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Top 10 Cheapest Universities in UK for International Students

Last updated: Oct 9, 2025

The overall UK university fee averages £10,000 to £38,000 annually for foreign students. This might become a worrying factor for the students who are opting for study in UK for UG or PG programs. But there are some of the cheapest universities in UK that provide quality education, just like the best universities such as UCL or Oxford but at low prices. Thus, if you are tight on budget and are interested in studying at affordable universities in UK, then following is the list of top 10 schools in 2025 that are cheaper in fee and ideal for international students.

Discover the cheapest universities in UK in 2025 for international students with Gradding.com

Table of Contents

List of Top 10 Cheapest Universities in UK

Before we give you a list of low-cost universities in UK for international students, one thing to keep in mind is that studying in the UK comes with more than just tuition fees. You also need to consider other expenses like accommodation, living expenses, travel, and other miscellaneous costs that are associated with studying in your preferred university.

With this said, here are some of the cheapest universities in UK along with their intakes in UK, that are recognised for their education, student satisfaction, and strong employment rate. Take a look:

1. Coventry University

The first on our list of most affordable universities in UK, is Coventry University, which is known for high student satisfaction and graduate employability rate. What makes this a great choice for international students is that the university ranks among the top 50 in the UK. It is recognised by various ranking bodies for its research output. Coventry not only has affordable tuition fees, but it also provides multiple options for scholarships to make education more accessible to everyone.

CategoryDetails
LocationCoventry, England
QS Ranking#526
Top Courses
  • Mental Health Nursing
  • Physiotherapy
  • Paramedic Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Fashion and Textiles
Average Tuition Fees
  • Master’s: ₹9-14 lakh (£9,250-14,250) per year
  • Bachelor’s: ₹9-12 lakh (£9,000-12,000) per year
Eligibility Criteria
  • Undergraduate: 60% in Standard XII for most business courses, 65% for some science courses.
  •  Postgraduate: 60% in a 3-year degree or 55% in a 4-year degree.
IntakesSeptember- November- January

2. Staffordshire University

Staffordshire University is one of the cheapest university in UK and is a part of top 100 colleges in the UK. The main campus of the university is in Stoke-on-Trent which has a low living costs. Low fees and living cost makes studying in Staffordshire even more affordable for international students.

CategoryDetails
LocationStoke-on-Trent, Stafford, and London
QS Ranking#911-920
Top Courses
  • Computer Science
  • Journalism
  • Business and Management Studies
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Media and Film Studies
Average Tuition Fees
  • Master’s: ₹20-22 lakh (£16,750 -19,000) per year
  • Bachelor’s: ₹17-18 lakh (£14,500-15,500) per year
Eligibility Criteria
  • Undergraduate: 65% in Standard XII for most courses
  • Postgraduate: Requirement vary based on courses
IntakesSeptember/October- January- May/June

3. Leeds Beckett University

The Leeds Beckett University is one of the cheapest universities in UK for masters and has strong industry connections. The university has partnered with multiple companies and organisations to help its students get the best jobs and salaries after graduation. As an international student, it can also be really affordable to study in a university like Leeds as compared to top cities in the UK like London.

CategoryDetails
LocationLeeds, West Yorkshire, England
 QS Ranking#1001-1200
Top Courses
  • Architecture
  • Business & Management Studies
  • Accounting & Finance
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Average Tuition Fees
  • Master’s: ₹20 lakh (£16,840) per year
  • Bachelor’s: ₹22 lakh (£18,440) per year
Eligibility Criteria
  • Undergraduate: High school diploma or equivalent with a GPA of 2.0 or 70%
  • Postgraduate: Requirement vary based on courses
IntakesSeptember-January

4. London Metropolitan University

The London Metropolitan University is without a doubt one of the most affordable university in UK for masters for international students. The university welcomes students from over 140 countries and provides strong networking opportunities with numerous companies. London Metropolitan also provides a wide range of funding support, such as International Bright Futures Scholarships, to make education more accessible.

CategoryDetails
LocationCentral London: Holloway and Aldgate
 QS Ranking#1001–1200
Top Courses
  • Interior Design
  • Psychology
  • Nutrition and Food Science
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Architecture & Built Environment
Average Tuition Fees
  • Master’s: ₹13 lakhs (£13,000) per year
  • Bachelor’s: ₹12-13 lakhs (£12,000-13,000) per year
Eligibility Criteria
  • Undergraduate: Two or three A-levels or an equivalent qualification with a good grade in English
  • Postgraduate: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale or a Grade B in a four-year bachelor's degree
IntakesSeptember- January/February

5. The University of Bolton

The next on our list of the cheapest universities in UK is the University of Bolton. It is known for providing student centric education and close knit community to make its international students feel like home. Due to this, students also get personalised guidance and support that might not be possible in other colleges. The University of Bolton also offers major scholarships like Chevening, GREAT, and Commonwealth scholarships to Indian students.

