Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Despite challenging economic conditions, the UK remains a very popular among international students. However winning a place to study is only one aspect of the process. Students have to fund the tuition costs and also cover their living expenses as well.
In recent years some overseas students have experienced financial hardship while they have been trying to complete their studies. To prevent this happening (and to set realistic expectations) the current UK Government has changed the requirements for the size of the student’s savings and access to ongoing support when they commence their course of study.
The expected bank balance that an international student has access to increases annually. The current rates (Jan 2026) are: -
This is separate from any tuition fees.
This amount of cash may seem excessive, but it is a realistic budget covering basic living expenses. The argument made is that it’s better to safeguard the experience on offer to the student through access to appropriate funds rather than experience unreasonable financial hardship, and risk dropping out of the course.
NCUK University Pathways ran its poll of international students again, and the headline that 80%prefer the UK as their to check on how this adjustment was received by students looking to study in the UK. The feedback showed the change would discourage a small number of potential students from applying to universities here. More than two-fifths (42 per cent) say they will still apply to the UK, but look at institutions outside London.
Overall, the UK was the preferred choice among those polled, mirroring the results of a similar survey conducted last year, but interest in the US, Canada and Australia has declined.
It is expensive to study as an international student whether you are choosing the UK, Europe or the Americas. So to help with your decision here is a list of the top ways international postgraduate students can afford to live in the UK while studying.
Many UK universities offer merit-based or need-based awards Scholarships can provide valuable support, but even the most generous arrangements are unlikely to meet the full costs of study. These can also include support from your home governments or cultural foundations connected to subjects.
The Government funded scholarships such as GREAT, Commonwealth and Chevening can make a big difference but competition for places is fierce.
Part-time work is allowed on a UK study visa up to 20 hours per week. The rules about the number of hours and the type of work are very strict, and you should not do anything to effect your right to stay because the consequences are severe.
Check the latest rules regarding your study visa before you make any enquiries about part-time work. You university can offer advice on this and there are some great university guides online such as this one from the university of Edinburgh and from the university of Bath.
The type of work you can do is also important. Try to focus on an area that may be related to your studies, such as tutoring, university research/teaching assistant roles. Freelance work such as marking or coding is a tricky area, so you have to make sure you are sticking to the guidance issued with your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
As a masters student your attendance at the university is scheduled around lectures, workshops, labs and completion of your assignments, so you probably want to avoid anything that leaves you unable to complete your studies effectively.
Sometimes the university will set aside rooms on campus for postgraduate students, and these are ideal if you want to be located close to all the facilities you need, but they can be expensive.
Sharing with a group of friends in private housing is the most cost effective accommodation solution. The university accommodation service will have a list of private landlords you can approach, but this is tricky to set up if you are setting this up while you are overseas.
The further out from campus the cheaper the accommodation generally is, but in the UK most private rented accommodation is well established as a designated student area, but there are no strict rules about this.
Generally, you will need to factor in travel costs/time if you plan to live some distance from the campus.
Homestays or family lodgings used to be widespread, and sometimes these can include meals, but you would need to have an introduction to the home already in place to be sure that the setup suits your needs.
If your programme includes an internship or work experience placement this could be very useful for future work. So while you may not get direct financial help from an employer you could be in a good position to take up any role post-graduation.
Remember your study visa will need to be updated to a graduate work visa if you plant to take this pathway.
Paid roles such as student ambassador, library assistant, IT support or leisure centre co-worker (if you have a background in sport) could be open to you, subject to the type of work contract you are offered.
You would be helping promote the university to intending students by working or volunteering as a student ambassador, and this can extend after you graduate and return to your country as a member of the faculty alumni.
It is possible to study for a masters at a UK university and get by on a budget. Getting organised is the key, and if you have been through the university experience recently as an undergraduate then you are probably used to making your money stretch.
The benefits of a UK university education outweigh the disadvantages, so long as you have the financial means and the motivation to make it happen.
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