University Cost Calculator

The total cost of a UK degree extends well beyond tuition fees. For a three-year course starting in 2026/27, tuition alone is £9,535 per year (£28,605 total). Accommodation ranges from £4,500 to £9,500 per year depending on city and type. Living costs (food, transport, social, course materials) add £5,000–£8,000 per year.

This calculator estimates the total cost across 3 or 4 years by combining tuition fees, accommodation, living costs, travel home, and extras. It separates what is covered by student loans from what needs to come from other sources. Many students face a funding gap between their maintenance loan and actual costs.

Enter your chosen university city, accommodation type and course length. The calculator shows a year-by-year and total cost breakdown, highlighting the gap between available student finance and projected expenses. This helps with planning family contributions, savings targets and part-time work hours.

UK university tuition fees 2026. Home students England: capped at £9,535/year for undergraduate degrees (since 2024 when raised from £9,250 — first increase since 2017). Scotland: free for Scottish students; £9,535 for rest-of-UK; £14,000+ for international. Wales: £9,535 for Welsh students. NI: £4,855 for NI students. International (England): £15,000-£40,000+/year (medicine, Russell Group expensive). 3-year degree: £28,605 home (England). Medicine/dentistry 5-6 years: £47,675-£57,210 home.

Maintenance Loan + Living Costs. Maintenance Loan max 2025/26 (England): London £13,762; outside London £10,544; home £8,877. Total package: tuition £9,535 + maintenance £10,544 = £20,079/year × 3 years = £60,237 total student debt at start of work. Plus interest from day 1 (Plan 5 RPI only — about 3-4%). Loan repaid 9% above £25,000 income, written off after 40 years. Most graduates never repay in full — interest exceeds payments for typical earners.

Beyond tuition — additional UK student costs. Accommodation halls year 1: £4,500-£10,500/year (catered halls more expensive). Year 2-3 private rent: £4,000-£9,000/year (45-week tenancies typical). Bills: £600-£1,500/year. Food: £2,000-£3,500/year. Books/equipment: £300-£800/year (textbooks £30-£80 each, often available second-hand). Society memberships: £20-£200/year. Transport: £200-£800/year. Personal/social: £1,500-£3,500/year. Total over 3 years: £30,000-£60,000+ on top of tuition.

Worth the cost? Graduate earnings premium. Average UK graduate (5 years post-graduation): earns £30,000-£40,000. Non-graduate: £20,000-£28,000. Lifetime earnings premium: £100,000-£300,000 for typical graduate. BUT: depends heavily on subject and university. Top earners (medicine, engineering from Russell Group): £50,000+ early career, £100k+ at 10 years. Lowest earners (creative arts, journalism, retail-tied degrees): only marginally higher than non-graduates. Always check graduate employment data via Discover Uni (gov.uk).

Reducing university costs. Live at home: saves £6,000-£15,000/year accommodation. Part-time work: 10-20 hours/week, £6,000-£12,000/year. Scholarships: each uni has merit awards £500-£3,000/year. Apprenticeship degrees: tuition paid by employer + salary while studying — alternative to traditional degree. Apply for ALL: hardship fund, disability allowance, NHS bursary (medical/nursing), military scholarship. Take a year out and work: builds savings + experience. Choose universities with lower costs (some cities much cheaper — Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle). All universities now have student-funded budget advisers — use them.