Why UK?
Probably the first thing you may have heard about studying in the UK is that it’s costly for students studying abroad in the UK. Although people often compare the accommodation prices with New York City, international students in the UK can easily find cities with affordable housing options or other living expenses, including transportation and food costs.
It is important to have a detailed budget plan prepared beforehand before you begin your journey as a student in the UK. Finding a place to live is one of the most important and trickiest parts. If this is the first time you will be living on your own, you may appreciate having a general picture of what certain cities are like budget-wise, which is the major aim of this article.
Weekly rent: £92 ($113).
Although it is one of the biggest cities in the UK, to everyone’s surprise, it is also one of the cheapest for students to live in. Manchester is known for being the city with the most international students in the UK. As in most European cities, rent prices in Manchester vary depending on the location and neighborhoods.
Aside from the affordable rent prices that range from £75 to £90, getting a taxi to places or going to bars or coffee shops is also relatively cheap. The average cost of an alcoholic drink in Manchester is around £1.80. The average transportation fare is around £70 per month.
Weekly rent: £137 ($168).
Compared to London or other bigger cities in the UK, Glasgow is one of the cheapest places to live for students. At around £550 per month, the rent is considered affordable for students studying in the UK. Furthermore, the cost of eating or drinking out is considerably low compared to other famous cities in the UK.
International students living in Glasgow enjoy the amazing architecture and the rich history of the city’s culture. Furthermore, they are known for their excellent higher education quality and some of the most popular universities, such as the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde.
Weekly rent: £120 – £200 ( $120 – $148).
Cambridge is also part of some of the cheapest places to live in the UK, with average weekly rent of £200 maximum. While rent and living costs are considered reasonable in Cambridge, other expenses, such as transport, can be more expensive than in other cities in the UK. The average tuition fee at Cambridge University ranges around £21,732 ($26,755).
The local transportation fares in Cambridge cost around £57 ($70) per month. Furthermore, basic everyday expenses are considered average in the UK, with around £157 ($194) every month.
Weekly rent: £160 ($196).
The city of Leicester is highly valued for its cheaper transport. On average, transport costs around £58. As for the rent, the monthly rent whirls around £650, which can be considered reasonable. Everyday living expenses such as grocery shopping or other essential living costs are also considered cheap in Leicester.
Weekly rent: £90- £160 ($110 – $195).
The rent prices in Durham are average and similar to other cheap cities in the UK. Proximity to the city center is no factor in the rent price. Drinking out is not very affordable. Transportation fares are also very cheap, although you can find the majority of students living in the city center.
Durham is one of the most popular cities in the UK among tourists and international students as well. The main reason for its popularity is the beautiful campus of the University of Durham. A large number of international students study abroad in the city of Durham.
Weekly rent: £75 ($92).
Although it’s the capital city of Northern Ireland, Belfast is one of the cheapest places to live in the UK for students. In Belfast, you can get an apartment with a weekly rent of £75. You’ll find the lowest taxi fares in this city compared to other cities in the UK.
Like Durham, Belfast is a very popular city among international students for all degree programs. One of the most popular universities in Belfast is Queen’s University Belfast.
Weekly rent: £165 ($202).
With an average monthly rent of £660, Nottingham is an affordable city for international students. However, contrary to Durham, the price of living in Nottingham varies depending on the proximity to the city center and other factors that impact the accommodation rent.
International students studying in Nottingham can enjoy this historic city’s sights, including the famous Nottingham Castle Museum and the Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery. Aside from the affordable rent prices, students choose Nottingham for the high quality of the accommodation and transportation system.
Weekly rent: £125 ($153).
Sheffield is one of the cheapest cities in the UK for international students to live in. Aside from the inexpensive living expenses, Sheffield is also home to some of the most affordable universities. Transport is also cheap in Sheffield, with a monthly ticket of around £65. University study materials are also affordable at around £45 ($55) monthly.
Weekly rent: £138 ($170).
Coventry has experienced an increase in some living expenses, but it remains one of the cheapest places to live in the UK for students. However, renting is more affordable than in Nottingham, with just £550 per month. The average tuition fees at Conventry universities cost around £15,000 ($18,470).
In addition to the affordability of student accommodation, transportation in Coventry is also considerably cheaper than in other cities, with around £50 ($61) every month.
Weekly rent: £140 ($172).
Wolverhampton is known to have lower than the average cost of living regarding student accommodation rent, including private housing, with an average of £560 monthly rent. Similar to Sheffield, tuition fees in Wolverhampton universities are also some of the lowest in the UK. The transportation costs, however, are more expensive than usual, with a monthly fare of £150.
Wolverhampton is also home to some of the best universities in the UK, with affordable tuition fees of around £12,950 ($15,944).