Living costs in the UK

The currency in the UK is pounds sterling (£) and one pound (£1) is equal to 100 pence (p).

In addition to English currency, some Scottish banks print their own bank notes. Both English and Scottish notes are acceptable throughout Scotland.

Bank notes are in denominations of £100, £50, £20, £10 and £5 with Scottish banks also issuing a £1 note. Many shops and bars will not accept £50 notes or above. Banks will exchange these notes for smaller denominations. Coins are in denominations of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p.

If you are travelling in the UK outside of Scotland then you may experience difficulty in using Scottish bank notes. We would advise you to travel with Bank of England notes, which you can get from banks, or the cash machines at the airport.

You can withdraw money from cash machines (ATMs) with most debit and credit cards. Check the symbols on the machine to find out which cards are accepted. Some cash machines charge a transaction fee – look out for a message on the screen.

The UK Government requires most students to provide evidence that they have enough money to support themselves during their course.

If you are a student visa holder, it is important that you have access to the funds that you used to obtain your CAS and visa after you arrive in the UK as you will need this money for your living costs.

In addition to tuition fees, the UK Government expects you to have at least:

• £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London. For UWS students this means those studying at Paisley, Ayr, Lanarkshire or Dumfries Campuses.
• £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London. For UWS, this is the London Campus only.
• Extra funds per month for each dependent (if you are one of the few types of students eligible to bring dependents)

Even if you are not required to evidence that you have enough money to support yourself during your course as part of your visa application, you do still need to have a plan for how you will do this.

Your individual circumstances will determine how much you actually need to support your living costs, so it is important to remember that these figures are a minimum requirement and act as a guide only.

Many students will aim to spend less than the Government figures but this is not always possible. Living costs in the UK are likely to be different from in your home country and it’s important to make a realistic budget for the whole of your course.

You should consider:

The value of your money and income from home…

When planning your monthly budget for your time in the UK, don’t just use the exchange rate as it is today. Check what the rate has been in the last few months and what it’s projected to be for the months ahead, then use an average or lower-value rate for your budget. It’s always better to assume the value will be lower and make sure you can manage, than budget for a higher value and struggle if things change.

One-off and unexpected costs…

Your first few weeks or months in the UK may be more expensive as you face costs such as accommodation deposits, initial supplies, buying equipment etc. You need to plan for this in your budget.

You also need to think ahead – if something unexpected happens, for example, you lose or break your laptop, or your income from home decreases, you should ensure you have access to funds to manage.

Your priorities…

Your main priority will always be succeeding on your course, and you need to balance this carefully with your quality of life in the UK, particularly your health and wellbeing.

It’s important to schedule the time for leisure activities as well as your studies, such as socialising with new friends, joining clubs, or travelling across the UK. These activities should also be considered when you are thinking about how much money you need to support yourself while living in the UK.

If you are on a Student visa you will have already shown your financial status when you applied for your Student visa. Students on a Standard Visitor visa for study purposes must produce evidence of money to pay fees and living costs, if any, at UK immigration.

You must show evidence that you:

• have paid all or part of your course fees and (if relevant) accommodation fees, and/or
• are receiving official financial support, and/or
• have enough money to cover your remaining course fees and living costs

It will also ease your entry at Border Control if you have already made arrangements for your accommodation before leaving your home country and can evidence this.

Opening a UK bank account is the best way to safely manage your money as an international student. Opening a bank account in the UK usually takes several weeks and you will generally have to visit the bank in person to start the process.

Any large UK bank is likely to open an account for an international student if you have the correct documentation and identification.

The documentation usually required to open a UK bank account includes:

• your passport and valid visa if you are an international student.
• your passport or National ID card if you are from the European Union.
• proof of studies in the form of a Bank Letter from UWS, available to order through the Hub Portal. For London campus students, you can request a bank letter from london@uws.ac.uk 
• proof of address in the UK. Again, you may find it quick and simpler to open an account if you have made accommodation arrangements prior to arriving in the UK.

A basic current account with any bank should meet the needs of most international students. It will allow you to withdraw cash at ATMs, set up direct debits and standing orders and will give you access to basic online and telephone banking services, including mobile banking apps.

