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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 master’s course, read on to discover our top ten unis with the lowest fees in 2024.

Why do international students pay more than UK students?

International student fees pay for the services that universities need to host international students. This can include the uni’s sponsor status, any visa teams, and international office staff.

Unis must also provide support for disabled international students, including mental health support. This isn’t funded by the UK government.

However international student fees also contribute to 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.

You’d be wrong to think that international fees have risen more as a result, though. In fact, UK postgraduate fees have had a higher percentage increase. Instead, most UK universities have taken on many more international postgraduate students.

Why do course fees vary so much?

One reason is the difference in how much it costs institutions to run the course.

Clinical courses like Medicine, Dentistry and Vet Science generally 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. Also, fewer institutions run these courses. The demand for places means unis can set higher tuition fees, knowing that students will be willing to pay them.

‘Lab’ courses such as 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 like 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.

Postgraduate students want the benefit of the latest research – and your tuition fees may subsidise research at your university. Again, research costs will vary by subject. Research in a social sciences subject will cost much less than in a science.

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

Top tips to find affordable international student tuition

The following also determine how much international students might pay:

• Rankings – prestigious institutions and those with high university rankings get more applications. The resulting competition for places can drive prices up. To find cheaper tuition fees, check unis lower down our league table, who may be keen to attract international students.
• 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 to international students. These often come as a tuition fee discount, reducing the price you actually pay.
• Online courses – online tuition is nearly always cheaper than full-time in-person tuition.

Below you’ll find our top ten most affordable universities for postgraduate study in 2024. These are for international students studying a full-time, one-year taught master’s degree 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 Bedfordshire

Lowest fee: £14,600

A diverse community of international students awaits you at the University of Bedfordshire. The university welcomes over 2,000 students from more than 100 countries each year. Several MAs offer the lowest fee of £14,600, including the Applied Linguistics (TESOL) MA, Criminology MA and Art and Design MA. Not all MA degrees have that price tag though, with some charging higher fees.

Search through postgraduate courses at the University of Bedfordshire.

9. Plymouth Marjon University

Lowest fee: £14,500

Plymouth Marjon is a small and welcoming institution, where you’ll feel at home and build connections. Master’s specialisms here include Education and Sports-related courses. International tuition fees are the same for all full-time taught master’s degrees. A small university, it provides good access to supervisors, and the campus has everything students need.

Search through postgraduate courses at Plymouth Marjon University.

8. Leeds Beckett University

Lowest fee: £14,000

We only found one course with this fee at Leeds Beckett – the MA in Creative Learning: Innovation and Inclusion for Social Change. International tuition fees for most other master’s degrees cost £17,000. This uni also offers degrees that international students can study abroad. Countries include Botswana, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore or Vietnam.

Search through postgraduate courses at Leeds Beckett University.

7. University of Cumbria

Lowest fee: £13,575

International tuition fees are the same for all MA/MScs at the University of Cumbria. Cumbria also offers a Global Scholarship of £1,000 which will reduce your fees by another £1,000. Pre-registration healthcare courses cost more and 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 through postgraduate courses at the University of Cumbria.

6. Liverpool Hope University

Lowest fee: £13,000

Liverpool Hope University offers a range of enticing postgraduate degrees with affordable international tuition fees. What’s more, if you recently completed an undergraduate degree at Liverpool Hope University, you get an even better offer. If you graduated in the past three years, you’ll be charged Home tuition fees for postgraduate study. This means for most courses you’ll only pay £7,500–£9,000.

Search through postgraduate courses at Liverpool Hope University.

5. Middlesex University

Lowest fee: £12,600

Middlesex University aims to equip you with the skills you need to fast-track your career after studying. The Education MA was the cheapest master’s we found at this university, with international tuition fees of £12,600 for the one-year course. There’s also a specialist pathway for drama teachers that links with a local theatre company. Other master’s degrees here are upwards of £16,800.

Search through postgraduate degrees at Middlesex University.

4. Wrexham University

Lowest fee: £12,500

Fees at Wrexham haven’t increased 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 an extra £1,000. Wrexham also offers one of the most affordable MBAs for overseas students, at £13,000.

Search through postgraduate courses at Wrexham University.

=2. Leeds Trinity University

Lowest fee: £12,000

Courses at this price include the MA in Childhood and Education, and the MA in Creative Writing. 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.

Search through postgraduate courses at Leeds Trinity University.

=2. University of Hull

Lowest fee: £12,000

As a former UK city of culture, Hull has plenty to offer for those who come to the city to live and study. You'll also join a community of international students from more than 100 countries. The uni's research focuses on global issues such as climate change, health inequalities and social justice. Many taught MAs at this university are available for the low-price tuition fee of £12,000, but you'll pay more for MScs.

Search through postgraduate degrees at the University of Hull.

1. York St John University

Lowest fee: £11,300

Tuition fees at York St John University can be as low as £11,300 for many MAs and some MScs. Affordable master's degrees include the Global Healthcare Management MSc and International Fashion Marketing MSc. York St John also has the cheapest MBA in the UK for international students, at £11,300 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.

Search through postgraduate courses at York St John University