Study Abroad Budget Calculator
Estimate the full cost of studying abroad: tuition, living, visa, insurance, travel and the currency risk most plans ignore.
Last reviewed by the Radiatus Cloud team
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Tuition is roughly half the cost
Course fees are the visible number and typically account for only 50 to 60 percent of the total. Accommodation, food, local transport, health insurance, course materials, visa fees, flights and the initial setup costs of arriving in a new country make up the rest. Budgets built on tuition plus a rough living allowance are the ones that run short in the second year.
Proof of funds is a separate hurdle
Most student visas require evidence of funds covering tuition plus living costs for at least the first year, held in an accessible account for a minimum period, commonly 28 days, before applying. This is a liquidity requirement, not just a total. Money arriving the week before the application, or held in an account that does not meet the stated criteria, causes refusals even when the applicant genuinely has the funds.
Currency risk compounds over years
A multi-year course is a multi-year currency exposure. A 10 percent adverse move against your home currency raises the entire remaining cost by 10 percent, which on a three-year degree is substantial. Building a buffer for this is more realistic than assuming today's rate holds. Paying tuition in instalments spreads the exposure; paying a year ahead when the rate is favourable can lock in a saving.
Work rights are limited and should not be load-bearing
Most student visas permit part-time work, commonly around 20 hours weekly during term. At typical wage levels this offsets living costs partially rather than funding a degree. Budgets that depend on maximum permitted earnings tend to fail, because finding work takes time, hours are not guaranteed, and academic demands compete. Treat earnings as a buffer, not as income in the plan.
Costs at the end
Return flights, shipping belongings, deposit disputes and the gap between finishing study and starting paid work. Many students budget carefully to graduation and hit an unfunded period immediately afterwards, particularly where a post-study work visa takes weeks to process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much beyond tuition should I budget?
Roughly as much again. Tuition is typically 50 to 60 percent of the total once accommodation, food, transport, insurance, materials, visa fees and flights are included.
What is the proof of funds requirement?
Evidence of tuition plus first-year living costs held in an accessible account for a minimum period, commonly 28 days, before applying. It is a liquidity test, so money arriving late causes refusals even when the funds exist.
How should I handle currency risk?
Build a buffer rather than assuming today's rate holds. A 10 percent adverse move raises the entire remaining cost by 10 percent, which on a three-year degree is substantial. Instalment payments spread the exposure.
Can part-time work fund my studies?
Rarely. Most student visas allow around 20 hours weekly during term, which offsets living costs partially. Finding work takes time and hours are not guaranteed, so treat earnings as a buffer rather than planned income.
What costs come after graduation?
Return flights, shipping, deposit disputes and the gap before paid work begins, which can run to weeks while a post-study visa is processed. Many budgets stop at graduation and hit an unfunded period immediately.
Privacy & Security
Runs entirely in your browser. Budget inputs are not uploaded.
How to Use
Enter tuition per year, monthly living cost, annual insurance and travel cost, visa and setup fees, course duration, cost inflation and current savings to estimate the total course budget.
Disclaimer: This tool is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Results are for educational and utility purposes.