Cheapest Cities in the UK for an International Education & Reasons to Study in the UK

Studying abroad is not an easy deal as it takes a lot of money. From study materials to tuition fees and accommodation, it indeed is a challenge, especially with the discrepancies in currency.

But if you choose your study location wisely, it can significantly cut your costs down and make studying much more affordable. According to a recently published 2016 Student Living Index, which has been calculated by an organization called Natwest, we present to you the cheapest study destinations if you want to study in the UK.

This study targeted a total of 2500 students currently studying in the UK and asked students how they manage their expenses- rent, groceries, bills, and entertainment- and how their part-time jobs supplement it.

On average, a student loan will cover them for £161.14 a week, significantly contributing to their expenses, along with money sent by parents and kin. The third-largest income source is, of course, part-time jobs.

Here is a list of the 4 cheapest study destinations in the UK, considering all these factors.

4 Cheapest Cities in the UK for International Education

1. Portsmouth:

Portsmouth is a small port located in Hampshire, and students here generate an average income of £1,516.98, with rent making up for £101.61 per week and bills amounting to £12.93 per week.

Moreover, if you tend to go out every weekend, you will be spending a total of £7.42 on an average every time.

2. Liverpool:

Liverpool too is a coastal city and has a fantastic tourism sector brimming with innovation and urbanization. You can make an average of £1,425.01 while studying here with rents amounting to £99.35, bills making up for £8.90, and you can still spend around £6.81 for that weekend outing.

3. Newcastle:

Newcastle was a major shipbuilding center during the Industrial Revolution but is now a haven for arts, sciences, and business. It is also known as a university city, establishing itself as a lucrative market for international students.

With an average earning of £1,421.36, students spend a total of £101.55 on their weekly rent, £9.05 on their bills, and £7.81 on their outings.

4. Belfast:

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and is one of the biggest, industrially vibrant, and well-developed cities in the UK. The students here make an average of £1,171.86 while spending £73.81 and £10.77 on rent and bills respectively every week.

Now that you know the cheapest cities in the UK let us dive into the top reasons you should study in the UK.

Reason to study in the UK:

Many people dream of completing higher education in the United Kingdom. British universities come in the top 10 rankings all across the globe. Even though the cost of living is higher than in any other country, you receive a lot more in the United Kingdom than just theoretical education.

Are you still looking for reasons to study in the UK? Here are some that will most definitely convince you:

1. High standards of teaching

All universities have to follow the rules and standards set by the government to ensure quality education. The United Kingdom is known for its high standards of teaching, which is crucial for a successful future.

Since India follows the British education system, Indian students have no difficulty adjusting to the method and style of teaching.

2. Shorter duration of courses

Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the UK are of a shorter duration than anywhere else in the world. This cuts down the tuition fees and living costs. Undergraduate courses are three years long, and postgraduate courses are one year long.

In countries like the USA and Canada, courses are four years long.

3. Flexible working hours

International students in the UK can work up to 20 hours a week during school and full time during holidays. This takes off the financial pressure from students. A student can also assist a professor in the research and earn through that.

4. Travel goals

The United Kingdom is a part of Europe, one of the most beautiful continents on earth. It is made up of many tiny nations. Traveling from the UK to these nations is comparatively easy because of lower costs.

So when it is holiday time, you can go travel with your friends and tick all those places off your bucket list.

The United Kingdom also has a large Indian community, so you will not feel homesick or lonely.

Now that you know why you should go to the UK for your higher studies, and you also know some of the cheapest places in the UK, what are you waiting for?

Plan your future!!

5 Things to Pack for Studying in the UK

Now that you’ve cleared the visa application process and your IELTS proficiency test, there’s another hurdle that you need to jump through – what to pack for the UK.

If you are from India and especially from the South, you will know that the climate is very different in the UK. Now that you are going to a completely different nation, you need to be well-prepared.

Here are five things you need to pack for studying in the UK:

1. Documents

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Carry all your essential documents with you. These include your passport, visa, copy of your acceptance letter from the university, prescription for any medical illness or anything in general, driver’s license, debit cards, credit cards, birth certificate, education certificates, immunization certificate, and current academic transcripts of tertiary studies.

2. Raincoat

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United Kingdom’s weather changes in minutes. You can see all four seasons in a single day in the UK.

It rains quite a lot there as well. You have no option but to carry your raincoat and umbrella with you everywhere.

3. Extra chargers

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Always carry extra laptop and phone chargers with you in the UK.

It might be challenging to find a charger with the same voltage as your previous one.

4. First aid kit

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Always have a small first aid kit in your bag wherever you travel. No one ever hopes to be cut or bruised, but just in case, you have to be prepared.

Convenience stores in the UK aren’t open all day long as in India, and you might not even find one near you.

5. Hoodies and light jackets

Pack only a couple of hoodies and lightweight jackets. Avoid buying heavy winter jackets in India because they are expensive and you need different kinds there.

Winter jackets are pretty cheap in the UK and of good quality.

So, with these 5 things to pack you are all good to go to the UK to study.