Study in the United Kingdom: 2027 Student Guide
Everything you need to know about studying in the UK as an international student — from top cities and real costs to housing, visa money and student life, alongside our UK scholarship handbooks.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
4 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
The UK at a Glance
The United Kingdom hosts 600,000+ international students — one of the world’s most popular study destinations — and four of the world's top 10 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027: Imperial, Oxford, Cambridge and UCL.
The trade-off is cost. International tuition typically runs from about £12,000 to £40,000 a year, and living in London costs roughly £1,300–£2,000 a month. Outside the capital, life is noticeably cheaper.
Tuition and living-cost ranges are our estimates from typical university and rental prices; your university sets your actual fee.
Official Visa Costs and Rules for 2026/27
Full budget →Before you budget for rent and groceries, know the fixed costs the UK government sets. These are the current figures on GOV.UK as of October 2026.
| Item | Current figure |
|---|---|
| Student visa application fee | £558 (from outside or inside the UK; in force since 8 April 2026) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £776 per year of your visa, paid upfront when you apply |
| Money to show — London | £1,529 a month, for up to 9 months |
| Money to show — outside London | £1,171 a month, for up to 9 months |
| Funds rule | Held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of your application, plus any unpaid first-year tuition |
| Work during term | Up to 20 hours a week for degree-level study (10 hours below degree level); full-time in official holidays |
| Graduate Route | 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026; 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027 (3 years for PhD graduates) |
| National Living Wage (21+) | £12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026 |
You can apply for a Student visa up to 6 months before your course starts if you are outside the UK. Scholarship holders should check their award terms: Chevening scholars, for example, pay neither the visa fee nor the IHS — see our Chevening guide.
Fees and thresholds change, usually in April. Confirm the current amounts on GOV.UK Student visa before you pay.
Explore the UK Guide
Each page goes deeper into one part of student life in the UK.
Compare London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and more, with a side-by-side comparison tool.
Interactive budget calculator, real prices, tuition fees and money-saving tips for UK cities.
Housing types, a scam checklist, rent comparison across UK cities and move-in costs.
Academic culture, part-time work, weather, transport and everyday student experiences.
Scholarships for Studying in the UK
If you need funding, start with these guides. They sit beside this country guide and cover eligibility, applications and what the awards pay.
The UK Government's flagship scholarship for future leaders worldwide.
Fully funded scholarships for students from Commonwealth nations.
Scholarships and programmes supporting international education in the UK.
Other Country Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
The Student visa application fee is £558, whether you apply from outside the UK or extend or switch from inside it. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of your visa.
You need £1,529 a month if you study in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months, plus any unpaid tuition for your first year. The money must be held for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of your application.
Degree-level students can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time during official holidays; below degree level the limit is 10 hours. You cannot be self-employed or work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
The Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD graduates get 3 years.
Among the cities in this guide, Nottingham and Glasgow have the lowest typical rents (around £350–£600 a month), while London is by far the most expensive. See our Top Cities page.