In 2026/27 an international student at a UK university usually pays about $32,700–60,100 (£24,700–45,500) a year for a bachelor's degree and about $34,000–52,400 (£25,750–39,600) for a one-year taught master's; medicine costs roughly $62,000–83,000 (£47,000–62,730) a year. Living outside London costs around $19,600 (£14,840) for the academic year, while London runs to about $21,700–22,500 (£16,392–17,042) for nine months alone. Before you travel you also pay the Student visa fee of about $738 (£558) and the Immigration Health Surcharge of about $1,026 (£776) per year of visa, all upfront. A first undergraduate year outside London rarely comes in below about $55,000; an engineering degree in London with living costs and charges is closer to $86,000.
This guide covers where those figures come from, why international students pay several times the domestic fee, halls prices, the visa funds requirement (and why it is not a realistic budget), four first-year calculations and legitimate ways to spend less. Figures were checked against official university fee tables and GOV.UK on 24 September 2026. For an overview of study routes see studying in the UK.
Dollar amounts use the ECB cross rate of 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355 and €1 = £0.85718, so £1 ≈ $1.325) and are rounded.
The budget at a glance
| Item | 2026/27 amount | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, bachelor's | ≈ $32,700–60,100 (£24,700–45,500) a year; medicine ≈ $62,000–83,000 | The university, programme by programme |
| Tuition, taught master's (1 year) | ≈ $34,000–52,400 (£25,750–39,600) | The university |
| Living outside London | ≈ $19,600 (£14,840) for 41 weeks, University of Manchester estimate | Your housing and lifestyle |
| Living in London | ≈ $21,700–22,500 (£16,392–17,042) for 9 months, Imperial College London estimate | Same |
| Student visa fee | ≈ $738 (£558) | Home Office |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | ≈ $1,026 (£776) per visa year, paid upfront | Home Office |
| TB test (if you live in a listed country such as Russia or Kazakhstan) | e.g. $130 at IOM Moscow | Approved clinic |
The money you must show for the visa is not in this table: it is a balance you hold, not a cost.
Tuition: what real universities charge
There is no national average price. Each university publishes its own table, and the spread inside a single institution can be close to double. These are official overseas fees for 2026/27.
| University and programme | International fee per year | Home (UK) fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham: history, business and management | ≈ $32,700 (£24,700) | $12,970 (£9,790) |
| Nottingham: economics, accountancy | ≈ $35,400 (£26,800) | $12,970 (£9,790) |
| Nottingham: computer science, engineering, biology | ≈ $43,600 (£33,000) | $12,970 (£9,790) |
| Nottingham: medicine (BMBS) | ≈ $62,100 (£47,000) | $12,970 (£9,790) |
| Glasgow: arts and social sciences | ≈ $36,600 (£27,720) | Depends on UK nation |
| Glasgow: science, engineering, nursing | ≈ $43,900 (£33,210) | Depends on UK nation |
| Glasgow: MBChB medicine | ≈ $82,900 (£62,730) | Depends on UK nation |
| Imperial College London: Faculty of Engineering, 2026 entry | ≈ $60,100 (£45,500) | $12,970 (£9,790) |
Of Nottingham's 195 undergraduate programmes, 124 charge international students $43,710 (£33,000) and 49 charge $32,720 (£24,700). That pattern is typical: universities group courses into two or three bands (classroom, laboratory, clinical) rather than pricing each one individually.
Scottish bachelor's degrees usually take four years rather than three, so a similar annual fee adds up to a larger total. See our guide to universities in Scotland.
Why UK students pay $12,970 (£9,790) and you pay three times more
The fee depends on your fee status, not on your passport as such. Student visa holders are almost always classed as overseas; since 2021 that also applies to EU citizens without EU Settlement Scheme status. In England the government caps the home undergraduate fee at $12,970 (£9,790) for 2026/27; there is no cap for overseas students.
Ask one more question before paying a deposit: will the fee rise in later years?
- Fixed at entry. LSE fixes the overseas undergraduate fee from the year of entry for all later years (for entrants since 2020/21). Imperial also prices by entry cohort: $60,270 (£45,500) for the 2026 engineering cohort, $59,350 (£44,800) for 2025.
