Affordable Universities in UK for International Students
International students can choose from a wide variety of educational possibilities in the UK, some of which are among the most reasonably priced. Higher education is more affordable thanks to the numerous universities that offer high-quality instruction at reasonable tuition rates. Academic quality is prioritized at these institutions, which also provide for students with little financial resources. These economic options enable international students to follow their educational objectives without sacrificing quality, from the University of the Highlands and Islands to universities offering specialized programs, such as arts and humanities.
Top 10 Cheapest Universities in the UK
University of the Highlands and Islands: Noted for its affordability, the University of the Highlands and Islands opens doors to quality education across a diverse spectrum of disciplines. It's a hub for international students seeking access to well-rounded learning experiences while maintaining a budget-conscious approach.
University of Bolton: With a reputation for budget-friendly education, the University of Bolton excels in engineering, business, and art programs. Its commitment to providing excellent value for money makes it a standout choice for students aiming to achieve academic excellence without straining their finances.
Staffordshire University: Renowned for cost-effective programs, Staffordshire University emphasizes practical skill development through computing, business, and health courses. Students benefit from affordable education while gaining the practical expertise needed in today's competitive job market.
University of Cumbria: Highly regarded for its affordability, the University of Cumbria places a strong emphasis on practical learning in education, psychology, and arts courses. This approach equips students with hands-on skills and knowledge, enhancing their readiness for real-world challenges.
Leeds Trinity University: Leeds Trinity University is recognized for its economic offerings in journalism, education, and psychology programs. It provides a well-rounded education that prepares students for versatile career paths while keeping education accessible and affordable.
University of Sunderland: Esteemed for its reasonable courses, the University of Sunderland excels in business, health, and engineering programs. It cultivates career-oriented skills in students through a blend of practical learning and theoretical knowledge, ensuring graduates are job-ready.
University of Chester: Affordable and diverse, the University of Chester offers education, business, and psychology programs. Emphasizing real-world applications, the university equips students with the skills needed to excel in their chosen fields while keeping education within reach.
Teesside University: Renowned for its affordability, Teesside University stands out in engineering, computing, and business courses. It provides students with a valuable education that balances theoretical foundations with practical insights, offering excellent value for their investment.
University of West London: Valued for its budget-friendly education, the University of West London specializes in nursing, law, and business programs. It equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for industry success while ensuring education remains accessible.
Edinburgh Napier University: Recognized for its cost-effectiveness, Edinburgh Napier University offers business, computing, and engineering courses. It prepares students for dynamic careers by providing a practical education that aligns with industry demands, offering a promising pathway to professional success.
Here is a table of the top 10 affordable universities in the UK for international students, along with their ranking, top courses, and average tuition fees
Manchester Metropolitan University is a public institution in Manchester in the United Kingdom. It is known for its research excellence, ranking at 601-800 (2022) and 800-1000 (2023) in THE and QS World University rankings lists. The University was founded as the Manchester Mechanics Institute in 1824. The Manchester School of Design came up in 1838.
The School of Commerce was founded in 1889, while the Manchester Writing School came up in 1998. The institution celebrated 175 years with the new Benzie building in 2013. It has several accreditations, including AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, BSIS, SBC, CIPS, UNAI, CII, and many others. The institution has 38,000 students with 290,000+ alumni worldwide.
The main campus is the All Saints Building in Manchester. Some top research facilities include the education and social research institute, future economics, bioscience, advanced computational sciences, and many others.
Key study disciplines include accounting, finance and banking, architecture, art and design, acting, drama and performance, economics, business and management, computing, English, film studies and creative writing, tourism, events and hospitality, law, and marketing.
Famous alumni include Dr. Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE, Commissioner, Equality and Human Rights Commission; John Bishop, actor-writer-comedian; Sarah Burton OBE, Creative Director at Alexander McQueen; Mark Cueto MBE, international rugby union player; Thomas Heatherwick CBE, designer and maker at the Heatherwick Studio; and Jonathan Mildenhall, founder at the 21st Century Brand.
