I did the RAPS course - static line basically. I managed to get a huge subsidy from my university when I was there which was great. The course was still the same price, but the tickets for a jump came out 50% cheaper at the time which was fantastic!
I was fully qualified in 19 jumps - this is how my costs broke down at the time:
RAPS course (+1 jump): £175
18 jumps @ 18: £324
Day hire for parachute, equipment and packing: £10 per day qualified in a total of 10 days (not consecutively!): £100
Total = £599
However this was subsidised by my uni at the time, nowadays it'll be another £200 on top of that probably. So around £800 I'd say.
Howeve you'd want to buy your own kit like an alti, goggles, gloves, helmet, knife, jumpsuit and then when you've qualified a rig - you can then get cooler audible altis etc... but that's entirely optional.
AFF courses the initial outlay is quite a lot more - for the minimum 8 jumps (8 levels) it will be around £1200.
And if you don't fail any level you will need to do 10 consolidation jumps @ £30: £300
Then kit hire for the day every time you jump: £10 (these prices may have changed)
So just for the jumps alone you'll be paying £1500. So it is more expensive.
Advantages of RAPS:
Progressive.
More time under canopy (SO important).
Get used to jumping at low altitudes.
More time to learn skills.
Cheaper.
Familiarise yourself quicker with DZ - spend time getting to know the area
1-2 day course, quite intense studying
Disadvantages of RAPS:
Slower.
Can get busy and be hard to get a slot / wait for rig to be ready.
If you fail a level it can take longer to get to Freefall.
Breakdown is:
Static line x2~3
Dummy pullsx3 (if you do static lines well you'll have to show you're able to deploy the parachute yourself using a dummy run)
5s freefall (keeping stable) x 2
10s freefall (keeping stable)x 2
15s freefall (start to use altimeter)x 2
Unstable exit (recovering into a good stable position) x1
Turning jump (Dive exit, left and right turns)x1
Tracking jump (lDive exit, earn to move across the sky) x1
Track and turn (Dive exit, learn to move across whilst turning) x1
1/2 series x1 (dive exit, backloop (360 degrees), stablise, left turn, right turn, track forwards)
AFF:
8 jump levels - initially with 2 instructors, with dummy "test" pulls, then as you get better and moer stable, and able to fall "down the tube" without moving, 1 instructor only will join you. Again, turns and tracking will be taught, and ability to recall altimeter readings and pulling on altimeter instead of count. You go through all the same things, except you start at 12,000+ ft. However you will need to do a "hop 'n' pop" i.e. a low level jump and deployment, i.e. max of 6,000ft jump (static line is 3,500ft).
You then have to do 10 consolidation jumps where you must do certain drills observed by either a ground observer or a willing instructor to jump with you. And get signed off. So you get more freedom more quickly, but you have to be sure you'll follow a set jump routine and do all your canopy drills correctly too.
MAjor issue you will face in this country is weather. If you do do it abroad, make sure you get a BPA certified instructor - if not, you will have to do some conversion jumps when you get back to the uk to get your "A" Licence. Achieving your Category 8 jump is not enough anymore as I believe they've changed the rules as you may need to learn how to pack now to be qualified - which is no bad thing IMO.