Necessary Hacks to Save Money
while Studying in the UK
Necessary Hacks to Save Money while Studying in the UK
Studying abroad is a life-altering but confusing process. The United Kingdom is a highly
popular choice for international students to study at globally recognized universities.
Moreover, studying in a different country can be a lifetime experience for international
students. However, it can cost you a good number of pennies, time, and effort. In spite of
that, an organized and efficient budget plan can help you manage your studying and living
expenses more effectively. This is why, before leaving your home country, ensure that you
consider expenses like accommodation, food, health insurance, entertainment and travel
along with your tuition fee while calculating your total expenses in the United Kingdom.
Moreover, living and other expenses in the UK vary on the basis of an individual's lifestyle
and personal circumstances. At the very beginning, foreign students should start out
calculating the costs that they will have to bear during their study period. Let’s take a look
at each of the costs and the ways to manage those while studying and living in the UK.
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1. Scholarship or Funding
Tuition fees at UK universities largely depend on the
institution and course you’ve enrolled in. Moreover,
in the UK, there are many high-ranking universities
and colleges with their own fees and structures. The
tuition fee also differs depending on the location of
your university. For example, there are four countries
under the United Kingdom (England, Scotland,
Northern Ireland, Wales) umbrella and international
tuition fees vary between these nations as well. Also,
the tuition fees depend on the student's level of
degree.
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Getting a scholarship or funding from the
university or from a professors is the common
way to reduce your tuition fees. If you get a
scholarship you’ll be able to save a large
amount of money. UK universities offer a large
number of scholarships for both local and
international students. We would recommend
you to look at national-level scholarships to find
open scholarships. Your community and school
are a good starting point to look for them as
well. Your guidance counsellor or anyone
designated to help graduating seniors can
provide you with several scholarships available
for seniors. You may also contact the
Universities representatives. Most of the
information you may also get on the University
website.
The scholarships are:
▫
Commonwealth Scholarship
▫
Rhodes Scholarship
▫
Fulbright Scholarship
▫
The Chevening Scholarship
▫
The Global Study Awards
▫
The Royal Society Grants
▫
Gates Cambridge
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2. Student Accommodation
vs Living at Home
In the UK the accommodation costs vary on a large scale. Most
UK universities provide on campus accommodation facilities
called the Halls of Residence to international students. These
can be full board or self-catered. In addition, cities like London,
Nottingham, Manchester are hugely costlier than other cities
and towns. International students can live either in their
university dorms or residences or go for private or shared
apartments in the UK. As most UK universities offer
accommodation for international students, it should be the
most preferred and financially beneficial option for them and
as a result, the foreign students can reduce their expenses.
Furthermore, living on-campus residency will add
conveniences for students as their campuses are just a walking
distance away. Moreover, they can save their transportation
costs. Also, the students can share their rooms with other
students at the very beginning. However, if you get lucky you’ll
get a separate room with an attached bathroom.
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3. Using Public
Transport in
England
If you’re going to London, England
you will discover a highly organized
public transport and you should
take advantage when you’ll be
here. You’ll need an Oyster Card to
use the British public transport.
However, it can be difficult for you
to identify which option of Oyster
Card is more suitable for you.
Here's a breakdown which might
be helpful for you.
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❑ Top up as You Go Card:
If you are not going to use your public transport more
frequently it’ll be the best option for you. You can buy this one
at a top up machine only for £5 and you can use it at all zones.
❑ Student Card:
Students need to submit an online application as a proof that
they have enrolled at a UK university to get the student card.
The card will cost £20 which can be reimbursed once the card
expires. Moreover, the card will save 30% of their regular costs.
❑ Monthly Card:
If you’re planning to use your Oyster Card very frequently, it
can be the best option for you. You’ll have the option to buy a
prepaid monthly Oyster card that will allow you unlimited
travel between the selected zone. In addition, it will be
effective for you for the long run.
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4. Grocery and Shopping Tips
There are plenty of grocery stores in the UK to
choose from, but it is good to know which ones
will get you the best deals. Sainsbury’s and Tesco
are the cheapest and well known for international
students. Students will find everything they need.
You’ll need homeware items after your landing in
the UK especially if you’re going to live in an
apartment or student housing. You can buy these
things from Primark or Poundland. You will find
bed, bath and kitchen necessities. You need to
remember that you’re purchasing all these things
only once. So, you don’t need to worry about the
cost.
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5. Free Entertainment in
London
You will get this good deal of entertainment only
in London and finding these things won’t be
difficult for you at all. As London is a city to walk
around with plenty of fascinating architecture
and history, you will never get bored in this city.
Moreover, you can visit most of the museums
without spending a single penny in England. The
United Kingdom also has a large number of parks
where you can spend some quality and peaceful
time and you don’t need to spend money here as
well. The Regents and Green Park are two most
beautiful British parks. Furthermore, if you want
to enjoy the sunset, The Sky Garden is a
wonderful place to go.
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6. Don’t Rush to
Buy Books
You might get a shock at the beginning
of your academic year when you’ll
receive a reading list which might be
more expensive than your parents’
house. You need to find out which
books you must buy because believe it
or not buying these books can be a
waste of money. As for the others, if
need be, you can always borrow them
from the library.
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Conclusions: In the end, it is true that international students often get a pretty bad
reputation for their questionable money management skills. So, you can start making
your plan from now on since you have got an idea of costs of living and studying in the
United Kingdom.
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Thanks!
www.ahzassociates.co.uk
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