Chance to stay and work in the UK after graduation. Home to renowned landmarks like the British Parliament, Roman Baths, and Stonehenge. Top-ranked universities. The prestige of a UK degree. It’s not surprising why 605,130 international students chose the UK for the 2020-21 academic term, according to the Higher Education Student Statistics.

Studying in the UK is expensive, though. It can be a struggle to find cheap universities in the UK. Figures from the Reddin Survey of University Tuition Fees 2021/22 showed that the annual tuition fees for international students in the UK range from 10,000 pounds to 32,081 pounds. This does not include the money students would likely have to spend on housing, food and travel.

Fortunately, there are cheap universities in the UK for those looking for a more affordable option. While they might not be well-known like King’s College London or the University of Manchester, students are guaranteed to enjoy a quality international education without breaking the bank.

Cheap universities in the UK for international students

University of Bolton

The University of Bolton prides itself in having a diverse student body — with over 120 nationalities represented on campus. On top of that, the university has some of the lowest staff-to-student teaching ratios in the country.

You can explore unique career options through their various programmes. They cater to those interested in Automotive Performance Engineering, Fashion Photography, Visual Effects, Sport Rehabilitation, and many more.

For the 2022-23 academic term, the tuition fee for their undergraduate programme starts at 12,950 pounds.

Queen Margaret University

Eager to pursue a career in business, nursing, or performing arts on a campus near the centre of Scotland’s capital? Queen Margaret University (QMU) might just be the place for you. Less than six minutes from Edinburgh city centre, QMU is within walking distance of Musselburgh town centre with easy access to East Lothian’s beautiful coast and countryside.

As for their programmes, QMU has various undergraduate courses in the industries mentioned above and many others, like health sciences, education, and social sciences. Faculty members are also actively involved in research activities.

Tuition fees at QMU cost around 7,000 pounds to 15,500 pounds for bachelor’s programmes. Those pursuing the BSc (Hons) Nursing or one of the courses marked “#” from Sept. 2018 will have to pay extra for pre-placement costs, including name badges, uniforms and health clearance checks.

Southampton Solent University

Dating as far as 1856, Southampton Solent University kept itself relevant by offering experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students to gain valuable real-world experience. Take, for example, Solent Creatives. The student-powered creative agency supports students eager to kickstart their careers in marketing, media production, and many more.

The university is located in Southampton, allowing international students to explore some of the city’s best entertainment and nightlife. Those who fancy a change in scenery can take a day trip to London, Bournemouth, or Portsmouth.

Like most UK universities, the fee structure will vary according to courses. If you are interested in pursuing a BA (Hons) Animation, you can expect to pay 14,250 pounds for the 2022-23 academic year.

Leeds Becket University 

Leeds Becket University offers the best of both worlds. Its City Campus is nestled in the heart of Leeds. Meanwhile, the Headingley campus is set on 100 acres of parkland — offering easy access to Leeds city centre and is adjacent to the vibrant student towns like Headingley and Hyde Park.

The university’s teaching team bring a wealth of experience to ensure students are ready for the workplace. Picture Matty Bovan – described as one of “London’s pre-eminent young designers” – as a teacher in class. Work placement opportunities also help international students to become more employable.

Generally, you can expect to pay around 14,000 pounds for an education at Leeds Becket University.