Full Breakdown of the Cost of Studying for a Master’s Degree in the UK (2025 Guide)
Published by Eduvoy Global | Updated: October 2025
Thinking about studying in the UK for your master’s degree? 🇬🇧 Here’s a detailed breakdown of the total initial cost and payment structure for an international student — especially from Nigeria — planning to study a master’s program in the UK with a total tuition of £16,000. This guide covers everything from visa fees, health surcharge, proof of funds, flight tickets, and instalment payment structure so you can plan your study journey with confidence.🎓 Tuition and Proof of Funds Overview
Before you apply for a UK student visa, you’ll need to show that you can cover tuition and living expenses.- Total Tuition Fee: £16,000
- Initial Deposit (before CAS): £4,000
- Remaining Tuition Balance: £12,000
- Any remaining tuition not yet paid
- Living expenses (maintenance funds)
- Outside London: £1,023/month × 9 = £9,207
- In London: £1,334/month × 9 = £12,006
💷 Initial Financial Requirement Before Visa Application
Item | Amount (£) | Notes |
---|---|---|
Tuition Deposit | 4,000 | Paid to university before CAS |
Proof of Remaining Tuition | 12,000 | Must be in your bank for visa proof |
Proof of Living Expenses (outside London) | 9,207 | Required for maintenance |
Total Proof of Funds | 21,207 | 12,000 + 9,207 |
5% Proof of Funds Buffer (approx.) | 1,060 | Covers exchange rate changes |
Total to Show in Bank (approx.) | ≈ £22,200 | Held for 28 consecutive days |
💳 Visa and Health-Related Costs
Approx conversions used: ₦ @ 1,950/£ (for reference).Item | Amount (£) | Approx. in Naira (₦) |
---|---|---|
UK Student Visa Application | 490 | ₦955,500 |
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | 1,035 | ₦2,020,000 |
Tuberculosis (TB) Test | 150 | ₦292,500 |
Miscellaneous (biometrics, courier, etc.) | 50 | ₦97,500 |
Total Visa-Related Costs (approx.) | 1,725 | ₦3,365,500 |
✈️ Flight Ticket Cost from Nigeria to the UK
Flight prices vary with date, airport and airline. As of 2025 (estimate):- Average one-way ticket: £650 – £850 (≈ ₦1.2 – ₦1.6 million)
- Estimated average used below: £750
💡 Tip: Book early (2–3 months ahead) to save more.
💰 Initial Out-of-Pocket Cost Before Travelling
Item | Amount (£) | Notes |
---|---|---|
Tuition Deposit | 4,000 | Paid to university |
Visa, Health & TB | 1,725 | Payable before visa |
Proof of Funds Buffer | 1,060 | Optional financial cushion |
Flight Ticket (estimate) | 750 | Average one-way |
Total Initial Cost (approx.) | ≈ £7,535 | ≈ ₦14.7 million (approx.) |
🧾 Remaining Tuition Payment Plan (After Enrolment)
Once you arrive and complete your registration, many universities allow flexible payment of the remaining £12,000. Example plan (8 monthly instalments):Instalment | Amount (£) | Due Date |
---|---|---|
1 | 1,500 | 1st month after enrolment |
2 | 1,500 | 2nd month |
3 | 1,500 | 3rd month |
4 | 1,500 | 4th month |
5 | 1,500 | 5th month |
6 | 1,500 | 6th month |
7 | 1,500 | 7th month |
8 | 1,500 | 8th month |
Total | 12,000 | Completed by month 8 |
📘 Quick Summary
- Tuition Deposit: £4,000
- Visa, Health & TB: £1,725
- Flight Ticket (estimate): £750
- Proof of Funds Buffer: £1,060
- Initial Out-of-Pocket Cost: ≈ £7,535
- Remaining Tuition (8 instalments): £12,000
- Total Cost of Study: ≈ £19,535
🧭 Key Takeaways for International Students
- ✅ You don’t have to pay full tuition before getting your CAS — just show proof of funds.
- ✅ Keep your proof of funds in the bank for 28 consecutive days before applying for a visa.
- ✅ After visa approval, you’ll often pay the balance through instalments after enrolment.
- ✅ Always account for exchange rate fluctuations and international transfer fees.
- ✅ Book your flight early to reduce costs.
🏫 Final Thoughts
Studying in the UK offers a world-class education, but proper financial planning is key to a smooth transition. With this breakdown you now have a clear idea of the true cost of studying in the UK as an international student — from deposit to visa fees, IHS, and maintenance proof requirements. If you’re planning your 2025 UK study journey, start preparing your financial documents at least 2–3 months before your visa application for a stress-free process.Ready to Start Your UK Study Journey?
Let Eduvoy Global guide you every step of the way from admission to visa approval.
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