COSTS TO STUDY IN THE UK
Are you wondering how much it costs to study abroad? Maybe you have already decided to study in the UK but are worried about overall costs and seeking additional information on scholarship opportunities. Here you will get an overview of what funding opportunities are available for Canadian students looking to study in the UK.
Studying in Britain can offer fantastic value for money, however do note that there are significant price differences between programmes and universities in the UK. We at Across the Pond are happy to help you make cost-conscious choices and find the best university and programme for your budget if you are worried about costs. It's best to work directly with your Across the Pond advisor to get the most accurate information about tuition and study costs at the time of applying.
Keep in mind you will need to fully fund your studies though loans, personal finance, and/or scholarships before you arrive in the UK, and you will need to demonstrate that you have this funding available in order to secure your student visa.
Living Costs
In addition to the tuition fees, students will also need to consider accommodation and living costs. On-campus accommodation for the first year of studies is typically guaranteed to Canadian students who apply by the housing deadline. This applies to all of the Across the Pond partner universities for both undergraduate and graduate programs. University halls of residence range in cost depending on location and the type of accommodation, but they can be a great value as the weekly cost generally includes all utility costs (electric, water, Wi-Fi etc.). Private sector accommodation will vary depending on the type of accommodation and the area.
The UK Home Office provides estimated living costs depending on your location (whether you intend to study inside or outside of central London), and these costs can be a great starting point when considering your budget.
Remember, this is only an estimate, and individual living costs will vary depending on your location as well as individual necessities and lifestyle. Things to consider in this cost is accommodation, bills, food, books, transportation and entertainment. Depending on which programme you choose to study and where you live, your expected living costs can vary quite a bit. Your Across the Pond advisor can help work with you to determine the best universities based on your own budget and provide some great insight into budgeting as a student.
OTHER STUDENT EXPENSES
When it comes to the costs of books, travel, entertainment, necessities, and the other needs and wants of students, this largely depends on each student’s lifestyle and goals while abroad. Usually, the amount students are required by the Home Office to have available in living expenses per year, depending on the exchange rate at the time of study is sufficient to ensure each student has a safe and comfortable place to live, has plenty to eat, plenty to spend, and plenty to save in case of emergencies. This is also a great opportunity to learn how to live on a budget! Can you say “adulting”?
You can find more tips for student budgeting within our blog here.
WHAT ABOUT WAYS TO FUND AND OFFSET THE COST?
Glad you asked! Our partner universities realize it is expensive to be a student (although it is generally much less expensive to study in the UK). As such, they make scholarships widely available to international students, whether they are applying to undergraduate or graduate programs.
Unlike scholarships you see in Hollywood movies however, these scholarships do not typically cover the entire cost of tuition fees and/or living expenses. They will be more like the scholarships you may see at Canadian universities. Expect scholarship help to generally range anywhere from £1,000 and £5,000. Naturally, scholarships on the lower end are more common and easier to come by. Larger scholarships will typically be offered in limited numbers and can be quite competitive. Even a small scholarship makes a big difference when it comes to international tuition costs, so be sure to speak to your Across the Pond advisor to see what might be available to you! Unlike North American universities, you will need an offer from a UK university before applying to many of the scholarships they have available. We, therefore, recommend students who need scholarship assistance to submit their university applications no later than January or February of the year they hope to attend. This timeline will give universities sufficient time to review your application and issue a decision before their scholarship deadlines have passed.
You can read more about university scholarships here.
SCHOLARSHIPS AT UK UNIVERSITIES
Scholarships in the UK are more widely available for students applying to graduate programmes, specifically at the master’s level. However, they do not typically cover the entire cost of tuition fees and/or living expenses. There are a few scholarships available from the Across the Pond UK partner universities and they are usually ranging between £1,000 and £5,000. You can read more about university scholarships here
External agencies exist that provide scholarships for Canadian students wanting to study abroad in the UK. We can help you with information about these. Once you have identified your academic area of interest we can offer you support and advice regarding any scholarships you may be eligible to apply for.
Applicants will usually need to hold a place at an institution in order to apply for a university scholarship. We therefore recommend students looking to apply for scholarships to apply to their programs no later than January/February of the year they hope to attend.
STUDENT LOANS
You can almost always use Canadian federal loans to help pay for your British education with the exception of a few of our partner universities. Plan to fill out the student loan application for your province of residence as usual and they will assess it based on your plans to study in the UK. Keep in mind you will need to fully fund your year abroad through loans, personal finance, and/or scholarships before you arrive in the UK, and you will need to demonstrate that you have this funding in order to secure your student visa.
WORK WHILE YOU STUDY
Probably one of the best opportunities available to you while in the UK is getting some international work experience to pop on your resume! As an international student in the UK, you can work up to 20 hours a week. Universities don't typically recommend students work any more than 20 hours per week even if they are Canada-based. Freshers (first year students) may want to wait until they have a better idea of what their school workload is like and then decide how many hours they feel they can work. Each university has a Careers Centre that can assist you in looking for part-time employment.
Find out more by contacting one of Across the Pond's UK Study Experts today.