Some UK banks are linked with others around the world so your home bank may be able to open an “international account” with a UK bank for you. Although this saves you opening an account on arrival, be aware that these sorts of accounts often include minimum monthly deposits and regularly charge you a fee simply for having that type of account. It may be that the benefits offered by the bank suit you and your finances but it’s important to check the details before you commit.

There are more and more online banks entering the market, so you needn’t think only about those with a physical presence in towns and cities.

Please note that UWS does not endorse any bank in particular.

To compare a range of bank accounts which are best for international students we recommend this article from Save the Student.

You should bring enough money with you to live on for your first few weeks in the UK.

How much you need will depend on your personal plans and circumstances. For example, if you have already arranged accommodation, you will most likely have paid any upfront costs already, so are less likely to need funds to do this.

We strongly advise against bringing any large amounts of cash. Carrying a lot of cash is not secure.

When thinking about how much money you might need initially, think about:

• transport from the airport to your final destination
• one or two nights' stay in 'bed and breakfast' accommodation (in case you cannot immediately access, or have not yet arranged accommodation)
• food
• telephone calls home
• any other expenses for the first week (bus fares, stationery, social events and so on).

Once you have a bank account here in the UK, you can talk to your bank about the best way to transfer money from overseas to support you during your ongoing stay.

Sadly, there are some people who commit crime and might try to take advantage of students, particularly international students who may be less familiar with UK customs and culture.

The best way to avoid this is to educate yourself on what to look out for. Trust your gut instinct if something does not feel right.

Make yourself more aware

Being more aware of scams, fraud, the warning signs and how to avoid them is the best way to stay safe.

• For a great broad overview of scams, how to spot the warning signs and how to avoid them, this Financial Conduct Authority page covers a lot of information - Protect yourself from scams | FCA.
• Police Scotland have a terrific web resource which lists different types of fraud, what to look out for and how to protect yourself. You can also download their Little Booklet of Phone Scams and Little Leaflet of Cyber Advice from Scams and frauds - Police Scotland.
• Other UK forces also have similar pages such as this one by the Met Police - Advice about fraud | Metropolitan Police.
• Another super resource that covers fraud in all its guises is About Take Five | Take Five.
• As well as this Take Five Campaign, Crime Stoppers have some great online information on staying safe online.

Protect yourself

Do:

• treat all unexpected calls, emails and text messages with caution. Do not assume they’re genuine, even if the person knows some basic information about you.
• hang up on calls and ignore messages if you feel pressured to act quickly. A genuine bank or business will not mind waiting if you want time to think.
• check your bank account and credit card statements regularly.

Don’t:

• give out your bank account or credit card details unless you’re certain who you’re dealing with
• share your passwords with anyone (including your social media passwords)
• give access to your device by downloading software or an app from a source you don’t trust. Scammers may be able to take control of your device and access your bank account.

Be vigilant of Tuition Fee scams...

Unfortunately, students are increasingly being targeted by tuition fee scams, where a third party offers to pay a student's fees on their behalf at a discounted rate.

A fraudulent third party might ask you to pay your fees to another person or direct you to a fake website to make payment. The scammer will then "arrange a discount for you" and pay a reduced sum of your tuition fees on your behalf to the university.

The reality is that this is a credit card scam, where scammers are using stolen credit cards details to make the payment to the university on your behalf. While they will make payment as agreed, it will be rejected or later taken back when it becomes apparent that the card has been cloned or stolen.

The end result is that you will have lost your money, not paid your fees and unknowingly become involved in illegal activity. The best way to avoid this situation is to remain vigilant and only make payment through the methods advertised by the university.

Be vigilant of money muling...

Fraudsters may ask you to receive money into your bank account and transfer it into another account, with you keeping a small portion. This is money muling. It is also money laundering, which is a crime.

Students can become money mules unknowingly. They might think they're giving out their bank details for a genuine reason, then end up becoming a money mule.

