12 Cheapest Universities in UK for International Students in 2025

For international students who are planning a bright future in top universities UK, the cost of living and studying in the country can be a major concern. The United Kingdom is an expensive study-abroad destination for overseas learners.

Most popular universities in the UK charge high tuition fees to offer higher education for international students. Meanwhile, it is not completely impossible to study in UK with a low budget. Many cheapest universities in UK such as Chester, Leeds Beckett, Greenwich, etc, offer education at affordable cost.

This article evaluates the details of some of the cheapest universities in UK for international students. The average fees for the low-cost universities in UK for international students range between GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000. The cost is generally lower for universities located outside metropolitan centres.

Apart from the tuition fees, students need a minimum of Rs. 1,43,000 - 1,79,00 per month to manage their cost of living in UK. Read the article to learn about low cost universities in UK for international students, tuition fees, rankings, and much more.

Top Cheapest Universities in UK for International Students

The cost of living in UK is a significant factor when considering the cost of education in UK. Students can look for cheaper universities in UK for an affordable education. Systematic planning can help students to save themselves from falling into a financial crisis during their study in UK. It is challenging to award a single university as the cheapest university in UK for international students 2025, hence, the list of universities that are considered affordable are listed below.

Submitting the proof of finances to cover the study and living in UK is also a part of the UK student visa application process. Refer to the list of affordable universities in uk for international students and their living costs in the below table.

Cheap Universities in UK for International Students

Anglia Ruskin University

For international students, Anglia Ruskin University is considered as cheapest university in the UK for international students 2025 amongst others. Anglia Ruskin University has a total of 5 campuses with the main campus in Cambridge. The university offers 108 undergraduate courses and around 120 graduate courses.

Admissions are accepted for September and January intakes every year. Indian students need a 55-60% score in HSC/XII to apply for undergraduate courses at Anglia Ruskin University. Anglia Ruskin University acceptance rate for international students is 52%. Tuition fees for various programmes don’t exceed Rs. 20 lakks per annum making ARU one of the cheapest uni in UK.

Anglia Ruskin University Tuition Fees for International Students

University of Chester

Chester is one of the most affordable student cities in the UK. University of Chester is among the cheapest universities in UK for Indian students with affordable tuition fees. The University of Chester accepts Higher Secondary Certificates from CBSE, ICSE and state boards of India. The admission requirements are slightly competitive with a 25% acceptance rate.

The University of Chester boasts of a high employability rate. 91.7% of graduates from the University of Chester are either employed or in further studies. Students with high academic records become eligible for a number of scholarships offered by the university for international students. It is a great way to undergo a low cost study in the UK.

University of Chester Tuition Fees for International Students

• Undergraduate Courses: £14,450 per year.
• Undergraduate Courses with Foundation Year: £10,750 for Year 1 (Foundation Year) and £14,200 for Years 2-4.
• Postgraduate Courses: £15,000 per year.
• MBA Program: £15,200 per year.

Staffordshire University

Some of the courses at Staffordshire University are ranked among top 100 in the whole UK. But the university is one of the low cost universities in UK for studying those courses. It requires around GBP 16,750/year to study graduate courses at a low fees university in UK, that is Staffordshire Uni.

Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering, Arts & Design, Computer Science, MBA, and Nursing at Staffordshire University are in the top 100 courses in the UK. Staffordshire University exhibits an acceptance rate of 57% which is fairly high.

Staffordshire International Tuition Fees

Teesside University

Teesside University is a public university in the UK with two campuses in Middlesbrough, and Darlington. It is one of the preferred options among universities in UK with low tuition fees for international students. Various scholarships up to Rs. 2 lakh are granted to international students.

Teesside University currently has over 22,697 students studying in the UK and 1,252 students studying outside the UK. There are 2200 recruits from South Asia with the majority of them Indians to the university. Teesside University is among the cheapest universities in UK for Indian students for its scholarships.

Middlesbrough is one of the affordable cities in the UK that requires GBP 1,232/month for living costs. Teesside University is among the cheapest Uni in UK for international students as can be learned from the below table of tuition fees.

