Although the UK remains a top destination for international students, tuition and living costs can be high. The universities below offer relatively low tuition and affordable living expenses. Most are outside London and the southeast, where costs are lower. The north of England has the UK’s lowest student rents. Each entry lists typical international fees, notable programs, cost-of-living information, global rankings, language requirements (MOI certificate, Duolingo, and OIETC acceptance), and scholarship highlights. Despite their low costs, these UK universities provide quality education at a fraction of the cost of elite schools. When considering any university, first confirm all information on their official website, as tuition fees vary by location and course.
The following are ten relatively low-cost universities. The following are ten relatively low-cost universities. These figures may change, so be sure to verify them on the universities’ websites.
Tuition (Intl.): ~£12,000 per year for most undergraduate programs (non-Nursing); up to £14,500 for Nursing programs (leedstrinity.ac.uk). Most postgraduate programs cost approximately £12,000–£19,000 (e.g., the MSc in Business Analytics costs £8,000). [International Tuition Fees of Leeds Trinity University]
Notable: Strengths: Education, Business, Media, and Sports Sciences. The small campus in the large city of Leeds means moderate living costs, which are cheaper than in London but slightly higher than in rural areas. Leeds is in northern England, one of the UK’s cheapest regions.
Ranking: Typically unranked in global top lists, with decent subject strengths in the Guardian and Complete University Guide.
English requirements: Standard UKVI IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL (e.g., IELTS 6.0) only. No OIETC is listed.
The Duolingo English Test requires an overall score of 105, with no less than 100 in each component, and there is no automatic MOI waiver. [International English Language Requirements of Leeds Trinity University]
Scholarships: Leeds Trinity offers merit-based scholarships (e.g., “Partner University Scholarships” for certain countries) and helps students apply for external awards, such as Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships.
Cost context: Living costs in Leeds (rent, utilities, food) are substantially lower than in London. For example, the average monthly rent for students in Northern England is ~£530.
Liverpool Hope University (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Tuition (Intl.): £14,500 per year for undergraduates (2025–26). Postgraduate fees are similar, with most MA/MSc programs costing around £13–15k. [Official Source]
Notable: Well-known for education, psychology, sports science, and humanities. Compared to the South, the city of Liverpool has modest living costs because it is in a cheaper region.
Ranking: It is a modern university (pre-1992) outside the main rankings, but it has good NSS/student satisfaction scores.
English requirements: IELTS 6.0 (with no part below 5.5) for admission, according to hope.ac.uk. There is no mention of a Duolingo or OIETC option, and MOI is not listed. [Official Source]
Scholarships: Liverpool Hope offers International Merit Scholarships and fee waivers for top applicants. The university also helps students find UK government or charity-funded awards.
Cost Context: Liverpool Hope’s fees are very competitive compared to other UK universities. For example, U.S. public universities often charge international students $20–30k (£16–24k) per year.
Queen Margaret University (Musselburgh, near Edinburgh, Scotland)
Tuition (Intl.): £9,250 per year for most bachelor’s degrees (for the 2025–26 academic year). Health and nursing programs cost more, up to £17,325 per year. Postgraduate taught degrees generally range from £16,740 to £19,280, though some specialist health master’s programs cost up to £22,970. [University Website]
Notable: The university emphasizes health sciences (nursing, midwifery, and nutrition), social work, arts, and drama. Musselburgh is a campus town just outside Edinburgh. Housing is cheaper than in the city center, but the cost of living in Edinburgh is moderately high.
Ranking: It is a well-known region in Scotland, and its graduates have high employability. Fees for the rest of the UK (RUK) and overseas students are the same (hence £9,250 for undergraduates, the same as the English cap).
English requirements: Accepts most standard tests (IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL, PTE, etc.) and accepts a university degree taught in English as evidence of proficiency (e.g., a Medium of Instruction letter). Duolingo is not accepted. OIETC is not mentioned. [Uni’s Website]
Scholarships: QMU offers International Excellence Scholarships (tuition discounts for strong applicants) and British Council GREAT Scholarships for certain subjects.
Cost Context: Scotland has no fee cap for Scottish or EU students (RUK and international students pay about half the typical English fee), and living costs in smaller towns around Edinburgh are lower than in larger cities, such as London or Oxford.