• Criminals may approach you online or in person. They might advertise what looks like a genuine job opportunity, and state that the role involves using your own bank account.
• Once becoming a money mule, it can be hard to stop. Criminals use threats and blackmail to maintain control over the money mules.
• When you’re caught:
  • Your bank account will be closed and you will find it hard to access your own money.
  • You will have problems applying for credit. Even something simple like a mobile phone contract, or paying car insurance monthly will be more difficult.
  • You could go to prison for up to 14 years.
• Further advice
  • Don’t give your bank account details to anyone unless you know them personally.
  • Be cautious of unsolicited offers of easy money. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Research any company that makes you a job offer and make sure their contact details are genuine.
  • Be wary of job offers from people or companies abroad. The Financial Conduct Authority website is a great place to perform checks on the legitimacy of an organisation.
  • Be careful of ads that are written in broken English, with grammatical mistakes and spelling errors.

Banking and investment scams

Your bank will never contact you via text message or email asking you for details or to change details.

Familiarise yourself with your own bank’s policies on communications and look in the help section of their website for suggestions on how to avoid scams and how to report them should you be the victim of one.

Be very, very wary of anyone asking unsolicited questions about your pension provision or offering to help you release pension funds early to help with your current cost of living.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have a useful article on Pensions Scams on this, which includes details on how to report these crimes.

Cryptocurrency Investment Scams are also on the rise. Companies will advertise on social media often using celebrities as promotion to make themselves look legitimate. They will offer you investment opportunities, some even giving you some small returns to conceal they are fake. FCA do not regulate this industry but they do have a guide on Crypto investment scams and how to report it.

You will need to pay tuition fees for your chosen course of study. These tuition fees are advertised on our individual course webpages and cover the cost of teaching on your chosen course.

Once your application has been processed, UWS will contact you by email to confirm if it has been successful. If so, the next stage of the process is to obtain a CAS, which you need to have before you apply for your UK Student Visa.

The UWS Admissions team will issue your CAS when you have met all of the conditions of your offer including confirmation that you have paid the deposit of 50% of your tuition fees and meet all UK Visa & Immigration requirements.

Find out more via the links below:

CAS INFORMATION - APPLYING TO UWS SCOTTISH CAMPUSES

CAS INFORMATION - APPLYING TO UWS LONDON CAMPUS

Paying the balance of your tuition fees

Students can pay the balance of any tuition fees in advance or at enrolment, or set-up a payment plan to pay 7 equal monthly payments, debited from the nominated account on the 10th of each month.

London students may also choose to pay the balance of tuition fees in 2 instalments.

Further details of setting up and making payments can be found online here. This includes links to the official UWS online payment facility.

Tuition Fees will cover the cost of teaching on your chosen course.

Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs for things such as field trips, specialist equipment, books, uniforms, membership fees, placement expenses etc.

You can find out in the sections below to help you understand the living costs in the UK, and plan ahead for this. 

UWS have a dedicated webpage that details any scholarships, bursaries or tuition fee discounts that might be applicable.

We offer a limited number of schemes, and not every student will be eligible to apply so check the webpage for more information.

UWS Scholarships & Bursaries

There are a wide range of accommodation options, and it is important you choose the one that suits you best.

Here are some important things to consider when making this decision. Remember that wherever you choose to live, it will not just be a place to stay, it will be your home in the UK.

The cost

The cost is obviously an important consideration, but you should be realistic about what you can get for your money. Focusing on price alone, and opting for the cheapest accommodation you can find, can be a risky move. If you are not comfortable and secure in your new home, this can have a negative impact on your studies, health, and wellbeing.

International Students can also be at greater risk of accommodation scams, or from unlicensed landlords targeting you with accommodation that seems great because it is cheaper than the average. However, this is often unsafe as these landlords are not adhering to rules around fire safety etc.

As well as the cost of the ‘rent’, you should also consider any household bills that might apply on top of this, such as energy bills, insurance, broadband connectivity etc.

Distance and travel

If studying is why you are coming to the UK, then it stands to reason that living as close to your campus as possible is the better option. However, sometimes this might not be possible. Accommodation might not be available nearby, or might be cheaper further away from the campus, but you should consider any costs that this might add to your budget.