- Annual increases. Nottingham reserves the right to raise international fees each year by no more than 5% or RPI plus 3 percentage points, whichever is higher, and announces this by the end of June.
The UK government has also proposed a levy on international student fees at English universities. Nottingham states that if it is introduced, the levy will be added to the student's fee; the rate has not been confirmed. Until a university confirms a fixed fee in writing, build a buffer of at least 5% a year into a multi-year plan.
Master's, Foundation and MBA
| Nottingham programme, 2026/27 | International fee |
|---|---|
| MA Applied Linguistics, Classics and other humanities | ≈ $34,000 (£25,750) |
| MSc Economics and Data Science, Behavioural Economics | ≈ $40,700 (£30,800) |
| MSc Computer Science, Data Science, Business and Management | ≈ $44,700 (£33,800) |
| MSc Accounting and Finance, Finance and Investment | ≈ $49,600 (£37,500) |
| MSc Financial Economics | ≈ $52,400 (£39,600) |
| MBA | ≈ $44,700 (£33,800) |
A taught master's lasts about 12 months, not nine, because the dissertation is written over the summer, so budget housing and living costs for a full year. Compare taught and research master's formats before you commit to a one-year budget.
Students whose school system ends after 11 years usually start with a Foundation year. Nottingham's Science with Foundation Year costs international students ≈ $26,400 (£20,000) for that year. Treat a bachelor's with Foundation as a four-year budget; see Foundation year in the UK.
Living costs: London and the rest of the UK
Outside London. The University of Manchester estimates $19,660 (£14,840) for a 41-week undergraduate year: $10,730 (£8,100) accommodation, $3,310 (£2,500) groceries, $925 (£700) transport, $465 (£350) phone, $280 (£210) course materials, the rest on eating out, clothes and leisure.
London. Imperial College London gives three 2026 levels for nine months: $15,070 (£11,375) (lower), $21,710–22,580 (£16,392–17,042) (average), $25,240 (£19,055) (upper). The average assumes about $330–355 (£250–267) a week for housing, $87 (£66) a week for food, around $160 (£120) a month for zones 1–2 travel and about $440 (£331) a month for personal spending. Tuition and study materials are excluded.
| Monthly item | Manchester undergraduate | London, Imperial average |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $1,070 (£810) | $1,440–1,530 (£1,084–1,156) |
| Groceries | $330 (£250) | $380 (£286) |
| Transport | $93 (£70) | $160 (£120) |
| Total | ≈ $1,970 (£1,484) | ≈ $2,410–2,510 (£1,821–1,893) |
Almost all of the gap is housing.
Housing prices
- Glasgow, 2026/27: from $170 (£129.92) a week for a shared room to $315 (£239.40) for a studio; a single room in Cairncross House costs $8,680 (£6,552) for 11 September 2026 to 11 June 2027, payable in seven instalments from October to April. Heating, utilities, Wi-Fi and contents insurance are included.
- Manchester: self-catered university halls $645–1,400 (£487–1,060) a month (master's studios up to $1,660 (£1,255)), catered $735–1,300 (£555–982); private halls with bills $1,140–1,340 (£860–1,010); shared houses $855–940 (£645–710).
- London, Imperial: college-run accommodation averages $330 (£250) a week, private sector $355 (£267).
Check the number of weeks. Manchester's undergraduate halls run 41–42 weeks, postgraduate 50–51, private halls 44–51 and private houses usually 52. A cheaper weekly rent on a longer contract can cost more overall. Our guide to student housing in the UK explains deposits and the renting rules that changed in England on 1 May 2026.
Mandatory payments before you travel
| Payment | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition deposit to receive a CAS | Set by the university; counts towards tuition | After an unconditional offer |
| Student visa fee (from outside the UK) | $740 (£558) | Online application |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | $1,030 (£776) per visa year; half for up to 6 extra months | Online application, whole visa upfront |
| TB test (residents of listed countries) | IOM Moscow $130; Adamant St Petersburg 7,820 roubles | Before applying; valid 6 months |
| English test, if a SELT is required | Provider's local price | 2–4 months before applying |
| ATAS certificate (some master's and PhD courses) | Free | At least 30 working days before applying |
The surcharge follows the length of the visa, not the course. For courses of 12 months or more the visa adds one month before and four months after. A one-year master's becomes a visa of about 17 months, charged as 18 months: $1,540 (£1,164). A three-year bachelor's is charged $3,600 (£2,716) on the day you apply. Full details are in our UK Student visa guide.
