From zero to living in United Kingdom
Written for students from Nepal. What I’d check first, what it costs, how the visa usually works, and what life looks like after you land.
Start here
Should you go? What to weigh
is dated no more than 6 months before you apply
For those asking if “a master’s in computer science is worth it” when changing careers, the answer often rests on access to our structured, supported learning environment.
The tuition fees in Bradford will depend upon the course and university you choose to study.
Keep in mind the cost of living in Sydney can be high, but scholarships, part-time jobs, and the cheapest university in Sydney can help balance your budget.
Lifestyle & environment there
$968 · $1,705 · $2,896
Monthly budget estimates for a single person in London: Frugal lifestyle $968 USD, Comfortable lifestyle $1,705 USD, Western expat lifestyle $2,896 USD.
$916 · $1,016 · $1,300
Estimated monthly living budgets for a single person in Bangor in 2026: Frugal lifestyle $916 USD, Comfortable lifestyle $1,016 USD, Western expatriate lifestyle $1,300 USD.
$916 · $1,016 · $1,139
Monthly budget estimates for a single person in Birmingham: Frugal lifestyle $916 USD, Comfortable lifestyle $1,016 USD, Western expat lifestyle $1,139 USD.
$916 · $1,016 · $1,139
Average monthly living cost estimates for Birmingham in 2026: Economical lifestyle $916 USD, Comfortable lifestyle $1,016 USD, Western expatriate lifestyle $1,139 USD.
Prepare to apply
Exams & entry requirements
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| English test | ₹22,00,000 – ₹32,00,000 | MBA/PGDM — ₹22,00,000 – ₹32,00,000 — AUD 38,000 – AUD 56,000 — 12 months – 1 year — Bachelor’s degree, work experience preferred — IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE: 67 & Above, Duolingo: 110 & Above |
- University of Greenwich, Greenwich Campus — Accounting and Finance, MSc: entry requirements: Academic Requirement: A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 65% for a UK 2:2 classification OR 80% for a UK 2:1 classification.; English Proficiency: IELTS: Overall…
- Bangor University International College (BUIC) Via OIEG — Law and Management MBA Via Term 2: entry requirements: Entry Details Academic Requirement: Bachelor’s degree (3 or 4 years); IELTS Requirement: Academic IELTS – Overall 5.5, minimum 5.5 in each band;
- King's College London (KCL) — The Dickson Poon School of Law.
- Entry requirements: Academic Requirement: A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 65% for a UK 2:2 classification OR 80% for a UK 2:1 classification.; English Proficiency: IELTS: Overall 6.5 (no band less than 5.5);
- University of Greenwich, Greenwich Campus — International Business, MA: entry requirements: Academic Requirement: A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 65% for a UK 2:2 classification OR 80% for a UK 2:1 classification.; English Proficiency: IELTS: Overall…
Study options & tuition
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | AUD 20,000 – AUD 45,000 | Tuition Fees: Tuition fees vary depending on the degree and level of study. For instance, undergraduate programs typically range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 per year, while postgraduate courses can cost between AUD 22,000 and AUD 50,000 annually. |
| Housing / rent | £197.40 per week – £221.55 per week | Park Terrace offers over 200 en suite rooms for undergraduate students in 6-11 bedroom flats, from £197.40 per week. |
| English test | IELTS 6.0 – IELTS 6.5 | IELTS requirements vary by course: BA, BSc, BEng require IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill; LLB programmes require IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill; |
| Scholarship | £9000 – £5000 | International Community Scholarship (Undergraduate) - apply for a £9,000 tuition fee discount. |
- Tuition fees at University of Bristol vary by course and duration, ranging from INR 18 Lakh (AUD 33,000) to INR 49 Lakh (AUD 90,000) per year.
- LL.M. — INR 19L / AUD 34,000 — 12 months — Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B) — IELTS: 6.5+
College options
University of Bradford International College
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University of Law
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Buckinghamshire New University
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Liverpool John Moores University
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Leeds Trinity University
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Abertay University
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Oxford Brookes University
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University of Bradford
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Scholarships
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarship | rs 7 to 11 – rs 1 to 6 | Entry to the main school (Years 7 to 11, ages 11–16) is by a process of visits, interviews and assessments.[38] Entry to the Lower School (Years 1 to 6, ages 5–11) and the Sixth… |
| Visa fee | £28.95 | UCAS application fee £28.95 for 2026 entry; |
- Hope Inspiring Ambition Scholarship for international postgraduate students (except PGCE): £2000 tuition fee discount; MA Social Work students receive £1000 discount in year 1 and £1000 in year 2
Money & visa
Cost of going (fees, flights, first year)
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Housing / rent | 6 weeks' rent – £200 - £400 | Private rental housing requires upfront deposits usually 6 weeks' rent, agency fees £200 - £400, and setting up bills £50 - £100 |
| Flights / travel | 700 GBP – 900 GBP | Travel home is another significant cost. A return flight to the US East Coast typically costs 400 to 700 GBP, and to the West Coast or Canada 500 to 900 GBP. |
| Visa fee | GBP 10,000–25,000 – GBP 10,224 | Tuition: ~GBP 10,000–25,000 per year. Varies from universities and degree you choose. |
| First-year total | GBP 145.95-224.91 | Avery Hill Student Village — First years, health and sport students, simple move-in — GBP 145.95-224.91/week — Campus life is quieter than Greenwich town centre |
- London rental costs GBP 700–1,200 (MYR 4,060–6,960) per month for a student flat, compared with GBP 450–700 (MYR 2,610–4,060) outside London;
- Value: Full tuition, monthly stipend (GBP 1,236-1,516/month), return flights, thesis grant
Visa, funds & must-knows
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| English test | ₹17,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 | MS — ₹17,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 — AUD 30,000 – AUD 45,000 — 12 months – 2 years — Bachelor’s degree in relevant field — IELTS: 6.0-7.0, PTE: 64-76, Duolingo: 100-110 |
| Proof of funds | £1,023 per month for up to 9 months if studying in London – £820 per month for up to 9 months if studying outside London | Proof of funds required for UK student visa application to cover living costs |
| OSHC / health | £776/year – £2,328 for 3 years | Tier 4 (Student) visa requires proof of IHS payment. |
| Housing / rent | GBP 12.21 | Student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. At the current National Living Wage of GBP 12.21 per hour (age 21+), this can provide meaningful… |
- M.A. ) — ₹22,00,000 – ₹24,00,000 — AUD 38,000 – AUD 42,000 — 12 months – 2 years — Bachelor’s degree in relevant field — IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE: 67 & Above, Duolingo: 110 & Above
- Prepare visa-required proof of funds, currently around GBP 1,023 to GBP 1,334 per month for nine months, depending on location.
