The UK is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world – and the most expensive ones. Tuition fees, however, can be a good indicator of course quality. Universities with more expensive tuition fees typically invest heavily into facilities and services to enhance the student experience.

While the financial cost of studying at a top UK university may be steep, the prestige of studying at a world-leading institution often pays back. This is especially true in terms of graduate opportunities and higher earning potential.

The most expensive university to attend in the UK depends on factors such as the course chosen, fee status, and the cost of living. University fees in England have tripled in the past decade and are currently capped at £9,250 per student for undergraduate domestic students. International students can expect to pay a great deal more.

So, we’ve come up with a list of the five most expensive universities to attend in the UK. We’ve listed how much you can expect to pay in terms of tuition fees. This is based on research collected from the Britannia study), and living costs.

University of St Andrews

Located in Scotland, the University of St Andrews is ranked as the number four university in the UK. Likewise, it’s the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world, following Oxford and Cambridge universities,

Tuition fees (per annum) for St Andrews are £1,820 for Scottish students, and £9,250 for English, Welsh, and Northern Irish students. International students, meanwhile, can expect to pay between £26,350 and £33,570 per year.

In a survey of 35 universities across England, Scotland, and Wales, St Andrews was revealed to have the third highest cost of living for students, behind London and Glasgow.   

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is among the most prestigious universities globally, often ranked first in the world. In fact, the university ranks among the top ten for nearly 40 of its courses. The unique approach to teaching common to Oxford and Cambridge revolves around the tutorial system. This ensures personalised attention from academic experts and lends itself to the university’s success.

Tuition fees for Oxford are £9,250 per annum for home students, and between £27,840 and £39,010 p.a. for international students. The cost of living in Oxford can add up to £14,100 to £20,520 per year – however, given the brevity of Oxford terms (8 weeks), you’d likely only be in Oxford for 6 months in any given year, bringing the living costs down.

University of Warwick

Next up is the University of Warwick. It’s ranked among the top ten universities in the UK and is ranked 61st in the world. In particular, it ranks well in 18 subjects, including Economics, Business and Management Studies, and Philosophy.

Tuition fees are £9,250 per annum for home students and from £22,280 to £45,326 p.a. for international students.

The cost of living in Warwick appears lower than, say, Oxford. However, it is still an estimated £5,490 to £7,600 per year for accommodation and general living expenses.

Imperial College London

Following on, we all know that London has a notoriously high cost of living. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that one of the top universities in London has made this list.

It seems that Imperial College London has the top score among all UK universities for academic services expenditure. This means that the university invests heavily in facilities and services such as libraries and IT.

Home students can expect to pay £9,250 per annum in tuition fees. Likewise, for international students, yearly tuition fees range from £35,100 to £46,650.

What’s more, the cost of living in London can add up to a staggering £16,209 per year for students.

University of Cambridge

Lastly, is The University of Cambridge. It is ranked second in the UK and among the top universities in the world. However, it has some of the most expensive tuition fees compared to other top UK universities.

While tuition fees are £9,250 per annum for home students, annual fees for international students range from £23,340 to £60,942.

Furthermore, Cambridge offers the UK’s most expensive medical course. Their Bachelor of Medicine programme costs a staggering £58,038 in yearly tuition fees for international students.

The cost of living can add up to an estimated £8,375 per year.

So, there you have it. Those are the most expensive universities to attend in the UK. Did anything on this list surprise you? If you’re deciding where (or where not) to study, take a look at our list of the best to worst Russell group universities.