The United Kingdom has one of the highest-quality education programmes in the world, and it serves as an international gateway for students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. International students are drawn to the United Kingdomfor a variety of reasons. Another important aspect that makes it a top study abroad destination is its affordability. It is quite tricky to find inexpensive housing in the United Kingdom without sacrificing a high-quality educational experience.
Students are often stopped from studying abroad due to the high living costs. However, the United Kingdom has some excellent choices for affordable education, as many of its top-ranked universities are located in some of the world’s most inexpensive cities, which not only provide students with cheap places to live but also enable them to enjoy their student life without feeling financially strained.
London is the number one student city in the world this year, according to most publications, which is unsurprising considering the city’s large number of top universities. However, it’s no secret that, in addition to its allure for citizens and visitors alike, the world’s most famous capital is still one of the most expensive places to live.
Fortunately, there are many relatively less expensive student cities in the UK that offer a high standard of education and lifestyle, as well as a diverse range of things to see and do.
We have compiled a list of the most affordable cities in the UK for Indian students:
· Aberdeen (Scotland)
Aberdeen, dubbed the “Granite City” because of its long-standing grey-stone buildings and walls, is a port city in Scotland’s northeast. The Marischal College, a Victorian building that has served as the City Council’s headquarters since 2011, is the city’s most significant landmark. Tuition fees at Aberdeen’s two globally recognised universities average US$17,900, which is less than other UK universities.
Aberdeen is ranked 55th in this year’s Best Student Cities list, but it is the only UK city in the top 50 for affordability, coming in at number 47.
The University of Aberdeen is the city’s fifth oldest university, and it’s also one of the most accessible for students, with a monthly cost of living projected to be over US$3,215 less than in London.
· Manchester (England)
Manchester is the UK’s second largest city and the second most affordable city for students in the country. It is ranked 51st in the world for affordability and 24th overall.
It was once a textile powerhouse, and remnants of this can be seen in the still-existing 18th century canal system in the Castlefield conservation area, as well as the immersive Museum of Science & Industry. Manchester is also home to Old Trafford, one of the most popular football stadiums in the world, which is the stadium of popular club Manchester United.
Students should expect to pay about US$16,100 a year in tuition fees at all of Manchester’s globally rated universities, including the city’s highest-ranked university, the University of Manchester, which is ranked 29th in the world. According to the official website of the University of Manchester, the cost of living is estimated to be about US$1,137 per month.
· Newcastle (England)
Newcastle is located on the River Tyne in England’s north-eastern region. It was a major shipbuilding and manufacturing centre during the Industrial Revolution, and it is now a centre for commerce, research, and the arts.
Newcastle is ranked 56th in the world as a university city and 54th in terms of affordability. It has three globally ranked universities, two of which are among the top 300 in the world.
Newcastle’s student life is widely lauded for its well-known friendly atmosphere and relatively low living costs. While tuition fees are not cheap, averaging US$22,100 a year, the cost of living here is 39 percent lower than in London, with the cheapest available rent being 65 percent lower.
· Nottingham (England)
Nottingham, affectionately known as the “Queen of the Midlands,” is located in the heart of England and is well-known for its popular association with the famous tale of Robin Hood. There’s much to do each day here, with the historic city’s eminent Nottingham Castle Museum at its finest, as well as the Nottingham Contemporary art gallery.
Nottingham is the 57th best city for affordability and the 47th best city overall, according to this year’s list.
Nottingham is home to two globally ranked universities, the most notable of which is the University of Nottingham, which is ranked joint 82nd in the world. Undergraduate tuition fees at both ranked universities total just US$18,900 per year, which is less than all of the universities reported thus far. The University of Nottingham was recently ranked the second-cheapest university in the UK by the Telegraph, with an average total weekly spend of about US$235 (roughly US$940 monthly).
· Glasgow (Scotland)
The port city of Glasgow, located in the western Lowlands of Scotland, is known for its storied history that includes trade and shipbuilding in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Glasgow is now a cultural mecca, with the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, and National Theatre of Scotland among the city’s most renowned museums and arts institutions.
Glasgow, which is ranked 59th for affordability and 43rd overall, is also home to two universities that are among the world’s top 300, with the University of Glasgow being the highest-ranked.
The cost of living in Glasgow is just marginally lower than that of Edinburgh, with tuition fees at each of the city’s ranked universities averaging US$23,800 a year (eight percent). Glasgow is 38% less expensive than London, with rents costing less than half of what they do in the capital (56 percent).
· Birmingham (England)
It’s the world’s 51st best student city, and it’s also the world’s 64th most affordable. Birmingham is home to two of the world’s most prestigious universities, the University of Birmingham (ranked joint 79th) and Aston University, with average international fees of around US$21,400 a year for both.
Birmingham has a cost of living index that is almost 22% lower than London, which is good news for students.
· Edinburgh (Scotland)
Edinburgh, Scotland’s breathtaking mountainous capital, was used to film many of the famous Harry Potter It is renowned for its lush, picturesque scenery, old mediaeval castles, and Georgian architecture, and has been featured in numerous films. In this year’s list, it is the 16th best student city in the world and the 66th most reasonable.
Scotland’s capital, which is home to one of the world’s most prestigious universities, the University of Edinburgh, which is currently ranked 18th in the world, has three globally ranked institutions in total, with foreign students paying an average of US$28,000 a year in tuition fees.
Edinburgh rent is over 51% cheaper than London, and foreign applicants for 2021-22 are expected to pay a minimum living cost (including rent) of about US$891 per month, according to the University of Edinburgh’s official website.
Remitting money from India to England
Students will need financial aid from their family for the first couple of semesters before they start doing part-time job and manage their expenses on their own.
Before that, they will need to pay tuition fee and other expenses. For that, you will have to convert Indian Rupee (INR) to Great British Pound (GBP) and then you will be able to transfer money from India to UK. For a hassle free process, you can choose a reputed online remittance platform that will process the money in no time.
These platforms also provide several discounts on education related transfers, so you can keep an eye on the offers and make the most out of it.