Step-by-step process
- 01
£197.40 per week – £221.55 per week
You have held a UK visa for at least 12 months before applying for a Student visa and are currently in the UK.
- 02
If you’re based outside of the UK, you can apply for your student visa up to six months before you start your course.
- 03
We strongly recommend preparing documentation early and submitting your visa application at least 6 weeks before your course start date
- 04
Most non-UK students need a Student visa (formerly Tier 4).
Life after you land
Cost of living
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Housing / rent | £3,780 to £7,435 – £1,256 | Estimated minimum living costs for a single student in Bradford 2025-26 for 42 weeks: Accommodation £3,780 to £7,435; Average utilities £1,256; |
| Living costs | 5 GBP – 7 GBP | Socialising is cheaper too — a pint costs 4 to 5 GBP versus London's 6 to 7 GBP, and eating out is 20 to 30 percent cheaper. |
| Cost detail | GBP 12.71 – GBP 254 | If you work 20 hours per week at GBP 12.71 per hour, you can earn around GBP 254 weekly, which equals roughly GBP 1,000 to GBP 1,100 per month before tax. |
- Estimated minimum living costs for a single student in Bradford 2025-26 for 51 weeks: Accommodation £4,335 to £8,936; Average utilities £1,525;
- For a single person, the average monthly cost of living Edinburgh (excluding tuition fees) is around between £1,200 and £2,000.
- For international students, the monthly cost of living in Birmingham usually ranges between £1,300 and £1,900, excluding tuition charges.
Housing
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Housing / rent | $207-287/week – $347-407/week | Housing types include share house rooms ($207-287/week), studio apartments ($347-407/week), and 1-bedroom apartments ($387/week). |
Health cover
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| OSHC / health | $1,082 – $1,228 | Health Insurance (mandatory) costs $1,082 (Fall) or $1,228 (Spring) per 6 months of coverage; $443 for new Summer students; |
- Couples in Manchester allocate 7% to 17% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and…
- Award: Full fee offset, living allowance of AUD 31,200 per year, relocation grant, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Universities typically offer a basic, mandatory health insurance package bundled with your visa processing fees (costing around AED 1,500 to AED 2,500 per year).
Work while studying
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time work | £7.49 per hour – £10.18 per hour | The National Minimum Wage (NMW) applies to all workers in the UK. As of 2025, the rates are: £7.49 per hour for 18 to 20 years old, £10.18 per hour for 21 to 22 years old, and £10.42 per hour for 23… |
| Housing / rent | GBP 880 – GBP 1,120 | Students can reduce UK accommodation costs through early booking, shared housing, scholarships with living stipends, and part-time work, earning around GBP 880–GBP 1,120 per month at the national… |
- Minimum wage: £11.44/hr (age 21+) · £8.60/hr (18–20) · £6.40/hr (16–17).
- Part-time work during term (up to 20 hours per week) can add 600 to 900 GBP per month to your budget, which makes a significant difference.
First weeks & settling in
£4.95 · £23.50 · £81.00
Student tickets for First Aberdeen buses include: First Day (£4.95), First Week (£23.50), First Month (£81.00).
Our students. Their stories.
University Living provides additional student support services including guarantor support, international student visa assistance, and airport pickup.
Extra notes
More useful notes
£2,100 · £3,500 · £5,600
Pathway programme durations and fees: 6 weeks £2,100; 10 weeks £3,500;
£558 · £776 · £388
Application fee: £558 You may be charged additional fees if you are required to attend a biometric appointment as part of your application. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per person, per year of your visa.
£20.00 · £52.80 · £158.40
Student bus ticket prices in Leicester as of August 2022: Student 10 Trip ticket £20.00, Student Month ticket £52.80, Student 3 Months ticket £158.40, Student 6 Months ticket £303.00, Student Annual Pass £484.00.
Rules and fees change. Confirm the latest numbers on official sites before you apply.