Estimate total education expenses for a term.
Education costs split into one-off charges billed at the start of term and recurring monthly costs that accumulate through it. Adding them separately matters because the cash-flow problem is different: tuition and books need funds available in week one, while living costs need a steady income across the term. The tuition share is the diagnostic — where it falls below half, the cost of studying is dominated by the cost of living, and accommodation is the lever rather than the fees.
Recurring costs
Recurring = (monthly living + monthly transport) x months in term
Term total
Total = tuition + books and supplies + recurring
For a decision about whether to study, yes — forgone income is often the largest single cost. For a term budget, no: this figure is about money leaving your account.
Course handbooks usually overstate it. Buying second-hand, using library reserves and sharing editions typically cuts the listed figure by half or more, but budget for one or two expensive core texts you will want to own.