The best low-cost universities in the UK for international students
18 May 2023 • 6 min read
If you’re considering studying abroad in the UK, the high international tuition fees might put you off. Although UK students’ yearly undergraduate fees are capped at £9,250, there’s no cap on fees for international students. This means the price for a year’s tuition ranges from £11,000 to as much as £38,000!
However, don’t let this scarily high number put you off. Many first-class UK universities have very reasonable
tuition fees for international students!
Plus, many of the cheap universities in the UK for international
students offer a huge range of fee discounts, scholarships, and bursaries to help support their students.
We’ve put together this list of the 8 cheapest universities in the UK for international students to help you out.
1. University of Bolton
Dating back to 1825, this is one of the most affordable universities in the United Kingdom. This distinguished
university has been ranked in the UK’s top 10 for student satisfaction (The
Complete University Guide) since 2019.
Bolton’s dedicated International Support
Team includes a meet-and-greet service for new international arrivals at Manchester Airport. Several
scholarships are available for international students, including their International
Excellence Scholarships, which are awarded based on academic ability.
Undergraduate courses (most BA, BSc and LLB): £13,550
Masters degree (MA/MSc): £13,550
2. University of Cumbria
The University of Cumbria has an excellent reputation for its high-quality teaching, fantastic support
services, and affordable tuition. Located in the middle of the stunning Lake District, this is perfect if you
want a picturesque study location. This university has a dedicated International Team that handles
international applications and supports students through their visa applications.
The University of Cumbria offers international students many fee
discounts, scholarships, and bursaries. So this makes it a first-class choice if you are worried about
the cost of studying in the UK.
Undergraduate (BA, BSc, LLB): £13,575
Masters degree (MA/MSc): £13,575
Pre-Sessional English (6 weeks): £2,100
3. University of Chester
This university is one of the oldest education providers in the UK, founded initially as a teacher-training
college in 1839. Home to 15,000 students from 130 countries, this is a popular choice for international students
who want a quality education. All programmes emphasise practical and work-based learning to help students find
employment after their studies.
The University of Chester provides free English
language support for all international students during their course of study. There are also several merit-based and
international scholarships available.
Undergraduate (all): £13,450
Masters degree (most)): £14,250
Pre-Sessional English (5 weeks): £1,600
4. Leeds Beckett University
Situated in Leeds, this university is ideal if you want a vibrant nightlife and social scene. Leeds Beckett
University is one of the most popular universities in the UK, with its history dating back over 200 years. All
their courses include at least 2 weeks of work-related learning. There’s a strong emphasis on employability
after graduation.
Leeds Beckett University has an International
Student team with dedicated regional advisors to offer specific advice on the visa application process.
They also offer a variety of country-specific scholarships and
fee discounts for international students.
Undergraduate (most): £14,000
Masters (most): £16,000
Pre-Sessional English (4 weeks): £2,100
5. University of Bedfordshire
Based in Luton and Bedford in the north of England, this university is home to approximately 20,000 students
from over 120 countries. Since its foundation in 2006, the University of Bedfordshire has invested over £130
million into developing its high-tech facilities.
This university has a dedicated International Team that supports
students with their application process and helps them settle into the UK. The University of Bedfordshire offers
a range of fee discounts and
scholarships for international students, including their Undergraduate EU Qualifications bursary. This
gives students with an eligible EU qualification a fee discount to bring their tuition fees in line with home
fees.
Undergraduate (BA/BSc): £14,500
Taught Masters (MA/MSc): 14,600
Pre-Sessional English (4 weeks): £1,000
6. Teesside University
Teesside University has an international reputation for high-quality teaching and research. International
students are given opportunities to participate in work experience. Teesside University helps students gain a
range of enterprise skills to give them a head start with their careers. In the 2021 International Student Barometer
Survey, Teesside ranked number 1 for overall student satisfaction out of 96 global universities.
This university offers a wide range of
international scholarships, including support for students from under-represented countries.
Undergraduate (all): £15,000
Postgraduate taught degree (MSc/MA): £15,000
Pre-Sessional English (6 weeks): £1,995
7. Staffordshire University
This university has world-class facilities and dedicated international student support.
Staffordshire University even has International
Student Welcome Week to help new students settle in and enrol.
Named 4th in the Best UK Universities category at the StudentCrowd
University Awards, Staffordshire University is a popular choice. This award-winning institution
prioritises student well-being and ensures students have strong career prospects.
Staffordshire University offers a range of competitive
scholarships to help international students fund their studies.
Undergraduate (most): £16,750
Standard postgraduate taught degree: £16,750
Online Pre-Sessional English (6 weeks): £750
8. Coventry University
This is an extremely popular choice for international students, who comprise
34.2% of the total student population. So, this is the perfect choice if you want to be part of a large
and diverse international student community. Coventry University offers several scholarships,
bursaries, and fee discounts to international students. This includes specific support for their
foundation and pre-masters courses.
This sector-leading institution has a modern campus in Coventry and a satellite campus in London. In London, international students
can study various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Their London-based courses also include work
placements or internships to help students gain practical work experience before graduating.
Most courses: £16,800 – £19,850
Pre-Sessional English (5 weeks): £2,100
How UniHomes can help
At UniHomes, we have a huge range of amazing student properties in
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Check out what properties we have near your university to find the perfect student accommodation for you.
