Expenditures on educational materials also eat up part of the student budget
Most international students often ask themselves: “How much money do I need to allocate for tuition?” Getting an idea of tuition costs is relatively simple by contacting the relevant higher education institution, but calculating living expenses turns out to be much more difficult. As noted by the portal Swissinfo.ch, the reason is that a number of factors influence the situation.
In Switzerland, potential international students applying for a visa or residence permit must provide authorities with guarantees that they can cover the financial costs associated with their studies. To help students calculate the amount these costs may amount to, many colleges and universities provide their own breakdown of average living expenses in their region.
A quick review of data from selected educational institutions showed that living expenses in Switzerland can range from 1,500 to 2,800 Swiss francs per month (from 40,000 to 78,000 hryvnias per month).
As for the United Kingdom, university websites give a good idea of local living expenses. The University of Edinburgh provides data on expenses ranging from 695 to 1,350 pounds sterling (from $896 to $1,741) per month, including general expenses, including accommodation. This is comparable to the estimated average monthly expenses of students at the University of Manchester (around 925 pounds sterling). The average cost for students at Imperial College London is slightly higher – 1,220 pounds sterling per month, including rent.
In the United States, the cost of living largely depends on the quality of housing conditions that the student chooses for themselves. One comparison offers a minimum 9-month budget of $12,550 (12,260 Swiss francs) and a budget assuming a slightly more comfortable lifestyle starting from $18,730. Living in the capital Washington, D.C., tops this list as the most expensive (ranging from $14,809 to $22,101), while living in Pittsburgh, Detroit, and St. Louis is considered the most affordable (from $12,550 to $18,730).
In Switzerland, most of the student budget will go towards housing, with the amount of rent heavily dependent on housing conditions and the location of the property. The University of Fribourg – the only university in Switzerland where instruction is in two languages (French and German) – offers students the opportunity to reduce costs by living in a student dormitory for just 350 Swiss francs per month. In Swiss cities where such accommodation is not available, rent is likely to be at least twice as high.
In the United Kingdom, London is certainly the most expensive city. Rent rates are particularly high there. According to a survey by NatWest bank, students living in London will likely have to pay around 668 pounds sterling per month for a single room. Elsewhere, rent rates are much lower. In Glasgow, Hull, and Belfast, students pay between 340 and 400 pounds sterling per month.
Most higher education institutions have their own residential premises, which they rent to their students for periods of 37 to 51 weeks. These premises are generally cheaper, located close to the center, better equipped, and better maintained than housing a student could afford in the private sector. International students newly arrived in the United Kingdom are usually given priority in the allocation of these premises, given the additional difficulties people typically face when moving long distances.
As with university tuition fees, living expenses in the United States will vary greatly depending on the place of residence and the student's specific situation. Is he studying for a bachelor's degree and living on campus? Or is he getting a master's degree and living off campus? Does he live alone or in a room with another student?
For international undergraduate students in the US living on campus at a tuition-free university, the cost of room and board averages $10,800 per year. This includes dormitory accommodation and paid meals in the cafeteria. Living off campus has its advantages and disadvantages. Such living for 9 months will cost you an average of $18,730.
After housing costs, the most expensive item in Switzerland is food, which is notoriously expensive. Universities recommend setting aside about 450 Swiss francs per month to fill the refrigerator with groceries or eat at the university canteen. Next comes basic health insurance, which is mandatory for all residents except students who already have comparable insurance.
Minimum costs vary everywhere, but some insurers offer discounts for young people under 26, or even affordable packages specifically designed for international students, so expect a monthly bill of between 100 and 350 Swiss francs.
Also, do not forget about phone and internet bills, which will cost 100-150 Swiss francs, as well as transportation costs (another 50-100 Swiss francs). As for course materials, some universities cite a monthly budget of about 100-150 Swiss francs, although this amount may vary depending on the field of study.
Let us also mention that books are extremely expensive in Switzerland; a recent monograph on a topic can cost up to 80 francs. According to data from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), students at architectural universities should budget for additional expenses due to field trips. Other factors, such as access to photocopying of handouts (which are usually cheaper than books), must also be taken into account in calculations.
Considering all these unavoidable expenses that need to be accounted for in the monthly budget, students may wonder: will they have any money left for pocket money and leisure? A movie ticket in Switzerland costs an average of 17 francs. There are cheaper and even free alternatives, such as visiting numerous public swimming pools that do not charge an entrance fee. Or check out cultural and leisure activities on campus: a ticket to the student theater is certainly cheaper than a trip to the Zurich Opera.
In the United Kingdom, non-housing expenses can also amount to a significant sum. The student budget calculator published on the Which University information website can be a useful tool for calculating both large and small expenses.
Generally speaking, the main additional expenses are transportation, food and drink, and utilities, although on a university campus these are usually included in the accommodation fee. The cost of books and supplies provided by the university is about 15 pounds sterling per week, mobile phone services cost from 10 to 30 pounds sterling per month, and a pint of beer can be bought for between 2.50 and 5 pounds sterling.
For students living on campus in the US, books and other supplies can cost an average of 1,250 US dollars, transportation costs 1,170 US dollars, and other expenses amount to another 2,100 US dollars per year. And these expenses appear to be on the rise. Students living off campus should budget about 286 US dollars per month for food, and transportation—which accounts for approximately 18% of total expenses—will cost about 374 US dollars per month.
There are ways to somewhat reduce expenses. If off-campus housing is within walking distance of the university and there is no need to buy a train pass for commuting, then transportation costs can be significantly reduced. If a student eats out less often (where prices can vary depending on the restaurant) or does not go to the movies every day (the average ticket price is 9.16 dollars), then it may be possible to save some money.