Planning a master in the UK means budgeting for several items: tuition, the proof of living costs for the visa, the Immigration Health Surcharge for students, and your own health insurance in Germany. This guide sets out the figures with their dates and sources, and shows where you must check the details yourself.
Short answer: A master in the UK usually requires a student visa. According to the University of Swansea, the Immigration Health Surcharge is 776 pounds per year (status August 2025). For courses of nine months or more, it lists living costs of 10,539 pounds plus first-year tuition until 30 November 2026 (status September 2026). Your German health insurance is a separate question, because German student insurance depends on enrolment at a German university. Stand: October 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- The Immigration Health Surcharge for students is 776 pounds per year (status August 2025).
- For courses of nine months or more, the living costs proof is 10,539 pounds, rising to 10,827 pounds from 1 December 2026 (status September 2026).
- Tuition is set by each university and comes on top of these amounts.
- German statutory student insurance depends on enrolment at a German university.
- Voluntary insurance in Germany has a minimum contribution of 222.80 euros per month for 2026 (calculated).
What does the student visa for the UK cost?
The Immigration Health Surcharge is charged per year of permitted stay and gives you access to the publicly funded NHS. According to the University of Swansea, which summarises the requirements of the British authorities, it is 776 pounds per year (status August 2025). Stays of less than six months are charged at half the annual rate, which is 388 pounds. The visa also requires proof of living costs. The university lists 10,539 pounds for courses of nine months or more, plus first-year tuition, until 30 November 2026. After that date the amount rises to 10,827 pounds (status September 2026).
| Item | Amount | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration Health Surcharge, students | 776 pounds per year | August 2025, University of Swansea |
| Living costs proof, course of nine months or more | 10,539 pounds plus first-year tuition (until 30.11.2026) | September 2026, University of Swansea |
| Living costs proof from 1.12.2026 | 10,827 pounds plus first-year tuition | September 2026, University of Swansea |
Assumption: the master lasts twelve months and starts before 30 November 2026. Then the surcharge is 776 pounds. Add the proof of 10,539 pounds, and the first-year tuition, which you must also show. The tuition is not included in that sum.
How high are the tuition fees?
Each British university sets its own tuition fees. They vary by subject, length of study and status, and they can rise from year to year. For students from abroad they are often well above the fees for students with UK status. Check the university’s page for each study year before you apply or apply for a visa.
How are you insured in the UK and in Germany?
The Immigration Health Surcharge is not a health insurance contract but a charge attached to the visa. Your German health insurance is separate. Statutory student insurance (KVdS) under section 5 paragraph 1 number 9 of Book V of the Social Code (SGB V) depends on enrolment at a state or state-recognised university. For a degree in the UK you are usually not covered by it. The options are then voluntary insurance or, if the conditions are met, family insurance. Clarify this with your health fund early.
The German statutory health insurance fact sheet for 2026 sets a minimum assessment base for voluntary members of 1,318.33 euros per month. With the reduced rate of 14.0 percent plus an assumed additional contribution of 2.9 percent, the minimum contribution is 222.80 euros per month (status 1 January 2026, calculated). Whether this minimum applies to you depends on your situation.
| Calculation step | Amount | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum assessment base, voluntary 2026 | 1,318.33 euros per month | GKV-SV fact sheet, 1 January 2026 |
| Contribution: 16.9 percent (14.0 plus 2.9 percent additional, assumption) | 222.80 euros per month | calculated |
| Annual amount over twelve months (assumption) | 2,673.60 euros | calculated |
Does a master in the UK suit your situation?
A British master suits some plans and is too costly or complicated for others. The comparison below helps with the decision, but it does not replace a personal check.
| Often a good fit when | Often not a good fit when |
|---|---|
| You have a career goal that values a UK degree | You only roughly know the total costs and have no funding yet |
| You can gather the living costs and fee proofs early | You need a German job with a specific insurance arrangement straight after the master |
| You can and want to be insured outside the German system | You want to leave the insurance question open |
How do you fund the master?
Whether BAföG can be paid for a master abroad depends on the rules of the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG). The decision is made by the responsible office for training assistance, not by the university. Scholarships can also close the gap. For the KfW student loan, the information sheet of November 2023 gives an age limit of 44 years and a monthly maximum of 650 euros. Ask KfW whether the loan applies to study abroad, because the product page was not available for this guide. Our German guide on master studies abroad (in German) lists further options.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Immigration Health Surcharge apply to a short stay?
For stays of less than six months, the University of Swansea gives half the annual rate, which is 388 pounds (status August 2025). A master usually lasts longer, so the full rate is the realistic case. Have the amount confirmed for your exact stay.
Do I have to prove living costs in a UK bank account?
The University of Swansea describes the amounts as proof for the visa (status September 2026). The British visa authority decides which form is accepted. Check the current requirements on gov.uk before you open any accounts.
Does my German health insurance continue automatically?
Not automatically. Your health fund decides, based on your situation, whether you stay insured or need a different cover. Ask early, because registration and switching rules have deadlines.
Where do I find the current amounts?
The figures in this guide come from the sources below and were checked for October 2026. For your application, the figures on gov.uk and on your university’s page are decisive.
Next steps
- Decide when your master starts and how long it lasts, because the surcharge and the proofs depend on it.
- Ask the university for the tuition fees for each study year and get them confirmed in writing.
- Clarify with your health fund whether you stay insured after enrolment abroad.
- Apply for BAföG at the responsible office in good time and check scholarships before you accept the place.
Related guides
- Private Health Insurance Abroad During Your Studies: 5 Tips You Should Know
- Health insurance for students in the EU: EHIC and more
- BAföG Rates 2026/27: Figures, Allowances and Limits
- Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements
Sources: University of Swansea, finances for student visa applications, status September 2026 (includes the surcharge figure, status August 2025); GKV-Spitzenverband fact sheet on contribution figures, 1 January 2026; section 5 SGB V.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
