Studying in the UK is great value for money. Degree courses are generally shorter than in the USA and Australia, making them more affordable. Before you embark on your studies you need to have a clear idea of the total cost of course fees and living expenses. Our guide will help to get you started.

Your costs while living in the UK will depend on the type of course you follow. In boarding schools, the fees cover accommodation and meals. If you are studying a career-based, degree or postgraduate course, you will need to budget for accommodation and meals in addition to the course fees.

European Union students attending UK universities pay the same fees as UK students (set at £1,100 a year). And, like UK students, EU nationals from lower income families pay just a fraction of this or, sometimes, nothing at all. International students from countries outside the EU pay overseas fees, which are outlined below.

Regardless of their country of origin, international students on full-time UK courses that last more than six months enjoy all the benefits of the country's National Health Service. This means free consultation with doctors and free hospital care for you and your family.

Boarding schools and colleges
Students boarding in independent schools will not need to budget for accommodation, food or laundry costs. It is important to check what else the fees do or do not include, such as textbooks or examination fees. Fees can vary a great deal from school to school. For a boarder, fees are likely to fall within the range of £2,350 to £5,500 per term. For a day pupil, fees tend to be lower. There are three terms in a year.

Career-based courses
For European Union students with 'home fee' status, fees for career-based courses vary according to level of study but start at around £775 per year rising to £1,100 for HND/HNC courses. Fees for professional courses will usually be higher. Students with 'home fee' status who are under the age of 19 can attend a further education college for free, although they will have to start paying fees once they reach their 19th birthday.

For international students, fees are in the range of £3,900 to £4,800 per year. Higher fees are charged for HNDs/HNCs (£5,700 to £7,500 per year) and for professional courses. You will also have to budget for living costs: £768 per month in London, £600 per month elsewhere.

Degree courses
Honours degree courses in most of the UK take just three years to complete, while in the USA and Australia they take four years. In Scotland, honours degree courses last four years - equivalent to doing an access and degree course elsewhere in the UK.

European Union students with 'home fee' status pay fees at the standard rate of £1,100 per year for all undergraduate courses. For international students, universities set their own fees and they vary by subject and by institution. International fees for undergraduate courses will usually fall within the following ranges:

			Arts - £6,250 to £7,650
			Science - £6,500 to £9,950
			Clinical - £6,950 to £18,000

For living costs, you should budget for a nine-month academic year. Average living costs (covering accommodation, food, clothing, books, entertainment and travel) for an international student on a degree course are £768 per month in London or £600 per month elsewhere.

Postgraduate programmes and MBAs

Most UK taught and research-based postgraduate master's courses take just one year (in the USA and Australia, such courses typically last two years). Advanced research programmes, such as for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), can take at least three years of full-time study.

For international students, universities set their own fees and they vary by subject and by institution. International fees for postgraduate courses will usually fall within the following ranges:

			Arts - £6,750 to £8,200 per year
			Science - £6,500 to £9,950 per year
			Clinical - £6,200 to £17,400 per year
			MBA - £7,500 to £13,500 per year (although programmes at some high-profile UK business schools can cost up to £20,000 per year)

For both types of postgraduate study (taught and research), you should budget for a 12-month academic year. Average living costs (covering accommodation, food, clothing, books, entertainment and travel) for an international student on a degree course are £768 per month in London and £600 per month elsewhere.

Useful web links

			UKCOSA - The Council for International Education
			National Union of Students
			British Council education information sheets