UK is among the most popular study destinations for grad and post-grad students around the world but it comes with difficult costs. Tuition fees for international students range from INR 11 to INR 16 lakhs per year, whilst living expenses alone add up to INR 13 lakhs per year. Nevertheless, there are affordable options and some cheap universities in UK offer high quality, lower tuition rate programs.
This guide explores some cheap universities in the UK and we will introduce you to some fantastic academic options that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Best Affordable Universities In Uk For International Students
These are the most affordable universities in UK:
| University | Fees in GBP | Fees in INR |
| University of Wales Trinity Saint David | £11,000 | INR 12 Lakhs |
| University of Sunderland | £10,500 | INR 11.4 Lakhs |
| Ravensbourne University London | £10,800–13,500 | INR 11.8 – INR 14.7 Lakhs |
| Buckinghamshire New University | £11,000 | INR 12 Lakhs |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | £7,300 – £8,900 | INR 8 – INR 9.7 Lakhs |
| University of the West of Scotland | £10,600 | INR 11.6 Lakhs |
| University of Cumbria | £10,500 | INR 11.4 Lakhs |
| University of Suffolk | £10,080 | INR 11 Lakhs |
| Coventry University | £9,000-12,600 | INR 9.8 – INR 13.7 Lakhs |
| Royal Agricultural University | £10,000 | INR 10.9 Lakhs |
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is a symbol of accessible education in Wales. It was established in 2010 when historic Welsh institutions were brought together. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is a second university, combining centuries-old academic traditions with the latest teaching approaches. It has diverse programmes across multiple campuses in Wales.
| Category | Details |
| Website | https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/ |
| University Type | Public University |
| Ranking | 117 in University League Table |
| International Fees | £11,000 (INR 12 Lakhs) |
| Acceptance Rate | approximately 70% |
| Total Students | 15000+ |
| International students | 6% |
| Location | Multiple campuses |
| Graduate employment rate | 95% |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 18:1 |
| Research Focus | Business Management, Engineering, Art & Design, Education, Computing |
| Scholarships | Merit-based scholarships, International student bursaries, Early bird discounts |
Plymouth Marjon University
Committing to an intimate southwest England learning environment, Plymouth Marjon University is fondly referred to as Marjon. Founded in 1945, its green campus is a peaceful study ground. With its small class sizes, students get individual attention and enhanced learning activities.
| Category | Details |
| Website | https://www.marjon.ac.uk/ |
| University Type | Public University |
| Ranking | QS – 991-1000 |
| International Fees | £11,000/year, INR 12 Lakhs |
| Acceptance Rate | approximately 84% |
| Total Students | Total: 2,500+ |
| International students | 1% |
| Location | Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom |
| Graduate employment rate | 92% |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 16:1 |
| Research Focus | Education, Sport Science, Business, Health & Wellbeing, Journalism |
| Scholarships | International merit scholarships, Sports scholarships, Early application discounts |
University of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland emerges as an evolving university with an educational historical background. It was founded in 1901 and was given a university status in 1992. The university has campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong. Its 4-Star QS rate signifies competency in the area of amenities, employment, and accessibility.
| Category | Details |
| Website | https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/ |
| University Type | Public University |
| Ranking | Times Higher Education: 801-1000 |
| International Fees | £10,500 (INR 11.4 Lakhs) |
| Acceptance Rate | approximately 64% |
| Total Students | Total: 25,000+ |
| International students | 40% |
| Location | North East of England |
| Graduate employment rate | 93% |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 15:1 |
| Research Focus | Business Engineering Computing Health Sciences Media |
| Scholarships | Merit-based scholarships Early bird discounts Country-specific awards |
Ravensbourne University London
Ravensbourne University London is a specialised institution that specialises in digital media, design, and the arts. Based in East Greenwich, it provides state-of-the-art amenities for artists and designers. The university’s teaching quality is recognized with the Silver Teaching Excellence Framework. It has excellent links with its industries to offer many creative students a good career. The institution gets talented personalities from different corners of the world.
| Category | Details |
| Website | https://www.ravensbourne.ac.uk/ |
| University Type | Public |
| Rankings | #201-240 in QS by subject |
| International Fees | £10,800–13,500 (INR 11.8 – INR 14.7 Lakhs) |
| Acceptance Rate | approximately 88% |
| Total Students | Total: 4,000+ |
| International Students | 7% |
| Location | London, England |
| Graduate employment rate | 96% |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 18:1 |
| Research Focus | Digital Media, Fashion Design, Architecture, Animation, Communications |
| Scholarships | Creative excellence awards, International scholarships, Industry sponsorships |
Buckinghamshire New University
Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) offers quality education across three strategic locations: High Wycombe, Uxbridge, and Aylesbury. Known for its practical approach, BNU emphasizes industry-connected learning. The university’s location provides easy access to London while maintaining lower living costs.
