Percentile Breakdown
We recognise the ongoing financial pressures on students and their families as inflation remains high in the UK. Our Student Financial Support team are there to provide advice and assistance.
Pricing figures
The upper, median and lower figures represent the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of our student spending data. This means that half our students surveyed spend the median figures or less. 25% of our students surveyed spend the lower amount or less and 75% of our students surveyed spend the upper amount or less.
| Cost | Weekly | Monthly | 9 months | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | Average | Upper | Lower | Average | Upper | Lower | Average | Upper | ||
| Rent and Bills | £172.00 | £185.00 | £261.00 | £745.33 | £801.67 | £1,131.00 | £6,708.00 | £7,215.00 | £10,179.00 | |
| Food | £30 | £50 | £80 | £130.00 | £216.67 | £346.67 | £1,170.00 | £1,950.00 | £3,120.00 | |
| Travel | £15 | £24 | £40 | £65.00 | £104.00 | £173.33 | £585.00 | £936.00 | £1,560.00 | |
| Personal and leisure | £20 | £35 | £57 | £86.67 | £151.67 | £247.00 | £780.00 | £1,365.00 | £2,223.00 | |
| Totals | £237 | £294 | £438 | £1,027 | £1,274 | £1,898 | £9,243 | £11,466 | £17,082 | |
How are these costs calculated?
UPDATED: May 2023
These numbers are based largely on averages from the Student Experience Survey 2022-23 results. They are here to help you consider and plan for the costs associated with studying at Imperial. Many students are able to below these averages.
We all have different living costs, so these figures are just for here your information. We always recommend that you fully research your likely living costs for yourself.
Accommodation
The figures for College-run accommodation are based on rents at our different undergraduate halls of residence. You can find them in full on our . All of our undergraduate halls include utility bills, internet access, basic contents insurance, maintenance, communal cleaning and a contribution to the halls activity fund. Typically, you will need to sign up for a 9 month contract for College-run accommodation.
There are lots of different options when it comes to private accommodation. If you want to live in private accommodation, you may need to commit to a 12 month contract, so be sure to factor this into your budget. Find out more about .
Food
These food costs cover the typical requirements for someone studying in London. The actual costs may be higher or lower, depending on how often you dine out or where and what you eat.
Travel
These figures are based on the costs of TFL travel cards in London. As a student in London, you will be able to purchase an 18+ Student Oyster Card for Zones 1–3. This is a popular and cost-effective solution, and should cover the majority of your travels within London. However, you may want to explore other options.
We calculated travel costs using three travel card options, for 7 days, 1 month and 1 year. These are usually the most cost-effective options for their respective time periods.
Personal and leisure
These estimates are based on feedback from real Imperial students, collected during the Student Experience Survey 2022-23. Your own costs will depend on your lifestyle and activities, so always consider what your plans are for your studies.
Managing your money
Planning ahead and estimating costs is the best way to stay in control of your finances.
To help you, we have invested in a financial education platform for current and prospective students to engage in financial learning and access to budgeting tools. For more information and to register on the Blackbullion platform, visit our .
Exchange rates
Exchange rates can affect how much the money in your home currency equates to in the UK. That's why it's useful to keep up to date with the current exchange rate.
It is not possible for the College to replace any losses due to exchange rates.