi, Tesco or Sainsbury’s. If you are staying near a local street market, take a look at the produce on offer as this can be cheaper than in the shops.
Transport in London
London’s public transportation is efficient but pricey. The Transport for London website gives useful information about expected journey times, different routes, potential delays and possible discounted fares. In London, you can buy Travelcards for a day, a week, a month, 3 months, 6 months or a year. Prices depend on which Zones you are travelling between.
English Language Training in London
Visit our London page to find out about the exciting courses you can take at our college, and how much they cost.
York
Accommodation in York
York, with its picturesque medieval charm, offers moderate accommodation costs. Expect to pay between £500-£700 per month for a room in a shared house or flat.
Entertainment in York
York has a rich history and offers various cultural experiences. Try visiting The Shambles: a medieval street in the centre of York with lots of souvenir shops to explore. Make sure you visit York Minster: the amazing cathedral in the middle of the city. Step back into the past by going to the Jorvik Viking Centre!
Budget around £100-£150 per month for entertainment and social activities.
Food in York
Monthly grocery bills in York typically amount to £150-£200. Eating out can cost around £12-£20 per meal.
While in York, make sure to treat yourself to a visit to Betty’s Tea Rooms: a Yorkshire favourite! Enjoy traditional afternoon tea in a historic setting.
Transport in York
York is a small city, and many students find walking or cycling the best way of moving around. York’s ‘Keeping York on the move’ website has lots of useful information on it. This includes walking and cycling maps, as well as bus routes and prices. They also have some great advice on bicycle safety.
Do you like walking? In September, you could take part in the York Walking Festival: a chance to explore parts of the city and surrounding area.
English Language Training in York
Visit our York page to find out about the exciting courses you can take at our college, and how much they cost.
Cost of living in the UK – Additional Costs
Mobile phones
You might want to buy a UK phone or SIM card to make calls, send texts and access the internet while you’re here. Depending on the provider and plan you choose, you can expect to pay about £30 a month. You can find information about different rates and networks here.
General Food Advice
Breakfast
If you have breakfast at home, a box of cereal costs around £3 and a pint of milk is about £1.20 – or your host may provide this for free. If you want to have breakfast in a coffee shop (like Starbucks or Costa), it will be more like £5-6.
Lunch
Some shops (Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S) sell “Meal Deals” that include a drink, a snack and a cold sandwich or cold pasta for £3-£4. At sandwich cafe, like Eat or Prêt à Manger you might spend more like £6-7. Try making extra dinner and bringing some into college for lunch the next day to help save on food costs.
Dinner
Eating in a restaurant can get expensive. Fast food and takeaways (like McDonalds or chips from a chip shop) will usually be less than £10. In casual places, you might spend about £20. More formal restaurants can cost more like £40 (but can be much more)!
Shopping:
Students say they usually spend £40 a week on food, drinks, toiletries and similar items from a supermarket. This varies from week to week, and also where they shop – different supermarkets have different offers. If you’re planning on buying clothes and souvenirs to take home with you, add a bit extra!
Tips for Managing the Cost of Living in the UK
- Student Discounts: Make the most of student discounts on transport, entertainment, and dining. Get an NUS (National Union of Students) card for discounts at many retailers and restaurants.
- Part-time Work: Consider finding a part-time job to supplement your income. Be sure to check your visa conditions regarding work hours.
- Budgeting Apps: Use budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB (You Need a Budget) to track your expenses and stay within your budget.
- Shared Accommodation: You might opt for shared housing to significantly reduce your rent and utility costs.
Living in the UK as an international student can be a rewarding experience. By understanding the cost of living in the UK, you can better prepare and manage your finances, ensuring a smoother transition and an enjoyable time abroad.
Hopefully, this information helps you budget for your trip to the UK. If you need any more advice, our Student Experience teams are always happy to help. or you can contact us now.
