How much does it cost to study and live in UK
As Bangladesh emerges as a “rising star” in the outbound student market, with a significant 90.5% growth in new UK enrolments recorded in recent years, the dream of studying in London is highly appealing. However, the UK’s capital demands precise financial planning. For the 2026/2027 intake, a Bangladeshi student must navigate significant financial requirements and costs, starting with the mandated UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) maintenance funds, which have increased to $£1,529$ per month, totaling $£13,761$ that must be held for 28 days prior to application.
Beyond this visa requirement, the reality of living in London a city where over 322,000 British Bangladeshis are concentrated involves budgeting for inflation-adjusted expenses. Typical annual tuition fees at London’s top-tier universities for international students range from $\sim£24,000$ to well over $£46,000$ (excluding Medicine, which can be higher), while average student accommodation costs have trended upwards, with private sector student housing now averaging up to $£395$ per week. This places the typical student’s total monthly living expenditure in London at a minimum of $£1,400$ to $£2,400+$ (excluding tuition).
To help offset these high living costs, Student visa holders at degree level or above are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full-time during vacations. With the UK National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over set to reach $\sim£12.71$ per hour by April 2026, a student working the maximum term-time hours could potentially earn around $£1,016$ per month before tax, which significantly closes the gap between the average $£1,141$/month rent and the overall cost of living. This comprehensive guide provides every necessary data point, fact, and financial requirement to ensure Bangladeshi applicants can accurately plan their full cash flow for their studies in London.
1. Mandatory Upfront Costs: Visa and Health Surcharge
These costs are mandatory and must be paid before you even apply for your visa.
| Fee Type | Cost (2026/2027 Estimates) | Payment Note |
| Student Visa Application | $£524$ (Outside UK) | Non-refundable fee paid directly to the Home Office. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | $£776$ per year | Paid upfront for the entire length of your visa to access the NHS. |
UKVI Maintenance Funds: The Critical Bank Account Balance (2026/2027)
If you are applying from Bangladesh and have not been in the UK for 12+ months prior to application, you must show the following amount in your bank account, which must have been held for a minimum of 28 consecutive days:
-
Required Monthly London Rate: $£1,529$
-
Maximum Months Required: 9 months
Total Maintenance Funds Required: $£1,529 \times 9 = \mathbf{£13,761}$
Tuition Fees for International Students (2026/2027)
Tuition remains the single largest cost. Expect fees to follow an inflationary trend, particularly at research-intensive, central London universities.
| Level | Average Fee Range (Per Year) | Examples of Higher Fees (Top Universities) |
| Undergraduate (UG) | $\sim£16,500$ to $£38,000+$ | UCL fees often start around $£31,000$ to $£33,000$ for non-lab courses. |
| Postgraduate Taught (PGT) | $\sim£17,500$ to $£47,000+$ | High-demand courses like Business, Finance, and specialized STEM subjects often command fees of $£35,000$ and above |
Monthly Living Costs in London (2026/2027)
Living costs have increased significantly. Your budget must comfortably exceed the mandatory UKVI maintenance rate ($£1,529$/month).
Accommodation Data
| Type | Average Cost (Per Week) | Average Monthly Cost (Estimate) | Strategic Tip for Bangladeshi Students |
| University Halls (Average) | $\sim£232$ | $\sim£1,006$ | Bangladeshi students are more likely to opt for university halls (31%) than the general international cohort (15%). |
| Private Rented Student House | $\sim£395$ | $\sim£1,712$ | Living in Outer Zones (3–5) and utilizing the strong Bangladeshi community in East London (e.g., Tower Hamlets) can provide affordable housing/food options. |
| KCL/Imperial Realistic Average | N/A | $\sim£1,719$ to $£2,279$ | This is the typical total monthly expenditure (rent, food, travel, etc.) estimate from leading universities. |
Transport & Essentials
| Item | Estimated Monthly Cost | Savings Strategy |
| Transport (Monthly Travelcard) | $£70$ to $£220$ | The 18+ Student Oyster Photocard provides 30% off season tickets, essential for reducing costs from cheaper Zones 3–5. |
| Food & Groceries | $£250$ to $£350+$ | Cooking Halal at home is key to keeping costs at the lower end of this range. |
| Council Tax | $£0$ (Exempt) | Full-time students are exempt; this is a massive saving compared to non-student households. |
Part-Time Job Data & Earnings Potential
Working part-time is crucial for offsetting costs, but cannot be relied upon to meet the initial $£13,761$ visa fund requirement.
-
Work Allowance: Maximum 20 hours per week during term-time for degree-level students.
-
Minimum Hourly Wage (NLW 21+ 2026 Est.): $\sim£12.71$/hour.
-
Estimated Monthly Earnings (Term-Time): $20 \text{ hours} \times 4 \text{ weeks} \times £12.71 = \mathbf{£1,016.80}$ (Gross)
Looking for personalised numbers tailored to your course and lifestyle?
Share your target university, course, preferred zone, and housing type. I’ll build a tailored 12-month budget (including a one-off setup list) and a visa funds plan specifically for a Bangladeshi applicant.
Book Your Free Consultation With Our Expert Education Counsellors