Top 10 Cheapest UK Universities for International Students in 2024

Author: Dee Lawlor — Last update: 19 July 2024

Universities in the United Kingdom are known for their high-quality education, but also for their expensive tuition fees compared to other European countries.

When you think of starting your degree in the UK, chances are you are looking for options located on one of the large cities. However, there is much more besides Manchester, Edinburgh and London. Investigating universities in smaller areas is the best way to achieve a more budget-friendly student experience while still getting a degree from a top UK institution.

Smaller cities and towns will have cheaper accommodation, more affordable entertainment options and a better sense of community. Ready to give them a chance?

Study in the UK: Find Bachelors & Masters

📈 Average cost to study at a UK university:

Public higher education instutitions in Great Britain charge their students two levels of fees: "Home" or "Overseas/International". In general, UK students will be charged under the first category, while EU and non-EU students fall into the second one. (Scottish universities have a third category called "RUK fees" or "Rest of UK": This applies to students from England, Wales, or Northern Ireland and is irrelevant for international students.)

Private sector institutions often have the same price for everyone.

Undergraduate home fees are currently capped by the Government at £9,250, however overseas fees can be much higher. Students can expect the following fees:

Bachelor’s degrees/Undergraduate courses: from £9,250 to £20,000.
Master’s degrees/Postgraduate courses: from £11,000 to £35,000.

The average cost for degree in the UK can vary widely. You will find out more on the websites of the individual universities.

50�Ȼ� Tip: As a student, it is essential that you consider all the costs associated with your education, including international travel, visas, and application fees. But there’s more, you must also include your living expenses besides rent, bills, transport and food. Students need to budget for having a social life and for any clubs or societies they wish to join, as well as having savings for extra essentials like clothes, haircuts, dentist appointments, etc.

🏆 Top 10 most affordable universities in the United Kingdom:

There are many budget-friendly universities in the UK where you will still get world-class British education.

We’ve listed the top ten most affordable ones for international students, that still hold top positions in rankings such as . Most of these are in England, but Wales and Scotland also offer affordable options:

University	City	Tuition fees UG	Tuition fees PG
Leeds Trinity University	Leeds	£12,000 to £14,500	£12,000 to £15,000
Liverpool Hope University	Liverpool	£13,000	£13,000, up to £15,000 for MBAs
Queen Margaret University	Musselburgh/Edinburgh	£9,250, up to £17,325 for Health-related degrees	£16,740, up to £21,875 for Health-related degrees
University of Bolton	Bolton	ca. £15,950	ca. £15,950
University of Chester	Chester	£13,950	£14,750, up to £20,000
University of Derby	Derby	£14,900	£14,900
University of Hull	Hull	£15,400 per year for Arts, £18,300 for Science courses	ca. £11,000
University of Kent	Canterbury, Medway	£18,600 up to £22,700	£18,600 up to £22,700
University of the Highlands and Islands	Highlands and Islands	ca. £15,000	ca. £15,000
Wrexham Glyndŵr University	Wrexham, Northop and St. Asaph	ca. £11,750	£12,500

Study in the United Kingdom: Find more universities

💡 Tips: How to budget for studying in the UK:

You don’t have to be intimidated by the price of university. There are many ways that you can reduce costs and manage the expenses associated with gaining a top-class education.

Start saving. Learning how to manage your money is a great habit to get into. Some students will take jobs during the holidays in order to save, some will put aside any gifts they get from holidays or birthday. Every penny counts when you’re a student!
Choose wisely. Pursue a degree that aligns with your passion, but always check the career opportunities in the field. The sooner you can get a job after graduation, the sooner you will be able to recoup your expenses from university. This is especially important if you take out a student loan.
Prioritize small town living. Smaller towns and cities are cheaper in nearly every way. If you really want to be able to experience big city life during your educational journey, consider living and studying in the commuter towns as opposed to in the city itself.
Look for part-time job opportunities. Many students work to fund their journey. University towns are also used to having a working population of students, so they know that you will be fitting work around studying.
Pay attention to your spending. Budgeting is another great life skill that you should learn anyway. Keep an eye on your money and what you are spending it on.
Be sustainable. Reducing your consumption and reusing what you have is a great way to reduce your costs. Check out our article on how students can help protect the environment for lots of tips on how to save money and the planet at the same time.
Embrace student discounts. Don’t be afraid to ask for your student discount in shops, when travelling and joining clubs, there are plenty available! Just make sure you have your student card with you.

🤝 Scholarships for international students at UK universities:

The cost of studying abroad can be a significant barrier for international students so, to address this, numerous UK universities and external organizations offer a range of scholarships, bursaries and grants.

Here are some notable scholarships available:

Chevening Scholarships: UK government’s global scholarship programme. They offer fully-funded scholarships for a one-year Master’s degree in any subject at any UK university. Note that this scheme is highly competitive.
Commonwealth Scholarships: Intended for students from developing . These scholarships cover tuition fees, airfare to and from the UK, and a living allowance. They are available for Master’s and PhD programs in various fields.
University of Kent: Available for undergraduate and postgraduate international students, the University of Kent provides various degree and country-specific scholarships.
London School of Economics and Political Science: Each year LSE awards a number of scholarships, funded by private or corporate donations. The number, value, eligibility criteria and type of scholarships vary from year to year.
Newcastle University Business School: They offer a wide range of full and partial scholarships for international students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Another option students can take into account are loans. Many banks offer student loans of different amounts with different interest levels. It is very important that you understand your loan before you take one out. Some loans can have very high interest rates that can sky-rocket after you graduate. So be careful and think wisely before you sign the dotted line.

🏛️ Other low-cost options in Europe:

There are many English-taught degrees available in many other European countries besides the United Kingdom. Many universities in Europe have lower fees as well, so don’t be afraid to look around.

Prices vary depending on the institution and country, but in general, EU students can study for free in most EU countries.

For non-EU students, Germany and other countries in the South, Central and Eastern Europe offer cheap undergraduate and postgraduate options. These are some of the most budget-friendly options at public institutions, with all amounts converted to pounds so you can more easily compare with the United Kingdom:

Austria: The government set tuition fees at £600 per semester, or £1,200 per year.
Belgium: Non-EU students can expect fees ranging from £650 to £3,500 per year.
Italy: Yearly fees go from £750 up to £3,000, depending on different factors such as the degree type or your family income.
Poland: Fees range from £1,100 to £3,800 for Bachelor’s degrees and £1,500 to £4,500 for Master’s degrees.
Spain: Bachelors cost between £750 and £5,000 annually, while Masters can be found from £2,300 upwards.

These countries are great alternatives for your education in the UK, even if you do not qualify for any financial help.

6939 Programmes in the United Kingdom

Dee is an expert on all things living and breathing and has spent many years studying and working abroad. She has a BSc in Zoology from the University of Aberdeen (UK) and an MSc in Imaging & Microscopy from University College Dublin (Ireland), as well as a Diploma in Counselling Studies from Dublin Business School. She is the author of “Introduction to Light Microscopy” (Springer).