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British is fast becoming a prominent study destination for Indian and other international students due to its high-quality education system and world-class universities. A British degree is highly valued and internationally recognized, proving to be a gateway for career opportunities worldwide. The developing universities in the UK are characterized by high-edge technology, modern infrastructure, and a curriculum to prepare students for the dynamic change in the job market.

Most students want to study in the UK, but the most frequently stated reason that stops them from doing so is that the country is considered to be very costly in its living expenses. While this is undeniably true for some parts of the country, especially central London, there are still many cities and regions where students can afford their education and lifestyle. This blog seeks to decode living costs in Inner and Outer London and the cheapest from the whole of the UK for students.

The cost of living in the UK is dependent on where one stays within the UK, therefore it can be broadly classified into these two categories: Inner London and Outer London.

1. Inner London (Very Expensive and Central)

Inner London embraces some of the most expensive and exclusive places including:

• Westminster
• Kensington
• Camden
• City of London

Most of these places house some of the best universities in the United Kingdom, such as University College London, Imperial College London, and the London School of Economics. Inner London is known for being quite expensive mainly because these areas are in the center of everything for business, and all the best facilities can be reached easily from them.

• Shared Accommodation: £800 - £1500/month
• Private Apartment: £1500 - £2500/month

Inner London would also put the student up close to top universities, great networking opportunities, and major cultural landmarks. Still, the prohibitive rents and costs of daily living often seriously hurt students' budgets.

1. Outer London (Less Expensive)

Outer London regions are comparatively less expensive and include:

• Wembley
• Stratford
• Croydon
• Kingston upon Thames

This reduces the costs of housing and living, but only if one uses the excellent public transport network in the city to reach his or her university, because without it, there would be no option to stay in Outer London and still attend one of the top schools in London.

• Shared Accommodation: £500 - £900/month
• Private Apartment: £1000 to £1800/month

Coventry is among the fastest-growing student cities in the UK, especially since Coventry University and the University of Warwick operate from this city. The city has relatively less living costs when compared to other major student hubs. Average Rent: 350 - 700 Pounds Living Expenses: 400 - 700 Pounds Coventry's central location makes it easy to travel to major cities like Birmingham and London. The public transport system is pretty cheap, with lots of discounts for students.

LEICESTER

The cheapest city for students, Leicester is home to a very mixed population and a lot of culture. It houses the University of Leicester and De Montfort University.

• Average Rent: 350 - 700 Pounds
• Living Expenses: 400 - 700 Pounds

Leicester has a lively student community, cheap accommodation, and cheap transport.

CARDIFF

Cardiff, the Welsh capital, happens to be one of the cheaper cities in the UK for students. It plays host to Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University.

• Average Rent: £350 - £650 per month
• Living Expenses: £400 - £700 per month

Cardiff offers cheap accommodation, cheap transport, and several student discount schemes. The city is equally famed for its rich cultural landscape and the exciting array of student events.

GLASGOW

Glasgow remains a highly famous student city in Scotland, playing host to the likes of the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Strathclyde.

• Average Rent: 350 - 700 Pounds
• Living Expenses: 400 - 750 Pounds

Low cost of living, good public transportation, and ample student-oriented entertainment make Glasgow popular among students.

• Go for University Halls or Shared Accommodation: Usually, on-campus homes or shared apartments are more affordable sites to stay in than private rentals.
• Use Student Discounts: Make the most of any discounts available to you on transport, shopping, and entertainment using the TOTUM card or your university ID.
• Cook Your Own Meals: Eating out involves a huge chunk of your budget; learn cooking and prepare your own meals to save more.
• Use Public Transport: Apply for a 16-25 Railcard or an Oyster Card to shrink some of those travelling costs.
• Go for Part-Time Work: This could help keep you afloat while studying as international students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time.

Studying in the UK is considered to be expensive, but if you plan well and choose the right city, this will greatly cut your expenses. Living in Outer London is cheaper than living in Inner London while still being able to access top universities. Also, cities like Sheffield, Newcastle, Coventry, Leicester, Cardiff, and Glasgow offer extremely high standards of education with the lowest cost of living, suitable for financial mode of students.

With an understanding of how costs vary across cities and the ability to keep expenses in check, international students can have an enjoyable educational experience in the UK without financial burden.