Comprehensive Guide for International Students

Studying abroad is an exciting adventure, but managing money in a foreign country can be overwhelming. Between tuition fees, living costs, part-time work rules, and financial planning, international students need a solid strategy to stay financially secure.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about money management in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. We’ll break down costs, banking, budgeting, scholarships, and more, helping you make smart financial decisions while studying abroad.

Australia

💰 Expected Cost of Living

Australia remains a popular but expensive study destination. Costs vary significantly between cities.

• Cheaper alternatives:
  • Shared housing cuts costs by 30-40%.
  • Cooking at home saves $200+/month.

📚 Tuition Fee Overview

• Undergraduate: AUD $20,000 - $45,000/year
• Postgraduate: AUD $22,000 - $50,000/year
• Payment: Usually per semester (some universities allow installments).

💳 Opening a Local Bank Account

Best Banks for Students:

• Commonwealth Bank (Student account with no fees)
• ANZ Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (Free account for under 25s)

Steps to Open an Account:

1. Choose a bank and check eligibility.
2. Gather documents: Passport, student visa, COE, proof of address.
3. Apply online or in-branch.
4. Receive debit card within 5-7 days.

💰 Earning While Studying

• Work Limit: 48 hours/fortnight during term, unlimited during breaks.
• Hourly Wage: AUD $23 - $30 (minimum wage).
• Job Sources: Seek, Indeed, university job boards.

💰 Scholarships & Financial Aid

Government Scholarships:

• Australia Awards (Full tuition + living costs for developing countries)
• Endeavour Postgraduate Awards (For masters/PhD students)

University Scholarships:

• University of Sydney International Scholarship (Up to AUD$40,000)
• Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship (50% fee remission)

Application Tip: Apply 6-12 months before your course starts.

📊 Local Tax Obligations

• TFN (Tax File Number) required for work.
• File tax return if earning over AUD $18,200/year.

Canada

💰 Expected Cost of Living

Canada offers a more affordable lifestyle than the US but varies by city.

Budget tip: Montreal is the most affordable major city.

📚 Tuition Fee Overview

• Undergraduate: CAD $15,000 - $35,000/year


• Postgraduate: CAD $17,000 - $40,000/year


• Payment: Semester-wise (some offer monthly plans).

💳 Opening a Local Bank Account

Best Banks:

• RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) – No-fee student account.


• TD Bank – Free account for students.

Steps to Open an Account:

1. Choose a bank (compare student perks).


2. Gather documents: Passport, study permit, proof of enrollment, Canadian address.


3. Apply online or in-branch.


4. Get debit card in 3-5 business days.

💰 Earning While Studying

• Work Limit: 20 hours/week during term, full-time during breaks.


• Hourly Wage: CAD $16 - $25 (minimum wage varies by province).


• Job Sources: Indeed, LinkedIn, university job boards.

🎓 Scholarships & Financial Aid

Popular Scholarships:

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CAD$50,000/year for PhD)


• University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson Scholarship (Full tuition + living)

Provincial Scholarships:

• >Ontario Trillium Scholarship (For PhD students in Ontario)

Pro Tip: Check your university’s "financial aid" page for hidden opportunities.

📊 Local Tax Obligations

• Must File If: You work (even part-time)


• Get a SIN (Social Insurance Number) at Service Canada

Ireland

💰 Expected Cost of Living

Ireland’s cost of living is high in Dublin but more affordable in smaller cities.

Budget tip: Student accommodation (on-campus) can be cheaper than private rentals.

📚 Tuition Fee Overview

• Undergraduate: €10,000 - €25,000/year (EU students pay €3,000 max).


• Postgraduate: €12,000 - €35,000/year.


• Payment: Usually per semester (some installment plans available).

💳 Opening a Local Bank Account

Best Banks:

• AIB (Allied Irish Banks) – Student account with no fees.


• Bank of Ireland – Free banking for students.