How much money to show for the visa
You must show any unpaid first-year tuition stated on your CAS plus living funds for each month of the course, up to nine months.
| Where you study | Per month | Maximum (9 months) |
|---|---|---|
| London (City of London and 32 boroughs), applying by 29.11.2026 | $2,030 (£1,529) | $18,230 (£13,761) |
| Outside London, applying by 29.11.2026 | $1,550 (£1,171) | $13,960 (£10,539) |
| London, applying from 30.11.2026 | $2,080 (£1,570) | $18,720 (£14,130) |
| Outside London, applying from 30.11.2026 | $1,590 (£1,203) | $14,340 (£10,827) |
The increase from 30 November 2026 comes from Statement of Changes HC 584 and depends on the date you apply. For a January 2027 or autumn 2027 start, save to the new figures.
The money must be held for 28 consecutive days, and the statement must be dated within 31 days of your application. Tuition already paid and an accommodation deposit paid to the university (up to $2,030 (£1,529), or $2,080 (£1,570) from 30.11.2026) reduce the amount.
Compare: the visa minimum for Manchester is $13,960 (£10,539) for nine months ($14,340 (£10,827) from 30.11.2026), while the university itself estimates $19,660 (£14,840) for 41 weeks. Saving only the visa figure almost guarantees a shortfall by spring.
Kazakhstan is on the differentiation list, so Kazakh citizens do not submit financial evidence with the application but must still hold the funds and may be asked for them. Russia is not on the list.
Four first-year calculations
Guide figures for 2026/27 with no scholarship or part-time earnings. One-off costs include the visa fee and the surcharge for the whole visa; flights, tests and private-rental deposits are excluded.
| Scenario | Tuition | Living | Visa and IHS | First-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History or management BA, Nottingham, 3 years | $32,720 (£24,700) | ≈ $19,660 (£14,840) (Manchester 41-week estimate) | $740 (£558) + $3,600 (£2,716) | ≈ $56,700 (£42,800) |
| Engineering degree, Glasgow, 4 years | $43,990 (£33,210) | ≈ $17,620 (£13,300) (halls $8,680 (£6,552) + other costs from the Manchester estimate) | $740 (£558) + $4,630 (£3,492) | ≈ $67,030 (£50,600) |
| MSc Data Science, Nottingham, 12 months | $44,770 (£33,800) | ≈ $24,510 (£18,500) (Manchester estimate scaled to 51 weeks) | $740 (£558) + $1,540 (£1,164) | ≈ $71,530 (£54,000) |
| Engineering degree, Imperial, London, 3 years | $60,270 (£45,500) | $21,710–22,580 (£16,392–17,042) (9 months, Imperial estimate) | $740 (£558) + $3,600 (£2,716) | ≈ $86,370–87,160 (£65,200–65,800) |
The first month
- May–July: tuition deposit for the CAS.
- 1–3 months before the visa application: TB test, English test if needed, ATAS if required.
- Application day: visa fee and the full surcharge.
- July–August: first halls instalment or a private-rental deposit. In England a tenancy deposit is capped at five weeks' rent (annual rent under $66,230 (£50,000)), and landlords may not take rent before the tenancy agreement is signed.
- September: first tuition instalment, bedding and kitchen items, phone, travel pass.
Legitimate ways to spend less
- Compare cities, not only rankings. Imperial's London estimate is about $450–545 (£340–410) a month above Manchester's, roughly $3,970–4,900 (£3,000–3,700) over nine months.
- Ask about fee increases. A fee fixed at entry can save several thousand pounds over three years compared with 5% annual rises.
- Choose cheaper halls rooms. In Glasgow a shared room costs $170 (£129.92) a week versus $250 (£187.81) for a 51-week en-suite in the same university.
- Use automatic university awards. Glasgow's World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship for 2027 undergraduate entry is $9,270 (£7,000) a year in arts and social sciences and $13,250 (£10,000) in science, engineering and medical, veterinary and life sciences if you meet the grade thresholds. See scholarships in the UK.
