The cost of living for any city or location becomes an essential factor for international students when planning a study-abroad move. Generally, to maintain level finances, students opt for loans. More often than not, an education loan covers the cost of tuition and other study expenses so students can manage the maximum percentage of their finances. However, these loans seldom cover living expenses, too. Thus, taking into account the living costs becomes even more crucial. Merely looking at the statistics of the most popular university, the University of Glasgow, more than 1500 international students enrol here yearly. The cost of living in Glasgow for Indian students is manageable at GBP 18,936. For more details, continue reading our guide!
Cost Of Living In Glasgow For Indian Students: An Overview
The following table contains the different components of the total cost of living in Glasgow for Indian students and their respective expenses. Take a look before proceeding to analyse their individual expenses.
| Particulars | Monthly Cost of Living in Glasgow for Indian Students (GBP) | Monthly Cost of Living in Glasgow for Indian Students (INR) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | GBP 850 | INR 89,488 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | GBP 840 | INR 88,435.20 |
| Transportation | GBP 70 | INR 7,369.60 |
| Food Cost | GBP 420 | INR 44,217.60 |
| Entertainment | GBP 40 | INR 4,211.20 |
| Groceries | GBP 128 | INR 13,483.84 |
| Clothes | GBP 70 | INR 7,369.60 |
| Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation | GBP 1,578 | INR 166,134.84 |
| Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation | GBP 1,568 | INR 165,098.24 |
| Annual Cost of Living | GBP 18,936 | INR 1,993,996.48 |
Accommodation Costs In Glasgow For Indian Students
Finding accommodation is almost always the first thing to do once you send back the signed offer letter and confirm your seat. Irrespective of the university, accommodation tends to fill up soon during common intake seasons, and it may become tough to find a preferable place to live.
For freshers or people moving abroad for the first time, on-campus accommodation is usually the top recommendation since it brings added security and a sense of safety, and the proximity to campus buildings helps students save time and money on commuting. Once you gain some experience and get acquainted with the local culture, you can also look for off-campus accommodation. Now, considering the average accommodation costs in Glasgow, we can see that there’s only a difference of GBP 10.
Generally, off-campus accommodation is the recommended option because it offers more options, is generally cheaper, and has fewer restrictions. Some of the top accommodation options in Glasgow are mentioned here, along with the rent that they may contribute to the Glasgow cost of living student:
| Property | Cost/week (starting) | Types of rooms available | Features |
| Merchant Studios– 6 Havannah Street, Glasgow, G4 0AJ, United Kingdom | GBP 209 | Luxury studios | 24/7 dedicated support Bike storage Social events Communal relaxing and study area Utilities included |
| Buchanan View– 33-35 Calgary Street, Glasgow G4 0XG, United Kingdom | GBP 183 | EnsuitePrivate roomsOne-bedroom apartmentStudio | Utilities included Fully furnished Gameroom Laundry room Concierge ANUK Accreditation |
| Dobbie’s Point– 200 North Hanover Street Glasgow G4 0PY, United Kingdom | GBP 209 | EnsuitePrivate roomsStudio | Utilities included24/7 dedicated support Communal relaxing and study area Cinema Electronic key fob entry system Contents insurance |
| Gibson Street– Gibson Street, Glasgow G12 8SY, United Kingdom | GBP 279 | EnsuitePrivate roomsStudio | Utilities includedFully furnished Laundry room Bike storage Gameroom Contents insurance |
How Much Does Transportation Cost?
Transportation in Glasgow is incredibly convenient, especially for those trying to live on a tight budget of their Glasgow living cost student. There are two major forms of commuting available – bus and train, both of which are very well-connected networks.
- Train: The trains or subway is quite cheap and arguably the easiest way to travel within the city. Typically, Glasgow’s west and south end are not as well-connected as others. But the subway makes them easily reachable. It runs every 4 minutes for a complete round of 15 stations. One incredible way to budget lower than the average cost of living in Glasgow for Indian students is to go for the pass. Get the weekly train pass starting from GBP 20, or the annual pass from GBP 150.
- Bus: Buses are another well-connected form of public transport in Glasgow that facilitates easy commute/transport. Choose to travel from over 80 routes throughout Glasgow. You can access unlimited travel throughout the day at a small cost. You can even get weekly tickets ranging from GBP 15 to GBP 20, or monthly passes starting from GBP 50.
Cost Of Food & Groceries In Glasgow For Indian Students
Food and groceries are, without a doubt, highly variable expenses in the monthly budget. For someone who frequently visits the restaurant a lot, the total monthly cost of dining will be more. There are a few tricks to save up on these expenses, but before moving on to them, let us look at the basic costs here:
| Particulars | Cost |
| Meal at an average restaurant | GBP 15 |
| 0.5 ltr Beer | GBP 4.50 |
| Regular cappuccino | GBP 3.27 |
| 0.33 ltr Coke/Pepsi | GBP 1.77 |
| 0.33 ltr Water | GBP 1.24 |
| 1 ltr Milk | GBP 1.23 |
| 500 gram Bread | GBP 1.21 |
| 1 kg Rice | GBP 1.62 |
| 12 Eggs | GBP 2.87 |
| 1 kg Potato | GBP 0.97 |
| 1 kg Onion | GBP 0.92 |
| 1 kg Apples | GBP 2.29 |
| 1 kg Oranges | GBP 2.08 |
| 1 kg Tomato | GBP 3.51 |
How Much Do Utilities Cost In Glasgow For Indian Students?