The University has its dedicated Career Support team for students, helping them discover new options and find employment after graduating. Students are linked to employers and recruiters, while the Career Hub offers access to work experience, jobs, and other opportunities, along with support resources and events. There is a Career Center for various interactive and helpful resources, courses, self-assessments, and much more. The institution also offers a dedicated careers news section for students, various career fairs, events, skill-development workshops, employer events, and much more.
The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and is a public research university in the United Kingdom (UK). University of Cambridge, UK, is known as the fourth-oldest university that survives in the world today and is also the second-oldest university in the entire English-speaking world. The university has more than 20,000 students from varied disciplines and above 11,000 staff members along with 31 colleges, 150 departments, schools, faculties, and institutions. It has been ranked in the top 3 in the 2022 Guardian University Guide and Complete University Guide. It is one of the foremost educational and research institutions in the world offering more than 700 clubs and societies for students.
The University of Cambridge ranking is 3 in the QS World University Rankings and 5 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2022.
The University of Cambridge is a member of the Russell Group of research-led British universities, the G5, the League of European Research Universities, and the International Alliance of Research Universities.
The University of Oxford is one of the world's most notable and historical institutes. A self-governing institute, it is ranked the fourth best university in the world by QS World University Ranking 2023. On the other hand, it is ranked #1 by the Times Higher Education World Ranking list for 2022. It is a world-class university that is highly regarded for its contribution to research.
Located in the city of Oxford, the University has more than 30 colleges, all spread throughout the city. Established in the 13th century, the University, Balliol, and Merton Colleges are the oldest. Green Templeton is the University’s newest college.
The University has three societies – Kellogg College, Reuben College, and St Cross College and they are considered departments under Oxford.
Students from more than 160 countries and territories come to study at Oxford.
Imperial College is a global topmost university in London which includes a world-class reputation in various departments such as Science, Business, Engineering, and Medicine. The Imperial College was established in the year 1907 in London, out of all the Royal colleges in South Kensington. King Edward VII granted an aristocratic constitution by establishing the Imperial College of Technology and Science. Some values which play a vital role in Imperial College London are respect, excellence, innovation, collaboration, and integrity. The primary USP of Imperial College London is that it is the only UK University that focuses completely on medicine, science, business, and engineering. Imperial College London is ranked 13 among the best global universities according to US News. The Imperial Institute was constructed in the year 1887 to praise Queen Victoria’s Jubilee with the intention of itself being a scientific research foundation exploring and progressing various raw materials of the dominion countries. It was allocated by a Governing body along with thus Prince of Wales as the President. Imperial College London ranked 7th worldwide in the QS World University Ranking in the present year 2022.
The University College London is a public research university and has a campus at Bloomsbury in London’s Knowledge Quarter. The University College London UK has partner organizations such as the Alan Turing Institute, Google, Wellcome Trust, and the British Museum in the zone. The University was founded in 1826 and has more than 20,000 graduate students coming from 150+ global nations, pursuing 650+ graduate degree courses. The institution was the first in England to admit students from all religions and women.
The University College London ranking is number 8 in the QS World University Rankings list for 2022. It is also ranked at 18th position in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings tally.
Founded in 1583, the University of Edinburgh opened its doors in the quaint, hilly city of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is exactly situated in Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, UK.
Over the years the University of Edinburgh in the UK has nurtured some of the most renowned personalities who shaped the past and continue to change the present.
As a public research university, it was one of the first to initiate Britain's literary awards. It was also here that the first animal, Dolly, the sheep, was cloned. Fascinatingly so, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle also crafted the very famous and notorious character of Sherlock Holmes within the institution’s premises!
According to the QS World University Ranking 2022, the University of Edinburgh ranking stands at 16th position, and on the World University Rankings list 2022, it ranks 30th.
