The United Kingdom (UK) is one of the top international study destinations in the world. UK universities attract over 450,000 international students yearly, thanks to top research techniques, modern teaching methods, state of the art facilities, and an unequalled offer of study programmes at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD level.
However, the UK is not one of the most affordable international study destinations. If you want to have the perfect study experience abroad, you need to plan your budget carefully.
Don’t limit your search to study options in London because you will find many affordable degree programmes in other parts of the country as well. You will notice significant differences between tuition costs in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Tuition for home students vs tuition for international students
Before looking at average tuition costs, let’s clarify a few aspects, like the difference between home and international students:
Tuition for home students usually applies to students from the UK, the European Union (EU), and the European Economic Area (EEA). At public universities, these tuition fees are much lower when compared to those demanded by private institutions. This group of students can also apply for student loans that partially or fully cover the cost of their degree.
Tuition for international students applies to all foreign students who are not from the UK, EU, or EEA. For them, tuition costs are higher, sometimes two or three times higher. This group of students cannot apply for student loans and must find other ways to pay for their education (e.g. scholarships, grants, bank loans, family support).
But there’s a catch: due to Brexit, 2020 was the last year when EU/EEA students could pay the same tuition fees as UK citizens. From 1 August 2021 onwards, they will be in the same category as current international students, which means higher tuition fees and no student loans. Learn more about tuition fees in the UK after Brexit.
Another thing to keep in mind is that private universities have higher costs and often list the same tuition for all students: local, EU/EEA, and non-EU/EEA.
Universities we recommend in the UK
- Swansea University
- University of Birmingham
- University of Glasgow
- Imperial College London
- SOAS University of London
Check out the best universities in the United Kingdom according to global rankings.
Tuition fees in England
Average tuition fees for Master’s degrees in England range from 5,000 to over 30,000 GBP per year, but costs can get considerably higher depending on the institution and the type of study programme you plan to attend.
Fees for disciplines such as Business, Engineering or Computer Science can be considerably higher compared to fees for disciplines like Education, Journalism or Humanities.
Usually, yearly tuition fees don’t differ very much between undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in England.
Tuition fees in Scotland
Scottish universities have a wide range of tuition fees. You can find some programmes that start at 500–1,000 GBP/year and others that reach 17,000 GBP/year or more. Private universities can be even more expensive.
As mentioned in the beginning of this article, EU/EEA students no longer have any advantages or benefits because of Brexit. This means the fees we've just mentioned apply to them as well. To lower the costs of your studies, consider applying for a scholarship.
Tuition fees in Wales
Welsh universities can charge tuition fees ranging between 1,000 and over 17,000 GBP/year for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Check the latest funding opportunities from the Welsh government to further support your studies.
Tuition fees in Northern Ireland
The situation in Northern Ireland is similar to that in Scotland and Wales. Tuition fees start at around 1,000–2,000 GBP/year and can go over 17,000–18,000 GBP/year. Private universities are usually even more expensive. Learn more about student financial support in Northern Ireland.
Find Masters in Northern Ireland
Tuition fees at top-ranked universities
Here is a list of tuition fees at some of the top-ranked UK universities:
- University of Oxford: between 1,985–94,800 GBP/year
- University of Cambridge: between 5,500–59,000 GBP/year
- Imperial College London: between 7,120–54,500 GBP/year
- University College London: between 7,770–36,900 GBP/year
- London School of Economics and Political Science: between 5,830–61,180 GBP/year
Keep in mind that the tuition costs listed above are based on the study programmes on our portals. You might be able to find both cheaper and more expensive courses on the official websites of these universities.
After carefully reviewing all the essential factors, including the tuition fees, to determine which UK university to pick, the next plausible decision will be to arrange your accommodation on time. And for that purpose, you can rely on Amberstudent.com to find you the best and most affordable place to stay in the UK. So, whether you are searching for student housing in Glasgow or student accommodation in Swansea, their executives will help you with 24/7 assistance globally.
Find Master’s degrees in the UK
Funding and financial support at UK universities
You can find many forms of student financial aid in the UK. These include:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Student loans
- Rent subsidies
You can also check out the Studyportals Scholarship to get some help on financing your studies abroad.
Search through over 800 scholarships in the United Kingdom.