London is one of the most expensive cities in the UK to study, and the budget here is significantly higher than most other British cities. We explore what makes up a student's expenses, how much to budget per month, and how to plan ahead—based on official university data, the transport system, and government visa requirements.

According to the official estimate by King’s College London, a student should budget around £1,770 per month for living in London, excluding tuition fees. This is a guideline, not a fixed figure: the final amount depends on the area, the type of accommodation, and lifestyle — some people manage with £1,300–1,400 with a frugal approach and a dormitory on the outskirts, while others spend significantly more when renting a separate studio in the city centre. For comparison: the minimum amount that needs to be confirmed to obtain a student visa is approximately £1,529 per month — but this is the visa threshold, not a recommendation for a realistic budget, and it’s usually not enough for a comfortable life in the capital.

Housing

Housing is the largest expense. The main options are:

University dormitory (halls) — the most predictable option: the price is fixed for the semester and often includes utility bills. The cost largely depends on the university and the type of room.
A room in an apartment shared by several people — usually cheaper than a dormitory, but requires paying for part of the utility services and a deposit separately.
Student residence provided by a private company — in many ways similar to a dormitory, but not tied to a specific university; often more expensive than university halls.
Self—renting an apartment or studio is the most expensive and least predictable option, usually requiring a guarantor and a large deposit.

Utilities and Internet

In dormitories and some student residences, utility bills — electricity, water, heating, internet — are usually already included in the cost of accommodation. When renting an apartment or room in the private sector, these expenses are most often paid separately and can significantly increase the monthly budget, so when comparing offers, it is worth clarifying what exactly is included in the price.

Nutrition

Food expenses largely depend on habits. Cooking at home is the most budget‑friendly option, especially if you shop at budget supermarkets and take advantage of student discounts. Ready‑made meals and delivery are noticeably more expensive, and regular visits to cafes and restaurants can increase food expenses several times over compared to cooking at home.

Transport

Public transport in London — the tube, buses, and London Overground — operates on a zone‑based system. Students aged 18 and over can get an 18+ Student Oyster photocard: it offers a discount of about 30 % on travel passes compared to the standard fare. According to official data from Transport for London, a monthly pass for zones 1–2 with such a card costs £119.90 in 2026. If the accommodation is located close to the university, some students can do without a pass altogether, opting for walking or cycling instead.

Educational materials

This includes textbooks, printing and copying, specialized software and subscriptions, and for some specialties — equipment or materials (for example, for design, architecture, or engineering fields). Many university libraries provide free access to most literature and databases, which significantly reduces this expense item with active use.

Communications and digital services

Mobile communication, home internet (if it’s not included in the rent), and subscriptions to services like streaming or cloud storage are a separate category, but usually not the largest budget item. A reasonable way to save money here is to choose SIM‑only plans instead of phone contracts and share subscriptions with roommates, where the service terms allow it.

Clothing, sports and leisure

This category is the most flexible: it can account for a very small portion of the budget or, conversely, become a significant expense — depending on habits and social activity. A gym membership, trips to the movies, cafes and clubs, weekend trips around the country — all of this should be planned separately from the basic expenses for housing and food.

Medical and visa expenses

A separate budget item is mandatory payments related to a student visa. The so-called Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) provides access to the public healthcare system (NHS) for the entire duration of study and, as of 2026, amounts to £776 per year for students; the amount is paid in advance for the entire visa period in a single payment. It is essential to check the exact terms and amounts on gov.uk before submitting visa documents, as the rules change periodically — this does not replace a separate visa consultation.

Below are three approximate scenarios for 2026, excluding tuition fees. The amounts are approximate and may vary depending on the university, the area, and personal habits — they should be recalculated for a specific situation before enrolling.

An economical scenario (~£1200–1400): a room in a dormitory or on the outskirts, home‑cooked meals, a student travel pass, minimal entertainment.
Average scenario (~£1500–1800): a room in an apartment closer to the city centre or in a residence, a mixed approach to food, regular travel passes, a moderate budget for leisure activities — close to the official estimate by King’s College London of £1770.
Comfortable scenario (~£2000 and above): a studio or a separate apartment in a convenient area, frequent visits to cafes and restaurants, more active leisure activities and weekend travel.

