UK Living Costs for Students 2027: City by City
London eats your money alive. Outside London is better but still expensive. Here's what you'll actually spend, city by city, and what the visa makes you prove.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
1 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
Living Costs: What You Need to Know
London costs about £1,300–2,000 a month; outside London, £900–1,300. Below: what each city really costs, what the Student visa makes you prove, and where the money goes.
Monthly Costs City by City
| City | Rent (room in shared flat) | Food | Transport | Phone/Internet | Social | Monthly total | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,200 | £300 | £150 | £20 | £200 | £1,870 | £22,440 |
| Manchester | £750 | £250 | £80 | £20 | £150 | £1,250 | £15,000 |
| Edinburgh | £800 | £260 | £70 | £20 | £140 | £1,290 | £15,480 |
| Birmingham | £700 | £240 | £75 | £20 | £130 | £1,165 | £13,980 |
| Leeds | £650 | £230 | £65 | £20 | £120 | £1,085 | £13,020 |
Typical student budgets per month. A studio or purpose-built en-suite costs more — see Accommodation.
Visa Financial Proof Requirements
Visa guide →To get a UK Student visa you must prove you have enough money. The current UKVI amounts:
This is on top of your remaining tuition fees. The money must have been in your account for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of your application. (These amounts went up from £1,483 and £1,136.)
Where Your Money Goes: The Rent Problem
Rent eats 35–50% of a typical monthly budget — in London it's closer to 60%. Here's a typical breakdown:
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