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Costs and budgeting in the UK

Understanding your budget as a student will not only help you save money – it’ll help you have the best experience during your time in the UK. Follow this guide to discover the different types of costs you’ll experience as an international student, as well as top tips for making your money go further.

Degree apprenticeships

A degree apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to gain a paid-for degree while getting industry experience and earning a salary.

Dependants' grants for full-time students

If you have children or an adult dependent, and you want to study a full-time undergraduate course or an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme, you may be able to get extra help. Content provided by Student Finance England.

Disabled Students' Allowance: Northern Ireland

The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) aims to ensure everyone has the support and adjustments they need to succeed during their studies. This information is relevant to students who normally live in Northern Ireland.

Disabled Students' Allowance: Wales

The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) aims to ensure everyone has the support and adjustments they need to succeed during their studies. This information is relevant to students who normally live in Wales.

Disabled students: Financial support

Having a disability or mental health condition might mean incurring additional costs (e.g. access to specialist equipment) when accessing higher education. But don’t worry, there is financial support available.

Disabled students: Preparing for open days and visits

Open days are a valuable way of finding out about a university or college first-hand – you can tour the facilities, speak to staff and current students, and really get a feel for whether you would like to study there.

Disabled students: Researching your choices

Our best advice: start your research early. Alongside your research into courses and universities, you may also need to take your individual support needs into account when making your choices.

Displaced students

If you're applying to higher education as a refugee, asylum seeker or with an insecure immigration status, there may be support available to help you. This page has been created in collaboration with Refugee Education UK, STAR Network and We Belong.

DSA eligibility FAQs

Our FAQs will help you find out if you're eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).

English Language Tests (ELTs)

If you’re thinking about studying at a university in the UK, you’ll need to demonstrate that you’ve got the necessary level of English language proficiency. The level that you’ll need varies from university to university, and even from course to course within the same university.

Entry requirements for UK courses

Entry requirements are formal criteria which you must meet to be considered for a university course. Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements for their courses, to ensure you have the right skills and knowledge to successfully complete the course.

FAQs for international students

Thinking about studying in the UK can give international students a lot to consider. Here are answers to the most common questions.

Fees and funding for distance learning

Find out how to fund your studies for distance learning undergraduate degrees in the UK, and ways you can fund this. Plus, we detail other costs you need to cover.