Everything about Student Accommodation Aberdeen
Aberdeen, the third largest city in Scotland, is a popular location for foreign students. It is a flourishing university city and is also known as the “Granite City” or ‘the Silver City with the Golden Sands“. It is a vibrant, historic centre for all students, it is the only city in the United Kingdom on the list of the 50 most inexpensive cities for students. The city houses more than 20,000 students. Every year hundreds of students come to this coastal city owing to its growth prospects for young people who want to settle down professionally.
Living expenses in Aberdeen for international students
In Aberdeen, apart from tuition fees, you should also consider a number of other factors when choosing a place to study, including the cost of Student Accommodation Aberdeen, food and culture, cost of living for international students in Aberdeen, and other variables.
The living expenses for international students in the city is a very vital factor, and many students intend to forget about this aspect when they start searching for a place and simply go over budget.
According to Robert Gordon University, a student here should at least have a budget of 30 to 40 pounds per week for personal expenses such as clothing, travel, sports, and other activities, and about 30 pounds per week for basic needs such as food and toiletries. Students can avail of several student discounts and offers that can make used at many local stores, restaurants/cafés, and cinemas.
Tuition Fees
Every university and college has different tuition fees and which vary from programme to programme and can be found in the online prospectus for each programme. The University of Aberdeen, for example, has a fixed fee schedule that ensures that first-year international students (except medicine) and postgraduate research students starting their studies need to pay the same fee each year for the course duration.
Every year, most of the other universities increase their tuition fees by about 5% to 9%. The University of Aberdeen is committed to safeguarding that overseas students can expect the cost of living in Aberdeen in advance of their arrival. With this fixed fee policy of the university, students can plan ahead for their expenses and save on the cost of living here.
International students starting the Master of Arts in Business Management (University of Aberdeen) in September 2021 will pay the following Aberdeen tuition fees:
Housing costs: how much does it cost to live in Aberdeen?
In addition to tuition, students will need funds for living expenses, including housing, food, books, movies, clothing, phone bills, local transportation, and laundry. These costs may vary depending on the student’s lifestyle and spending habits. In accordance with UKVI guidelines, it is suggested that students spend £1,023 per month to cover their monthly living expenses in Aberdeen.
International students who require a student visa to live in the UK are required to pay a health surcharge of £470 per academic year plus £235 when applying for a visa (half the annual amount is payable for an extended stay of 6 months or less).
Although students do not live at home during their Master’s programme, the largest financial expense (other than tuition) would be for housing. One should make sure to get a good deal on the investment and that the property meets one’s needs after graduation.
The most important decision a student must make regarding the cost of living for international students in Aberdeen is between university-owned housing and the private rental sector.
Most UK universities offer exclusive graduate halls of residence. The cost of living in Aberdeen in these halls of residence is usually around £100-150 per week. While graduate housing is generally more expensive than private accommodation, it should be noted that the cost of student housing in Aberdeen is usually included in the total.
The cost of university-owned housing usually depends on how many people share the flat or studio, whether you have a private bathroom, and whether it is boarded or self-catered.
The demand for postgraduate accommodation always exceeds the budget, so you may want to apply as early as possible and make a plan B in case you cannot find accommodation through the university.
Private/off-campus housing
If you can avail of university housing or if you don’t want to stay in university housing, then you must rent it yourself. The living expenses of international students in Aberdeen vary widely. Though private accommodation is often cheaper than university accommodation, students must remember that the cost of living in this city does not typically include expenses or bills. Students should make sure that you are renting from a trustworthy landlord. You can seek help from your university as most of the universities maintain a list of licensed, reputable landlords and agencies.
The average rent for accommodation in the city ranges from 600 to 700 pounds. The type of housing includes studio apartments, 3-bedroom apartments, 4-bedroom apartments, and shared apartments.
You can avail of fully furnished student apartments that offer all the essential amenities such as free WiFi, on-site laundry, video surveillance, and a secure entrance. You will be provided with a large bed and work area, as well as a modern integrated kitchen in the studio apartments.