University of Bolton (Bolton, Greater Manchester)
Tuition (Intl.): ~£15,950 per year for undergraduate and most postgraduate courses. (Some courses, such as engineering, may be slightly higher.) [Check the university website]
Notable: Offers programs in business, engineering, hospitality, biomedical sciences, and media. Bolton is a town in the north of the UK, ranked among the UK’s cheapest student cities. NatWest named Bolton the second cheapest city. The average student living cost (including housing) is about £10,500 per year.
Ranking: #32 in the Guardian’s 2025 ranking; focused on teaching and applied research.
English requirements: Duolingo is accepted (IELTS 6.0 ≈ , Duolingo 100). The MOI certificate is generally not explicitly offered; standard tests or their own “GELT” are used instead (see below). OIETC is not mentioned. [Check the university website]
Scholarships: The International Office awards merit scholarships (e.g., Academic Excellence Scholarships of up to £3,000) to high-achieving new students. Chevening scholars and others often choose Bolton for its affordability.
Cost context: Bolton’s monthly living costs (all-inclusive, £1,000–1,200) are well below the UK average. For perspective, students in London often spend ~£1,500+ per month. Bolton’s affordability makes it popular with cost-conscious international students.
University of Chester (Chester, Cheshire)
Tuition (Intl.): About £14,500 per year for most undergraduates (2025–26). Postgraduate fees typically range from £14,750 to £18,000, depending on the program. [Details]
Notable: Strengths include education, psychology, media, business, and health. Chester is a historic but small city in northwestern England. It is cheaper than the southeast (average rent under £600 per month), but more expensive than rural towns.
Ranking: Mid-table in UK league tables (e.g., The Guardian ranks it around #75). It is known for student satisfaction.
English requirements: It accepts standard tests (IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL, etc.) as well as the Duolingo English Test, which is accepted as equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0–6.5. MOI is not mentioned, so it is likely not accepted. OIETC is not mentioned. [Details]
Scholarships: Chester offers an International Excellence Scholarship, which provides a fee discount of up to 50% based on grades, as well as alumni bursaries. It also hosts government scholarship students (e.g., Chevening).
Cost context: Chester’s living costs are reasonable (rent in the North West is ~£530 per month). Many London-based UK universities charge over £20k in fees, so Chester is a more budget-friendly option.
University of Derby (Derby, East Midlands)
Tuition (Intl.): £16,900 per year for undergraduate and most master’s programs (MBA: ~£17,800). [Check tuition fees for specific courses.]
Notable: The university is known for its veterinary, engineering, art and design, business, and health courses. Derby is officially one of the most affordable student cities in the UK (NatWest lists Derby as one of the five cheapest).
Ranking: The Guardian’s 2025 ranking is ~#78. Derby emphasizes career-focused learning with strong industry links.
English requirements: It accepts IELTS and PTE scores, as well as a Medium of Instruction certificate if your recent degree was taught in English. This policy was noted for Middle Eastern applicants, but it is general. Duolingo and OIETC are not listed as options.[Check region-specific requirements.]
Scholarships: Derby offers an International Excellence Scholarship (up to 50% tuition) for top international applicants, as well as government schemes. Chevening scholars can also apply to Derby.
Cost context: Due to its North Midlands location, Derby has lower living costs (rent is £530 per month). Compared to the average UK tuition of £20k per year, Derby’s fees are moderate.
University of Hull (Hull, East Yorkshire)
Tuition (Intl.): ~£15,400 per year for undergraduate arts and social science students, and ~£18,300 for STEM undergraduate students. Some postgraduate courses are lower, but typically cost between £15,000 and £18,000. [Details]
Notable: It offers strong programs in healthcare, criminology, economics, and business. The university’s website proudly notes that Hull is one of the most affordable student cities in the UK.
Ranking: Hull is ranked in the Times Higher Education top 400 globally and in the UK league tables at ~150–200. The university is research-active in health and social policy.
English requirements: Hull accepts IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL (usually IELTS 6.5). Their website does not mention Duolingo or OETC acceptance, so we assume they only accept approved SELTs. No specific MOI waiver is publicized.[Details]
Scholarships: Hull offers international bursaries of up to £3,000 for meritorious students, as well as subject-specific scholarships (e.g., business). It’s a Chevening host institution.
Cost context: Hull’s living costs are among the lowest in the UK (student rent is approximately £490–£530 per month). For comparison, a university in London might charge £30k+ in tuition fees plus much higher rent.