Ask yourself how you will get to/from the University, how long will it take to travel each day, how close you might be to other places you need like food shops, part-time work, or entertainment, and how much will it cost you to travel.

If staying further away from University means paying more to get to and from the campus, as well as spending more time travelling, you need to weigh this up against how valuable your time is.

Comfort

If you are not comfortable and secure in your new home, this will have a negative impact on your studies and life in general.

Think about whether you have space to study in peace, will you be able to make new friends and socialize easily, will you feel safe, will you have a proper kitchen space to store food and cook meals?

While all of this impacts your overall comfort and wellbeing in your home, it also impacts your budget. If you cannot easily prepare your own meals, you are likely to buy more fast-food and eat out. This is worse for your well-being and much more expensive than cooking for yourself.

Staying in University accommodation during your studies is a great way to meet new people, make new friends and gain some independence with the reassurance that our Residence Life team are always onsite for help and support.

A variety of self-catered accommodation is available at our campuses in Ayr and Paisley in the form of shared flats or studios. All offer a safe and friendly environment close to main campus buildings and near to local amenities within the west of Scotland.

The price of UWS accommodation is inclusive of:

• energy bills.
• Wi-Fi.
• contents insurance.
• security.
• coin-operated laundry facilities.
• social space.

This means the price you see is the price you pay, without the added worry of organising and paying utility bills on top of the rent fee, which is what you can expect from the private sector.

Find out more about UWS accommodation

It's difficult to provide a figure for the accommodation costs you might expect when living in the UK. This is because so many variables impact this, including location, the type of property or rental you choose, whether bills are included or not, etc.

What we can do is draw upon data collected from students who have shared details of their accommodation costs as part of Save the Students National Student Accommodation Survey.

The 2024 version of this survey produced the following details:

• the average monthly rent is £550 per month. If we look at this regionally, the figure rises to £778 per month in London and decreases to £469 per month in Scotland.
• when we break this average down by accommodation types, those living in private student accommodation are paying on average £613 per month, followed by university accommodation at £596 per month. This is not surprising, though, as purpose-built student accommodations are generally more likely to have bills included in rent.
• the average rental deposit is £263.
• those paying energy bills separately to accommodation costs are paying an average of £86 per month.

You can do further research into the rental prices in the area you wish to live. Use our Private Rental Guide to help you do this, or start by looking at student accommodation providers in the area, and websites such as Rightmove.

It's important that you do not plan to travel to the UK expecting to be able to find accommodation immediately upon arrival. It is very unlikely that this will be the case, as most students in the UK begin looking for their accommodation months in advance of new terms starting.

If you wish to stay in UWS accommodation, or other student accommodation, applications should be made as soon as possible after you have been made an offer of study. Spaces do fill up quickly so it is not always possible that these types of providers can offer accommodation if you apply late or wait until you arrive in the UK.

It is also possible to explore private rentals before you arrive in the UK. Many letting agents will provide video tours of properties. However, you may wish to think carefully about committing to a property that you haven’t been able to see in person. Going through legitimate landlords or letting agents who are highly rated will decrease the chances of you facing issues. You could ask friends who might already be in the UK to view properties on your behalf and provide honest feedback.

If you decide to wait until you arrive in the UK to arrange accommodation, you should be prepared to meet the costs of any hotel, hostel or bed and breakfast until you find your longer-term accommodation.

We have a lot of helpful guidance to make sure you make an informed decision about your accommodation options. Our Private Rental Guide (PDF) will tell you everything you need to know about renting, from how to find a property and ensuring your landlord is legitimate, to how to plan ahead financially and work out how to manage your bills.

It can be difficult to pinpoint how much you will spend on ‘Food’ as every person is different. When we are helping students to budget we suggest thinking about £175 per head, per month to set aside for food shopping, toiletries, housekeeping items (such as cleaning products) and the occasional takeaway and a budget restaurant meal.

How much you spend on food will vary depending on what you eat and where you buy it.

There are several large supermarkets in the UK selling a broad range of fresh, frozen and pre-packaged foods as well as personal and household supplies.

Some supermarkets are known for being cheaper and offering budget-brands with special offers, while others offer a more expensive, premium choice of items.

