Guide to the cost of living and studying in London

Individual costs calculator

This page will to allow you to calculate how much you are likely to need for 12 months living and studying in London. The figures are based on averages and are therefore intended as a guide only.

Select the circumstances that are most likely to apply to yourself in each of the sections below, choose the appropriate amounts in the drop down menus, and then hit the calculate button at the end to get the total figure. Alternatively return to the main cost of living page.


Accommodation Choose appropriate figure

Where are you planning on living?:

Catered halls (single room) - £6,600
Self catered halls (or shared room in catered) - £5,000
Self catered halls (shared room) - £3,800
Private rented housing (central London) - £6,400
Private rented housing (zone 2) - £5,100
Private rented housing (zone 3+) - £4,600

 


     
Food & general maintenance    

How often will you cook your own food?

Always - £1,200
Most of the time but take some meals at college - £2,200
Will rarely cook for yourself - £3,600

 
     
Travel    

How far will your accommodation be from your college/university?

Within walking distance - £250
You can take a bus or a short tube journey - £600
You will need to take the tube/train to another travel zone - £1,100

 
     
Social expenses    
How often will you be going out, visiting places or doing activities in London?

Rarely or will look for free activities - £400
You will treat yourself now and then - £850
You like to socialise and visit attractions frequently - £1,500

 
     
Other costs    

This final fixed figure covers the average amounts spent on other items such as books and study materials, clothing, laundry costs, phone calls and internet costs. There is also a small amount built in for unexpected costs.


 
Click here to calculate the total amount we estimate you will need for 12 months in London.   *


* Please note that this amount is an estimate based on the averages spent by students in our survey. You will also need to consider the cost of return travel to your home country and any other expenses you know you will incur that we have not included. Obviously you will also need to account for the tuition fee payable to your institution.


return to the top of the page

   

Compiled with support from the Prime Minister's Initiative for International Education