International student tuition fees

CONTENTS

1. Are you an international student?

2. International student tuition fees

3. How do international students fund their studies?

4. Useful links

Are you an international student?

Since autumn 2021/22, you're likely to be considered an international or overseas student if you don’t have the right to live in the UK and its islands. Overseas UK nationals who don’t meet certain residence criteria may also be required to pay overseas fees.

Following Brexit, from autumn 2021 most EU, Swiss and EEA students won't qualify for home fee status or access to the UK student loan system. Exceptions are made for EU students who are already living in the UK and registered with EU Settlement Scheme, and Irish students.

Unsure whether you are classed as an international, EU or UK student? Read about eligibility for student finance in the UK.

International student tuition fees

Universities in the UK don’t have standardised tuition fees for overseas students. The fees of UK-resident undergraduates at public universities are capped by the governments of each nation (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales). Although some courses cost more to run, such as lab-based or clinical courses, a university can only charge UK undergraduates what each government allows. The same doesn't apply to international students.

So, what international students pay for their tuition varies by the type of course and by institution – with some renowned universities charging a premium.

You can check individual course fees in our course listings. Ensure you set your location to display the correct fee.

EU-resident students are no longer eligible for home fee status, but some universities are offering extra support to help with the transition to overseas fees. Measures include EU fees or EU scholarships for those starting a course in 2023/24, which may be offered for one year or the duration of the course, depending on the uni. However, eligible EU-resident students will have to fund the remaining tuition fees themselves.

Why are international student fees higher?

Along with paying the true cost of a course, international student tuition fees may also go towards the cost of maintaining an institution’s international/visa teams (if applicable), or for universities to retain their visa sponsor status. They can also subsidise a university’s academic research, which in turn can help build its reputation.

Why is it worth studying in the UK?

Currently, 20% of all UK students studying in higher education are international students – around 15% are undergraduates and 37% are postgraduates (Universities UK, 2020). After the US, the UK is the second most popular destination in the world for international students.

When it comes to choosing where to study, students want to know that it’ll lead them towards a good career. The UK’s universities have a global reputation for their research and the quality of their education. You can check graduate employment and student satisfaction scores for individual institutions on our university league tables and on each university profile. 

Courses may offer placements to gain experience, and most universities also offer careers support and the chance to build networks with employers. Studying in an English-speaking country also provides the opportunity to practice language skills.

The things that help a student settle in – such as faith or social networks and accommodation support – may be provided by universities. On our university profiles you can see what support is available for international students, including scholarships towards tuition fees. In addition, many UK cities are quite diverse, representing many different cultures. This can help students build connections outside their university.

The UK has also made changes to its visa system. Applications to the Student route visa can now be made up to six months in advance, and postgraduates won’t have a time limit to complete a course as long as their studies are progressing. A new Graduate route visa (from summer 2021) allows international graduates to stay and seek work in the UK for two years without a sponsor (three years for PhD graduates).

Shorter courses could save you money

A bachelor’s degree in England is typically three years long, which may be shorter than equivalent courses in the US. There are also accelerated degrees, where a bachelor’s degree can be completed in just two years with shorter vacations. Accelerated degrees may cost a little more than a standard degree, but you’ll have one year less to pay for. Clinical degrees (Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine) and Architecture generally take around five years to complete.

A taught master’s degree usually takes only one year full-time rather than the two years typical elsewhere.

How do international students fund their studies?

Many undergraduate international students get financial support from their home countries. There are scholarships and bursaries available for international students coming to study in the UK, including many for postgraduate study. From August 2021, international postgraduates will be able to apply for research council funding – you can find out more about this on our page covering postgraduate funding.

Overseas students must prove they have enough funds for the full tuition fees and all necessary living costs before they can enter the UK. Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from this requirement.

Once in the UK, depending on the visa sponsor status of the institution where they study, many full-time international students are allowed to work while they study. Students may be able to work full-time during holidays, and up to 20 hours a week in term time. For more information on working as you study in the UK, see UKCISA.

University websites have lots of information specifically for international students – check them out and contact universities directly to ask about the fees you'd pay and any bursaries or scholarships available.

Useful links

• British Council for information about financial support
• British Council for information about the cost of studying in the UK
• Postgraduate scholarships for international students
• Studying in the UK: Guidance for EU students