Fees & Costs

This is a controversial time for funding in British universities. Many institutions claim that they don’t have sufficient resources to provide the service they are expected to - which means that students pay higher fees. From 2006 the Labour government have controversially introduced higher “top up fees” at undergraduate level and fees are continuing to rise at postgraduate level too.

Students from within the EU do not count as ‘international students’, and pay the same fees as British students. These can range from £3,000 to £6,000 [or approx €4,500 to €9,000] per year depending on the institution and course concerned. Non-EU students are not state-subsidised and can expect to pay from £6,000 to £25,000 [approx €9,000 to €37,000] per year in tuition fees.

While this may seem expensive, bear in mind that UK Masters programmes can typically be completed in one year, compared to two years in many other countries.

These figures don’t take living costs into account, such as accommodation, food, heating, transport and other day-to-day expenses. The cost of living in the UK varies throughout the country. A recent survey found that the average cost of living for a student was £9,200 in London and its environs and £7,200 elsewhere.

There are scholarships and funding opportunities available, but, as always, competition is tough for these. More than 21,000 international students receive scholarship funding from the UK Government every year, however, many of these opportunities are for Commonwealth students only. The Overseas Research Student Awards Scheme [ORSAS] is administered by each individual institution. A database of scholarships for international students is available on the Education UK website.

The Irish government provides a number of funding opportunities, as do other organisations. Financial support through the EU Erasmus scheme may be possible. The Internet is generally the best resource for discovering exactly what is available. Your current and prospective university should also be able to provide information.

Students from EU countries are free to work in the UK while they study. Non-EU students must apply for a work permit. Other sources of funding include student loans and generous parents.