Dreaming of studying in the UK? But money worries. Total fees. Living costs. Visa hassles. That’s real. Good news? There are affordable universities in UK that Indian students can actually consider. This isn’t just “cheap talk”. It’s real choices. With low fee universities in UK spread across cities like Portsmouth, Plymouth, Coventry, Huddersfield and more.
In this blog, we give you actual options. The ones that won’t break your bank. We talk budgets under 20-25 Lakhs INR. That’s the goal.
Let’s dive in.
Why Indians Love UK Education (Short Answer)
UK degrees are valued worldwide. Stick that on your CV. Employers notice. You get global exposure. Great infrastructure. Practical learning. Good student support. But here’s the catch — many think UK university fees are sky high. Yes, some are. But not all. There are affordable universities in UK with good programs. And yes, we include them below.
This guide will focus on cheap and best universities in UK — ones with actual value.
Understanding UK College Fees for Indian Students
Before we list universities, let’s rewind.
The cost includes:
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
- Travel
- Insurance/visa costs
Now, because you’re reading this with one goal — budget under 20-25 Lakhs — we’re focusing on low tuition fee universities in UK or those with manageable overall costs. Some even offer placement years. That means you might earn while you study (sort of).
With that in mind, here are some great choices.
Top Low-Cost Universities in UK for Indian Students (Under 20-25 Lakhs)
Below we list the best affordable universities in UK for Indian students. Each includes essentials: programme name, average fee, entry requirements, ranking etc — so you make a smart choice.
1. University of Portsmouth
- Programme: MBA Global with work placement
- Tuition Fee: Approx £18,100
- World Ranking: 465
- Entry Requirements: 50% honours degree
- English Waiver: 12th English 70%
- It’s one of the low fee universities in UK with solid placement support.
- Location: Great coastal city vibes.
Money-wise? Very reasonable. Quality? Good.
2. University of Plymouth
- Programme: Master of Business Administration
- Tuition Fee: Approx £18,950
- World Ranking: 536
- Entry Requirements: 2:2 degree (50%)
- English Waiver: 12th English 70%
- Another solid choice.
- Known for practical focus and industry ties.
This is a cheap and best university in UK if you want ROI.
3. University of Hertfordshire
- Programme: MBA
- Tuition Fee: Approx £18,800
- World Ranking: 677
- Entry Requirements: UG 55% or equivalent
- English Waiver: Medium of Instruction accepted
- Good city (close to London). Not the cheapest, but still in budget.
This is a good example of low tuition fee universities in UK.
4. University of East London
- Programme: MBA with Placement Year
- Tuition Fee: Approx £18,960
- World Ranking: 1357
- Entry Requirements: 2:2 degree
- English Waiver: 12th English 60–70%
- Excellent for those with board exams that meet English waiver.
- Offers placement year for experience.
Some call it one of the more affordable universities in UK.
5. University of Northampton
- Programme: MBA with Placement Year
- Tuition Fee: Approx £18,000
- World Ranking: 1889
- Entry Requirements: First or second class UG
- English Waiver: 12th English 70%
- Very solid budget pick.
A serious contender for lowest fee university in UK list.
Other Affordable UK Universities Worth Considering
These also fall under the broad category of affordable universities in UK or cheap and best universities in UK — depending on your preferences.
6. Aberystwyth University
- Programme: MBA
- Tuition Fee: Approx £20,765
- World Ranking: 844
- Entry Requirements: 2:2 or work experience
- English Waiver: 12th English 70%
- Slightly higher, but still under budget. Strong academics.
7. De Montfort University
- Programme: MBA (Global)
- Tuition Fee: £20,300
- World Ranking: 694
- Entry Requirements: 2:2 degree
- English Waiver: 12th English 65%
- Practical business focus.
8. University of Greenwich
- Programme: MBA
- Tuition Fee: £20,000
- World Ranking: 777
- Entry Requirements: 2:2 + work experience
- English Waiver: 12th English 70% (some boards)
- A decent name, good location.
9. Bangor University
- Programme: MBA Management
- Tuition Fee: £20,500
- World Ranking: 696
- Entry Requirements: Bachelor’s (50%+)
- English Waiver: 12th English 65%
- A balanced pick if you want recognized brand under budget.
10. Middlesex University
- Programme: MBA
- Tuition Fee: £19,200
- World Ranking: 849
- Entry Requirements: UG 55%+
- English Waiver: Not specific waiver mentioned
- London location. Cool vibe.
Cheapest and Best Universities in UK — Quick Comparison
| University | Tuition (£ Approx) | Ranking | Key Perk |
| Portsmouth | 18,100 | 465 | Work placement |
| Plymouth | 18,950 | 536 | Practical learning |
| Hertfordshire | 18,800 | 677 | Close to London |
| East London | 18,960 | 1357 | Placement year |
| Northampton | 18,000 | 1889 | Best for budget |
| Bangor | 20,500 | 696 | Balanced choice |
| De Montfort | 20,300 | 694 | Global MBA |
| Greenwich | 20,000 | 777 | London outskirts |
| Aberystwyth | 20,765 | 844 | Academic focus |
| Middlesex | 19,200 | 849 | London presence |
This table helps you decide. Some have higher world rank. Others give placement year benefits. All are low fee universities in UK.
Why These Are “Affordable Universities in UK”
British universities are known for quality. But for international students, they are expensive. However, many still fall into a reasonable budget category.
So what makes these here:
- Lower uk college fees compared to top tier universities
- Moderate entry requirements
- Some offer placement year (work + study)
- English waivers accepted for many Indian boards
- Strong career support
Remember: studying abroad is not just fees. It’s living cost, travel, insurance, and everyday expenses. But with proper planning, you can keep total cost under 20-25 Lakhs. Yes. It’s possible.
How to Choose Among These Universities
Here’s a quick method:
- Check your budgets
Set tuition + living cost. - Look at entry requirements
Some need work experience. Some accept 12th English waiver. - See placements
Universities with placement year help you gain work experience. - Location matters
London vs provincial towns — living cost changes. - Ranking & reputation
Not everything. But still matters for future job prospects. - Visa support & career services
Some universities offer more support.
If you follow this checklist, you’ll find the best fit.
FAQs
1. What is the cheapest university in UK for Indian students?
The University of Northampton and University of Portsmouth are among the ones with the lowest tuition figures (approx £18,000-£18,100). These are strong options if you want the cheapest university in UK under your budget.
2. Can Indian students study in UK under 25 Lakhs total fee?
Yes. With careful selection among low fee universities in UK, managing living costs, and possibly a placement year, your total can stay under 20-25 Lakhs.
3. Do these universities offer English waiver?
Many of these affordable universities in UK accept 12th English waiver from Indian boards (like 60-70%). Always verify with the uni admissions team before applying.
4. Are these cheap and best universities in UK good for placements?
Some like Portsmouth, East London and Northampton offer placement year options. That means you could get work experience while studying — a big plus.
Conclusion
Studying abroad doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are affordable universities in UK for Indian students. Options where tuition fits into 20-25 Lakhs INR. Universities like University of Portsmouth, University of Northampton or University of Plymouth are strong picks. Others like Bangor, Hertfordshire and De Montfort also offer value.
This blog covered affordable UK universities, low fee universities in UK, and included details you need — like entry requirements and tuition. We also talked about cheap and best universities in UK options and some with placement year benefits.
So choose wisely. Plan your budget. And yes — your UK study dream is achievable without breaking the bank.
