Studying in the UK? Here’s A Quick Look at 2025 - 26 Fees

Planning your move?  Figure out if studying in the UK fits your budget with this guide to university tuition fee in UK for international students

The first thing that comes to mind about deciding whether something is worth it is to look back at the budget. The same thing applies when you’re planning your next study intake in the UK.  If you’re applying from outside the UK, one of the first things you’ll want to check is what you’ll need to pay in tuition. Tuition fee in uk aren’t the same everywhere. It depends on the course and the university and many students also explore  academic help and financial planning when preparing for study abroad.”

Some subjects, like lab-based sciences or medicine, tend to cost more. Arts and humanities are usually a bit lower. Every university sets its own fees, so there’s no fixed amount across the board.

In this blog, you’ll get a clear breakdown of university fees in UK for international students for the 2025 and 2026 intakes. The figures are based on actual fee ranges from UK universities. We’ll also cover other important costs like accommodation, daily living, and visa fees — to help you plan a realistic budget before you apply

Foreign Student Fees UK: What You Need to Know Before Applying

If you’re interested in studying in the UK in the next intake, it is vital to know how much a foreign student’s fees are in the UK. If you understand the fee structure in advance, you’ll then avoid unexpected costs during your study. While most universities show base tuition, there are a few key details students often overlook.

1. Fees may vary, Subject to Subject

The cost of a course can vary by subject. Most undergraduate degrees for international students in 2025 and 2026 fall between £11,400 and £38,000 per year. Lab-based courses like engineering or computing tend to sit higher than humanities or education courses.

2. Additional Course Costs Are Common

Not all the degrees have the same costs, and you may not see the details of some costs on the main tuition page because many degrees include extra fees. These could include:

• Lab or workshop access fees
• Studio materials (for design/creative subjects)
• Field trips or off-site placements
• Admin charges for foundation or placement years
  
  

For some courses, add-on costs can easily be another £1,000–£3,000 a year, which changes a lot from one university to another.

It’s also common for students to put money aside for things like books or getting some assignment help when settling into UK study.

3. Fees Can Change Year to Year

Some universities lock in your tuition fee at the rate you pay in Year 1. Others increase it slightly each year (usually by 2% to 5%). It’s worth checking this in your offer letter or the tuition policy before applying.

4. Courses With Extra Years May Look Cheaper, But Aren’t

At first some courses with foundation years or placements seem cheaper because the fees in the first year look lower. In reality you end up paying across four or five years. It is better to look at the total cost of the full course rather than just the first year.

Why It’s Important to Understand Foreign Student Fees Uk?

Most international students start by checking base tuition fees in the UK — but those numbers don’t always reflect the full cost of studying in the UK. Beyond the headline figure, several key factors affect how much you’ll actually pay over the course of your degree. And with recent changes in how universities operate, these details matter more than ever.

Here’s a look at some data that highlights some factors to consider about tuition fees in uk for international students

 

Key Factor	What It Means	Source
Tuition income from foreign students is critical	Some UK universities rely heavily on international tuition to stay financially stable	The Guardian – university income from international students
Institutions under financial pressure	Around 75% of English universities are expected to operate at a deficit in 2025–26, according to sector analysis.	The Guardian – 2025–26 university budget shortfalls
Extra course costs are common	Students may be charged separately for labs, field trips, or studio use	Imperial College London
Living costs vary by location	Students should budget £1,300–£1,400/month in London and £900–£1,300/month outside London, based on real spending estimatesaccording to the British Council’s Study UK guide.	Study UK (British Council)

 

Student Insight: 

Many students realise too late that what looks like a mid-range course fee may end up thousands higher due to hidden extras or annual fee increases. And with universities facing financial strain, fewer are offering full cost transparency up front.

This is why understanding how fees are structured — and asking the right questions before applying — is just as important as comparing course rankings or locations

So, what’s the Total Cost you Should Expect?

Most students start by checking the tuition fee on the course page — but that’s rarely the full amount. Depending on your subject, university, and study length, there may be extra costs added later. Some are expected, others less obvious, but all of them affect how much you’ll need to budget.

 

Tuition Fee Ranges by Course Type

 

Course Type	Annual Fee Range	Details
Undergraduate (non-lab)	£11,400 – £20,000	Arts, business, and social sciences
Undergraduate (lab/studio)	£18,000 – £28,000	Engineering, science, architecture, computing
Medicine / Dentistry	£32,000 – £47,000	Based on clinical years and placements
Postgraduate (taught)	£12,000 – £25,000	Most 1-year Master’s programmes
MBA / Specialist Postgrad	£22,000 – £45,000	Depends on ranking and subject

 

Sources: UCL, Warwick, Manchester, Exeter, and Imperial College London fee schedules for international students (2025–26)

Additional Charges Related to Study

Charge Type	Typical Range	Applied When
Application Fee	£20 – £60	Some universities require it at the time of applying
Visa Application	£524	Charged by UKVI for a standard student visa
Health Surcharge (IHS)	£776 per year	Paid with your visa to access the NHS
Course Materials / Equipment	£500 – £2,000	May apply in lab, design or field-based courses
Resits / Retake Fees	£1,000+ per module	Applies if you repeat assessments
Graduation or Admin Costs	£50 – £150	May be listed in final year policies

Sources: UK government visa and health fee guidelines, and public university fee pages

Will You Pay the Same Tuition Every Year in the UK?

This question can be answered with both yes and no, because some UK universities keep your tuition fixed for the whole course. Others may raise it each year, sometimes by 2% to 5%. It’s not always stated clearly, so double-check the offer or ask admissions.

What you pay in your first year might not be the same in your second. Some courses bump the fee up slightly each year, so it’s worth asking before you commit — just to plan properly.

Are Scholarships available in the UK for Overseas students in 2025 – 26?

Being a non-UK student, if you’ve read the above fee structures and all the other costs, you might be thinking of a scholarship in the UK. Because it is an economical way for Students applying from outside the UK. 

Yes, scholarships are there for 2025 and 2026, but they don’t come automatically. You usually need good grades and to apply early. Some universities also give subject-based awards or small fee discounts, though these aren’t always advertised.

Is Part-time Work allowed in the UK for International Students to Manage Tuition Fees?

If you’re on a Student visa in the UK, you’re usually allowed 20 hours of work a week in term time and full-time in holidays. At the current minimum wage, that might give you £850 to £950 in a month. It takes care of rent or groceries for many, but tuition fees are higher — often £12,000 or more each year.  

As someone studying in the UK from overseas, you’ll see that a part-time job won’t fully cover tuition. Most people need either savings, family help, or a scholarship too.

Final Thoughts

Students moving to the UK for education usually check tuition first, but the number on the website isn’t the whole story. Tuition fees in UK for international students change with subject, and there are always a few other costs.

Some cover it with scholarships, some with savings, some mix in part-time jobs. The main thing is not leaving the budget too late. Planning it early makes the rest of your study life a lot less stressful and knowing how tuition links with the UK university grading system gives a clearer picture of what to expect during your degree

A simple tip: always read the small print in your offer letter — that’s where hidden charges are usually written.