Aldi, Lidl, Asda and Tesco are the cheaper supermarkets, while Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Ocado, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer Food are generally more expensive.

There are also many smaller stores where you can pick up essentials but usually at a higher cost. Shops like Spar, McColl’s and Nisa might be closer to you but can work out more expensive if you shop there regularly.

Supermarkets in the UK are increasingly stocking foods from around the world, so you may find familiar brands and ingredients specific to your home country. You can also find independent stores which may specialize in world foods if you are looking for something specific.

For more information on budgeting for food costs including recipes, eating-out guide and countless tips on how to save, take a look at our dedicated Food webpage.

If you choose to live in UWS accommodation, or other student accommodation, you will likely find that the rental price is inclusive of bills, like electricity and gas. If you choose to rent privately, unless otherwise stated within a lease agreement, you will be responsible for bills on top of your rent, particularly energy bills.

When you are comparing the cost of accommodation while deciding what is right for you, do not forget to factor in the full cost, which should include:

• rent.
• energy bills.
• Wi-Fi access.
• insurance etc.

The average cost of energy (electricity and gas) in the UK, for a low use household, which we would expect 1- or 2-bedroom flats to be, is approximately £105 per month. This is what we recommend you budget for energy costs, on top of any rent or other bills.

It may cost more than this if the weather is particularly cold, you are living in a property that is not energy efficient, or you are using more electronic devices than a standard home.

The average winter temperature in London can drop to 4 degrees Celsius. In Scotland, this drops to 2 degrees Celsius. It's not uncommon for temperatures to be below zero, and for snow and ice to be a familiar scene during the winter months. It's important that your home is a comfortable temperature. It will usually also be part of your tenancy conditions that you look after the home properly, which would include adequate heating.

While it's possible to save some money on energy bills, it's important to find the correct balance between keeping these costs affordable and thinking about your comfort and wellbeing. Experts recommend that a home should be kept at 18 degrees Celsius. In the UK, especially in Scotland and especially in winter months, this will require use of heating.

Not all properties are as energy efficient as others. When you are sourcing accommodation, you should consider how energy efficient it is, the type of heating it has, and how easy it will be to heat the property. Older properties with single glazing, draughts, and old radiators might not retain heat well and therefore cost more to keep at a suitable temperature.

Most legitimate letting agents and landlords will include an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when advertising a property. This will help renters understand how energy efficient the property is. The better the rating, the more likely it is to be energy efficient, retain heat, and be overall cheaper to maintain.

You should beware of unlicensed landlords offering properties where the rent seems cheap. The properties are often not up to the standard for anyone to live in them. Issues can include no heating, poor heating systems making them expensive to heat, issues with damp and mould etc.

International students are required to fund their own studies entirely, including bringing or purchasing whatever technology or other equipment is needed for your course. This includes having your own personal computer or laptop, and any accessories needed, such as headphones or internet access in your home.

You may also want to use a smart phone for emails, social media or contact with your family at home.

You might already have equipment at home that will work in the UK or you may need to adapt existing devices, or buy something when you arrive. All of this is something you should consider as part of your financial preparations.

Our top technology tips:

• Only buy what you need - do not stretch your budget to buy a premium piece of technology that is not essential for your studies.
• It's not always necessary to buy brand new equipment because second-hand and refurbished options are also widely available at a significantly lower price.

For information on refurbished mobiles phones for example, take a look on Save the Student's 'Buying refurbished mobile phones' article.

When it comes to travel, there are two types of travel costs that you should think about.

The first is the day to day travel you need to do to get around, such as from your home to campus. The second is any leisure travel you might wish to do while in the UK.

The UK has a well-established travel network across and within all major cities including buses, trams, trains and internal flights. It's relatively easy to get around.

Many areas have dedicated cycle paths and pedestrian walkways, so you may be able to keep travel costs to a minimum by walking or cycling. Please do be mindful of personal safety.

You will also find numerous taxi companies and car-transport apps to arrange a short car ride if needed. It’s important when taking a taxi to make sure that the driver is licensed to drive and take passengers. This is for your safety and to make sure that you pay a fair price.

