Living Cost in London Per Month for International Students 2025
The estimated monthly expenses for international students in London ranges between £1,300 and £1,600, including costs of accommodation, food, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. Are you planning to study in UK? London is one of the best cities. Home to some of the most prestigious educational institutions worldwide like UCL, Imperial college London, LSE, and King’s college London, the city attracts thousands of international students every year, especially Indians. While the financial visa requirement for the UK is £1,483 per month, some international students might even have to pay £1,734 per month dispensing on their lifestyle and personal expenses. This article will help you understand the cost of living in London per month for international students and plan your budget smartly.
This Story also Contains
- Cost of Studying in London for International Students
- What is the Average Living Cost in London per Month for Indian Students?
- Factors Contributing to Cost of Living in London for International Students
- Accommodation costs for international students in London
- Food and Grocery costs in London for International Students
- Transportation costs in London for International Students
- Healthcare and Insurance costs in London for International Students
- Utilities and Internet Costs for International Students in London
- Entertainment and Miscellaneous Costs in London for International Students
- Tips to save money in London for International Students
Read More: UK student visa
Cost of Studying in London for International Students
The UK is an expensive study abroad destination for international students. The tuition fees for top universities in the UK are much higher than many other countries. However, there are some of the cheapest universities in London that can help save a lot of money. Here’s a major breakdown of all the things included while calculating the cost of study in London for international students.
Expense | Annual Cost (GBP) | Approx. INR (₹) |
Tuition Fees | £15,000–£35,000 | ₹17.8–₹41.4 lakh |
Visa & IHS | £1,266 | ₹1.5 lakh |
Others (Books, Travel, Misc.) | £2,000–£3,000 | ₹2.4–₹3.5 lakh |
Also Read: Cost of studying in the UK
What is the Average Living Cost in London per Month for Indian Students?
Other than the cost of study, depending on your lifestyle, this is the average monthly cost in London for international students. The table below also gives a GBP to INR conversion of the expenses.
Preferred Lifestyle | Estimated Monthly Cost (GBP) | Estimated Monthly Cost (INR) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Budget Student | £900 – £1,200 | ~ ₹1,06,200 – ₹1,41,600 | Shared accommodation, cooking meals at home, and no or minimal parties or get-together |
Average Student | £1,200 – £1,800 | ~ ₹1,41,600 – ₹2,12,400 | Affordable shared or private accommodation, travel regularly, and have a decent social life |
Comfortable Lifestyle | £1,800 – £2,800+ | ~ ₹2,12,400 – ₹3,30,400+ | Private flat, frequent dining outings, leisure, and travel |
Note: Currently, the GBP to INR conversion rate is £1 = ₹118 and might vary with time.
Factors Contributing to Cost of Living in London for International Students
There are several parameters that add up to the overall cost of living in London for international students: These are:
Cost of studying
Accommodation
Food and grocery
Transportation
Healthcare and insurance
Utilities and internet
Entertainment and personal expenses
Miscellanous
Let us discover the costs of all these separately for better understanding and smart budgeting.
Related Reads:
Accommodation costs for international students in London
The cost of accommodation takes up a major part of the expenses for an international student in London. Here’s a breakdown of the average monthly rent for different accommodation types in London.
Accommodation Type | Average Monthly Rent (GBP) | Approx. INR Conversion |
|---|---|---|
University Halls (Shared) | £400 – £900 | ~ ₹47,360 – ₹106,560 |
Private Flatshare | £600 – £1,200 | ~ ₹71,040 – ₹1,42,080 |
Studio / 1-Bed Apartment | £1,200 – £2,200+ | ~ ₹1,42,080 – ₹2,60,480+ |
Note: Choosing affordable areas like Stratford, Wembley, or Lewisham will help save a lot as compared to expensive areas like Central London.
Read More: Accommodation in UK for foreign students
Food and Grocery costs in London for International Students
Home cooked meals are the best way to save money in London. The table below shows the average food and grocery costs for international students in London.
Expense Type | Monthly Cost (GBP) | Approx. Monthly Cost (INR) |
Groceries (home-cooked meals) | £100 – £220 | ₹11,840 – ₹26,048 |
Eating out occasionally | £200 – £350 | ₹23,680 – ₹41,440 |
Transportation costs in London for International Students
Though there is an extensive network of transportation in London, it can get a little expensive without planning.
