Free Tool

UK Student Finance Calculator

Estimate your total university costs, living expenses, and available funding options.

Your Details

1 year5 years
I plan to work part-time during studies

Your Estimated Costs

Yearly Tuition£16,000Select a course
Yearly Accommodation£8,500university
Yearly Living£7,000Food, travel, bills
Total per Year£31,500All costs combined
Total Course Cost

£94,500

Over 3 years

+ Visa & IHS

£3,274

Study Permit & Healthcare Fees (UKVI)

Official Home Office fees, effective 8 April 2026.

Verified 1 August 2026
Student visa application (from outside the UK)One-off Home Office application fee, payable per person
£558
Extend or switch to a Student visa (inside the UK)Only if you apply from within the UK instead
£558
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)£776 per year × 3.5 years (course length plus the extra months on your visa)
£2,716
Total immigration cost£3,274

The IHS is mandatory and must be paid in full when you apply — you cannot pay it in instalments. Dependants pay the same £776 per year. Optional priority or super-priority processing, biometrics and document courier charges are not included. Always confirm the current amount on GOV.UK before you apply.

Living Cost Breakdown (London)

Accommodation
£8,500
Food & groceries
£3,000
Transport
£1,800
Books & supplies
£880
Health & personal
£1,320
Monthly budget needed£2,625

Funding Options

University Scholarships

Most universities offer merit-based scholarships of £2,000–£5,000/year for international students.

Chevening / Commonwealth

Prestigious UK government scholarships for Master's students.

Student Loans (Home country)

Check if your government has bilateral student loan agreements with the UK.

UK Government Student Loan

International students are generally not eligible for UK SLC loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study in the UK as an international student?

International tuition fees range from £14,000 to £18,000 per year for classroom-based courses, and £20,000+ for lab-based programmes like Medicine or Engineering. Living costs add £9,000–£15,000 depending on the city.

What is the UK tuition fee cap for home students?

For English universities in 2025/26, the maximum tuition fee for UK/home students is £9,250 per year. Scottish students studying in Scotland pay no tuition fees. Welsh and Northern Irish students have their own fee structures.

Can I get a student loan as an international student?

International students generally cannot access UK government Student Loans. However, some universities offer instalment plans, and certain countries have bilateral student loan agreements with the UK.

How much is the UK Student visa application fee?

As of the Home Office fees effective 8 April 2026, the Student visa application fee is £558 — the same whether you apply from outside the UK or extend/switch from inside the UK. Each dependant pays the same fee. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge on top.

How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for students?

The IHS is £776 per year for students and their dependants. It is mandatory, paid in full at the point of application, and charged for the whole length of your visa — which is usually your course length plus up to 4 months, so most students pay an extra half-year (£388). Paying it gives you NHS access on the same basis as a UK resident.

What is the minimum proof of funds required for a UK Student visa?

You must show you have enough money to cover your first year's tuition plus £1,023 per month of study (up to 9 months) for courses outside London, or £1,334 per month for London courses.