Wrexham Glyndŵr University (Wrexham, North Wales)
Tuition (Intl.): Around £11,750 per year for undergraduates and approximately £12,500 for taught postgraduates. (Wales caps undergraduate fees at £9,535 for UK students; international fees are higher but still lower than in England.)
Notable: Offers engineering, computer science, business, and art and design courses. Wrexham is a small city in North Wales, and living costs are lower than in England’s big cities.
Ranking: It is a modern (pre-1992) university that focuses on applied courses. It is not highly ranked, but it is recognized for its teaching quality.
English Requirements: Wrexham has its own Glyndŵr English Language Test (GELT)—scores of at least 6.0 (out of 9, similar to an IELTS score of 6.0) are required for undergraduate and graduate programs. In practice, IELTS 6.0 or the equivalent (TOEFL ~78) is standard. Duolingo and OIETC are not accepted; instead, they use the in-house GELT/IELTS system. An MOI is not mentioned.
Scholarships: Various merit scholarships are available (e.g., a GBP 1,000 reduction for high grades). The university’s scholarships page lists International Excellence Awards.
Cost context: Living costs in North Wales (Wrexham area) are low, with an average student rent of ~£500–£550. For context, many UK universities outside of Wales charge £20k+; Wrexham’s low tuition makes it a very budget-friendly option.
University of Cumbria (Cumbria, Northwest England)
Tuition (Intl.): £14,900 per year for most undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees. Social work and pre-registration health degrees (e.g., nursing and radiography) cost £16,900 per year. Master’s programs (MA/MSc) are £14,900, though some health master’s programs cost £16,900. [more]
Notable: It is a multi-campus institution (Carlisle, Lancaster, etc.) with strengths in medicine (Pears School of Medicine), education, business, and sports coaching. The region has low living costs, with rent averaging around £500 per month.
Ranking: It is a newer university (founded in 2007) that focuses on practical degrees. The teaching quality score is above average.
English requirements: Cumbria accepts IELTS and PTE (typically IELTS 6.0–6.5). The university also uses an internal password-based English test (an Oxford-based SELT), but does not list Duolingo or OIETC on its website. (MOI policy not specified publicly.) [more]
Scholarships: The University of Cumbria offers international scholarships for top students (e.g., a 25% or 50% fee waiver) and advertises Chevening eligibility. Their Fees & Finance page emphasizes affordability for international students.
Cost Context: The university’s campuses in Cumbria (e.g., Carlisle and coastal Penrith) are located in some of the most affordable towns in England. Average living costs in the UK are lower than in southern cities, making Cumbria a competitive budget option.
Don’t just compare tuition; consider rent, food, and transportation costs as well. Universities in northern England, Wales, and Scotland typically have much lower living costs than those in London or the south. Use UK student living cost indexes or city rent guides to estimate your monthly expenses. Look for institutions that offer international scholarships or bursaries. Many UK universities offer merit-based or country-specific awards. Also, explore UK government scholarships, such as Chevening and Commonwealth, which can be used at many UK universities. Some regional universities may offer generous fee discounts to high-achieving international students. Check to see if you can substitute test scores. Several UK universities accept a certificate of prior study in English (“Medium of Instruction”) instead of an exam. A few universities, like the University of Chester, accept the Duolingo exam, while others use their own tests. If you performed well in an English-taught degree program, you may be exempt from taking the IELTS exam. While the universities above are not top-ranked globally, they offer good value for money. Compare program quality and resources (faculty, labs, and internships) against cost. Often, a slightly less famous UK university can offer similar career opportunities at a much lower cost than an elite institution. Consider visa and work rules, as well as living expenses. All UK students can work up to 20 hours per week during the school year, which can help offset living costs. When evaluating value, factor in part-time job availability and post-study work options. The UK allows two years of stay after a master’s degree with a graduate route visa. Even with these fees, UK degrees can be cheaper than their equivalents abroad. For example, many U.S. and Australian universities charge international students upwards of $25,000 per year (approximately £20,000). Top UK universities charge ~£20k–£30k for a master’s degree, so an affordable UK university at £15k per year is still a good deal. Prioritizing tuition and the local cost of living can dramatically cut your study budget.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the decision of which country, university, or subject to choose, or by the visa application process? STS Global Education can guide you every step of the way.
