By now, we have discussed the exorbitant costs attached to UK universities ad infinitum. Even if you are opulent, studying abroad tends to exert pressure on not just the students, but their entire families as well, which is why we will suggest some of the cheapest universities in the UK.
If you are seeking cost-effective institutions, then the list given below is likely to help your cause!
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List of Cheapest Universities in the UK
University of Chester
The University of Chester, which is also one of the cheapest UK universities, just celebrated its 182nd year of teaching and is one of the UK’s oldest higher education institutions. Chester, with 15,000 students from 130 countries, provides a vibrant, diverse, and safe environment for international students.
Students can pick from over 200 high-quality courses, with all of them emphasising practical learning to improve job prospects. Lectures are held at specialised locations in Chester, Shrewsbury, and Warrington, all of which have state-of-the-art facilities.
Undergraduate tuition for international students in the academic year 2023-2024 is £13,450. For the duration of the degree, this cost will remain unchanged. The International Scholarship Award is available to all first-year students and can be used in any given academic year. If a student pays their full tuition bill at the time of enrollment or before, they will receive an additional £250 discount.
At the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the University of Chester offers international and postgraduate levels. During the application process, students are automatically considered for these scholarships.
Tuition fees for international students in 2023-
Programme | Tuition fees |
International Foundation Programme | £9,750 |
Bachelor’s degree including Foundation Year | £9,750 Year 1 – / £13,450 Years 2 – 4 |
Undergraduate | £13,450 |
Postgraduate | £14,250 |
MBA | £14,500 |
MSc Nursing | £14,250 (x2 years) |
MSc Wildlife Conservation | £17,250 |
MSc Marine and Coastal Resource Management | £17,250 |
MA Art Therapy | £17,000 full course fee |
MA Social Work | £17,000 full course fee |
MSc Psychiatry | £20,000 full course fee |
MRes/MPhil/PhD (Classroom) | £13,643 |
MRes/MPhil/PhD (Laboratory) | £17,574 |
Ulster University
Six months after graduation, more than 90% of Ulster alumni are employed or enrolled in further education, and more than 4,000 students have completed Ulster University’s eLearning courses. Ulster was ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education 100 under 50 rankings as a premier modern university.
Ulster University includes four campuses in Northern Ireland: Belfast, Coleraine, Magee College, and Jordanstown, as well as a fifth virtual campus, Campus One, which is available online.
Each campus has a distinct speciality; thus, students will often spend their whole time at the university on a single campus, and the university now has over 2,000 international students from over 50 countries enrolled.
Tuition fees for international students in 2023-
Programme | Tuition fees |
Undergraduate, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Integrated Masters awards and equivalent courses (except those as detailed below) | £15,840 |
Students on placement year of sandwich courses/intercalary year abroad | £4,900 |
Masters courses | £15,840 |
Postgraduate Research | £16,470 |
MSc Management and Corporate Governance | £17,730 |
MSc Biomedical Science | £17,730 |
MSc Biotechnology Research | £17,730 |
MSc Human Nutrition | £17,730 |
MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences | £17,730 |
LLM Access to Justice | £17,730 |
LLM International Commercial Law & ADR | £17,730 |
Pre-sessional English | £1,290 |
Postgraduate Research | £9,390 |
University of Bolton
The University of Bolton is a great option for anyone seeking a low-cost British higher education. It is one of the most reasonably priced UK institutions of higher education.
There is a minimum tuition fees of £12,500 per year and a maximum charge of £14,450 per year for overseas students at this university. An additional deposit of £1,000 is due before the start of your first semester; this money can be applied to housing charges.
Tuition fees for international students in 2023-
Programme | Tuition fees |
Undergraduate | £14,250 |
Postgraduate | £11,250 |
Teesside University
The wide variety of academic programmes and the excellence of the faculty and staff at Teesside University ensure that its students receive an excellent education. Tuition at the university is very reasonable, which is a big draw for students from other countries.
