The UK has been known for providing quality education for both the people residing within the country (citizens) and for international students as well. However, there’s a popular saying that “nothing good comes cheap” and as such studying in the UK isn’t meant for everyone except you qualified for a scholarship or you are financially buoyant.
Because of the high tuition fees that most universities in the UK have, many international students who have dreams of studying in the UK have dashed those dreams settling for universities in other countries. However, that was in past—following a 2017 governmental decision, British universities are allowed to charge students £9,250 as a minimum for tuition fees. The tuition fee still isn’t cheap but that’s the lowest it can get considering the fact that the UK is one of the most expensive countries to live in.
Due to that governmental decision which came into power in 2017, some institutions charge the same minimum of £9,250 for international students as well. If you are looking for the cheapest universities in the UK, in this guide, I’ll be introducing you to 10 of them.
10 cheapest universities in UK for international students
10. University of Stirling – £13,650
The University of Stirling was founded in 1967 and right from that time to this moment, the university has built its reputation on innovation and excellence. The University of Stirling offers high-quality education for students seeking to gain admission into the university and those currently learning at the university. In addition to that, they have a wide spectrum of study programs.
Undergraduate students in the university will be charged a sum of £12,140 for classroom-based courses while laboratory-based courses cost £14,460. However, for postgraduate students, the tuition fees are divided into bands A, B, C*, and D with pricing varying between £13,650 and £18,970.
9. Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, East Lothian – £13,000
Ever heard of the beautiful city of Edinburgh? Queen Margaret University’s campus is only a 6-minute ride away from Edinburgh by train. Queen Margaret University is not just loved because it’s located in a sunny area but because it offers a wide range of study programs for cheaper tuition fees when compared to several other institutes of learning in the UK.
Due to how low the fee is, its safe for one to say that its tuition fee is lower than the British standard. In the 2018-2019 academic session, undergraduate students in the university paid tuition fees that fell in the range of £12,500 to £13,500 and surprisingly, those in the postgraduate level were even charged much less.
8. Solent University – £12,500
Solent University (formally known as Southampton University) is a public research university that’s situated in Southampton, UK. The university’s main campus is located at East Park Terrace close to the maritime hub of Southampton and the city centre.
Just like many other universities in the UK, Solent University also has a wide range of study programs that are being sought after by numerous international scholars. The tuition fee for Bachelor’s degree and Higher National Diploma/Certificate (HND/HNC) are £12,500 and £11,000 respectively. Also, their Foundation Year/Certificate costs £11,000. Post Graduate students on the other hand will pay anything between £12,500 to £15,000 for tuition fees.
7. University of West London – £12,000
The University of West London (UWL) is a public research university in the UK that has 3 campuses located in Brentford and Ealing (both in Greater London) as well as in Reading, Berkshire.
The university is made up of nine schools namely:
- The Claude Littner Business School
- The London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism
- The School of Computing and Engineering
- London College of Music
- The College of Nursing
- Midwifery and Healthcare
- The School of Law
- The School of Human and Social Sciences
- The School of Biomedical Sciences
- London School of Film, Media and Design
The university has a worldwide reputation of being an excellent university—it is ranked 35th in this year’s Guardian University Guide. The amazing part is, despite its reputation and the high-quality education the university offers its students, the university is still one of the cheapest universities to study in the UK. £12,000 is the tuition fee for international students.
6. Leeds Beckett University (LBU) – £12,000
Leeds Beckett University (formally known as Leeds Metropolitan University) is a public university located in Leeds (one of the UK’s biggest financial districts), West Yorkshire, England. The University’s campuses are located in Headingley and the city centre.
The university aims to equip its scholars with exceptional skills and a high level of education (quality education) which will help in guiding them towards the future. To achieve that, the university partners with different companies and organizations to ensure that its students have the best opportunities in winning a job after completing their studies.
With all those benefits, it’ll surprise you to know that the university is still ranked among the cheapest universities in the UK. The tuition fee in the university varies and it’s based on the course you are offering. For most courses (undergraduate) as an international student, you’ll have to pay £12,000 while postgraduate students will pay anything between £11,500 and £12,500.
5. Teesside University – £11,825
Teesside University is a public university in the UK and its main campus is located in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire (North East England). According to the 2020/2021 HESA student record, the institute had over 21,000 students studying in the UK.
Teesside University has a reputation that’s not only recognized in the country but also recognized internationally. The university has a rich scheme of study programs as well as high-quality teaching and research. With those features, the university promises to offer its students an exceptional education.
Interestingly, studying at Teesside University is very cheap that’s aspiring international students like yourself try to gain admission yearly. As an undergraduate student, you’ll pay £11,825 for each academic year.
4. Wrexham Glyndŵr University – £11,750
Wrexham Glyndŵr University (formally known as North East Wales Institute of Higher Education) is a public research university that’s located in Wales. The university has campuses in St Asaph and Wrexham, Northop. Wrexham Glyndŵr University offers undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees as well as professional courses.
The university was established in 2008 which makes it one of the UK’s youngest universities. Despite its very short history, the university does not fall short in terms of the quality of education it offers. Studying in the university is also cheap and international students get to pay tuition fees as low as £11,750 and for their postgraduate programs, students could pay anything between £12,500 to £16,000.
3. University of Bedfordshire – £11,500
The University of Bedfordshire is a public research university located in England with campuses in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. The institution started out in 1882 but gained its university status in 1993 and then it was named the University of Luton. But after the university entered a merger with the Bedford campus of De Montfort University in 2006, its name was changed to the University of Bedfordshire.
The university has around 20,000 students from over 100 countries which means that they have a vibrant and cosmopolitan student population. The university works collaboratively with about 40 academic partners in the UK and overseas to offer its students a range of courses from foundation degrees to doctorates.
To top it all off, the university’s tuition fee is also inexpensive. According to their tuition fee policy, international students will pay a sum of £11,500 for degree programs while postgraduate students will either pay £12,000 or £12,500 for MA/MSc or MBA degree programs respectively.
2. University of Cumbria – £10,500
The University of Cumbria, headquartered in Carlisle, is a public university in Cumbria. Other major campuses are located in Ambleside, London, and Lancaster. The university opened its door a decade ago and today the institution has over 10,000 students. The university aims to prepare its students to be able to give their fullest potential to enable them end up with a successful career.
Even though the University of Cumbria is qualitative, it still falls into the list of the cheapest universities in the UK. The tuition fee for international students varies and it depends on the academic level and type of the course you intend to study. However, as an international student, you’ll be expected to pay anything between £1,554 for professional English to £15,500 for Social Work and Health Pre-registration Program, BA (Hons). Postgraduate students on the other hand will pay tuition fees ranging from £3,500 to £15,500.
University of Chester – £9,250
The University of Chester is a public university located in England, precisely in Chester. The university which started as a purpose-built teacher training college now houses five campus sites in and around Chester. The university offers a wide range of foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate courses, as well as, academic research to domestic students as well as international students who are willing to study in the university.
The university as a body aims to help students gain the required skills that’ll help them build a better academic career for themselves and ultimately help their local communities. In order to achieve that goal, the university has one of the cheapest tuition fees in the UK. However, just like many other universities in the UK, the tuition fee you’ll be required to pay is based on the academic level and type of course you’ll be offering.
Nonetheless, you’ll be spending around £9,250 for an International Foundation Program, £11,950 for Bachelor’s degree plus Foundation, £11,950 for undergraduate, and £12,000 for postgraduate studies.