Source-backed cost calculator

Official minimums and practical city budgets—kept separate.

Choose a programme and location to compare the immigration reference amount with an editable minimum–maximum living-cost range. The monthly range is based on destination and location; programme type changes the whole-course total through its duration. The UK option also calculates the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Official-source snapshot

Checked 16 September 2026 · Next monthly review 16 October 2026

Private by design · calculations stay on this page

DestinationStudy locationChanges the starting living-cost figure where an official city rate existsProgramme typeTypical starting duration: 1 yearCourse length in yearsEditable to match the offer or course page

Does programme level change the living cost?

Not usually month by month. The starting monthly range is based on the destination and study location, not whether the course is a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD. The whole-course total changes because programme lengths differ: the calculator multiplies the selected monthly range by the editable course length.

United Kingdom reference preset · GBP

The living-cost starting figure uses the current UK student financial requirement outside London. Select a higher amount for London or for a more comfortable personal budget.

1. Annual tuition range

Minimum tuition per yearLower end of the published rangeMaximum tuition per yearUpper end of the published range

Replace both figures with the minimum and maximum fees from your shortlisted courses for a more personal estimate.

2. Monthly living-cost range

Minimum living cost per monthLower budget including accommodationMaximum living cost per monthHigher allowance for rent and lifestyle differences

This monthly rate is not automatically increased or reduced for bachelor’s, master’s or PhD study. Edit both figures using a current accommodation quote, transport cost and food budget for the selected city.

3. Student visa or entry feeMain applicant only

4. Health cover

Published price extracted from the provider website

Official student rate: £776 for each year of visa permission.

Check the current IHS rate ↗

UK student IHS annual rate£776 per year · estimated whole-visa total for this course: £1,164

5. English-language testEnter your test-centre price6. University application chargesTotal across intended applications7. Travel for the whole courseUse a current realistic quote8. Registration or initial setupEnter only a separate compulsory charge; do not add a tuition deposit twice

Expected scholarship or fee reduction per year

Eight cost lines, traceable sources

See where each starting figure comes from

“Current quote needed” means an honest live figure depends on your provider, location or travel date. Open the source, enter your amount, then calculate.

Tuition

The displayed £9,000–£38,000 range combines the published postgraduate and undergraduate ranges. Replace it with the exact course fee.

British Council — Study UK ↗Current quote needed

Living costs

£1,171 a month outside London or £1,529 in London, for up to nine months for the visa calculation.

UK Visas and Immigration ↗

Student visa

£558 for an application from outside or inside the UK.

UK Visas and Immigration ↗

Healthcare

Student IHS is £776 per year. It is charged in six-month blocks and includes additional visa time before and after the course; this calculator estimates it automatically for an application made outside the UK.

UK Visas and Immigration ↗

English-language test

Test prices vary by country, test type and centre. Enter the current booking price.

IELTS ↗Current quote needed

Applications

Some institutions charge no application fee; check every course page before entering an amount.

Chosen university ↗Current quote needed

Travel

Airfares change continuously. Enter a live fare from the airline you intend to book with.

Your chosen airline ↗Current quote needed

Registration or initial setup

There is no UK-wide student registration charge. Enter a separate mandatory charge only if it appears in the institution’s official fee schedule; do not add a tuition deposit twice.

Chosen university ↗Current quote needed