Cheapest universities for a postgraduate degree

CONTENTS

1. Why are some master’s degrees cheaper than others?

2. Why do postgraduate fees keep rising?

3. Top tips to find affordable postgraduate tuition fees

4. Top 10 cheapest universities for a master’s degree in 2026

A postgraduate degree lets you explore your subject in depth, helping you to stand out in a tough job market. Master's degree tuition fees are high, though – often, more than the tuition fee loan you can get as a UK student.

To help, we’ve listed the top ten unis where UK students can find a cheap master’s degree. We’ve focused only on tuition fees for full-time, campus-based master’s degrees to ensure a level playing field. Featuring unis from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, it shows you don’t need to go far to find an affordable university.

If you're not from the UK, then check our top ten most affordable universities for international postgraduates.

Why are some master’s degrees cheaper than others?

When you study an undergraduate degree, the fee you pay is capped by the government. The only difference in what you pay comes down to which nation you are from. The subject you study makes no difference.

• If you are from England and study Medicine, you will pay £9,790 per year.
• If you are from England and study English Literature, you also pay £9,790 per year.

The same does not apply to postgraduate degrees. Each university sets its own tuition fees, balancing its need to cover the master's costs with its need to attract students.

• Clinical courses like Medicine, Dentistry and Vet Science are more expensive to run than other subjects. Students need more contact time with lecturers, increasing staffing costs. Students also expect to learn using the latest simulation facilities.
• Lab-based courses, like engineering and science, must pay for precision equipment and skilled technicians to support students’ learning.
• Classroom-based master's degrees are the least expensive. These are subjects like History or English – humanities, languages and social sciences. Students studying these subjects may only get lectures, meaning fewer staff are needed and keeping costs low.

If you want to find affordable tuition fees, the cheapest master's degrees are often MAs in English or Creative Writing. MScs in science and engineering generally cost more.

But master's degrees aren’t always priced according to their cost. MBA courses often charge higher tuition fees than business degrees run as an MA or MSc, due to their popularity. (If you are looking to study an MBA, see our article on the most affordable MBAs in the UK.)

In the end, it’s up to the university how they price their courses. In our research, we came across some institutions where all the master's degrees we checked had the same tuition fee. This could be in the hope of attracting enough students to cover the cost of expensive subjects. At these institutions, you really can study an MSc in Biological Science for the price of an MA in English Literature.

Why do postgraduate fees keep rising?

In recent years, university costs have risen. Unis must invest in the latest technology and provide support to ensure students get the best outcomes. Postgraduate students also want the benefit of the latest research, and your tuition fees may help to subsidise research at your university.

At the same time, some of the main income sources for universities have not risen in line with costs. This includes:

• UK undergraduate tuition fees not rising with inflation.
• UK government funding cuts for undergraduate tuition.
• UK research funding being squeezed.

Publicly funded unis aren’t allowed to increase their tuition fees for undergraduates. But they can decide whether to offer cheap master's degree to attract more students or charge a premium because they know their reputation will fill course places even so.

And while tuition fees for international students have always cost more, UK postgrad fees have increased at a higher rate. The Complete University Guide ran a survey of UK university tuition fees for 15 years until 2021. In that time, UK postgraduate fees rose by 129% when compared with the average fee in 2006. International student fees grew by an average of 87% over the same period.

Top tips to find affordable postgraduate tuition fees

The following tips can help you find unis offering affordable master's degrees.

• Rankings – top-ranking unis will have the most expensive master's degrees; they know students will be willing to pay what they charge because of their reputation. Look further down our league tables and you’re likely to find institutions offering lower tuition fees. Even universities with a good reputation don’t excel in every subject they offer, so it’s always worth shopping around. Check our subject tables to see how they compare.
• London factor – if you’re looking for affordable master’s degrees, London isn’t where you’ll find them. But some London unis will have cheaper master's degrees than unis elsewhere.
• Specialists – small and specialist institutions have only a small pool of students to help cover their costs. They may not be able to offer discounted tuition fees.
• Online courses – if you don’t have to study your subject in person, see if you can find a course online. Online master's degrees are cheaper in general.
• Scotland/Northern Ireland – universities in Scotland or Northern Ireland may offer cheaper tuition fees for students living in those nations. They may charge higher tuition fees for students from the rest of the UK or Great Britain.
• Scholarships – don’t forget to check whether funding is available. Our university profiles have a section on student support, where unis can list their postgraduate scholarships. Alumni often get a discount, but you may need to progress straight into postgraduate study to benefit.

Top 10 cheapest universities for a master’s degree in 2026

Below is our list of the top ten cheapest master’s degrees in 2026. These are for UK students studying a master’s degree at one of our league table universities. For the sake of comparison, all fees are for a full-time taught master's degree studied on campus. If you’re not sure whether you’ll be charged home/UK fees, check our guide on student finance eligibility.

10. Edinburgh Napier University

Lowest fee: £8,030

Master’s fees at Edinburgh Napier are the same for all UK students – so if you live in Scotland, you’ll pay more to study here than at some other Scottish universities. Master's degree fees also vary by subject. At the lowest rate of £8,030, there is plenty to choose from, including an MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science and an MSc in Renewable Energy. Business-focused courses charge higher prices. This includes the International Festival & Event Management MSc, presumably because of Edinburgh’s festival fame! Courses blend practical skills and theoretical teaching, helping you to upskill or change career into a new role.

