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.
Table of Contents
1. What are the Admission Requirements for Universities in the UK?
2. Which Universities in the UK Have the Lowest Tuition Fees?
3. What is the Average Cost of Living for Students Near Universities in the UK?
4. Which University Is Best for International Students in the UK?
5. Which University has the Most Indian Students in the 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:
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.
Category | Details |
Location | Coventry, England |
QS Ranking | #526 |
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Average Tuition Fees |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Intakes | September- November- January |
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.
Category | Details |
Location | Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, and London |
QS Ranking | #911-920 |
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Average Tuition Fees |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Intakes | September/October- January- May/June |
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.
Category | Details |
Location | Leeds, West Yorkshire, England |
QS Ranking | #1001-1200 |
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Average Tuition Fees |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Intakes | September-January |
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.
Category | Details |
Location | Central London: Holloway and Aldgate |
QS Ranking | #1001–1200 |
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Average Tuition Fees |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Intakes | September- January/February |
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.
Category | Details |
Location | Bolton, Greater Manchester |
QS Ranking | #1001-1200 |
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Average Tuition Fees |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Intakes | September- January/February |
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.
Category | Details |
Location | Chester, England |
QS Ranking | Not Given |
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Average Tuition Fees |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Intakes | Early October |
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.
Category | Details |
Location | London, England |
QS Ranking | #721-730 |
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Average Tuition Fees |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Intakes | September- January- May (For some PG and part-time programmes) |
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.
Category | Details |
Location | Sunderland, England |
QS Ranking | Not Given |
Top Courses |
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Average Tuition Fees |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Intakes | September- January to April |
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.
Category | Details |
Location | Paisley, Scotland |
QS Ranking | #384 |
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Average Tuition Fees |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Intakes | September- January |
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.
Category | Details |
Location | Carlisle, England |
QS Ranking | Not Given |
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Average Tuition Fees |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Intakes | September |
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 Name | Eligibility / Target Group | Coverage / Benefit |
Chevening Scholarships | Students (excluding US & EU) with leadership potential | Fully-funded 1-year Master's (tuition, living, flights) |
Commonwealth Scholarships | Students from Commonwealth countries | Fully-funded Master's & PhD in development-related fields |
GREAT Scholarships | Students from 18 countries (e.g., India, China, Nigeria) | £10,000 toward 1-year Master's tuition |
British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM | Women from select countries pursuing STEM degrees | Master's or PhD funding |
Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford) | Exceptional postgraduate students | Fully-funded (tuition, living, travel) |
Clarendon Fund (Oxford) | High academic achievers for Master's or PhD | Fully-funded |
Felix Scholarship | Academically strong, financially needy students from India & developing countries | Postgraduate funding at select universities |
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | Students from developing countries with top academics | 50% grant + 50% loan for postgrad studies |
Charles Wallace India Trust | Indian doctoral students, fellows, and artists | Grants for arts, humanities, heritage |
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 Category | London (£) | 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.
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.
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!
To apply to UK universities and study there, international students need to pass the following admission requirements:
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.
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.
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.
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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