10 Cheap Universities in the United Kingdom for International Students

The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It’s home to Stonehenge, which is older than the pyramids of Egypt. It also plays host to the biggest library in the world, the British Library in King’s Cross in London.

If you’re a book lover, you would probably know who JK Rowling is. This billionaire author calls the UK her home. The UK is also home to some of the most famous universities in the world, including Cambridge and Oxford.

While these universities may be on the top of the list of many students around the world, it may remain a pipe dream for many unless they get a scholarship. But this doesn’t mean there aren’t any affordable universities in the United Kingdom. Let’s look at some of the cheapest universities in the United Kingdom for international students.

Cost of Studying in the United Kingdom

Even as the cost of studying in the United Kingdom is high, this will depend on where you’re staying. If you’re staying in London, you should expect to pay more than if you’re living in Liverpool. The average cost of living for a student in the UK can range from 989 GBP ($1,300 USD) to 2,240 GBP ($2,900 USD) per month depending on where you’re staying.

When it comes to tuition, it can go as low as 7,500 GBP ($9,600 USD) per academic year depending on the university and program you’ll take. While it may be higher compared to other universities in Europe, it’s cheaper than the tuition of Oxford University, which can go as high as 36,065 GBP ($46,600 USD).

Are Universities Free in the United Kingdom?

Even as the universities in the United Kingdom are not free, scholarships are available for both local and international students. Moreover, some universities are relatively cheaper compared to others depending on the program the students will take.

What are the languages of instruction for universities in the United Kingdom?

Being the birthplace of the English language, it’s only logical for English to be used as the language of instruction in universities in the United Kingdom.

Cheapest Universities in the United Kingdom for International Students

1. University of Cumbria

  • Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs:
    • UK and EU students – 6,000 GBP ($7,700 USD) to 9,250 GBP ($11,900 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students – 7,500 GBP ($9,600 USD) to 15,500 GBP ($19,900 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • UK and EU students – 5,040 GBP ($6,500 USD) to 11,025 GBP ($14,200 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students – 10,500 GBP ($13,500 USD) to 12,000 GBP ($15,400 USD) per year
  • Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
  • Graduate Tuition Fee Link

The University of Cumbria was the result of the merger of the Cumbria sites of the University of Central Lancashire, St. Martin’s College, and Cumbria Institute of the Arts in 2007. Due to this, it can trace its roots to 1822 with the foundation of the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts. Today, the university is aiming to increase its participation in west Cumbria and continues to grow for the long-term benefit of its surrounding community. With a tuition fee starting from $10,000 for undergraduate and $13,500 for graduate students, the University of Cumbria is the cheapest universities in the United Kingdom for international students.

The university has campuses in different locations in the UK. It also has locations in two World Heritage sites. These locations include Lancaster, Carlisle, and Ambleside, among others. It also offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate courses. Including Adventure Tourism, Business Management with Marketing, Wildlife Media, Professional Policing, and Graphic Design.

Aside from its academic facilities, the university also has several food and drink outlets, sports and fitness facilities, a theater, and a gallery. The students can visit these facilities to take off some of the stress from university life.

2. Staffordshire University

Officially established in 1914, the Staffordshire University quickly became well known for its academic and vocational teaching. It also had an innovative grasp of the industry while its students were quite employable after they graduated. The university is proud of its heritage and aims to maintain its close ties with the city of Stoke-on-Trent while contributing to the development of its culture and industry.

This cheap university in the United Kingdom has six academic schools, including the School of Computing and Digital Technologies, the School of Health and Social Care, and the School of Life Sciences and Education. These schools offer a broad range of courses, including Animation, Law, International Studies and History, Education, and Engineering.

Even as the students work hard to get good results in their academics, the university also offers several extracurricular activities to allow them to further develop their knowledge and skills in their chosen profession. Moreover, the students are also encouraged to go out and experience life in the countryside and explore the historic towns around the university.

3. Teesside University

  • Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU Students – 9,250 GBP ($11,900 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students – 9,750 GBP ($12,500 USD) to 13,000 GBP ($16,700 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • EU Students – 4,400 GBP ($5,700 USD) to 8,670 GBP ($11,100 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students – 12,400 GBP ($15,900 USD) to 17,000 GBP ($21,800 USD) per year
  • Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
  • Graduate Tuition Fee Link

Teesside University, an affordable university in the UK for international students, traces its roots to Constantine Technical College, which was established in 1920. Sweeping changes in the 1960s along with major developments in the college facilitated its renaming to Constantine College of Technology before it became the 13th Polytechnic of Britain in 1969 as Teesside Polytechnic.