CategoryDetails
LocationBolton, Greater Manchester
QS Ranking#1001-1200
Top Courses
  • Civil Engineering
  • Software Engineering
  • Textiles and Surface Design
  • Business Management
  • Psychology and Criminology
Average Tuition Fees
  • Master’s: ₹12.5 lakh (£12,500) per year
  • Bachelor’s: ₹11-12.5 lakh (£11,000-12,500) per year
Eligibility Criteria
  • Undergraduate: 60 - 65% in Standard XII or successful completion of a 2-year diploma
  • Postgraduate: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA
IntakesSeptember- January/February

6. University of Chester

The University of Chester is another affordable university in UK for masters for international students. Almost all of its taught PG programs have the same affordable fees, and after admission, the university automatically considers students for their international scholarships. However, do note that besides the set annual tuition fees, the professional placement/project year will cost £2,750 additionally. But overall, the university is highly affordable for international students.

CategoryDetails
LocationChester, England
QS RankingNot Given
Top Courses
  • Business and Management
  • International Business Management
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Cybersecurity
  • Software Engineering
  • Teacher Education (QTS)
Average Tuition Fees
  • Master’s: ₹17.2 lakh (£14,450) per year
  • Bachelor’s: ₹17.9 lakh (£15,000) per year
Eligibility Criteria
  • Undergraduate: 65% in Senior Secondary School Certificate/Higher Secondary School Certificate
  • Postgraduate: 3-year Bachelor’s Degree with 55%-65%
IntakesEarly October

7. Middlesex University

Middlesex University is the cheapest university in UK which combines affordability with high-class education and innovative research. The university also provides a wide range of financial support to its international student. This includes financial aid such as student loans, bursaries, and scholarships, to help students fund their higher education.

CategoryDetails
LocationLondon, England
QS Ranking #721-730
Top Courses
  • Accounting & Finance
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Information Technology & Systems
  • Cyber Security
  • Health & Education
  • Marketing
Average Tuition Fees
  • Master’s: ₹17.5-19.7 lakh (£14,700-16,600) per year
  • Bachelor’s: ₹18.7 lakh (£15,700) per year
Eligibility Criteria
  • Undergraduate: 55-56% in Standard XII for most courses
  • Postgraduate: Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum 50%
IntakesSeptember- January- May (For some PG and part-time programmes)

8. University of Sunderland

The University of Sunderland is perfect for those looking for affordable universities in UK that also has strong connections in the course specific industry. The university has tie-up with companies like BBC, Nike, and Procter & Gamble. This help its student in getting a foot in the door for work, internships, and placement opportunities.

CategoryDetails
LocationSunderland, England
QS RankingNot Given
Top Courses
  • Pharmacy & Pharmacology
  • Medicine
  • Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy
  • Business & Management
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Paramedic Science
Average Tuition Fees
  • Master’s: ₹19 lakhs (£16,000) per year
  • Bachelor’s: ₹19.6-21.4 lakh (£16,500-18,000) per year
Eligibility Criteria
  • Undergraduate: 65% in Senior Secondary School Certificate/Higher Secondary School Certificate
  • Postgraduate: Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
IntakesSeptember- January to April

9. University of the West of Scotland

The University of the West of Scotland is another one of the most affordable universities in UK for international students. The main reason behind this is its huge international student population that comes from over 140 countries. This strong community provides an inclusive higher education and useful and innovative research opportunities to international students.

CategoryDetails
LocationPaisley, Scotland
QS Ranking #384
Top Courses
  • Business & Economics
  • Physical Sciences
  • Engineering & Computing
  • Education Studies
  • Health & Social Care
  • Applied Bioscience
Average Tuition Fees
  • Master’s: ₹13-16 lakh (£13,325-16,400) per year
  • Bachelor’s: ₹12-14 lakh (£12,000-14,000) per year
Eligibility Criteria
  • Undergraduate: All India Senior Secondary Examination with 60% or above
  • Postgraduate: Bachelor’s Degree equivalent to British Bachelor’s degree standard with an  score of 60%
IntakesSeptember- January

10. University of Cumbria

The last on our list of the cheapest universities in UK is the University of Cumbria. The college provides low tuition fees for most of its MA and MSc courses. It also provides international students with Global Scholarships that are worth up to £2,500 for on-campus courses. Cumbria is also one of the fastest-growing UK universities and ranks among the top 5 safest institutions.

