Aside from tuition and accommodation, which may all be paid for before you leave home, you will need to make sure you have enough money to cover other costs while you are learning at Kings London.
We break down these costs below.
For any other question about budgeting, please contact us before you leave home.
Eating and drinking | Social and enrichment programme | Transport | Course materials and exam fees
If you have booked half-board accommodation, make sure you have £15 per day to spend on additional food, snacks and drinks.
If you have booked a self-catering option, we recommend you budget for £20+ per day on food.
Students can buy lunch at our on-site café and can expect to pay the following:
Item Price
Hot meals £4.00 - £8.00
Fruit pots £0.50
Chocolate bar £1+
Hot Drinks £2.20+
Soft Drinks £1.00 - £2.00
(vending machine available which takes cash)
Please be advised that the following prices may vary depending on the place of purchase.
Hot Drinks from £2.50
Soft Drinks from £2.20, smoothies from £4.50
Sandwiches from £4.50
Soup from £5.50
Pizza from £10
Salad from £8
Burger and Chips from £6
A Big Mac meal £5.29 medium £5.89 Large
Local supermarkets include – Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, CoOp, Waitrose, M&S (in approx. order of cheapest to most expensive)
International foods available all along Penge High Street in local independent supermarkets (near the Old Police Station student residence) – all reasonably priced.
Some of the most common items:
Sandwich £2 - £4
Can of Coke £0.50 - £1.50
Fruit £0.20 - £2.50
Crisps £0.80 - £1
Salad £1.50 - £5
Bottle of wine £6+
Other items that are not food but that you might need while in London:
Inland stamp (first class) £0.95
Stamp for a letter in Europe £1.85*
4 AA batteries £4+
Toothbrush £1 - £3
Toothpaste £1 - £3.50
Shower gel £1.50+
Shampoo £1 - £4.50
Packet of washing powder £4 - £8
(We suggest that you buy some of these things at Poundland – discount shops)
NB. Postage prices may change in April each year
Budget restaurant meal from £15
Standard restaurant meal £25 - £30
Exclusive restaurant meal from £70
Budget restaurant meal + wine from £25
Standard restaurant meal + wine from £35
Exclusive restaurant meal + wine from £90
Kings London organise a full calendar of activities for students every month (click on button to view this month's calendar).
Some activities are free. Other events and excursions will have a cost.
Below are some example costs per activity:
The Spa / gym: £28
Bowling: £8.15 per game
Cinema: £8 - £18*
Entry into a nightclub: from £20**
Day excursion: From £30
* Discounts may be available with your student card and cost varies depending on the time you go
** Some nightclubs offer discounted nights especially for students during the week.
Here are some guide prices for travelling in and around London.
Single journey: £1.65
1-Day Travelcard zone ticket 1-4 (bus, train, tube, tram): £14
Weekly Travelcard (bus, train, tube, tram): £55 per week
Weekly bus only pass: £24.70
Single to or from Gatwick Airport: from £20
Single to or from Heathrow Airport: via tube (Oyster card) £11-£14
Prices are subject to increase annually.
Students are provided with study materials but you may choose to buy a course book if you feel it will help you study.
Course books cost about £30. The number of books you need will depend on your own progress. You will usually need a new book each time you change your class; this may be about every 8-12 weeks depending on your personal progress.
You may also want to buy additional self-study materials to help you during your stay and a grammar books costs around £25.
If you would like to take an examination during your stay with us, please speak to your teacher. You can prepare for an exam at Kings but the exam itself will take place in an exam centre. There are various exam centres in London so you will be able to find an exam date and location which suits you.
Cambridge PET £110
Cambridge FCE £170
Cambridge CAE £175
Cambridge CPE £175
IELTS £175-£195 depending on location
UKVI IELTS £195
Certificate postage and admin fee £10
You can book the Cambridge examinations and IELTS examinations through Kings London. TOEIC is not currently offered in the UK. If you wish to book a TOEFL examination you should do direct on the internet. Our office staff can tell you the website address.
Thank you for your enquiry.
We'll be in touch soon.
The Kings Admissions Team