It became the University of Teesside after it became one of the newest universities in the UK in 1992. The university took in its present name in 2009, which was the same year it was named the University of the Year.

The university has five schools offering a good selection of undergraduate and graduate courses for both local and international students. The schools of the university include the School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University Business School, and the MIMA School of Art and Design.

In addition to the academic centers, the campus also features areas intended to provide the students the chance to destress after attending their classes. The Campus Heart plays host to numerous activities and events students can attend. The Gym offers modern equipment that allows the students to maintain their health and physical wellbeing.

4. Royal Agricultural University

  • Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs:
    • UK/EU students – 6,000 GBP ($7,700 USD) to 10,710 GBP ($13,800 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students – 10,200 GBP ($13,100 USD) to 12,240 GBP ($15,700 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • UK/EU students – 8,160 GBP ($10,500 USD) to 12,945 GBP ($16,600 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students – 12,240 GBP ($15,700 USD) to 15,606 GBP ($20,100 USD) per year
  • Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link (Link to Official Tuition Fee Page)
  • Graduate Tuition Fee Link (Link to Official Tuition Fee Page)

The Royal Agricultural University became the first agricultural college established in the English-speaking world after it was founded in 1845. It was given a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria and had sovereigns as its patrons. In 2013, the college received its university status and it was given its present name.

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, the undergraduate and graduate courses of the university meet the demands in the industry. These courses include Agri-Food Business Management, Agriculture, Applied Farm Management, Rural Land Management, Equine Health and Welfare, and Animal Science, among others.

Even as the students focus on academic progress, the university also provides support for their happiness and wellbeing. The university also has a health center and fitness center for its students. Moreover, student clubs and societies allow the students to socialize and widen their circle of friends.

5. Harper Adams University College

  • Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs:
    • UK and Irish students – 9,250 GBP ($11,900 USD) per year
    • International Students – 10,800 GBP ($13,900 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • UK/EU Students – 1,900 GBP ($2,400 USD) to 10,800 GBP ($13,900 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 1,900 GBP ($2,400 USD) to 18,500 GBP ($23,800 USD) per year
  • Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
  • Graduate Tuition Fee Link

Established in 1901, Harper Adams University, another cheap university in the UK, was originally called Harper Adams College in honor of Thomas Harper Adams who bequeathed his estate to the original foundation after he passed away in 1892. It was the lead academic sponsor of the first university technical college, the JCB Academy. Harper Adams College received the title University College in 1998.

The university specializes as a higher education provider for the rural and agricultural sector. It is a laboratory, a farm, an invention hub, a think tank, and an industry rolled into one. The university offers a wide selection of undergraduate and graduate courses, including Agri-Business, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Land Management, Zoology with Entomology, and Veterinary Nursing.

Students at the university have the option of living off-campus or on-campus. They can also expect suitable support from the university, including study support, Spiritual support, and financial support. Moreover, clubs and sports events are available for the students to socialize and make new friends.

6. University College Birmingham

  • Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs:
    • UK/EU students – 9,250 GBP ($11,900 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students –11,500 GBP ($14,800 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • UK/EU Students – 5,250 GBP ($6,700 USD) to 9,250 GBP ($11,900 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students – 12,500 GBP ($16,100USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee Link

Situated in Birmingham in England, the University College Birmingham was officially established in 1957. But it can trace its roots to the Midland School of Cookery in the 1880s. In 1891, the same cookery classes were offered by the Birmingham and Midland School of Cookery.

The school later became the Central Technical College in 1927 before it was renamed to the College of Food and Technology in 1957 following the addition of different courses. It was later renamed to Birmingham College of Food and Domestic Arts. In 2007, the university got its present name and was given full university status in 2012.

The university offers a wide variety of courses for its students. These courses include Aviation and Airport Management, Business Enterprise, Early Childhood Studies, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Sports Therapy, and Physiotherapy.

Birmingham is the best place for the students to roam around the city and enjoy what it has to offer outside of school. The students can chill at the parks or visit the famous canals of the city. They can also join a club or sports team of the university or socialize with other students since their life at the university should not be limited to the four walls of the classroom.

