With the reinstatement of the PSW visa and the continued rise in the recognition of British education, more and more Chinese families have listed the UK as their core study destination. However, when you think of the UK, the first thing that comes to mind is "expensive"! So what is the best way to go to the UK in 2025?Study in the UKHow much does it really cost? How much do you need to budget for undergraduate and master's programs? This article will help you figure out tuition + living expenses, so that you can be prepared and have a clear idea of what to expect.
Undergraduate vs Master's: What is the difference in tuition?
| places | Public university tuition/year (Pound sterling) | China's Renminbi is approximately |
|---|---|---|
| undergraduate (adjective) | £18,000 - £26,000 | 160,000-230,000 dollars |
| Taught Masters | £19,000 - £32,000 | 170,000-280,000 dollars |
| doctoral | £20,000 - £30,000 | $180,000-$260,000 |
Medicine, business, and the arts usually charge more, and tuition fees at London-area colleges are generally above average.
II. Cost of living｜How big is the difference between London and non-London?
1. accommodation costs
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London, capital of United KingdomStudent accommodation £250-£350/week, shared room £700-£1,200/month
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non-LondonDormitory £150-£220/week, shared £350-£600/month
2. food and drink expenses
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Cooking for yourself: £150-£200/month
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Eating out: Fast food around £8-£12/meal, Chinese restaurant £15-£25/meal
Tip: Save £100 a month by cooking more and gleaning discounted food with TooGoodToGo!
3. transport costs
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London Transport Monthly Pass: £140-£200
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Manchester/Leeds monthly bus pass: approx £40-£60
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Train and bus travel: buying tickets in advance can save more than 50%
4. Other miscellaneous expenses
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Mobile SIM card £10-£20/month;
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Study materials, printing, entertainment £50-£100/month
III. Real one-year cost-of-living budget (based on a 12-month year)
| municipalities | Annual cost of living range | RMB Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| London, capital of United Kingdom | £15,000-£18,000 | $130,000-$160,000 |
| Northern cities such as Manchester | £9,000-£12,000 | 80,000-110,000 dollars |
IV. One-year total cost reference for undergraduate & master's degree
| places | as suffix city name, means prefecture or county (area administered by a prefecture level city or county level city) | Total budget/year (tuition + living expenses) | Total RMB |
|---|---|---|---|
| undergraduate (adjective) | London, capital of United Kingdom | £33,000-£43,000 | 290,000-380,000 |
| undergraduate (adjective) | non-London | £27,000-£34,000 | 240,000-300,000 |
| bachelor's degree | London, capital of United Kingdom | £34,000-£48,000 | 300,000-420,000 |
| bachelor's degree | non-London | £28,000-£40,000 | 250,000-350,000 |
V. How to save money? A collection of practical money-saving suggestions
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Apply early for scholarships: £3,000-£10,000 per year, especially for Master's Degree scholarships.
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Renting a room with a roommate: It's cheaper than living on your own solo 30%+
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Take advantage of student discounts: UNiDAYS, NUS Card, Student Train Card
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Concentrated purchasing during the discount season: The best deals on computers, clothing, and household items to get on Black Friday/Christmas
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Plan your time wisely: Master's degree time is short, so prepare your thesis and find a room in advance to avoid extra expenses.
VI. Conclusion
Overall, although the United Kingdom is a "high-cost" country to study, but its short academic period, friendly employment policy (PSW work visa 2-3 years), is still a very cost-effective choice. Do a good job of budget planning, choose the right city and accommodation, undergraduate one year can be controlled at 250,000 to 300,000 yuan, master's degree about 300,000 yuan. Instead of obsessing about whether it is expensive or not, it is better to plan ahead and make every penny worth spending!