| Category | Details |
| Website | https://www.bucks.ac.uk/ |
| University Type | Public University |
| Rankings | 127 in Times University Guide |
| International Fees | £11,000 (INR 12 Lakhs) |
| Acceptance Rate | approximately 96% |
| Total Students | Total: 8,500+ |
| International students | 30% |
| Location | Buckinghamshire, England |
| Graduate employment rate | 96% |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 15:1 |
| Research Focus | Business, Healthcare, Design, Aviation, Computing |
| Scholarships | Academic excellence awards, Early bird discounts, Country-specific bursaries |
University of the West of Scotland
The University of the West of Scotland stands as Scotland’s largest modern educational institution. It welcomes students across five strategic locations – Paisley, Hamilton, Dumfries, Ayr, and London. With 16,000 students, it maintains a vibrant multicultural learning environment. This is one of the best cheap universities in UK for international students, and its affordability makes it particularly attractive to international students.
| Category | Details |
| Website | https://www.uws.ac.uk/ |
| University Type | Public |
| World Ranking (2024) | 1001-1200 (Times Higher Education) |
| International Student Fee | £10,600 (INR 11.6 Lakhs) |
| Acceptance Rate | 27% |
| Total Students | 16,000+ |
| International Students | 6.9% of total enrollment |
| Location | Scotland and London |
| Graduate Employment Rate | 97% |
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:8 |
| Research Focus | Social science, psychology, social work, education |
| Scholarships | WEST Scholarships, WEST Postgraduate Scholarships, WEST Merit Scholarships |
University of Cumbria
The University of Cumbria is one of the best affordable universities in UK for international students emerged from a strategic merger in 2007, marking its modern foundations. It has established itself as a growing institution in northwest England. The university excels in professional programs and practical education approaches. The campus offers state-of-the-art facilities across multiple locations.
| Category | Details |
| Website | https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/ |
| University Type | Public |
| Ranking (2024) | 159 in European University Rankings |
| International Student Fee | £10,500 (INR 11.4 Lakhs) |
| Acceptance Rate | 45% |
| Total Students | 13,000+ |
| International Students | 1% of total enrollment |
| Location | Cumbria |
| Graduate Employment Rate | 97% within 15 months |
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:8 |
| Research Focus | STEM subjects, social sciences, sports sciences, humanities, business and economy |
| Scholarships | Cumbria Global Scholarships, British Council GREAT Scholarships |
University of Suffolk
The University of Suffolk, which was founded in 2007, is an example of a modern innovative British university. Situated in Ipswich, the principal campus provides a modern learning facility. The university continues to employ a niche strategy with a student enrolment of just over 5, 000. Since students are grouped into small classes, the learning is close, and students get individual attention.
| Category | Details |
| Website | https://www.uos.ac.uk/ |
| University Type | Public |
| World Ranking (2024) | 101 in MBA analytics QS |
| International Student Fee | £10,080 (INR 11 Lakhs) |
| Acceptance Rate | 86.8% |
| Total Students | 9,000+ |
| International Students | 22% of total enrollment |
| Location | Suffolk and Norfolk, England |
| Graduate Employment Rate | 92% within 15 months |
| Student-to-Faculty Ratio | 15:1 |
| Research Focus | Health, Business, Technology, Arts |
| Scholarships | Merit-based scholarships |
Coventry University
Coventry University is one of many cheap universities in UK for international students. It is the most modern, fast-growing university in the United Kingdom. The institution has enrolled more than 31,700 learners with modern lightning and programs that are relevant to the market.
| Category | Details |
| Website | https://www.coventry.ac.uk/ |
| University Type | Public |
| World Ranking (2024) | 571 |
| International Student Fee | £9,000-12,600 (INR 9.8 – INR 13.7 Lakhs) |
| Acceptance Rate | 32% |
| Total Students | 30,000+ |
| International Students | 25% of total enrollment |
| Location | Coventry, England |
| Graduate Employment Rate | 95% within 6 months |
| Student-to-Faculty Ratio | 15:1 |
| Research Focus | Engineering, Business, Health Sciences |
| Scholarships | Yes, merit-based and need-based |
Royal Agricultural University
The Royal Agricultural University holds a prestigious position as the world’s oldest English-speaking agricultural institution. Founded in 1845, it maintains its historic campus in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The university specializes in agriculture, farming, business, and environmental sustainability programs.
