AnyRoot

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

Typical international tuition by subject area, the visa and health-surcharge fees, the money you must prove, and realistic all-in first-year totals in London and outside it.

Reviewed 28 September 2026 · 1 min read

Short answer: Tuition of £16,000 to £24,000 a year for arts, humanities, business and law, £20,000 to £32,000 for science, engineering and computing, and £35,000 or more for medicine, plus living costs. A realistic first year outside London on an £18,000 course comes to £30,000 to £33,000 all in; in London, £38,000 to £42,000.

Tuition

Across the 9,836 courses with fees we have verified, international undergraduate fees cluster like this:

Subject areaTypical annual fee
Arts, humanities, business, law£16,000 to £24,000
Science, engineering, computing£20,000 to £32,000
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary£35,000 to £50,000+
Taught master's (one year)£18,000 to £45,000

The exact figure is on each course page marked "verified", checked against the university's own international fee page.

Paid before you fly

  • Student visa application: £558
  • Immigration Health Surcharge: £776 per year of the visa, about £2,716 for a three-year degree
  • TB test where required: £80 to £150
  • Flights: from around £500 return

Living costs

Rent decides most of it: £900 to £1,300 a month for a room in London, £500 to £800 elsewhere, plus food, transport, phone and everything else. The Home Office maintenance figure (£1,529 a month in London, £1,171 elsewhere) is the floor you must prove for the visa, not a budget.

The totals

A first year outside London on an £18,000 course lands around £30,000 to £33,000 all in; in London, closer to £38,000 to £42,000. The cost guide explains each line and the calculator lets you change every one of them.

Sources

General information, not regulated immigration advice. Rules change; check the source before you act, and speak to an IAA-registered adviser about your case.