The University of Manchester in the UK is located towards the southern end of the city center in Manchester, encompassing Oxford Road and Sackville Street, the earlier homes of the Victoria University and UMIST respectively. The University of Manchester is a public research university known for its checkered history. Around 25 Nobel Prize winners have studied or worked at the institution while the atom was first split here by Ernest Rutherford. Alan Turing invented artificial intelligence here while the first stored-program computer in the world was made at the university. The university is known for its Square Kilometer Array, the biggest radio telescope in the world, and also the Jodrell Bank observatory with its Lovell Telescope.
The University was founded in its current avatar in 2004 through the fusion of the UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology) and the Victoria University of Manchester. After collaborating for 100 years, the institutions merged on 22nd October 2004, creating the biggest single-site UK University.
The University of Manchester ranking is 1 in THE (Times Higher Education) University Impact Rankings and 27 (World) in the QS World University Rankings for 2021. It is ranked at 35 in the World in the Academic Rankings of World Universities (2021). THE has ranked it at 50 (World) in its 2022 rankings.
King’s College London is a public research university in London, United Kingdom. It is renowned for its academic and research excellence and commitment to sustainable societal change. It is ranked 37 (2023) and 35 (2022) in the QS and THE World University Rankings lists, respectively. The institution was founded in 1829.
The University of London came up in 1836, with the King’s College being one of its founding colleges. It has witnessed several other mergers, especially with the Chelsea and Queen Elizabeth Colleges (1985), Institute of Psychiatry (1997), and the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals (1998). The institution has achieved prestigious accreditations, including EQUIS and AACSB. It has 33,000+ students from 150+ countries with 185,000+ global alumni. It also has 14 Nobel Laureates to its credit.
The institution offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and short courses for aspirants. The study faculties include Business, Arts & Humanities, Life Sciences & Medicine, Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Law, and Social Science & Public Policy. There is also the King’s Business School for students.
Famous alumni at the institution include athlete Dina Asher-Smith, author-philosopher Alain de Botton, science fiction writer, author Virginia Woolf, Sir Arthur C Clarke, poet-novelist Thomas Hardy, and biophysicist Rosalind Franklin. Poet John Keats studied here, as did social reformer-nurse Florence Nightingale and politician Sarojini Naidu.
King’s CareerConnect is a platform for finding new employment opportunities and events and booking appointments. KEATS takes care of resources, career information, case studies, online workshops, and more. Students can also access the King’s Careers Blog for information, along with Academic & Professional Services Support. King’s CareerConnect helps with vacancies, placements, internships, graduate career opportunities, reminders, alerts, career goals, and career lounges. It also helps access career fairs, panels, workshops, masterclasses, presentations, and varied career pathways.
The University of Bristol is a public red brick university in Bristol, United Kingdom. It is known for its academic and research excellence, ranking 61 in the QS World University Rankings list for 2023. The University was established as the University College Bristol in 1876, the first to admit women on an equal merit basis as men.
The college continued operations till 1909 as the precursor to the current institution. The origins of the university lay in the efforts made by Clifton College headmaster John Percival to set up such an institution. It has accreditation from several bodies, including the Royal Statistical Society, AVMA, RCVS, and EAEVE. The institution had 29,356 students as of 2020-21.
The main campus of the University lies at Clifton, while it's Richmond Building is a stroll away from the same. There are several research institutions at the University, including the Bristol BioDesign Institute, Bristol Quantum Information Institute, Bristol Population Health Science Institute, Migration Mobilities Bristol, Brigstow Institute, Jean Golding Institute, Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research, and many others.
There are 200+ degree courses available for students at the institution. The institution also has 25 academic schools and six faculties in total. Some of the top academic centers are dedicated to disciplines like arts, philosophy, music, films and television, anthropology and archaeology, humanities, theatre, English, aerospace engineering, computer science, civil engineering, health and life sciences, and social sciences and law.
Famous alumni at the institution include Nobel Prize winner and physicist Paul Dirac; author-economist-journalist-administrator Will Hutton; journalist Sarah Montague; author Deborah Moggach OBE; equestrian and Olympic medal winner Laura Tomlinson; rugby player and World Cup winner Josh Lewsey MBE; and actor Will Poulter.
