Make the most of your money

You want to enjoy a healthy and happy study life in the UK. Knowing how much you need to for living expenses is a great starting point, but keep in mind the cost of living may be higher or lower depending on where you live.The UK Government suggests you will need:

  • £1,334 per month if you live in London for the majority (more than 50 percent) of your study

  • £1,023 per month if you live outside London for the majority of your study (more than 50 percent of study time)

These figures do not include the cost of your study or tuition fees. There are some handy websites you can use to help budget for your time in the UK. One option is Expatistan, which calculates the cost of living in the UK using up-to-date, crowd-sourced data.

Currency

For your banking and payments options in the UK, you generally pay (and are paid) in pounds and pence. You can make purchases at stores using coins and notes, or a debit or credit card.You might notice that the notes you get in Scotland and Northern Ireland look a bit different – even though the currency is the same, Scottish and Northern Irish banks print their own notes. These are usually accepted in the rest of the UK, but if you have any problems and need to change them to Bank of England notes, you can do so at any major bank in the UK.

Bank accounts

Most UK banks will be happy to open an account for you while you’re living in the UK. To open an account, you will generally need:

  • Your passport

  • A document confirming the school, college or university you are/will be attending

  • Proof of address at home and in the UK

  • Reference and statements from your home bank

To make the process easier, you might want to first check with the bank you currently bank with in your home country, to see if they have a relationship with a UK-based bank and can help you set up an account.To access money from your account, you can:

  • Use your bank’s online or telephone banking service

  • Visit your local bank branch

  • Withdraw money from an ATM

  • Ask to get ‘cash back’ when making an in-store purchase on your debit card

Getting your phone and internet organised

You’ll probably want to get your phone and Internet sorted pretty quickly after arriving in the UK.When it comes to phones, you have three main options:Landline: usually only relevant if you live off campus. You might be able to get a better deal by bundling your landline with Internet access, or you might choose not to have a landline at all and stick with your mobile.Mobile – prepaid: gives you control over how much you spend and you can stop using whenever you want. Pre-paid SIM cards are widely available from UK shops and supermarkets, as well as from mobile phone providers.Mobile – contract: Depending on how much you use your mobile and what for, a contract with a UK-based mobile phone provider could be cheaper.

Making international calls

International calls can be a lot more expensive than calls within the UK. You might want to buy an international calling card (which gives you better rates) or use online options like Skype or FaceTime instead. You can buy international calling cards from most convenience stores.To call a UK number from overseas, you need to enter the country code (44) followed by the area code and then the telephone number.To call another country from the UK, enter 00 followed by the relevant country code, followed by the area code (if required) and then the telephone number.

Accessing the internet

You will have lots of options for Internet access in the UK, but it pays to shop around to find the plan that offers the best price and download limits for your needs.Most educational institutions provide free Wi-Fi which you can access with your student logon and password. If you can’t access the Internet through your own laptop or computer, you can usually find one to use in the student library, at an off-campus public library or internet café.Some places offer free Wi-Fi, but some Internet cafes for example, will charge by the hour. Don’t forget to check the security of the network you are connecting to.

If you’re looking for guidance on managing your living expenses while studying in the UK, IDP is here to help! Our knowledgeable advisors can assist you in understanding the cost of living, budgeting tips, and finding affordable accommodation. Reach out to IDP today for personalized support as you embark on your study abroad adventure!

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Why Choose IDP for Studying in the UK

✔ Partnered with over 100 educational institutions in the UK. 

✔ The largest representative of Russell Group universities in Thailand. 

✔ Co-owner of the IELTS exam and an official IELTS test center. 

✔ All UK Counsellors are certified by the British Council. 

✔ Provides guidance on courses, universities, and various scholarship opportunities. 

✔ IDP assists with applications and offers free follow-up services. 

✔ Free review of SOP documents by native speakers. 

✔ Assists with accommodation, bank account opening, visa processing, and other essential travel needs. 

✔ The only education consultancy in Thailand continuously certified by AIRC for 7 years. 

✔ Over 500,000 students sent to study abroad worldwide, with more than 50 years of service and over 190 offices in 35 countries globally.