Even if it’s not the nicest part of planning a study abroad program in the UK, students should start with a budget as early as possible. Because there are some essential costs, but there are a number of financing options for German students for a short-term stay abroad or a complete study in Great Britain. Finding out about all options in good time can therefore pay off.
Most important cost: the tuition fees
Students residing within the EU are in luck. Of course they also have to pay tuition fees, but not more than home students in Great Britain. International students have to dig much deeper into their pockets to study at a prestigious UK university or college. Average tuition fees in the UK range from £ 1,820 to £ 9,250 per year for a bachelor’s degree.
However, the amount of the tuition fees depends on certain factors, such as the place of study, subject and the question of whether it is a state or a private university. The decisive factor for the amount of the tuition fees is first of all the study program. Bachelor students study most cheaply. The study programs become more expensive after the first academic degree. The cost of a Masters degree in the UK starts from £ 6,000. LLM students must also expect at least this amount. The most expensive are the MBA programs at a UK university.
In addition to the tuition fees, there may be additional study-related costs. For example, depending on the subject, students at a UK university should pay a book fee. It is also recommended that you take out private health insurance abroad.
Cost of living
But of course the tuition fees are not the only costs that arise during a semester abroad. The everyday cost of living in Great Britain and especially in London is higher compared to Germany. The average cost of living for British students is £ 12,000 a year. To learn more about United Kingdom and Europe, please visit homeagerly. The cost of studying abroad naturally depends on the student’s lifestyle. Nevertheless, you should calculate the expected financial costs in advance.
In London in particular, but also in the rest of Great Britain, rent accounts for the largest proportion of the cost of living. Depending on the type of accommodation, students can opt for a room in a private shared apartment, in a student residence or with a host family.
When weekly shopping of food and household goods British students need an average of between £ 30 and £ 60. But there are costs that are not so easy to calculate and that quickly empty the student wallet. When studying abroad, students shouldn’t have to save on leisure activities such as sporting events, concerts, going to the movies or restaurants. Students should also take into account travel and transport costs for short trips, communication costs and the cost of international health insurance.
How can the cost of studying in the UK be funded?
With the total cost of studying abroad in mind, the question of financing naturally arises. With timely planning, students from Germany have a wealth of financial support available for one or two semesters abroad in Great Britain:
- Foreign BAföG
- PROMOS
- Erasmus
If you want to complete a full course of study in Great Britain and receive little or no BAföG abroad, you can also take advantage of financing options such as the low-interest student loan or the British student loans.
High-performing students can also apply for scholarships from the DAAD and the foundations and organizations for the promotion of talented students in Germany.
Health Insurance For Studying in the UK
Before starting their studies in Great Britain, German students should familiarize themselves with the specifics of British health insurance. It is not necessary to take out British health insurance for studying in Great Britain, as long as Great Britain has not officially left the European Union: Your own health insurance in Germany can be expanded to include a foreign health insurance.
The NHS – National Health Service
Throughout the UK, healthcare is provided through the NHS (National Health Service). This means that anyone who is an English citizen receives free medical care. However, there are exceptions: Dental treatments, eye treatments and certain services are chargeable. The same applies to German students: while studying in Great Britain, they can use their health insurance to access the NHS health system for medical treatment. However, certain treatments and services, such as a return transport to Germany, must be borne by the students themselves.
International health insurance offers protection against high costs
For German students who apply to study in Great Britain with a German health insurance company, a health insurance abroad is highly recommended. Because if certain services and a return transport to Germany have to be used, high costs can arise. The additional international health insurance can already be taken out in Germany. There are special, low-cost tariffs for students with which short-term stays abroad such as a summer session or language courses are also insured.
Health insurance benefits for studying in the UK
The new electronic health card is valid in all states of the European Union. If you are planning to study in the UK, you should register with the NHS at the start of your studies. If you have to visit a doctor during your studies in Great Britain, the treatment will not be billed privately but directly with the German health insurance company. In addition, students must ensure that they keep all receipts should they pay in advance for certain treatments and medications. Back in Germany you can have your health insurance reimbursed for the costs incurred while studying in Great Britain.