CategoryDetails
LocationCarlisle, England
QS RankingNot Given
Top Courses
  • Health and Science
  • Radiography
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Education and Development
  • International Business Management
  • Nursing
Average Tuition Fees
  • Master’s: ₹17.7 lakh (£14,900) per year
  • Bachelor’s: ₹17.7 lakh (£14,900) per year
Eligibility Criteria
  • Undergraduate: Standard XII Certificate or Equivalent to a UK Level 3 qualification
  • Postgraduate: bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with 60%
IntakesSeptember

Scholarships for International Students to Study in UK

Besides our list of the cheapest universities in UK for masters, to make education even more affordable in UK, International students can access a wide range of scholarships and financial aid. Some popular ones include:

Scholarship NameEligibility / Target GroupCoverage / Benefit
Chevening ScholarshipsStudents (excluding US & EU) with leadership potentialFully-funded 1-year Master's (tuition, living, flights)
Commonwealth ScholarshipsStudents from Commonwealth countriesFully-funded Master's & PhD in development-related fields
GREAT ScholarshipsStudents from 18 countries (e.g., India, China, Nigeria)£10,000 toward 1-year Master's tuition
British Council Scholarships for Women in STEMWomen from select countries pursuing STEM degreesMaster's or PhD funding
Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford)Exceptional postgraduate studentsFully-funded (tuition, living, travel)
Clarendon Fund (Oxford)High academic achievers for Master's or PhDFully-funded
Felix ScholarshipAcademically strong, financially needy students from India & developing countriesPostgraduate funding at select universities
Aga Khan Foundation ScholarshipStudents from developing countries with top academics50% grant + 50% loan for postgrad studies
Charles Wallace India TrustIndian doctoral students, fellows, and artistsGrants for arts, humanities, heritage

Cost of Living in UK

Apart from the tuition fees of low-cost universities in UK for international students, there are other living expenses can make a significant impact on your budget. To help you, below is a table with a rough estimation of how much it can cost you to live in the UK as a student.

Expense CategoryLondon (£)Rest of UK (£)
Estimated Total Monthly Cost£1300–£1400£900–£1300
Student Halls (bills included)£848£664
Private Accommodation (rent only)£750£554
Household Bills£140£80
Groceries£155£116
Socialising (dining, cafés, bars)£150£80
Public Transport£103£54
Mobile Phone (SIM only)£18£18
Student Gym Membership£20£15

Note: You will need about £1,300 to £1,400 per month to live in London, or £900 to £1,300 per month in other parts of the UK.

Tips for Managing Costs While Studying in the UK

Now that you have a better understanding of the cheapest universities in UK, let’s take a look at some tips that can help you manage your costs while studying in the UK.

  1. Speak to a financial advisor (often available at the university itself) who can give you financial advice and direct you to hardship funds.
  2. To manage the transportation cost, get a railcard. You can easily get it for around £30 and will help you save one third on most train fares.
  3. You can also use university-provided facilities like cheaper gym memberships, free social activities, and campus microwaves.
  4. Research about scholarships and bursaries offered by your university. These are generally based on academic merit or financial need.

Conclusion

Here are the cheapest universities in UK where you can apply and get quality education at an affordable price. But it is also vital for you to consider more than just the tuition fee. This includes location, course format, living costs, and potential career choices. A lot of the colleges listed above are reputable public universities in UK that provide good value for money. Among the key reasons to study in UK are its world class education, inclusive environment, and globally known qualifications. If you're planning to pursue higher education abroad and want to simplify your study abroad journey, then connect with Gradding today!

FAQs

1. What are the Admission Requirements for Universities in the UK?

To apply to UK universities and study there, international students need to pass the following admission requirements:

  • Student visa
  • UK A-levels or equivalent
  • IELTS or TOEFL for English language proficiency
  • Relevant skills, interests or experiences
  • Admissions tests
  • Health, financial, or criminal record checks for certain courses

2. Which Universities in the UK Have the Lowest Tuition Fees?

Queen Margaret University, Wrexham University, Leeds Trinity University, York St John University, and the University of Bolton have the lowest tuition fees in the UK.

3. What is the Average Cost of Living for Students Near Universities in the UK?

The average cost of living for students is around £1,142 a month. This includes rent, groceries, household bills, transportation, leisure & entertainment, and other course materials.

4. Which University Is Best for International Students in the UK?

Top-ranked universities like the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London are the best for International students. These universities provide high-quality teaching, research opportunities, and multicultural environments.

5. Which University has the Most Indian Students in the UK?

The University of Manchester host one of the largest Indian student populations in the UK. Other institutes with a huge Indian student population include the University of Warwick and the University College London (UCL).

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