Upon arrival for study in the United Kingdom, it's normal to expect some impulse buying, which can drastically reduce the amount of money you bring for your living and study-related expenses.

The cost of living in London for a Nigerian student is a lot of money when converted to Naira from British Pounds.

To ensure you do not run out of money, which could affect your main purpose in London, you need to set a budget based on the estimated living expenses.

Accommodation, utility bills, groceries, and other personal expenses will take a large portion of your money. These things are more expensive in London than in any other city in the UK.

The UK government requires proof of funds of at least £1,483 per month for any academic program you enrol in. The thing is, you can actually spend a much lesser amount each month if you follow the guidelines in this article.

Summary of London’s living expenses

The table below shows the most essential living costs of an average international student in London from Nigeria:

Accommodation costs

According to the Trust for London, high housing costs are one of the underlying problems in London.

In fact, many residents cannot afford to rent their preferred home. However, several accommodation options are available at your discretion, based on your budget, lifestyle, and proximity.

Your first consideration should be the university’s student hall. If you are unable to secure a reservation, look out for apartments or shared flats for rent around London, although they are usually more expensive than student dormitories.

The monthly cost of an on-campus accommodation in London starts from £700. For off-campus housing, you’ll need between £850 and £1,200 each month, depending on the property’s location, size, market demand, and fixtures.

Feeding and groceries

You’ll have to choose between eating out at restaurants and preparing meals yourself. Homemade food is cheaper than meals served at fast-food restaurants across London.

According to the London Evening Standard, main dishes cost around £40 per person, which is three to four times the hourly minimum wage an international student earns in London.

The British Council recommends cooking your own meals, buying items in bulk, and shopping just when the mall is about to wind down for the day. This way, you can save hundreds of pounds each month.

Utility bills

Refusal to pay utility bills is a criminal offence in London and the UK in general, so you'd better avoid it. These cover the usage of water, electricity, gas, and other services, such as internet and telephone bills.

Here are their typical costs:

• Electricity and gas: £60
• Water: £30
• Telephone: £18 per month
• Internet: £25

Transportation

Getting around the city of London is a fun experience for most international students from Nigeria.

However, you may not always need to use public transit if you live on campus, as many supermarkets, restaurants, government offices, and other attractions are near most academic institutions in London.

You may only need to walk for a few minutes to reach your destination. However, this is a different case for students in flats and apartments outside their university’s campus.

You may also avoid staying too close to your campus, as nearby houses often cost more.

Above all, get an 18+ Student Oyster photocard for £2, which offers a quicker means to access public transit services within the city on a PAYG basis.

Better still, you can start with a contactless card until you estimate your monthly transportation costs.

Social activities, entertainment, and gym membership

Participating in student clubs, societies, and activities will cost you some bucks for membership, events, trips, equipment, and uniforms, depending on the school, club, and type of activities.

However, you don’t really need to join these activities and can save around £20 a month simply by exempting yourself.

Hanging out with friends will cost you £40 or more each day you socialise outside campus, as you need to pay for transportation, meals, drinks, and specific activities at the spot.

If you'd like to work out at a gym, consider a student membership at The Gym Group, which costs from £14.99 per month.

Summary

From the information in this guide, the cost of living in London for an average Nigerian student is exorbitant, but you will surely survive.

You can make money working part-time jobs for 20 hours a week during school sessions and full-time when your school is on scheduled breaks.

With the OhentPay mobile app, you can save costs on account maintenance, as well as on local and cross-border transactions, as their payment platform operates on flat fees rather than percentages.

OhentPay serves over 190 countries, and you can create multiple accounts for free to hold money and transact in over 40 foreign currencies for a fixed fee monthly.

Feel free to compare bank account benefits, fees, accommodation options, and job offers. Also try to avoid unnecessary spending and keep your expenses within budget.

If you need financial support, do not hesitate to apply for scholarships and use student loans cautiously to meet your needs.