Understanding the UK cost of living for Bangladeshi students is essential for planning your study abroad journey. Beyond tuition fees, daily expenses significantly impact your budget and overall student experience in the UK.
From accommodation in the UK for Bangladeshi students to food, transport, and personal expenses, this guide breaks down all costs you’ll encounter, helping you prepare financially for your UK education.
UK Tuition Bangladesh Student Costs
Tuition represents your largest expense when studying in the UK. Fees vary by university, program level, and subject area.
Undergraduate Tuition Fees
Classroom-based courses: £11,000-£17,000 annually
- Arts, humanities, business, social sciences
Laboratory-based courses: £15,000-£25,000 annually
- Engineering, computer science, sciences
Medical courses: £25,000-£40,000 annually
- Medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science
Postgraduate Tuition Fees
Master’s programs: £12,000-£28,000 for the full program (typically 1 year)
- MBA programs often cost £20,000-£35,000
- Most taught master’s range £15,000-£22,000
PhD programs: £15,000-£30,000 annually (3-4 years)
Popular universities like the University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, and Coventry University offer competitive programs across these price ranges.
UK Living Cost BD Breakdown
The UK government sets minimum living cost requirements for visa applications:
- Outside London: £1,015 monthly (£12,180 annually)
- London: £1,334 monthly (£16,008 annually)
However, actual UK living costs for BD students vary based on lifestyle and location.
Accommodation in the UK for Bangladeshi Students
University halls of residence: £400-£800 monthly
- Often includes utilities and internet
- More expensive in London (£600-£900)
- Popular choice for first-year students
Private shared housing: £350-£700 monthly
- Split rent and bills with flatmates
- More affordable outside London
- Common among second and third-year students
Private studio apartments: £700-£1,500+ monthly
- Independent living
- London is significantly more expensive
- Budget-conscious students usually share instead
Cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Coventry offer better accommodation in the UK for Bangladeshi students at lower costs than London.
Food and Groceries
Budget £140-£250 monthly for groceries when cooking at home. Shopping at affordable supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, and Tesco helps minimise costs.
Bangladeshi students often save money by:
- Cooking traditional meals at home
- Buying groceries in bulk
- Shopping at Asian supermarkets for familiar ingredients
- Meal planning to reduce waste
Eating out regularly adds £100-£200 monthly to expenses.
Transportation
London: £135-£160 monthly for a student Oyster card
Other cities: £50-£80 monthly for local bus/tram passes
National travel: 16-25 Railcard offers a 1/3 discount on train fares (£30 annually)
Living within walking or cycling distance of campus eliminates transport costs and is common among budget-conscious students.
Utilities and Internet
If not included in rent:
- Electricity, water, gas: £40-£80 monthly
- Internet: £20-£35 monthly
- Council tax: Students are exempt
University accommodation typically includes these costs, making budgeting easier.
Personal Expenses
- Mobile phone: £10-£30 monthly
- Study materials: £30-£60 monthly
- Clothing: £30-£70 monthly
- Social activities: £50-£150 monthly
Total Monthly Budget
Living Outside London (e.g., Manchester, Coventry)
- Accommodation: £500
- Food: £200
- Transportation: £60
- Utilities (if separate): £60
- Personal expenses: £100
- Total: £920-£1,100 monthly
Living in London
- Accommodation: £700
- Food: £250
- Transportation: £150
- Utilities (if separate): £70
- Personal expenses: £120
- Total: £1,290-£1,500 monthly
Additional Costs to Consider
UK Visa Fee from Bangladesh
Student visa application: £490 Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £470 per year
For a 3-year undergraduate program: £490 + (£470 × 3) = £1,900 total visa costs. For a 1-year master’s program: £490 + £470 = £960
Travel Costs
Return flight Bangladesh-UK: BDT 80,000-150,000 (£600-£1,100) depending on season. Initial setup costs: £500-£1,000 for bedding, kitchenware, winter clothing
Bank Balance Requirements for UK Study Visa
For visa applications, Bangladeshi students must prove they have:
- Full tuition for one year
- Plus living costs for 9 months: £9,135 (outside London) or £12,006 (London)
Example calculation for outside London:
- Tuition: £15,000
- Living costs (9 months): £9,135
- Total required: £24,135
Funds must be held in your account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days before a visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much money do I need to study in the UK from Bangladesh?
Total annual costs, including tuition fees and UK living costs for Bangladeshi students, range from £21,000-£35,000 depending on location and program. This includes tuition (£11,000-£25,000) and living expenses (£10,000-£16,000). A 3-year undergraduate degree costs approximately £63,000-£105,000 total.
How much does it cost for 1 year of living in the UK for international students?
Living costs for 1 year range from £10,000-£12,000 outside London to £14,000-£16,000 in London. This covers accommodation, food, transport, utilities, and personal expenses. Actual costs depend on lifestyle choices and city selection. The cost of living for Bangladeshi students is lower in cities like Coventry, Manchester, and Sheffield.
How much is the 1-hour salary in the UK for international students?
The UK minimum wage for ages 21+ is £11.44 per hour (2025). Students aged 18-20 earn £8.60 per hour. Working 20 hours weekly at £11.44 generates approximately £915 monthly before tax, helping offset UK living costs BD significantly.
What is the cheapest city to live in the UK?
The cheapest UK cities for students include Sunderland, Stoke-on-Trent, Bradford, and Hull, with monthly costs around £700-£900. These northern cities offer affordable accommodation in the UK for Bangladeshi students while providing quality education institutions and good transport links.
How much is the UK visa fee from Bangladesh?
The UK student visa application fee is £490, plus an Immigration Health Surcharge of £470 per year. For a 1-year course, total visa costs are £960. For 3-year programs, total costs are £1,900.
Ready to plan your UK study budget?
Addvor provides personalised guidance for Bangladeshi students on costs, budgeting, and finding affordable universities. Contact us today to start your UK education journey.
