Start with the full qualification
Use the official fee schedule for the course and intake you are considering. Distinguish annual fees from total program fees and check how later-year increases are handled. Add compulsory student fees and any specialist equipment, placement travel or fieldwork costs that the course describes.
Separate monthly and one-off expenses
Monthly costs might include rent, food, transport, utilities and personal spending. One-off costs can include flights, deposits, application expenses and initial household items. Keeping them separate helps you see why the first month may require more cash than an ordinary month.
Make your assumptions visible
Write down the currency, time period and source of each estimate. Use actual housing listings and the institution's guidance where possible. Keep every figure in one currency when adding totals. If funds come from another currency, test a less favourable exchange rate rather than assuming today's rate will last.
Add a contingency and test the plan
Build a reserve for unexpected costs and compare a lower-cost and higher-cost scenario. Ask what happens if rent rises, a scholarship does not arrive or you need additional travel. Do not rely on unconfirmed employment income as the foundation of an affordable study plan.
Track when payments are due
Affordability is about timing as well as totals. Place deposits, tuition instalments, insurance and travel costs on a calendar alongside the dates funds become available. Keep a copy of payment and refund terms. Review the budget whenever your course, campus, housing or funding changes.