The institution has several industry connections, linking with numerous employers, right from smaller business entities to global companies. There are several other activities like networking events, career fairs, workshops, and mentorship programs for student entrepreneurs. Students get assistance in finding and choosing career pathways, preparing for job applications and interviews, and creating resumes. They also get help finding part-time work opportunities, volunteering programs, and internships. They can also find jobs after graduating and support for their start-up aspirations. Students also get assistance with choosing and applying for further study programs.
The University of Warwick in the UK was founded in 1965 after receiving its Royal Charter of Incorporation. The University of Warwick got approval in 1961 from the government and has four campuses: Central Campus, Lakeside & Cryfield, Westwood & Science Park, and Gibbet Hill Campus.
The City and County together worked to make a 400-acre university campus a reality. It has 29 departments and 50+ research centers and institutions across the Science, Arts, Medicine, Entertainment, and Social Sciences faculties. It is a public research institution.
The University of Warwick's ranking is 78 (globally) for 2022 as per the Times Higher Education (THE) world university rankings tally and 9th in the UK. It is also ranked at 144 in the list of global universities according to US News rankings.
The University of Leeds is located at Woodhouse, Leeds, LS2 9JT in the United Kingdom. The University of Leeds UK is a public research institution that was founded in 1874 with the name Yorkshire College of Science. It fused with the Leeds School of Medicine in 1884 and became Yorkshire College. The University was formally set up in 1904 and is one of the country’s premier educational institutions. Ranking amongst the world’s top-100 institutions, the university is also a Russell Group member. It is also one of the top-5 most-targeted institutions for recruiters of graduate students in the country as per reports.
The University of Birmingham UK has campuses at Selly Oak and Edgbaston. The University of Birmingham is synonymous with cutting-edge research and teaching for more than a hundred years. It is a part of the Russell Group and has 10 Nobel Laureates amongst alumni and staff members. The University was founded in 1900 and was the first civic university in England. It has affiliations with Universitas 21, Universities UK, EUA, ACU, and Sutton 13 Russell Group
Durham University is a public university in the United Kingdom. The university was established through an Act of Parliament in 1832. Further, in 1837, this public research university was incorporated by the Royal Charter.
Since then, the University and its 17 colleges have strived to put out world-leading research and ensure the highest degree of academic excellence. As such, it offers its students the means and measures to build up incredible skills for their careers like communication, team-working, leadership, and problem-solving.
The university is situated in North-east England, in the picturesque city of Durham. The exact location is:
The Palatine Centre, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE
QS World University Rankings 2022 ranked Durham University at the 82nd spot. Additionally, 9 of its subjects are ranked in the top 50 QS World University Ranking.
Sheffield is a research university located in Southern Yorkshire, England. It has around 50 academic research departments that are categorized into five different faculties. It is one of the top 10 best universities in the UK when research grant funding is considered.
The University of Sheffield UK is not a campus university, even though most of its 430 buildings are within walking distance. Some of the buildings located in the area are in the following places:
1. 9 Mappin street
2. 38 Mappin street
3. 45 Victoria Street
4. 301 Glossop Road, Student Skills and Development Centre
5. 34 Endscliffe crescent, Accommodation, and Commercial Services
6. 12 Bolsover St, Arts Tower, Admissions Service
7. 241 Glossop Rd, Edgar Allen House, Careers Service
8. Clarkson St, Octagon, Convocation Hall
9. 36 Wilkinson St, Counselling Service
10. 44 Leavygreave Rd, Information Commons (IC)
Rankings:
The University of Sheffield is ranked #135 in the world's best universities, #51 in Europe's best universities, and #14 in the United Kingdom's best universities, by USnews.com. The University of Sheffield is ranked #95 by QS World University Rankings.
The University of Glasgow in the UK has three campuses: Garscube, Gilmorehill, and Dumfries. The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451 and is the fourth-oldest university in the country. It is known for its association with seven Nobel Laureates, the first Prime Minister of Scotland, and two Prime Ministers. Albert Einstein lectured here in the past while the first cohort of female medical students graduated here in 1894. It was also the UK’s first university to appoint an Engineering Professor while Adam Smith entered the institution for his studies in 1737.
