International students and money

International students are charged different tuition fees and have different funding options to Home students.

Check if you would have International or Home fee status.

Tuition fees

If you are an International applicant, you will need to pay a tuition fee deposit of £4,000 to secure your place on a course.

The remaining tuition fees for the first year of your course must be paid before you enrol at the start of the academic year. Once you have enrolled, the deposit will contribute towards your total tuition fee payment.

If you are being sponsored by an official financial sponsor, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration, a deposit payment waiver can be requested. Evidence of sponsorship must be uploaded to your UAL portal.

Learn more about Tuition fees at UAL.

Living costs and additional course costs

It can be difficult to know how much money you will need while studying in the UK. You may need to budget for study materials, course trips, accommodation, travel and food.

Take a look at our information on living expenses and study costs to help you understand what to expect and how to make the most of your money.

Funding

Funding available to students with International fee status is very limited, and the majority of such students would not be able to receive any funding.

You can explore the following resources to see if there is any funding that may be available for you:

• Scholarships, bursaries and awards
• Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
• US loans
• Canadian loans

Visas and financial requirements

Most students with International fee status will require a Student visa to study at UAL. To make a successful visa application, students usually need to meet financial requirements, including having sufficient funds to cover their tuition fees for the first year of study, as well as a specified amount for living costs.

For further information, please see our visa application guides.

Working whilst you study

Many students work part-time during their studies to help support their living costs and gain valuable work experience.

If you hold a Student visa, there are restrictions on the type of work you can undertake and the number of hours you can work during term time.

Visit the UKCISA 'Student work' page for more information about these restrictions and guidance on finding work.

Opening a bank account in the UK

After arriving in the UK, it can take a few weeks to open a UK bank account. It is important to plan ahead and make sure you have enough money to cover your costs while you are waiting for your bank account to be set up.

You can find more helpful information in our guide to Moving to the UK.

Help

The Student Advice Service can provide information and support on financial and immigration matters related to your course. Get in touch with us by filling in our enquiry form.