The annual expense of a full-time undergraduate education is between £13,250 and £26,250. The postgraduate level is characterised by a wide variety of tuition fee structures. MBA programmes cost around £17,000, but a part-time research degree in online learning costs only £5,875.
The cost of living can differ as well, depending on where you choose to stay. To lessen the financial burden, several students from other countries prefer to room with a local student or family.
Programme | Tuition fees |
Undergraduate | £15,000 |
Integrated Master’s Final Year | £15,000 |
Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) | £14,250 |
Postgraduate taught degree (MSc/MA) one-year | £15,000 |
Postgraduate taught degree (MSc/MA) two-years (Advanced practice/Applied courses) | £18,000 (£9,000 per year) |
Full-time Research Degree Standard tier | £11,750 |
Full-time Research Degree Enhanced tier | £14,500 |
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (Initial Teacher Training courses) | £15,000 |
MCh Courses | £15,000 |
MSc Sports Rehabilitation (two-year course) – 180 credits | £15,000 |
MSc Sports Rehabilitation (two-year course) – 240 credits | £30,000 total |
MA Social Work | £30,000 total (£15,000 per year) |
MBA one-year, full-time | £14,300 |
MBA (Applied) two-year masters, full-time | £17,000 total (£8,500 per year over 2 years) |
DBA, two years three months, full-time | £24,750 total (£12,375 per year over 2 years*) |
Doctorate (Health & Social Care, Public Health, Professional Practice, Education) | £15,000 total (£7,000 per year) |
Professional Doctorate in Business Transformation | £24,750 total (£8,250 per year) |
Nursing & Health, Pre-Registration, two-years (MSc) (Applied) | £29,000 total (£14,500 per year***) |
Doctorate Counselling Psychology (DCounPsy) | £39,150 total (£13,050 per 180 credits) |
London Metropolitan University
The university has two campuses—one is in London and the other is in Islington. There are a few universities in the United Kingdom around London that offer low-cost degrees to international students, and this university is one of them. The university provided practical classes and workplace skills opportunities at affordable fees.
The first-year tuition cost for students enrolling at the university on or after September 1, 2023, is set at £9,250, with potential increases in subsequent years based on inflation or the caps imposed by the yearly Teaching Excellence Framework evaluations. The university is endowed with an amazing campus and offers high-quality infrastructure and facilities for students.
Tuition fees for international students in 2023-
Programme | Tuition fees |
Undergraduate | £15,576 |
Postgraduate | £15,576- £17,110 |
MBA | £17,000* |
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Beckett University, located in the heart of the bustling city of Leeds, is a shining example of a modern, forward-thinking institution of higher learning. The institution provides a transformative education that equips students to thrive in a world that is both historically significant and technologically advanced.
Tuition fees for international students in 2023-
Programme | Tuition fees |
Business, Law and Social Studies (International Foundation Year) | £12,500 |
Science, Engineering and Computing (International Foundation Year) | £12,500 |
Business Management (International Year One) | £13,000 |
England is known for its good and secure living, quality education, and a land of opportunities. International students’ tuition fees are different from UK students’, so the low cost universities in the UK can help students fulfil their dream. If you want to pursue your higher education at one of the cheapest universities in the UK, feel free to do so contact our expert counsellors.
-FAQ's
Are there any free universities in UK?
Studying abroad tends to heave pressure on not just the students, but their entire families as well which is why we will suggest some cheap universities in UK.
Is university cheaper in UK or US?
England is known for good and secure living, quality education and a land of opportunities. For international students’ tuition fees are different then UK students so cheapest universities can help the students to fulfill their dream.
What are the cheapest UK universities?
If you are seeking cost effective institutions, then the list given below is likely to help your cause!
● University of Chester
● Ulster University
● Leeds Beckett University
● London Metropolitan University
● Teesside University
What are the entry requirements to study in the UK?
For international students, need to complete their basic education before university admission and have to proof their English language proficiency.