The closer the accommodation is to the centre of London (zones 1–2), the higher the rent, but the shorter and cheaper the journey to the university. Areas further from the centre (zones 3–6) usually offer more affordable housing, but add time and money to transport costs — when making a choice, you should consider not only the rental price itself, but also the total amount of “rent plus travel pass”, as well as the travel time, which also has its own cost.

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In addition to the monthly budget, one‑time expenses usually arise in the first month:

a deposit for accommodation — usually equivalent to several weeks or one month’s rent;
purchasing household items for the rented apartment — bed linen, dishes, small appliances;
setting up mobile phone service and internet;
purchasing a travel card (Student Oyster photocard);
expenses for initial set‑up — from seasonally appropriate clothing to stationery.

These expenses should be set aside separately from the monthly budget, and, if possible, you should have a reserve of funds for the first month of your stay.

Here are a few effective ways to reduce expenses:

take advantage of student discounts (the NUS/UNiDAYS student pass works in stores, cinemas, and some services);
cook at home and shop at budget supermarkets;
make active use of the university library instead of buying textbooks;
choose accommodation a bit farther from the city centre if the savings on rent offset the distance;
take advantage of free museums, parks, and events — there are quite a lot of them in London.

The possibility and the permissible number of part‑time hours depend on the conditions of a specific student visa and may vary depending on the type of programme. It is always worth checking the current rules for your visa category — for example, on gov.uk or directly at the university — before considering part‑time work as part of your budget, rather than viewing this source of income as guaranteed.

When planning a budget, it’s important to consider not only tuition and accommodation, but also:

the exchange rate — the cost in pounds may change significantly when converted to another currency by the time of payment;
unforeseen expenses — medical, household, or relocation‑related costs;
available funding — scholarships, grants, family budget;
the difference between the minimum visa threshold and a realistic amount for a comfortable life — as the example above shows, these figures do not match.

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Financial planning is only part of the overall admission strategy.

At SelfStartGlobal, we help you align your budget with the selection of universities and programs: we look not only at the cost of education but also at the realistic living expenses in a specific city, help you find suitable scholarships and grants to reduce the burden on your family budget, and support you throughout the entire process — from choosing a program to the financial and visa stages.

If you are planning to study in London and want to understand the real figures in advance, come to a consultation; we will review your case and help you create a realistic plan.

What is the most expensive thing for a student in London?

Typically, the largest expense is housing: rent in London is noticeably higher than in most other cities in the UK, and it often accounts for half or more of the monthly budget. In second place is food, if the student often eats out, and transportation, if the accommodation is far from the university.

Is it more profitable to live in a dorm or rent a room?

There is no clear answer – it depends on the specific offers. University dormitory accommodation is usually predictable in terms of price and often includes utility bills, which is convenient for the first year. A room in an apartment may be cheaper, but it adds separate expenses for utilities, a deposit, and administrative hassle – it’s worth comparing the total amount, not just the rental price.

How much money should I set aside for the first month?

In addition to the regular monthly budget, one‑time expenses are usually added in the first month: a deposit for housing, everyday purchases, setting up communication, and a transport card. It is realistic to allocate one and a half to two times the regular monthly budget for the first month to account for all one‑time expenses and avoid running out of funds at the start.

Is it possible to cover some of the costs with a part-time job?

In some cases, yes, but this depends on the conditions of the specific student visa and the permissible number of working hours, which need to be clarified individually. It is more reasonable to view part‑time work as a supplement to the main financial plan, rather than as the primary source of covering living and study expenses.

Imperial College London

United Kingdom

Bachelor's degree: about $60,000 per yearMaster's degree: average $58,000 per yearDoctoral studies: free*

King's College London

United Kingdom

King's College London is a public research university in London, England, with a long academic history and high level of research activity. It is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, an association of leading British research universities.

Undergraduate: £24,000 – £40,000 per yearMaster's: £23,000 – £40,000+ per yearPhD: £28,150 – £32,600 per year

Carnegie Mellon University

USA

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university in Pittsburgh, USA. Known for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, business, arts, and social sciences. CMU is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach, cutting-edge research and preparing students for successful careers in science, technology, business and the creative industries.

Undergraduate: $90,000–$95,000 per yearMaster's degree: $90,000–$100,000 per yearPhD: about $90,000–$100,000 per year

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One of the most popular study destinations in Europe. Free or low-cost education, strong technical and engineering fields, and high demand for graduates

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