The University of Oxford is one of the most prestigious and renowned institutions around the globe. Its alumni, often called Oxonians, include prominent thinkers and leaders such as Tony Blair, a former British prime minister, and William Golding, a Nobel Prize-winning novelist.
Studying at Oxford can be expensive. International students generally pay higher course fees than students with Home fee status and must also budget for housing, food, transportation, study materials, and personal expenses.
Whether you are a prospective student or simply curious about the cost of attending Oxford, this comprehensive guide provides a breakdown of the main expenses associated with studying at the University of Oxford as an international student.
Study Costs at the University of Oxford
International students who want to pursue their academic goals at Oxford should understand the costs involved. In addition to tuition, applicants should consider application fees, housing, study materials, transportation, food, and other living expenses.
Application Costs
Undergraduate applications to Oxford are submitted through UCAS. The UCAS application fee is £34.50, which allows an applicant to select up to five university and college choices.
For graduate applications, Oxford currently charges £75 for each application to a taught course and £20 for each application to a research course. The fee is nonrefundable. Fee waivers are available to eligible applicants, including residents of designated low-income countries, refugees and displaced people, some UK applicants from low-income backgrounds, and certain previous Graduate Access Program participants. Oxford states that application-fee income supports its graduate access and widening-participation initiatives.
Graduate application deadlines vary by course. Almost all courses have a December or January deadline, and some also have an earlier November deadline. Applicants who submit by a November, December, or January funding deadline may be considered for Oxford scholarships. Applications submitted for a March or later deadline are generally ineligible for Oxford scholarship consideration, although applicants should check their course page and the requirements of individual scholarships.
Tuition Costs
Tuition fees at the University of Oxford differ by level of study, course, and fee status. The following examples use Oxford’s published fees for the 2026–27 academic year.
Bachelor’s Tuition
Oxford offers a variety of undergraduate programs through its colleges and academic departments. Bachelor’s tuition varies by course. Annual course fees for students with Overseas fee status generally range from £37,380 to £62,820, although fees for clinical medicine are significantly higher.
For example, the annual Overseas course fee for English and Modern Languages is £43,600. The annual Overseas fee for Computer Science is £62,820.
Master’s Tuition
Oxford offers graduate programs across numerous academic and professional fields. Course fees vary by program, fee status, and length of study. Students may also face additional costs for research, equipment, travel, or fieldwork that are not included in the course fee.
For example, the annual Overseas course fee for the Master of Science in Environmental Change and Policy is £36,170. Students who choose to undertake dissertation research in the field may incur additional expenses of approximately £300 to £1,500 or more, depending on the project.
The Master of Science in Applied Digital Health has an annual course fee of £47,000 for both Home and Overseas students. Depending on the dissertation topic, additional research, equipment, travel, materials, or fieldwork expenses may range from £50 to £250 or more.
DPhil Tuition
The University of Oxford generally uses the title Doctor of Philosophy, or DPhil, for its doctoral research degrees. Annual course fees vary by field, fee status, and whether the student studies full time or part time.
For 2026–27, the full-time annual Overseas fee for the DPhil in Classical Languages and Literature is £37,080. The full-time annual Overseas fee for the DPhil in Anthropology is £32,960. Course fees are payable annually during the applicable period of fee liability and will usually increase in subsequent academic years.
Other Academic Costs at the University of Oxford
In addition to tuition and application fees, students must budget for books, study materials, housing, transportation, food, and personal expenses. Actual costs will depend on the student’s course, housing arrangements, lifestyle, and personal circumstances.
Books and Miscellaneous Expenses
Oxford’s estimated living-cost breakdown for a single, full-time graduate student in 2026–27 allocates approximately £35 to £90 per month for study costs, including books, printing, stationery, and other academic materials.
The same estimate allocates approximately £20 to £40 per month for other expenses. Students on courses requiring specialized equipment, extensive research, or fieldwork may need a larger budget.
The Bodleian Libraries comprise 23 libraries serving the University and provide access to extensive printed and digital collections. Undergraduate and taught graduate students may generally borrow up to 20 books across participating Bodleian Libraries at one time, while research graduate students may borrow up to 30. Some materials are restricted to library use.
Accommodation and Transportation
Housing costs vary depending on the college, room type, contract length, location, and whether utilities or meals are included. Oxford’s 2026–27 estimate for a single, full-time graduate student places accommodation costs between £825 and £990 per month.
All first-year undergraduate students are offered college accommodation, either on their college’s main site or in a nearby annex. All colleges offer undergraduate housing for at least one additional year, and some offer it throughout the student’s degree. Students who live outside their college can also rent privately, although private housing is commonly rented for the full year and may cost more.
For transportation, students can use local bus and coach services. Redline Buses offers discounted travel on selected routes through its app for users who register with an Oxford University email address. Student discounts are also available on the Oxford Tube service between Oxford and London and on National Express coaches. Cycling is a popular way to travel around Oxford, and bicycles, electric bicycles, and e-scooters can be hired in the city. Students should take appropriate safety and theft-prevention measures when cycling.
Living Expenses
In addition to tuition, the cost of living in Oxford can be substantial. Oxford estimates that a single, full-time graduate student will need approximately £1,405 to £2,105 for each month spent in Oxford.
Oxford’s monthly estimate includes approximately £315 to £545 for food, £50 to £130 for social activities, and £160 to £310 for personal items. Actual expenses will vary according to individual needs and lifestyle.
Attending the University of Oxford as an international student can be academically rewarding but financially demanding. Annual Overseas undergraduate fees generally range from £37,380 to £62,820, with clinical medicine costing significantly more, while graduate fees vary considerably by course. Housing and other living expenses must be added to these amounts.
Oxford offers a range of scholarships and funding opportunities, but eligibility, coverage, and application procedures vary. Prospective students should review their individual course page and Oxford’s official funding and scholarship search before making financial plans.
We hope that this article was helpful! You may also find more information about universities and scholarship opportunities in the United Kingdom on our Study in the UK and Available Programs for International Students!
