Top ten most affordable universities for international postgraduates

Postgraduate education in the UK is already expensive for UK students, and it's even more so for internationals. It doesn't have to be though. If you're an overseas student looking for an affordable masters course, read on to discover our top ten unis with the lowest fees in 2025.

Why do masters degrees cost more for international students?

Fees for international students help to pay for the services universities need to host overseas students, such as:

• Paying for the uni’s sponsor status, visa teams, and international office staff.
• Funding support for disabled international students, including mental health support (unis get no money for this from the UK government).

International student fees also support teaching and research across the university. In recent years, costs have risen. At the same time, income from UK sources has reduced, with:

• UK undergraduate tuition fees capped and not increasing.
• UK government cuts to funding for undergraduate tuition.
• UK research funding squeezed.

This means many universities have used international student tuition fees to help fund the gap.

But you’d be wrong to think that international masters fees have risen more as a result. (In fact, masters fees have become more expensive for UK students over the past ten years.) Instead, most UK universities have taken on many more international postgraduate students.

And compared with postgraduate degrees elsewhere in the world, it could still be cheaper to study a masters in the UK. Most UK masters take only a year to complete, meaning you’ll have only one year of tuition fees and living costs to pay, making your studies more affordable.

Why are some masters degrees cheaper than others?

Some universities will apply the same fees to nearly all subjects. Others may offer low prices for just a handful of courses. If you’re aiming for an affordable masters, look for programmes with lower running costs; they often come with the most budget-friendly fees.

• ‘Clinical’ courses like Medicine, Dentistry and Vet Science cost the most for universities to run. There’s precision equipment and simulation facilities to maintain. High contact time with tutors leads to high staffing costs. And fewer institutions run these courses – the demand for places means unis can set high masters fees knowing that enough students will be willing to pay them.
• ‘Lab’ courses, like science and engineering, also have higher course costs. These include paying for resources, technicians, and equipment.
• ‘Classroom’ courses are the cheapest to run, often requiring only lectures and lower contact time with staff. ‘Classroom’ subjects include English, humanities subjects such as History, and languages.

But courses 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.

In the end, it’s up to the university how they price their courses. In our research, we came across some institutions where all masters degrees had the same tuition fee. This may be more likely at universities that want to build their reputation with international students.

Top tips to find affordable masters for international students

The following tips can help you find unis offering low-cost masters programmes.

• Rankings – famous institutions and those with high university rankings get more applications. The competition for places can drive prices up. To find cheaper masters, check unis lower down our league table, who may be keen to attract international students. Even universities with a good reputation don’t excel in all the subjects they offer, so it pays to shop around. Check our subject tables to see how other unis compare.
• London factor – you’re unlikely to find the cheapest universities in London, as running costs in the capital are expensive. But some London unis will have lower fees than unis elsewhere.
• Specialists – smaller or specialist institutions may have higher costs per student. They may not be able to offer discounted tuition fees.
• Scholarships – most universities offer scholarships for international students. These often come as a tuition fee discount, reducing the price you actually pay. Our university profiles have a section on student support, where unis can list their international scholarships.
• Online courses – online tuition is nearly always cheaper than full-time, in-person tuition.

Below are our top ten most affordable universities for a masters in 2025. These are for international students studying a full-time, one-year taught master’s degree on campus at one of our league table universities. If you’re not sure whether you’ll be charged international fees, check our guide on student finance eligibility.

10. University of Suffolk

Lowest masters fee: £15,210

The University of Suffolk's cheapest masters fees start at just £15,210. This is what you’ll pay to study for an LLM in Criminal Law or for an MA in Creative and Critical Writing. An MSc costs more. The uni also offers international scholarships worth up to £3,000, which could help make your studies more affordable. In 2025, the University of Suffolk won 2nd place for Postgraduate Study and International Students at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards. This means you’re likely to have a great experience studying here. You'll be part of a thriving global network that focuses on employment and entrepreneurship.

Search for low-cost masters at the University of Suffolk.

9. Robert Gordon University

Cheapest fee: £15,130

International postgraduate tuition fees vary for each course at Robert Gordon. They range from £15,130 for an MSc in Healthcare Leadership to £19,530 for an MSc in Robotics. We only found one masters at the lowest price point. But many of the uni’s postgrad courses also have blended or online options that run part-time, making a masters degree more affordable. The uni’s programmes apply your learning to scenarios you'll find in the workplace, aiming to meet the current and future needs of employers. Over a quarter of enrolled students are international students, and a 'student success programme' provides support throughout your studies.