Find affordable postgraduate degrees at Edinburgh Napier University.

9. University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Lowest fee: £8,010 (or £5,820 if you’re from Scotland)

The University of the Highlands and Islands was an online education pioneer due to its scattered campus that spans the Scottish Highlands and Islands. In fact, it’s hard to find a master’s degree that is delivered on campus! The Archaeological Practice MSc is based at Orkney’s Archaeology Institute, offering a fascinating chance to get hands-on with Neolithic era excavations. Most other master's programmes offer online study options. And if you’re from Scotland, UHI's master's degree fees are the lowest in the UK, at just £5,820.

Search through postgraduate courses at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

8. Robert Gordon University

Lowest fee: £7,870 (with some at £6,100 for Scottish students)

At Robert Gordon, you’ll need to check course fees carefully as there is no clear pattern between the rate of tuition fees. At £7,870 you could study Business Analytics or Construction Project Management. But if you study Business and Management or an MSc in Project Management, the fee is £10,210. Also, for the examples given, Scottish students pay the same fees as other UK students. But if you opt to study an MSc in Artificial Intelligence or one in Cyber Security, Scottish students pay £6,100 while students from the rest of the UK pay £8,850. There are also plenty of part-time and online options to help make fees even more affordable.

Find affordable postgraduate courses at Robert Gordon University.

7. University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Lowest fee: £7,800

With no increase in fees since last year, Trinity Saint David offers affordable master’s degrees in most subjects – including the uni’s MBA. The university launched the UK’s first Motorsport Engineering degree in 1998. Now, it offers master’s degrees in both Motorsport Engineering and Motorcycle Engineering. This gives students a chance to gain hands-on experience in these exciting areas of engineering design. In 2026, Whatuni students voted the university 1^st in the UK for Career prospects for the support and experience students gain.

Find cheaper master’s degrees at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

6. Teesside University

Lowest fee: £7,710

Teesside University hasn’t increased its fees since last year. As well as low tuition fees, students at Teesside also benefit from a new postgraduate facility, with spaces for individual and collaborative study. £7,710 is what you’ll pay for a ‘standard’ full-time taught MA or MSc – this includes the International Business Management MSc. An ‘enhanced’ master's degree costs more; this includes an affordable MSc in Artificial Intelligence or Cyber Security – at only £8,365, these are still cheap master’s degrees. An MSc with ‘advanced practice’ includes an internship, allowing you to build real-life experience in your newly learned skills; these take two years and the total cost is £10,835.

Find affordable postgraduate courses at Teesside University.

5. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Lowest fee: £7,525

At Queen Margaret, many of the cheapest master’s degrees are in arts and media, although the MSc in Advanced Physiotherapy Practice is also £7,165. Most of QMU's courses focus on practical work experience, and many offer the option of a hands-on project rather than a dissertation. For instance, the MA in Arts, Festival and Cultural Management makes the most of the uni’s proximity to Edinburgh. Students on this course can benefit from internships offered by the likes of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Lyceum Theatre, among others.

Find affordable postgraduate courses at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

4. Glasgow Caledonian University

Lowest fee: £7,500

Affordable master’s at this university include an MSc in Advanced Computer Science at £7,500, available in Glasgow or London. Master’s degrees offer accreditation, which helps postgraduate students start their careers. The tuition focuses on practical problem-solving, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned in real-world situations. . Postgraduates can also access international industry placements, helping to build valuable experience for their CV.

Find affordable master’s degrees at Glasgow Caledonian University.

3. Ulster University

Lowest fee: £7,490

Northern Ireland is also a good place to check for affordable master’s fees. In the case of Ulster University, the same fees apply to students from Great Britain as well as those from Northern Ireland. You’ll find many master’s degrees at this price – including an MSc in Ethical and Responsible Artificial Intelligence, an English Literature MA, and a Computing Science (Conversion) with Data Science MSc. Some of Ulster’s master's degrees cost more, but with fees of £7,880 for many of these, they’re still cheaper than some other unis in our top ten.

Search for affordable postgraduate courses at Ulster University.

2. University of Cumbria

Lowest fee: £7,100

The University of Cumbria may not offer the widest range of subjects, but fees for most full-time master’s degrees are inexpensive. Some courses capitalise on the uni’s idyllic location in the heart of England’s Lake District. These include the MA in Outdoor and Experiential Learning and the MA in Literature, Romanticism and the English Lake District, both offered at the uni’s Ambleside campus. Or in Lancaster, you could opt to expand your horizons and study an MSc in International Management with the same affordable master’s fee.

Find cheaper master's degrees at the University of Cumbria.

1. Leeds Trinity University

Lowest fee: £7,000

At Leeds Trinity, the low master’s degree price of £7,000 is offered for a range of affordable master' degrees. These include the uni’s MA in Creative Writing and courses about education and wellbeing. For example, there’s the MA in Childhood and Education, the MSc in Health and Wellbeing, and the MA in Mental Health in Children and Young People. Gain a postgraduate qualification from here, and you could go on to make a real difference in society.

Find the UK’s cheapest master’s degree for UK students at Leeds Trinity University.