The University of Glasgow’s ranking is 86 in the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and 73 in the QS World University Rankings list.
Wrexham Glyndwr University in the UK is a higher education corporation in Wales and was founded in 1887. It was earlier known as Glyndwr University, and in 2016 it was renamed to its current name. The institution is named after Owain Glyndwr, a medieval Welsh prince who proposed the formation of universities across Wales in the early 15th century. Being a member of the University of Wales since 2004, it was given full university status in 2008.
Wrexham Glyndwr University offers both postgraduate and undergraduate degrees and also professional courses. In addition, it has international ties in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Address of The University
Mold Road, Wrexham, Wales LL11 2AW
Wrexham Glyndwr University Ranking
Wrexham Glyndwr University was placed 141st in the UK and 4,310 globally in the World 2021 Rankings by EduRank. Other rankings include –
The Guardian-University Rankings – #107 (2021) and #66 (2022)
The Complete University Guide – University Ranking(UK) – #126 (2021) and #128 (2022)
The University of Nottingham is a renowned educational institute located in the UK. It is a public research university founded in the year 1881. Subsequently, in 1948, it received the Royal Charter award and was given its university status. Decades later, the university today still stands at University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
The University of Nottingham’s ranking is evidence of its high-quality education. According to Study In UK, the institute ranks 28 in the Times University Guide. Additionally, the famous QS World Rankings body ranks it at number 103 on the global stage.
In terms of subjects, the institute stands at an impressive number 5 in Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
Newcastle University is a public research university in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Newcastle University is a Russell Group member with one of the largest EU research portfolios in the country.
The University’s origins may be traced to the School of Medicine and Surgery (later the College of Medicine), which was founded in 1834, and the College of Physical Science (later called Armstrong College), which was formed in 1871. The more significant part of the federal University of Durham was created by these two colleges, with the Durham Colleges comprising the other. In 1937, the Newcastle institutions combined to establish King’s College. King’s College was renamed the University of Newcastle in 1963.
The Queen Mary University of London is a government-funded research facility with offices in London, United Kingdom. Having been established in 1887, it has over 28,000 students enrolled, including over 5,000 international students from more than 160 different countries. Undergraduate and graduate studies are available at the Queen Mary University of London in various disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, and science. Its excellent reputation for excellence is a result of its ranking as one of the top 20 universities in the UK for the caliber of its research.
Lancaster University is a public research university situated in the United Kingdom (UK). It has been a top school in north-western England for more than ten years now.
Lancaster University, UK, was consolidated in the 1970s-80s. The school introduced several combined degree schemes with subjects like Environmental Science and Philosophy during this time. It was also the period for constructing modern laboratories for teaching and research.
The university has its prestigious campus at Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom.
Lancaster University’s ranking is commendable on most university ranking indexes. It is ranked #122 on the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education 2022, whereas the QS World University Rankings 2022 places the university at #132 globally.
The University of Exeter is a leading public institution offering world-class academic and research facilities to over 30,000 students in the United Kingdom (UK). Even though the university was officially established in 1955, its history goes back to the 1900s. It includes six departments, offering knowledge in various subjects and education levels.
The magnificent campus of the university is located at Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4PY, United Kingdom.
In terms of the University of Exeter rankings, it is exceptional. In the QS World University Rankings 2022, the institution is listed at 149th position. The university bagged 143rd place in the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education. This speaks volumes about the institution’s popularity and performance.
The University of the Highlands and Islands offers affordable tuition rates, making it one of the cheapest options for international students in the UK.
Which are the most affordable courses in the UK?
Courses in fields like arts, humanities, and social sciences tend to be more affordable than programs in engineering or medicine.
What are some top scholarships to study in the UK?
Notable UK scholarships include the Chevening Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarships, and GREAT Scholarships for international students.
What is the average tuition fee to study in the UK?
The average tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from £10,000 to £38,000 per year, while postgraduate fees vary from £10,000 to £45,000 depending on the university and program.
Affordable Universities in UK for International Students
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