7. London Metropolitan University

  • Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU students – 7,500 GBP ($9,600 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students – 11,700 GBP ($15,000 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • EU Students – 995 GBP ($1,300 USD) to 1,215 GBP ($1,600 USD) per module
    • Non-EU Students – 1,470 GBP ($1,900USD) to 1,580 GBP ($2,000 USD) per module
  • Tuition Fee Link

Next on our list of cheapest universities in the United Kingdom for international students is the London Metropolitan University. This university was the result of the merger of the University of North London and the London Guildhall University in 2002. But its history can be traced back to 1848 when the Metropolitan Evening Classes for Young Men in Crosby Hall, was institutionalized by Bishop Charles Mackenzie.

By 1861, the City of London College was established to cater to the increasing number of students. The college eventually became the London Guildhall University. On the other hand, the University of North London started off as the Northern Polytechnic Institute in 1896. It became a university in 1992 and became the University of North London. The two universities later merged to become the biggest unitary university located in the Greater London Area.

The university currently offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses including Accounting and Finance, Education. International Business Management, Natural Sciences, Retail Design, and Theatre and Film.

The university offers several services to meet all the needs of the students. These services include academic support, specialist support and advice, and community support. Additionally, the students themselves can join clubs and societies or play sports to get their minds off their academics over the weekend.

8. Wrexham Glyndwr University

  • Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs:
    • UK/EU students – 9,000 GBP ($11,600 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students – 11,750 GBP ($15,100 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • UK/EU Students – 5,750 GBP ($7,400 USD) to 11,000 GBP ($14,100 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students – 12,500 GBP ($16,100 USD) to 13,000 GBP ($16,700 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee Link

The Wrexham Glyndwr University was originally called the Wrexham School of Science and Art, which was established in 1887. The name of the school changed several times, including Denbighshire Technical Institute in 1927 before it was called the Denbighshire Technical College in 1939. In 1975, it was renamed to the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education after it merged with Quay, Deeside of Kelsterton College of Connah and Cartrefle Teacher Training College. By 2008, it was renamed to Glyndŵr University and in 2016, it was given its present name.

The university offers undergraduate and graduate courses to local and international students. These courses include Animation, Business, Computer Science, Drone Technology and Operations, Photography and Film, Psychology, and Sound Technology.

Life at the university can be interesting for the students. They can join clubs and organizations, make new friends, or start a new hobby. This is made possible by the support provided by the university to allow the students to have a life after school.

9. University of Suffolk

The University of Suffolk was originally called the University Campus Suffolk when it was established in 2007. It was set up to provide a higher education institution for the people of Suffolk and surrounding areas. It later became the first independent university in the county of Suffolk in 2016. At this point, the university started awarding degrees for its graduates.

This cheap university in the UK offers a good range of undergraduate and graduate courses for its students. These courses include Accounting and Financial Management, Biomedical Science, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Early Childhood Studies, and Human Geography.

Since the university takes the health of its students seriously, staff are available to provide support for the health and wellbeing of the students. Counseling services are also available in case the students need it. Moreover, sports facilities are open to meet the physical activity and sports needs of the students.

10. University of Wales Trinity Saint David

We end our list of cheapest universities in the UK for international students with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, the result of a merger of two other educational institutions in 2010. Even though the merger officially established the university, it can trace its roots back to 1822 with the establishment of the Lampeter Campus as St. David’s College, the predecessor of the University of Wales Lampeter. On the other hand, Trinity University College traces its roots to South Wales and Monmouthshire Training College, which was established in 1848.

The university currently has three main campuses located in South West Wales and another campus located in London. It also has learning centers situated in Birmingham and Cardiff. The university offers several undergraduate and graduate courses, including Accounting, Creative Writing, Law and Business, Medieval Studies, and Religious Studies.

While each of the campuses of the university offers a unique student experience, all of them ensure the students have the necessary support they need to complete their studies. Moreover, they also provide cultural activities to allow the students to experience something unique to them.

 

The United Kingdom is home to some of the best universities in the world. While it may be challenging to find enough funds to study in these universities, the UK does have cheaper universities that offer high-quality education for both local and international students.

I hope that this article on cheap universities in the UK was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Cheap Tuition Category!