- Work within your visa conditions. Degree-level students at a university with a track record of compliance may work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full time in vacations. The National Living Wage from April 2026 is $17 (£12.71) an hour for workers aged 21 and over. Future earnings do not count towards the visa funds. See working while studying and the Graduate Route.
- Claim the council tax exemption. A household where everyone is a full-time student (course of at least a year and 21 hours a week) does not pay council tax.
Paying from Russia
Universities invoice in pounds and take bank transfers or card payments through their portals, and the visa fee and surcharge are paid online. Russian bank cards do not work abroad, so plan a lawful payment route before you accept an offer; see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia. For the visa, Appendix Finance disregards funds held in a financial institution that UKVI cannot verify, that is not regulated in its country, or that does not keep electronic records.
Common mistakes
- Budgeting a year on the visa minimum of $1,550 (£1,171) or $2,030 (£1,529) a month ($1,590 (£1,203) or $2,080 (£1,570) from 30.11.2026).
- Comparing a three-year English degree with a four-year Scottish one without recalculating the total.
- Forgetting that the surcharge for the whole visa is due on application day.
- Budgeting a master's as nine months when the dissertation runs through the summer.
- Not asking whether the fee is fixed for the whole course.
- Moving large sums into the account a few days before applying.
FAQ
In 2026/27, from $32,720 (£24,700) a year for Nottingham's humanities programmes to $60,270 (£45,500) for engineering at Imperial. Medicine is $62,260–83,100 (£47,000–62,730) a year.
No free programmes exist for overseas-fee students. Full funding comes only from large awards such as Chevening, Gates Cambridge or Clarendon, mostly for postgraduate study. For 2027/28, Chevening accepts Russian citizens only if they live outside Russia. Undergraduates more often receive partial fee reductions, such as Glasgow's $9,270–13,250 (£7,000–10,000) a year.
Imperial College London estimates an average of $21,710–22,580 (£16,392–17,042) for nine months, about $2,410–2,510 (£1,821–1,893) a month.
Unpaid first-year tuition from your CAS plus $2,030 (£1,529) a month in London or $1,550 (£1,171) elsewhere ($2,080 (£1,570) or $1,590 (£1,203) if you apply from 30 November 2026), up to nine months, held for 28 consecutive days.
It depends on the university. LSE fixes overseas undergraduate fees at entry; Nottingham may raise them annually by up to 5% or RPI plus 3 points.
Annual fees are similar (Glasgow $36,720–43,990 (£27,720–33,210) for most programmes, Nottingham $32,720–43,710 (£24,700–33,000)), but Scottish bachelor's degrees usually last four years, so the total is higher. For 2027/28 entry Glasgow has already published expected fees of $37,460 (£28,275) and $44,650 (£33,708).
For Student visa holders, NHS access comes through the Immigration Health Surcharge — $1,030 (£776) per visa year, paid when you apply. You do not need a separate health insurance policy for the visa.
Sources
- University of Nottingham: undergraduate fees 2026/27, taught postgraduate fees, fee increases — checked 24.09.2026
- University of Glasgow: international fees 2026/27, accommodation fees 2026/27, World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship — checked 24.09.2026
- Imperial College London: Engineering fees 2026 entry, living costs 2026 — checked 24.09.2026
- Statement of Changes HC 584 — $2,080 (£1,570)/$1,590 (£1,203) from 30.11.2026 — checked 24.09.2026
- LSE: Table of Fees — checked 24.09.2026
- University of Manchester: cost of living 2026/7 — checked 24.09.2026
- GOV.UK: Student visa, Appendix Student, Appendix Finance, Immigration Health Surcharge, TB clinics in Russia, ATAS, minimum wage, council tax for students, rent in advance and deposits — checked 24.09.2026
- Exchange rate: ECB, reference rates of 29.09.2026
Next steps
- Foundation Year in the UK: Types, Entry Requirements, Costs and Progression
- UK University After 11 Years of School: Entry Routes That Actually Work
- Working While Studying in the UK and the Graduate Route: 20 Hours a Week, Tax, and Two Years or 18 Months After Graduation
- Scholarships in the UK in 2026: Chevening, Gates Cambridge, Clarendon and University Awards — What Applicants from Russia, Kazakhstan and Central Asia Can Get
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Studying in the UK for international applicants