Transport Type | Monthly Cost (GBP) | Approx. Monthly Cost (INR) |
Student Oyster Card (Zones 1–2) | £120 – £150 | ₹14,208 – ₹17,760 |
Bus Pass (Unlimited) | £85 | ₹10,064 |
Cycling / Walking | Free – £30 | ₹0 – ₹3,552 |
Note: Apply for a 16–25 Railcard or Student Oyster card for discounts.
Healthcare and Insurance costs in London for International Students
Expense | Cost (GBP) | Approx. Cost (INR) |
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £776/year | ₹91,800/year |
Private Health Insurance (Optional) | £300–£600/year | ₹35,520–₹70,800/year |
Doctor Visit (Private) | £40–£80 | ₹4,736–₹9,472 |
Dental Check-up | £50–£100 | ₹5,920–₹11,840 |
Prescription Medicines | £9.90/item | ₹1,171/item |
Utilities and Internet Costs for International Students in London
If the accommodation option you choose does not include utilities and internet costs, then you will have to pay them separately in London. These are the average monthly costs for utilities and internet for international students in London.
Type of Expense | Monthly Cost (GBP) | Approx. Monthly Cost (INR) |
Electricity, Gas & Water | £40 – £100 | ₹4,736 – ₹11,840 |
Internet / Wi-Fi | £15 – £35 | ₹1,776 – ₹4,144 |
Mobile Phone Plan | £10 – £25 | ₹1,184 – ₹2,960 |
Entertainment and Miscellaneous Costs in London for International Students
Entertainment and miscellaneous costs in London include gym membership, social life, and other sources of entertainment. The table below gives a major breakdown of this.
Expense | Monthly Expense in GBP | Approx. Monthly Cost (INR) |
Entertainment & Outings | £50 – £150 | ₹5,920 – ₹17,760 |
Gym / Fitness | £20 – £60 | ₹2,368 – ₹7,104 |
Streaming & Subscriptions | £10 – £25 | ₹1,184 – ₹2,960 |
Note: International students can enjoy several discounts in museums, central parks, etc.
Tips to save money in London for International Students
Here are some effective tips to help reduce the expenses in London.
Share accommodation — flatsharing reduces rent dramatically.
Cook your meals — avoid eating out daily.
Use student discounts via UNiDAYS, NUS, and Student Beans.
Travel smart — cycle or walk short distances.
Buy used textbooks or borrow from the university library.
Work part-time — if you are on study visa UK, you can work up to 20 hours weekly during your course.
Track your expenses - using budgeting apps like Monzo or Revolut.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How much does it cost to live in London as an international student?
A:
You should have a budget of around £1,300 to £1,600 per month to live in London. This will include the cost of accommodation, food, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs and might vary as per lifestyle choices and preferences.
Q: Is 3000 pounds a good salary in London?
A:
3000 pounds per month is a decent wage in London. It equates to £30k to £36k per annum.
Q: How much does it cost to live in London for a month?
A:
The monthly expenses in London vary as per lifestyle choices, but for an international student it is generally between £1,552 and £3,453 per month.
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Answering to your question, Certainly, you are eligible to participate in the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), a crucial pathway for pursuing medical education in India. Let's break down the eligibility criteria:
Age Requirement:
- You must be 17 years or older by December 31, 2024, to qualify for NEET.
- There is no upper age limit for appearing in the NEET exam.
Academic Qualification:
- Completion of your 12th standard (10+2) with the following subjects is necessary: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- The minimum percentage of marks required in class 12 boards is:
- 50% for General and EWS applicants
- 40% for SC/ST/OBC applicants
Additional Subject Consideration:
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- It is mandatory to have studied biology in your 10+2 curriculum to meet NEET eligibility criteria.
Attempts and Age Limit:
- Unlike some other government entrance exams, there is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET.
- You can take NEET regardless of your previous attempts.
Hope this helps!!
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In short, Indian pharmacy degrees are not directly accepted by the UK you will need to do a 1-year University-based conversion course called the OSPAP, after this, you will need to do the “pre-reg exam” and then you will become licensed to work by the GPhC .
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https://www.careers360.com/articles/4679-UK-Degrees-Validity-British-Accreditation-Council
Hope you understand , in case of any query you can comment here.
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