| Category | Details |
| Website | https://www.rau.ac.uk/ |
| University Type | Public |
| Ranking | 511th in Europe by the QS |
| International Student Fee | £10,000 (INR 10.9 Lakhs) |
| Acceptance Rate | 75% |
| Total Students | 1,200+ |
| International Students | 9% of total enrollment |
| Location | Cirencester, Gloucestershire |
| Graduate Employment Rate | 97.5% within 15 months |
| Student-to-Faculty Ratio | 19:1 |
| Research Focus | Agriculture, Food Production, Land Management |
| Scholarships | GREAT Scholarships, Next Generation Scholarship, Marshal Papworth Scholarships |
Cost to study at a UK university in 2025
Here is the general fees idea to get an idea of cost of studying in UK for you:
| Study Level | Annual Tuition Fee Range | Common Programs |
| Undergraduate | INR 11-22 Lakhs | Business, Arts, Humanities |
| Postgraduate | INR 11-22 Lakhs | Engineering, Sciences |
| Doctoral | INR 16-26 Lakhs | Research-based Programs |
| MBA Programs | INR 22-32 Lakhs | Business Administration |
Scholarships for international students at UK universities in 2025
Even cheap universities in UK actively support international students through various funding opportunities and scholarships. These are the popular UK scholarships for Indian students:
| Scholarship Name | Coverage | Eligibility | Award Value |
| Chevening Scholarships | Full tuition fees, Living expenses, Return flights, Additional allowances | International students, Master’s degree only, Leadership potential required | Full funding (INE 32 lakhs per year) |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | Tuition fees, Living costs, Travel expenses, Research support | Commonwealth country citizens, Master’s or PhD programs, Academic excellence required | Full funding (varies by program) |
| GREAT Scholarships | Partial tuition fees, Program-specific benefits | Selected countries only, Undergraduate/Postgraduate, Merit-based | INR 11-22 Lakhs |
| Rhodes Scholarships | Full tuition, Living stipend, Travel costs | Oxford University only, Outstanding academic achievement, Leadership qualities | Full funding (varies) |
| University-Specific Awards | |||
| LSE Scholarships | Varies by award | Program-specific requirements | INR 5 Lakhs – Full tuition |
| Kent International Awards | Partial tuition | All international students | INR 5-16 Lakhs |
| Newcastle Global Awards | Partial tuition | Regional eligibility varies | INR 3-11 Lakhs |
| Imperial College Awards | Full/Partial funding | Subject-specific criteria |
Want to budget to study in the UK? Our UK education consultants will help you with scholarships and financial aid so you can study stress-free. Get in touch with us now.
Other Low-Cost Options in Europe
While the UK offers excellent education, many European countries provide high-quality programs in English at lower costs. These are some top options:
Germany
- Most public universities offer free education, even for international students
- Only semester fees apply (approximately INR 16000-32,000 per semester)
- Strong focus on engineering and technology programs
- Living costs range from INR 75000-1 Lakh Monthly
Austria
- Public universities charge: INR 32,000 per semester
- Total annual fee: INR 1 Lakh
- Strong in music, arts, and technical studies
- Affordable student housing options available
Belgium
- International student fees: INR 70,000-4 Lakhs annually
- Known for excellent business and political science programs
- Multiple language options (English, French, Dutch)
- The central location enables easy European travel
Italy
- Annual fees range: INR 81,000-3 Lakhs
- Rich cultural experience included
- Strong in design, fashion, and architecture
Poland
- Bachelor’s programs: INR 1 Lakh-4 Lakhs annually
- Master’s programs: INR 2-5 Lakhs annually
- A growing hub for medical education
- Lower living costs compared to Western Europe
Spain
- Bachelor’s degrees: INR 80,000-5 Lakhs per year
- Master’s programs: Starting from INR 2 Lakhs
- Excellence in business and tourism studies
- Vibrant student life and culture
Important Considerations
- Check language requirements carefully
- Verify program accreditation
- Research visa requirements early
- Consider living cost variations between cities
- Look into local student support services
Looking for the best low-cost options in Europe? Get in touch with TransGlobal Overseas to find the most ideal low-cost options in the UK or Europe.
FAQs:
1. Which is the cheapest university in the UK without IELTS in 2025?
However, no university worldwide can be regarded as the ‘cheapest’ university for international students without IELTS. Still, most universities in the United Kingdom offer English language courses to international students without the IELTS requirement. Some universities also accept other English language tests such as TOEFL or academic PTE. Some affordable universities that accept students without IELTS include the University of Sunderland and the University of Bolton.
Read more in detail: Best UK Universities Without IELTS for Indian Students
2. Which are UK cheap universities for Bachelor’s?
There are some universities which offer cheap undergraduate programs and these universities include the University of Sunderland, the University of Bolton and the University of Central Lancashire. These universities provide several programs including business and technical, arts and science programs.
3. Which are Cheap universities in the UK for Data Science?
The University of Essex, the University of Kent, and the University of Glasgow offer affordable Data Science courses. These universities have strong academic programs and good industry connections.
4. Which are the best Cheap Universities in the UK for Psychology?
The University of Manchester, the University of Bristol, and the University of Birmingham are renowned for their Psychology programs. While these are top-tier universities, they offer scholarships and financial aid options to international students.
5. Which are the best cheap law universities in the UK?
The University of Sheffield, the University of Leeds, and the University of Birmingham offer affordable Law programs. These universities have excellent reputations and strong academic programs.
6. Which is the best Cheap universities in Newcastle UK?
Newcastle University is a prestigious university that offers affordable programs. Northumbria University is another good option for students looking for cheaper options in Newcastle.
7. Which are the best UK cheap universities for MBAs in 2025?
The University of Sunderland, the University of Bolton, and the University of Central Lancashire offer affordable MBA programs in UK. These universities have strong business schools and good industry connections.
Read also: MBA in UK Cost for Indian Students and best MBA universities in UK guide.
