Guide to Living Costs as an International Student
Moving to another country to live and study is a big step and you need to think about the costs involved in this move.
Not only do you need to think about how you will pay for your course, but you also need to think about the general cost of living.
You must ensure that you have adequate resources to finance your studies before coming to the UK. Once you have arrived at the University, if you require help with budget planning, you can find support with our Student Funding Adviser.
If you need a Student visa to study in the UK you will be required to demonstrate that you have the funds to cover your tuition fees and living costs. For information on the latest requirements, and how this money should be presented, please visit the Student Visa guidance.
Every student will have a different lifestyle and financial requirements. When creating a budget for University, here are some of the monthly costs (besides tuition fees) you should consider (estimated costs for students starting in Academic Year 2025/26):
| Cost | Expected budget required | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £600+ | Price will vary depending on location, type of property, size |
| Accommodation related bills such as gas/electricity | £75 | If you live in University halls of residence you will not have any additional bills |
| Mobile phone | £10 | There are a variety of mobile phone providers offering pay-as-you-go and contract options. You are recommended to shop around for the deal that suits you best. |
| Internet | £20 | If you live in University halls of residence you will not have an additional fee for internet access, and full internet access is available through the campus. |
| TV | £13.25 | If you watch or record live TV you are required to have a TV licence. There are also other digital and satellite TV options which will incur additional cost. |
| Council tax | Full time students do not normally pay council tax, although there are some exceptions. For further information please check the local council website where you live or the UKCISA council tax information. | |
| Groceries | £175 | There are a number of supermarkets around Edinburgh, including discount retailers Lidl and Aldi. |
| Laundry / Toiletries | £10 | |
| Commuting | £50 | If you live off campus or intend to use public transport on a regular basis you will need to take this additional cost into consideration. There are monthly ticket options for buses and trains, and student railcards which save 1/3 off rail travel across Scotland and the rest of the UK. If you are under the age of 22, you will be able to apply for a Young Scot travel card, which will give free bus travel across Scotland. |
| Printing, photocopying stationery, textbooks | £10 | Although you may want to purchase some books for your course, we offer a well-stocked library, and many resources are also available online. The purchasing of books is not a necessity for any programme. |
| Social activities | Student life at QMU offers the chance to pick up new hobbies and meet new friends with whom you may wish to socialise with. It is up to you to ensure that you look at your budget and consider how much you can afford to spend. |
Please note: All budgets are at the lower end of the scale, costs may be higher depending on your needs and lifestyle.
In addition to the monthly outgoings you can expect, you will also have a number of one-off or less frequent costs to consider:
Contents insurance (£15)
It is important that you protect your belongings in case of theft or damage, especially for expensive equipment such as a laptop. If you live in University halls of residence, you will receive automatic contents insurance. For further information, refer to our Accommodation pages.
Furnishings
If you stay in University halls of residence, you will need to purchase bedding, towels, cooking utensils and crockery/cutlery. If you rent unfurnished accommodation you will also need to include furniture. There are many supermarkets, high street stores, furniture stores (including Ikea) in Edinburgh, as well as online shopping, to make these purchases.
Clothing
If you are joining us from a warmer climate, you may have a larger outlay on arrival to buy suitable clothes for the Edinburgh climate.
One of the great bonuses of being a student is the student discounts on offer. Look out for student discounts to help save money, and consider signing up to student discount websites such as UNiDAYS, Totum and Student Beans.
International Office General
For international student enquiries, please email and get in touch.
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