Utilities are another non-negotiable expense in the budget of any international student. Fortunately, most places, especially off-campus accommodation properties, have the charge for utilities included in the rent itself, decreasing the total cost based on actual utility. In case you select a property where utilities aren’t included in the rent, you will have to look at the average costs as follows:
- Basic utilities of electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage for an 85 sq. m. apartment: GBP 280.48.
- Monthly mobile plans with 10GB data: GBP 12.85.
- WiFi/Internet connection per month: GBP 32.23.
What Are The Visa Charges?
A student visa is one of the most important documents you will need when applying to any UK university. Unfortunately, visa costs also affect the cost of living in Glasgow for Indian students. The primary condition is that the applicant must be 16+ years old and fulfil these conditions:
- Has a valid offer letter for a course offered by a licensed student sponsor
- Has substantial proof of finances to support themselves and pay for their programme
- Has a valid proof of English proficiency
- A consent letter from the parents (if under 18)
To apply for a student visa from outside the United Kingdom, a total of GBP 490 is charged. Similarly, GBP 490 is required to extend or switch to a student visa from inside the UK.
Apply for a visa around six months before your course begins. The authorities take around 3 weeks to respond about the outcome. In addition to this cost, applicants also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of the application.
Note that your duration of stay, dependents and purpose can affect the total cost of applying for a student visa.
Popular University Fees In Glasgow For Students
When considering the cost of studying, there are two major factors – the cost of living in Glasgow for Indian students and the cost of tuition. As we’ve discussed the Glasgow living expenses in detail, let’s look at the second contributor. The following table contains details of the top universities in Glasgow and their average annual tuition fees.
| University | QS World University Ranking 2024 | Average Annual Cost Of Tuition |
| University of Glasgow | 76 | GBP 21,600 |
| University of Strathclyde | 276 | GBP 18,000 |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | 1001 – 1200 | GBP 11,500 |
| Glasgow School of Art | 2023: 12 | GBP 23,500 |
| City of Glasgow College | 2023: 81 in the UK | – |
Things To Do For Free In Glasgow
Students who reach Glasgow would be left enthralled at the lively social scene at Glasgow. It offers numerous free attractions for students to enjoy, including:
- Riverside Museum
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- Glasgow Cathedral
- Glasgow Botanic Gardens
- Hunterian Art Gallery
- The Glasgow Necropolis
- Gallery of Modern Art
- The Burrell Collection
These attractions allow students to delve into art, history, culture, and nature without spending any money. Additionally, students can:
- Attend free live music performances in various pubs and bars.
- Enjoy free club nights at iconic venues like the Subclub.
- Benefit from Glasgow’s reliable public transportation system, with affordable options such as weekly Subway Smartcards and bus tickets tailored for students.
How To Try To Live On A Budget In Glasgow For Indian Students ?
Although the average cost of living in Glasgow for Indian students is considerably cheaper than that in metropolitan cities in the United Kingdom, it can still become a tough job to manage the living expenses as an international student. To help you out, here are some tips through which you can save up on the living expenses in Glasgow:
- Plan a monthly budget and ensure that you stick to it.
- Recognise any unnecessary expenses.
- Choose an accommodation that fits your preferences and is cheap.
- Use public transport whenever possible.
- Avoid takeout and dining out. Instead, try to cook at home as much as possible.
- Avail of student discounts and concessions for shopping, groceries and more.
FAQs
Q1. How much money do you need to live in Glasgow?
Ans: The average cost of living in Glasgow as an Indian student is around GBP 18,936 or INR 1,993,996. Thus, the living cost in Glasgow for international students is an average of GBP 1,573 or INR 1,65,616 per month.
Q2. Is Glasgow a cheap city to live in?
Ans: Looking at the data, we can’t infer that Glasgow is cheap for international students. However, it costs less to live in Glasgow when compared to other popular destinations in the UK.
Q3. Is Glasgow a safe city?
Ans: Glasgow is among the most famous study destinations in the UK and hosts a number of international students from different universities each year. Since it has become one of the major educational hubs in Scotland, it is very safe.
Q4. What is the average salary in Glasgow?
Ans: The average salary in Glasgow is GBP 33,000 per year, according to the statistics of 2023.
Q5. How much does it cost to live at the University of Glasgow International Student?
Ans: The University of Glasgow International Support Centre provides an approximation that the average living expense for Indian students ranges between GBP 11,300 to GBP 16,000 per year.
Q6. How expensive is Glasgow as a student?
Ans: Glasgow is relatively affordable for students, with an estimated cost of living ranging from £766 monthly without accommodation. The city offers a lower cost of living compared to other major UK cities like London, making it a budget-friendly choice for students.
Q7. What is Glasgow known for?
Ans: The city has world-class universities, such as the University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian University, along with a rich cultural heritage, museums, galleries, and unique attractions like the Clydeside Distillery. Glasgow is also famous for its music scene, hosting various festivals.
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