The average cost of a UK taxi journey of around 3 miles is £7 to £16, while a journey of 5 miles might cost around £10 to £20. The average price will be higher in London and will tend to be higher at night in all areas.

Travelling on public transport is usually much cheaper than by car. Most transport companies offer weekly or monthly tickets to cover all your journeys at a lower price than paying for trips individually. Tickets can sometimes be further discounted for students, so look out for this on travel company websites.

Ultimately, your day-to-day travel costs will depend on how far you need to travel, what transport you use and how frequently. However, it's possible to do the research in advance, so you know what to expect from ticket prices.

In Scotland...

Use the Travel Line website to plan a journey and find out how much it will cost.

The main bus companies for Scottish campuses are Stagecoach and First Bus.

A single one-way local bus journey is likely to cost between £1.80 to £2.50. For unlimited travel on buses for a single day, you can buy an all-day ticket for around £5.

If you know you will need to travel more frequently each week, then you can buy a weekly ticket for between £7 to £20. Tickets for longer periods are also available, starting from around £60 for four weeks.

There are also numerous train travel providers across Scotland. You can check different train journeys and prices on ScotRail's website. A local train journey is likely to cost from £1.70. Weekly tickets range in price from around £25 to £50 depending on distance travelled.

In London...

Bus and train transport in London works on a centralised system, with the City of London divided into several travel Zones.

You can buy tickets in advance, use a pre-pay card called an “Oyster Card”, or download an app to use your smart phone or smart watch as a contactless payment device.

To find our more and plan a journey, visit the Transport for London website. From here you can also see prices for different journeys, zones and travel cards.

For tips on how to access cheap train travel, read the article '14 ways to get cheap train tickets' from Save the Student.

If you wish to indulge in leisure travel during your studies, the information above will help you plan your trip and understand the travel costs involved if you wish to travel within the UK.

While your studies will be your priority when you come to the UK, it's important for your overall wellbeing to also take some time to enjoy yourself. Whether it is a fitness hobby, being a tourist, spending time with friends or enjoying eating out, building a social life in the UK is an important part of your experience, and it doesn’t need to be expensive.

Here are some things to think about when planning your social and leisure budget:

• Going out for a standard 2-course meal in the UK is likely to cost between £12 and £20 for the food alone. You can expect to pay higher prices in premium venues, and in city centres such as Glasgow and London.
• The national average price for a pint of beer or glass of wine in the UK is around £4.58 per drink, with soft drink prices at around £2.30. You can expect to pay higher prices in premium venues, and in city centres such as Glasgow and London.
• Average cinema ticket is around £8. Some cinemas may offer student tickets, or offer discounted ticket pricing on certain days of the week.
• UWS Gyms are free for students to use, and many other council/private gyms and health clubs offer discounted student rates.
• Use websites such as Groupon, livingsocial, Wowcher and 5pm to find deals at a fraction of the cost. This can include deals in restaurants, entry to attractions, activities etc.

If you hold a student route visa, you can bring dependants to the UK if:

• You are doing a full-time research-based higher degree, a PhD or other doctoral qualification of nine months or longer at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, where the start date of the course was on or after 1 January 2024, or
• You are in receipt of an award from a government and your course (of any level) is full-time and at least six months

Students arriving with family members – a partner or child(ren) – are required to show that they have enough money to cover the living costs of their dependent(s) for the duration of the course. This is in addition to student tuition fees and in addition to the amount the student will need for their own living costs.

For every dependent, the UK Government expects you to have at least another:

• £680 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London.
• £845 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London.

Your individual circumstances will determine how much you actually need to support your family living costs, so it is important to remember that these figures are a minimum requirement and act as a guide only.

The university does not have childcare facilities and it will be your responsible to arrange appropriate care for your children in order to fully engage in your studies.

Children on Campus

Children are permitted into the public areas of departments of the University during the normal operational hours of those departments. Such public areas are the reception desks of Schools and Departments, the canteen/coffee shops and the admission desks of the University’s libraries. While in these areas, children must be directly supervised by a parent or other responsible adult and may not cause a disturbance to other users.