Teesside University Tuition Fees for International Students

Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Beckett University is one of the low tuition universities in UK with quality education and a high employability rate. The university offers around 150 bachelor’s programs and around 100 graduate courses to international students.

Leeds Beckett University guarantees high employability through its connections and collaborations with various companies. While admission intakes follow the UK admission cycle, Leeds Beckett University's acceptance rate for international students is 80% which is high among UK universities.

Leeds Beckett University Tuition Fees

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University of Bolton

The University of Bolton is a public university in the UK. It is one of the cheapest Universities in UK for international students. Tuition fees for bachelor’s courses start from GBP 15,950.

Bolton requires around GBP 939 per month for a single student towards living expenses which is one of the lowest in the UK. Being on of the least expensive universities in UK, Bolton University is home to 25% of international students among a total of 11,000 students.

University of Bolton Tuition Fees for Indian Students

Coventry University

Coventry University is gaining popularity among international students for its top-notch teaching quality, and research orientation, as well as one of the affordable universities in UK.

MBA is one of the highly sought-after degrees at Coventry University. The university is a member of the University Alliance group and the largest among the two universities in Warwick. Indian students can study postgraduate courses with annual tuition fees of GBP 18,250.

Coventry University Tuition Fees for International Students

University of Cumbria

As one of the cheapest universities in the UK for higher education, the University of Cumbria welcomes students from around 60 countries in the world. The University of Cumbria is located in Cumbria with a main campus.

The university has other campuses in Lancaster, Ambleside, and London. The University of Cumbria has an acceptance rate of 45% and a student/faculty ratio of 15:1. Complete University Guide has ranked the University of Cumbria at 118 in 2023, and the Guardian at 115.

University of Cumbria Tuition Fees 2025

Leeds Trinity University

Leeds Trinity University is recognized as a potentially budget-friendly choice for higher education in the UK, with many undergraduate courses costing around £12,000 per year, not including Nursing. The tuition fees for many undergraduate courses at Leeds Trinity are generally lower compared to some other UK universities, particularly in high-demand fields. Leeds Trinity focuses heavily on practical skills and employability, which may enhance job opportunities for graduates and help balance out the initial expenses. Being a relatively small university, staff can get to know international students personally and offer tailored support.

Leeds Trinity University International Student's Tuition Fee

London Metropolitan University

London Metropolitan University provides various tuition fees and funding options that can help make it a more affordable choice for international students, particularly when compared to other institutions in London. It features one of the largest teaching labs in Europe, along with specialized art and design studios, among other facilities. The university is ranked 127th in the University League Table 2025 according to the Complete University Guide.

London Metropolitan University International Student's Tuition Fee

York St John University

York St John University (YSJ) is frequently mentioned as a more affordable choice, particularly for international students, with tuition fees typically ranging from GBP 9,000 to GBP 14,000 per year. 93% of graduates find employment or continue their studies within six months of graduation. Recently, a GBP 2.5 million Arts Centre was established, featuring sound performance and exhibition spaces, along with a new media workshop. YSJ also provides various scholarships and discounts, such as the GBP 1,000 Undergraduate Scholarship and a 5% Early Payment Discount, to help lower the overall cost of education.

York St John University Tuition Fees for International Students

Wrexham University

Wrexham University, formerly known as Wrexham Glyndŵr University, is a public institution located in North East Wales, having campuses in Wrexham, Northop, and St Asaph. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as professional courses, and maintains strong connections with local employers. The university's facilities include a large sports center, a radio studio, a sound recording studio, engineering laboratories, an art gallery, IT resources, theatre studios, and much more.

Wrexham University Tuition Fees for International Students

Considerations for Cheap Universities in UK for Masters

Any university other than G5 universities in UK is generally considered affordable. However, what makes low-cost universities in UK for international students so affordable is the lesser duration of courses.

The duration of most master's degrees is only a year, significantly reducing living costs in the country. It is possible to complete a masters degree in UK with an average cost of GBP 13,000-15,000 per year. But living costs are usually higher in cities like London, Cambridge, Canterbury, etc which is the reason studying at UK universities is generally considered expensive. Students can also apply for various scholarships in the UK to make their studies and living affordable in UK.

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