What Is The Cost Of Studying In The UK in 2024?

When it comes to foreign universities, the United Kingdom (UK) is definitely near the top of the list for many students. And with good reason! The UK has a long and successful history in education. UK-based universities currently hold three spots of the world’s top ten universities. These include the University of Oxford, Cambridge, and the Imperial College of London.

However, this prestige comes at a hefty cost of studying in the UK. Let’s find out how costs can quickly spiral out of hand. And this does not even include accommodation and living expenses! So, what is the cost of living in UK for international students?

UK University Fees For International Students

Tertiary education costs do not depend on just which country and university you want to go to. It also depends on what courses they want to take. In order to get a decent ballpark picture of the cost of studying in the UK, you will have to take a look at the most popular courses. For many students, these often mean courses such as business, medicine, engineering, or computer sciences.

Let’s take engineering, for example. Here is what it would cost for the top three universities in the UK for engineering:

With the high UK university fees, the cost of living in UK for international students are higher, so it's important to start planning early. However, there are other low-cost universities in the UK that can cut the cost of living in UK for international students by more than half.

Low-Cost Universities In UK For International Students

The cost of studying in the UK can be significantly lower for universities that are not at the top of the ranking. If you are searching for affordable universities in the UK to save some cash, there are other equally good options offering more affordable degrees in UK in a wide range of fields, from health sciences to business. 

For example, fees for the following well-known universities may be more affordable for international students looking to lower the cost of living in UK for international students:

• University of Stirling, Scotland, starts from £17,200 per year
• University of Suffolk starts from £29,220 per year 
• University of Hull starts from £19,500 per year

The British Council provides a ballpark estimate for tuition fees which range from £11,400 and £30,000 annually. However, the fees above do not include accommodation and living costs. This part alone can easily increase the cost of living in UK for international students by another 30%.

Cost Of Living In UK For International Students

When considering studying overseas for education, one must take the cost of living in UK for international students into consideration as they significantly impact overall costs. Durham University states that the North of England generally boasts lower living costs compared to the South. However, cities like London and Oxford can be notably expensive due to factors such as high student rent and transportation expenses.

What Is The Cost Of Studying In The UK for Malaysian Students? 

The British Council offers a general guideline for monthly living costs ranging between £1040 and £1,540, with an additional £140 earmarked for groceries per month (equivalent to RM6,250 to RM9,255, including groceries, for Malaysians). Annually, this translates to an extra RM75,000 to RM111,065 on top of tuition fees. Consequently, the total cost of studying in the UK for Malaysians typically starts at around RM200,000. For a three-year degree, this amounts to a minimum of RM600,000.

For prestigious universities, the cost of studying in the UK soared further. For instance, a three-year undergraduate program at Oxford University entails tuition costs of RM878,055 alone, with an additional RM218,548 for living expenses. This brings the total to a staggering RM1,096,603, considering the current exchange rate.

To help you with your finances, consider checking out websites such as iMoney.my. It is an award-winning financial intelligence centre since 2012 and offers valuable insights and resources to aid in financial planning for education. Their personal finance content serves as the go-to source for Malaysians seeking useful and actionable money tips applicable to daily life. With enough preparation and smart financial decisions, you will be able to fulfil your educational dreams.

Attaining a UK degree is increasingly costly. To afford such education, early and meticulous planning of university funds becomes imperative rather than optional. There are some things you can do to cushion some of the financial impact.

How To Afford The Cost Of Studying In The UK

If you are planning to study overseas, it goes without saying that you have to start early to afford the cost of living in UK for international students.

1. Start Saving Early

For a parent, it is best to start saving up an education fund while they are still a toddler. This is especially true if they eventually decide to go to a country with an extremely unfavourable exchange rate. If you are planning to fund your own studies in the UK, starting early in your planning and looking for student loan options is still a necessity.

2. Contribute To An Education Fund Annually

Treat your education fund like an emergency fund. Calculate how much you might need to save for your education and set aside the appropriate amount of cash each year to ensure that the fund continually grows.

3. Get The Right Investment Vehicle

Achieving the education fund goals will not be easy if you intend to go overseas. For most, a standard parent salary will likely not cut the cost of living in UK for international students, even if both parents contribute. As such, finding the right student loan will be crucial to ensuring you hit these financial goals.

The best way to go about this is to start small and start early with your investments. By contributing a little cash as early as possible, you can gradually compound your earnings over time. Increase your annual investment gradually each year, and eventually, you will be able to see even larger returns as your money grows.

Without careful planning, the dream of an excellent university education will go down the drain. Or worse, you will be riddled with debt in their pursuit of an overseas education. The key to avoiding turning your dream into a nightmare is to start planning early and to use the right mix of financial solutions and banking tools. With enough preparation and smart financial decisions, you will be able to keep up with the cost of studying in the UK.