Money-saving advice for international students living in the UK

Originally published: 11th February 2023
Latest update: 12th January 2026

Home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, the UK has garnered a global reputation as being one of the best landing spots for international students. But lofty tuition fees and international relocation costs makes studying in this part of the world a huge investment. Many international students get by with very tight budgets, so it’s vital that you’re managing money properly whilst at university, particularly when it comes to daily spending. Here are three tips to help you save the pennies on a day-to-day basis when studying and living in the UK.

1. Look out for student discounts

Many retailers, restaurants, cinemas, gyms, galleries, museums, and online subscription services in the UK offer discounts for students. These are usually advertised, so it’s worth checking websites before shopping or visiting to see where you can save the most. Most places simply require proof of your student status, such as a university ID card. Some companies also offer extra discounts if you sign up to their subscription services. Do a little research to find the ones that are most useful to you, it can help you save money on everyday purchases.

2. Buy a Railcard

If you’re planning to explore the UK during your studies, it’s worth considering a 16–25 Railcard, which gives discounted fares on rail travel throughout Great Britain. The Railcard costs around £35 for one year or £80 for three years and offers around one‑third off most rail journeys.

If you live in London or plan to visit regularly, you can also apply your Railcard discount to an Oyster card, which makes travelling on public transport around London more affordable.

3. Shop and cook meals with housemates

Living with housemates in shared accommodation is usually much cheaper than living alone, especially when it comes to rent and utility bills. You can also save money in small ways by teaming up with your housemates to shop and cook. For example, buying non-perishable items in bulk and splitting the costs, or comparing supermarket prices and offers together, can help everyone get the best deals.

Cooking large meals for several people tends to work out much cheaper than cooking for one, so consider setting up a system where you take it in turns to cook for the household and split the cost of ingredients. This has the added benefit of reducing the frequency at which you have to cook, which might help you to avoid visiting restaurants or ordering takeaway food for the sake of convenience. For more tips on batch cooking and meal prep for students, see this guide on student-friendly batch cooking.

4. Ask your peers for more tips

There are lots of small ways to save money as an international student in the UK, so don’t hesitate to ask your fellow students for advice. Most students are working with tight budgets, whether they’re from the UK or overseas, so share tips and pool resources to find the best deals and money‑saving strategies.

At Student Employment Services, we specialise in internships, student placements, and graduate jobs across the UK. We connect both students and graduates with large corporations, start-ups and SMEs.