Parents or supervisors of children causing a disturbance will be asked to remove them.

Children of students are not permitted access to any areas other than those listed above and are not permitted access to any part of the University outwith normal working hours. Students attempting to bring children into the University outwith normal working hours will be refused access by Campus Security.

School aged children

If you arrive in the UK with children of school age, you will usually be able to enrol them in a state-funded school. It is your responsibility to ensure that your children are eligible to attend a state-funded school and that they are registered correctly. Enrolling your children in school will enable you to focus on your own course of study knowing that they are safe and well-cared for and engaged in their own learning.

For children attending school, you will need to consider the cost of school uniforms, breakfast clubs, provision of lunch, extracurricular activities, day trips, stationary supplies etc. These costs can vary depending on the age of your child, and the school policies.

Childcare

If your children are too young to attend school, then you may feel that you need help with childcare to be able to focus on your studies and attend classes. If there is nobody else to care for your child in the UK e.g. a partner, relative or friend, then you may choose to arrange professional childcare for them with a Registered Childcare Provider. In that case, you will need to plan carefully for these costs, as well as research and make arrangements in advance of your studies beginning.

You can find local childcare provision by using the council website for the area you will live in. Most council websites will have a list of childcare providers that are registered with regional authorities, such as the Scotland Care Inspectorate and Ofsted in England.

The cost of childcare will depend on:

• the age of your child, with babies often costing more per hour than toddlers,
• the number of hours you book per week,
• the type of childcare being used.

The University has a small fund called the UWS Childcare Fund. If you meet the criteria to apply, you may be eligible to receive a small award to help contribute towards your study related childcare costs. 

A budget is possibly the single most important tool for effectively managing your money, so if you’ve never created one before, now is the time.

It helps you compare your income to your outgoings, allowing you to see when and where you might need to adjust your spending, so that it remains affordable.

We have a webpage devoted to helping you prepare a budget and prioritise your spending. Visit our budgeting and planning webpage.

This is a web-based tool designed exclusively for those students joining us from outside the UK. It will help you understand more about money and the cost of living in the UK, and will take you through the process of preparing a budget.

Student Services Funding & Advice

You might be interested in earning additional income by working during your studies. This is certainly a great way to increase your income in order to help you meet your outgoings but our key piece of advice is that you work to supplement your income, NOT to pay for studies or the basic costs of living that you should have factored in before arrival in the UK. 

There is never any guarantee that you will find work, or that you will find work that offers you the number of hours you want, so do not rely on this additional income when planning ahead for your studies.

Your priority should always be your studies, so if you are planning to work you should make sure this balances well with your commitments to your studies, as well as your health and wellbeing.

Eligibility to work in the UK while you study

Most international students are legally allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and work full-time outside of term time (during the official vacation period and at the end of your course when you have completed your studies). You can find term dates here or by contacting your school/Programme Leader, doctoral level students can contact pgr@uws.ac.uk 

It is important to check your visa conditions to confirm if you can work during your studies. There are also some restrictions on the type of work you can do. Visit the UKCISA - Student work  and UKCISA blog A working definition.

What to Expect in the Workplace

If you take a job whilst studying, (20 hours per week, term time) you should be aware that there are laws in the UK to protect you in the workplace.

These include the right to:​

• Be paid a minimum wage - £7.49 per hour (age 18-20), £10.18 per hour (age 21-22), £10.42 per hour (age 23+).​
• The Working Time Regulations set a maximum working week of 48 hours but students during term time should not be working more than 20 hours.
• Work a maximum number of hours per week and to have a rest break if you work more than 6 hours a day.​ Entitlement to a rest break of at least 20 minutes for every 6 hours worked.​
• A safe working environment.
  
• Minimum wages are set out at gov.uk and increase every year. ​
• Concerns can be reported to the HUB or via Report and Support. Be aware of your working rights you are entitled to and if in doubt check with an Adviser.

Income tax and national insurance

You will have to pay income tax if you earn more than a specified personal allowance in any tax year, which is April to March.

Employees and employers both pay National Insurance contributions.

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group has produced a tax guide for students. It has a special section for international students.