Steps to Open an Account:

1. Book an appointment with a bank.


2. Bring passport, student visa, proof of address, and college acceptance letter.


3. Account opens within a week.

💰 Earning While Studying

• Work Limit: 20 hours/week during term, 40 hours during breaks.


• Hourly Wage: €12 - €18 (minimum wage €12.70 in 2025).


• Job Sources: IrishJobs.ie, university career centers.

🎓 Scholarships & Financial Aid

Government Funds:

• Government of Ireland International Scholarships (€10,000-€28,000)

University Scholarships:

• Trinity College Dublin Global Excellence Scholarships (Up to €5,000)

Key Advice: Irish scholarships are competitive, apply early!

📊 Local Tax Obligations

• Tax-Free Earnings: Up to €16,500/year for students


• Register with Revenue.ie

New Zealand

💰 Expected Cost of Living

Auckland is the most expensive, while Dunedin and Wellington are more affordable.

Saving Tip: Buy groceries at Pak’nSave (cheapest supermarket).

📚 Tuition Fee Overview

• Undergraduate: NZD $22,000 - $35,000/year.


• Postgraduate: NZD $26,000 - $40,000/year.


• Payment: Semester-wise (some universities offer payment plans).

💳 Opening a Local Bank Account

Best Banks:

• ASB Bank – No-fee student account.


• BNZ (Bank of New Zealand) – Free account for students.

Steps to Open an Account:

1. Visit a branch with passport, student visa, and proof of address.


2. Receive debit card within 5-7 days.

💰 Earning While Studying

• Work Limit: 20 hours/week during term, full-time in breaks.


• Hourly Wage: NZD $22 - $30 (minimum wage $23.15 in 2025).


• Job Sources: Seek, Student Job Search.

🎓 Scholarships & Financial Aid

Top Scholarships:

• New Zealand Excellence Awards (Up to NZD$30,000)

• University of Auckland International Student Scholarship (NZD$10,000)

Did You Know? Some NZ scholarships require a separate application form.

📊 Local Tax Obligations

• IRD Number Required for any job


• Tax Refunds: Claim if you leave NZ permanently

United Kingdom

💰 Expected Cost of Living

London is extremely expensive, while Manchester and Glasgow are more budget friendly.

Budget Hack: Use a 16-25 Railcard for 1/3 off train fares.

📚 Tuition Fee Overview

• Undergraduate: £15,000 - £30,000/year (Medicine can exceed £40,000).


• Postgraduate: £18,000 - £35,000/year.


• Payment: Often per term (some allow monthly installments).

💳 Opening a Local Bank Account

Best Banks:

• Santander – 123 Student Account (free railcard).


• HSBC – Student account with overdraft options.

Steps to Open an Account:

1. Apply online or in-branch.


2. Provide passport, BRP, proof of address, and university confirmation.


3. Get account approval in 1-3 days.

💰 Earning While Studying

• Work Limit: 20 hours/week during term, full-time in breaks.


• Hourly Wage: £10 - £15 (minimum wage £11.44 in 2025).


• Job Sources: Indeed, Reed, university job portals.

🎓 Scholarships & Financial Aid

Biggest Scholarships:

• Chevening Scholarships (Full tuition + £18,000 stipend)

• Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford, covers all costs)

University-Specific:

• Imperial College President’s Scholarship (Full tuition + stipend)

Warning: Deadlines are strict—don’t miss them!

📊 Local Tax Obligations

• Personal Allowance: £12,570 tax-free (2025)


• Apply for NI Number if working

United States

💰 Expected Cost of Living

New York and LA are pricey, while cities like Austin and Pittsburgh are more affordable.

Saving Tip: Use student meal plans to cut food costs.

📚 Tuition Fee Overview

• Undergraduate: $20,000 - $60,000/year (Private Ivy Leagues can exceed $80,000).


• Postgraduate: $25,000 - $70,000/year (MBA programs can be higher).


• Payment: Semester-wise (some offer payment plans).

💳 Opening a Local Bank Account

Best Banks:

• Chase College Checking – No fees for students.


• Bank of America – Student account with low minimum balance.

