Tuition fees at British universities can get very expensive, and somewhat prohibitive for certain students. The good news is there are tons of great universities all across the UK, and many offer affordable tuition to students.
They might take a little more research, however, especially if you wanted to stay in a specific region like the south. This is why we decided to facilitate your search and run down some of the most affordable schools in the region. Here are six universities in the south that have a low cost of living.
Plymouth University
The University of Plymouth is a public university located in Devonshire and is among the 40 largest universities in the UK. The university was ranked one of the top five modern universities in the country by the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings in 2019. Roughly 90% of graduates are working or enrolled in a graduate program.
If you want to learn more about the University of Plymouth, you can read the reviews here at Uni Compare. You’ll find additional information on Plymouth University like average tariff points needed, the size of the student body, and some reviews from students who went there. You’ll also get a clear estimate of how much you can expect to spend on accommodations and living expenses while attending.
Plymouth Marjon
Staying in the same region, Plymouth Marjon could also be a good option for students with a limited budget who wanted to stay or live in the south. It has an annual tuition of just under £9,000, which makes it one of the most affordable universities not only in the south, but the whole country.
One point in favor of Plymouth Marjon is the wide number of fast-track undergraduate programs that will allow you to complete your degree in two years instead of three or four. The school specialises in business and the arts, but it offers a number of other degrees, too.
Buckinghamshire New University
Buckinghamshire New University tied for third place among the cheapest schools in the UK for its international campus. Its annual tuition fees are a little under £10,000. This school is actually split between three campuses in Aylesbury, Uxbridge and High Wycombe. One of the benefits of this school is that it allows you to be close to London, which makes it a great option for London residents who want a slower pace of life and lower expenses.
University of Suffolk
The University of Suffolk is one of the three cheapest universities for international students. You’ll be located within driving distance of London, but the cost of living is far lower. This university is relatively new and was founded in 2007, yet, it has managed to grow to cover five different sites and roughly five thousand students. Their main campus is located in Ipswich.
Coventry University
Coventry University has fees so low that it may count as the cheapest university in the UK for international students, depending on the major you select. Their fees range from £9,000 to £13,000 pounds, depending on the course you choose.
However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be getting a world-class education. As a matter of fact, the school managed to rank 570 to 580 on the QS World University Rankings. Furthermore, it was given a gold rating by the Teaching Excellence Framework. All of this arguably makes Coventry the best overall value for students. While specialised schools, like the Royal Agricultural University, for instance, may be cheaper, they only attract students interested in a specific field.
Another great thing about studying at Coventry is employability. Roughly 97 out of every 100 students are working or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Coventry’s most popular programs are nursing and health, and it was the first university in the country to offer an undergraduate program in disaster management.
Royal Agricultural University
The Royal Agricultural University is considered as one of the most affordable universities in the south of England. Like we mentioned earlier, it’s a specialised school catering specifically to students who want to study agriculture. However, that doesn’t mean that their curriculum isn’t diverse.
They offer over 30 graduate and postgraduate degrees and have modules dedicated to equine studies, business, real estate, and land management. In addition to being affordable, the university is also considered as one of the safest in the region and is known for offering world-class accommodations.
Conclusion
Choosing the right university requires careful financial planning. You want to balance cost of living, tuition fees, and the quality of the educational program when deciding where you will graduate. These are some of the best options out there for the budget-conscious, and they all have the advantage of offering a great student experience as well.