Fees, accommodation and living costs

Fees for international students

It is important to think about not only your tuition and accommodation costs but the cost of living too.

The minimum cost of living as recommended by UKVI for studying outside London is £1,023 per month, but will vary from student to student. This is a guideline to cover items like accommodation, food, laundry, books, clothes, toiletries and socialising. For up to date information, visit Student visa: Money you need - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Tuition fees - listed below - will be an additional cost, as well as student insurance, the health care surcharge and transfers to and from the airport.

  • Currently the maintenance level is set at £1334/month for those studying in London and £1023 for people studying outside of London. This is being changed to £1483 and £1136 respectively.
  • This change will come into effect for students making a visa application on or after 2 January 2025. The current maintenance levels will remain in place up until that point. 

Tuition fees

Our tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic are now live.

Find fees for our pathway programmes, as well as airport transfer costs and other payment information.

International Foundation Year

Pathway2024/252025/26
Arts, Humanities, Law and Social Sciences£19,250£21,250
Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance£20,900£22,250
Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture£21,900£23,250
Health, Medical and Life Sciences£21,900£23,900

Accelerated International Foundation

Pathway2024/252025/26
Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance£18,250£19,500
Engineering, Physical Science and Computer Science£18,750£19,900

International Year One

Pathway2024/252025/26
Accounting and Finance£20,250£21,500
Business Management£20,250£21,900
Engineering£20,900£22,250
International Relations£20,250£21,900
Law£20,750£22,750

Pre-Master's Programmes

PathwaySemesters2024/252025/26
Business, Social Sciences and Humanities2£18,900£20,250
Science and Computing2£18,900£22,250

Tuition fee validity

Fees for the 2025/26 academic year are valid for any programme that commences on, or after, 25th August 2025. Any programme starting before this date will be subject to 2024/25 tuition fees.

English Language Programmes

PathwayDurationTuition Fees
Online English for International Foundation Year10 weeks£3,500
Online English for International Year One6 weeks£2,100​​

10 weeks£3,500​​

16 weeks£5,600​​

Additional fee information

Additional fees and costsFee
StudyCare Insurance (up to 12 months)£450 (£8.65 per week). Prices are indicative.
StudyCare Insurance (24 months fixed)£720 (£6.93 per week)
Immigration Health SurchargePlease visit the Gov.uk pages to read more about how much you need to pay
AccommodationFees 2024/25
Part-catered
(shared bathroom)
£5,899.60 - £6,756.40
Part-catered
(en-suite)
from £6,753.60
Self-catered
(shared bathroom)
£4,768.40  - £5,622.40
Self-catered
(en-suite)
£5,196.80  - £7,302.40

Explore our accommodation options.

Please note: these are the accommodation costs for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years.

Below are average costs for travel from Cardiff's nearest airports to your student accommodation.

Taxi transfer fees (one way)Price**
Cardiff (CWL)£82
Bristol (BRS)£148
Heathrow (LHR)£282

** Prices subject to change

Confirmation payment & tuition fees

 Once you have received an offer of a place at the International Study Centre, you are required to pay a confirmation payment. The security deposit is held to cover damages and any other incidental expenses. Any monies left at the end of your programme will be returned to you. If you do not require a student visa you must pay your confirmation payment and advance tuition fees payment no later than 3 months before the start date of your programme.

When? Amount (GBP) 
Confirmation payment at point of confirming offer to study

£1,000 security deposit

£260 administration fee (non-refundable)

Prior to applying for your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (‘CAS’)

£6,000 advance tuition fees payment  

Please note: this is in addition to the initial confirmation payment taking the total fees paid prior to applying for your CAS to £7,260.

28 days prior to start of 1st semesterBalance of 1st Semester fees (if any) as set out in your offer letter
2 months prior to start of 2nd semesterBalance of 2nd Semester fees (if any) as set out in your offer letter

For certain territories, you may be required to pay a higher amount in respect of advance tuition fees. Details will be set out in the individual payment plan attached to your offer letter. For full information about fees and refunds read our Terms and Conditions.

Paying your fees

Our how to pay page has all the information you need to know on paying your tuition fees.

Additional information

All international students should have accident and medical insurance for the duration of their time in the UK. This will make you feel more secure because not having the proper coverage can be extremely difficult and expensive.

You can take out our own Study Care Insurance policy or alternative cover with a third party. The StudyCare Insurance policy covers loss of personal possessions as well as providing health and medical insurance. It is specifically designed for international students’ needs during your studies at the International Study Centre and, if required, after progressing to your university. Insurance cover is offered for flexible terms of up to 12 or 24 months (fixed), allowing you to choose a policy duration that fits your needs. If you select 24 months, you will be covered for the duration of your pathway programme plus the first year of your degree.

Find out more

All students under the age of 18 at the start of their course will receive our guardianship service free of charge. A guardian will support you during your time in the UK until you turn 18. More information will be provided after you apply.

Two students sitting on a sofa on campus smiling

Scholarships

Explore the scholarship options available for students studying at the International Study Centre.

Find out more

Join us today

We're here to support you throughout the application process. Use our online application form and our student enrolment advisors will be available to answer your questions.