Steps to Open an Account:

1. Visit a branch with passport, F-1 visa, I-20, and proof of address.


2. Receive debit card instantly or within a week.

💰 Earning While Studying

• Work Limit: On-campus only (F-1 visa), OPT/CPT for internships.


• Hourly Wage: $12 - $25 (varies by state).


• Job Sources: Handshake, university career services.

🎓 Scholarships & Financial Aid

Dream Scholarships:

• Fulbright Foreign Student Program (Full funding for postgrad)

• Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Full ride + living expenses)

Athletic/Skill-Based:

• NAIA Scholarships (For athlete students)

Critical Tip: Many US scholarships require SAT/ACT scores.

📊 Local Tax Obligations

• F-1 Students: Must file Form 8843 (even with no income)


• On-Campus Jobs: Often tax-free for first $5,000

Money Transfer & Currency Exchange

Best Platforms (2025):

• Wise (Low fees, real exchange rates)


• Revolut (Free transfers for students)


• Western Union (Fast cash pickups)


• PayPal – Good for small transfers (but higher fees).

Avoid Hidden Fees:

• Always compare exchange rates before sending money.


• Check if intermediary banks charge extra fees.

Budgeting Tips & Tools

Free Budgeting Apps:

• Mint (Automated tracking)


• PocketGuard (Spending alerts)


• Splitwise (For shared expenses)

Monthly Budget Template:

Saving Strategies

Student Discounts to Use:

Food Savings

• Australia/New Zealand: Shop at Aldi or buy in bulk at Costco.


• UK/Ireland: Use "Too Good To Go" app for cheap restaurant leftovers.


• US/Canada: Meal prep Sundays to avoid expensive takeout.

Transport Hacks

• UK: Get a 16-25 Railcard (1/3 off train fares).


• US: Use student discounts on city transit passes.

Textbook Savings

• All Countries:


• Rent from Amazon or Chegg
• Use free PDFs from Library Genesis
• Buy used from senior students

Pro Move: Check if your library has course reserves.

Student Discounts You MUST Use

• International Student Identity Card (ISIC) Discounts in 130+ countries


• Apple/UNiDAYS 10% off tech


• Spotify/Amazon Prime 50% off for students

Emergency Funds & Financial Safety

Why You Need €3,000-€5,000 Saved

Covers:

• Medical emergencies (especially in US where healthcare is expensive)


• Flight home for family emergencies


• Sudden loss of part-time job

Where to Keep It

• High-Yield Savings Account (Earns 3-5% interest)


• Separate from spending money (So you don’t accidentally spend it)

How to Build It

• Save 10% of every paycheck


• Sell unused items (Facebook Marketplace works worldwide)

Money Mistakes to Avoid

• Using ATMs at airports (Worst exchange rates + fees)


• Ignoring small subscriptions (Spotify, Netflix add up)


• Not tracking cash spending (Easy to lose $100+/month)

Worst Mistake?

• Taking payday loans (Some charge 400% interest!)

Financial Planning for Post-Study

Visa Extension Costs

• UK Graduate Route: £822 + healthcare surcharge (£1,035/year)


• Canada PGWP: CAD$255 + biometrics fee


• US OPT: $410 + possible legal fees

Permanent Residency Paths

• Australia: Skilled Migration (Points-based system)


• Canada: Express Entry (CRS score matters)

Returning Home? Budget For:

🛫 Flight costs

📦 Shipping belongings (Compare SendMyBag vs regular post))

Final Checklist for International Students

✅ Open local bank account in first week

✅ Set up Wise/Revolut for cheap transfers

✅ Apply for 3+ scholarships before deadlines

✅ Create emergency fund (aim for €3,000+)

✅ Track all spending for first 3 months

Remember: The average student overspends by 20% in their first semester, stay vigilant!

Disclaimer: The figures, content, and information provided here are estimates based on data available as of May 2025. Please note that prices, economic conditions, and other details may change over time. We recommend using this information as a general guide only and encourage you to verify the latest details independently before making any final decisions.