Search for affordable masters courses at Robert Gordon University.

8. University of Chester

Lowest masters fee: £15,000

At the University of Chester, nearly all taught postgraduate programmes have the same affordable masters fee for international students. From an MSc in Advanced Cybersecurity or one in Animal Behaviour, to an MSc in Sports Medicine or the MSc in Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine – all cost £15,000 to study. Several offer the option of a professional placement year for a cost of £2,750. The uni will automatically consider you for its international scholarship, which could reduce your fees. In 2025, the University of Chester won 1st place for both International Students and Postgraduate Study (Whatuni Student Choice Awards). It was praised in particular for its welcoming campus, good facilities, small class sizes, and high level of support.

Find affordable postgraduate courses at the University of Chester.

7. University of Cumbria

Cheapest masters fee: £14,900

International tuition fees are low for most MAs and MScs at the University of Cumbria. Healthcare subjects such as Nursing or Physiotherapy cost more (£16,900), as do the uni’s MBAs. Cumbria also offers international students a Global Scholarship worth up to £2,500 for on-campus courses, making masters degrees even more affordable. (Pre-registration healthcare courses aren’t eligible for the scholarship.) Study here, and you’ll also be close to one of England’s most beautiful landscapes, the Lake District National Park.

Search for low-cost postgraduate courses at the University of Cumbria.

6. University of Chichester

Lowest fee: £14,877

At Chichester, only one course has the low price of £14,877, and that’s the MA in Advanced CGI & VFX. You can graduate with the MA after studying three modules, or progress onto an MFA by completing a six-month industrial placement – though the MFA fee will cost you another £11,160! Most other masters cost between £15,840 and £18,720. The uni offers a range of international scholarships worth up to £3,000, and an early bird discount that could reduce your fees more.

Search through postgraduate courses at the University of Chichester.

5. University of Hull

Lowest masters fee: £14,000

As a former UK city of culture, Hull has plenty to offer for those who come to the city to live and study. The uni's research focuses on global issues such as climate change, health inequalities, and social justice. Most of the affordable masters are MAs in creative, cultural studies or education subjects – you'll pay more for an MSc.

Search for low-cost postgraduate degrees at the University of Hull.

4. Birmingham Newman University

Cheapest fee: £13,500 (but with a scholarship, £8,000)

The tuition fee for an affordable masters at Birmingham Newman is already a low price. But the uni’s International Excellence Scholarship reduces it by £5,500 – meaning you’ll pay only £8,000 to study a masters here. What’s more, this low price will still be available if you start your studies in 2026/27. Only a small range of courses is on offer, but with useful subjects including conversion courses for computer science or data science, they could help you move into a new career. Birmingham Newman also has expertise in teacher training, and its masters degrees include an MA in Education.

Find low-cost masters degrees at Birmingham Newman University.

3. Wrexham University

Lowest fee: £12,500

Wrexham has been offering cheap masters fees for international students for a long time, with tuition fees the same since 2023. £12,500 is the price you’ll pay for most MA and MSc degrees. If you want to gain hands-on professional experience in your chosen subject, an MSc with Advanced Practice costs more money – you’ll pay an extra £1,000. Wrexham also offers one of the most affordable MBAs for overseas students, at £13,000.

Search for affordable masters degrees at Wrexham University.

2. Leeds Trinity University

Lowest masters fee: £12,000

Like Wrexham, the international tuition fees at Leeds Trinity have not increased this year. Courses at this low price include the MA in Childhood and Education and the MA in Creative Writing. MScs like the MSc in Financial Technology cost more – but these masters are still more affordable than unis higher up our top ten list. Leeds Trinity University has a strong focus on employability. Workshops and employer events give you the chance to build your professional contacts. The university’s small size means staff know international students by name, and you’ll get plenty of support.

Find cheaper masters degrees at Leeds Trinity University.

1. York St John University

Cheapest masters fee: £11,800

In 2025, the most affordable masters fees for international students are at York St John University. The low price of just £11,800 applies to a whole range of MAs and MScs, including the MA in Animation, MSc in Computer Science, and MSc in International Business. York St John also has the cheapest MBA in the UK for international students, which also costs £11,800 for the one-year course. York is a beautiful and historic city in which to study, and the Global Campus programme runs trips so you can explore other areas of the UK.

Find the cheapest masters for international students at York St John University.