Most Affordable Cities in the UK for International Students

Are you looking for the most affordable cities in the UK? Though living costs always depend on your living standards, there are many cheapest places to live in the UK for international students. Many students come to the UK to study, not just because the education is good, but also because it’s not too expensive. Affordability is a big reason why people choose the UK to study abroad. You can find the cheapest place to live in the UK without compromising the education quality.

Living costs can be a big worry for students going abroad. But in the UK, there are lots of affordable options, especially the top-ranked universities located in the most affordable cities in the UK. You can enjoy student life, and amazing living and travel experiences without worrying too much about money.

Why study in the most affordable cities in the UK?

When it comes to taking higher education abroad, we always say that the UK offers the most affordable education for international students. But now you can ask if the UK offers the cheapest tuition cost why do students always look for the most affordable cities in the UK to live in? Alright. So, here we are giving you the answer.

Studying abroad doesn’t require only university tuition fees, it also requires the cost of living, food, transportation, shopping, and so on. So, international students always find the cheapest and safest place to live in the UK. Where they can live safely without worrying about the higher cost. As an international student, finding the most affordable places to live in the UK can be difficult. Let’s explore some of the best student cities in the UK.

Check Your Eligibility!

List of cheapest places to live in UK for international students

Now you may be wondering about the cheapest places to live in the UK for international students. Here is a list of the 10 most affordable cities in the UK based on our assumption. 

• Birmingham
• Portsmouth
• Newcastle
• Leicester
• Coventry
• Manchester
• London

Birmingham

Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom. It is also known as one of the most affordable cities in the UK. If you are looking for the same student facilities as London, such as transportation availability, job opportunities, etc. Birmingham is one of the best student UK cities. You’ll find numerous universities here. Such as-

• Birmingham City University
• Aston University
• University College Birmingham
• University of Birmingham etc.

Cost of studying in Birmingham

Considering the overall cost and other facilities Birmingham is the cheapest place to live in the UK. Here we share the approximate living costs in Birmingham.

Average Tuition Fees	£10,000 – £25,000
Accommodation	£800
Food shopping	£200
Transportation	£80
Internet	£50

Coventry

According to a study by Totally Money in 2018, Coventry was found to be the cheapest city to live in the UK. Since then, it has consistently been in the top five cheapest cities to live in the UK. According to the same group, Coventry is also home to some of the most affordable universities in the UK.

• University of Warwick
• Coventry University 
• Coventry College  

Cost of studying in Coventry

While considering the most affordable cities in the UK, Coventry is the cheapest place to live in the UK for international students. Here are the approximate living costs. 

Average Tuition Fees	£15,000 – £20,000
Accommodation	£550
Food shopping	£100-£200
Local transport	£50-£80
Internet and mobile phone	£40

Manchester

Every year, over 80,000 students pick Manchester for their studies. Many of these students come from other countries, so if you decide to study in Manchester, you’ll have lots of other students from around the world with you. Manchester is one of the most affordable cities in the UK, for both local and international students.

• University of Manchester
• Manchester College
• Manchester Metropolitan University 
• Victoria University

Cost of living in Manchester

Let’s explore the approximate living expenses of Manchester, one of the most affordable cities in the UK.

Average Tuition Fees	£15,000 – £25,000
Accommodation	£700
Local transport	£70-£100
Internet and mobile phone	£50-£100
Social activities	£200-£250

Portsmouth

When considering higher education in the UK, international students often consider studying in Portsmouth.  Portsmouth is one of the cheap areas to live in England. Here are some affordable universities in Portsmouth.

• University of Portsmouth
• International College Portsmouth (ICP) etc.

Cost of living in Portsmouth

Portsmouth is one of the most affordable cities in the UK. It can also be considered the cheapest place to live in the UK for international students.

Average Tuition Fees	£10,000 to £15,000 per year
Accommodation	£100 to £200 per week
Living Expenses	£700 to £1,000 per month
Miscellaneous Costs	£250-£500

Newcastle

Newcastle is in the North East of England, not far from Scotland. This part of England is known for being less expensive than the South, and Newcastle is the same. Rent prices here are usually around £300 a month on average. Among the most affordable cities in the UK, Newcastle is one of the best cities to stay in the UK. Here are some of the cheapest universities in Newcastle.

• Northumbria University Newcastle
• University of Sunderland
• Newcastle University
• Durham University
• Keele University

Cost of living in Newcastle

Newcastle is the cheapest place to live in the UK for international students. Here are some approximate living expenses in Newcastle.

Average tuition fees	£10,000-£15,000 per year
Accommodation	£80 – £100 per week
Living Expenses	around £600 to £900 per month
Miscellaneous Costs	£200-£500 per month

Leicester

Leicester is one of the most affordable cities in the UK located in the midlands and many universities are located in and around the city. It’s a multicultural and vibrant city in the UK for international students.

• De Montfort University
• University of Leicester
• North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College

Cost of living in Leicester

Leicester is one of the cheapest places to live in the UK for international students. Let’s explore the approximate living costs of the least expensive cities in the UK.

Tuition Fees	£10,000 -£2500
Accommodation	£100-£200
Living expenses	£600-£900 per month
Miscellaneous Costs	£200-£500

London

Though London is not the most affordable city in the UK, considering the overall student factors it is one of the best and safest student cities in the UK.  The city of London is a hub of many top-ranked universities such as

• Ulster University London
• University of East London
• Northumbria University London
• Coventry University London

Cost of studying in London

London is one of the best cities to stay in the UK. Here are the approximate living costs to study in London as an international student.

Average tuition fees	£10,000 – £30,000 per year
Accommodation	£600 to £1,500 per month
Overall living expenses	£1334 per month
Miscellaneous Costs	£300 to £500 per month

10 cheapest student cities to live in the UK by the QS World University rankings

The QS World University Ranking report updated on 14th September 2021 describes the 10 cheapest places to live in the UK for international students. Such as-

Most affordable cities in the UK	QS World University Rankings
Aberdeen	1st
Manchester	2nd
Newcastle Upon Tyne	3rd
Nottingham	4th
Glasgow	5th
Birmingham	6th
Edinburgh	7th
Coventry	8th
London	10th

Tips to reduce the living costs in the UK

Reducing living costs in the UK can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can employ to help manage expenses:

• Budgeting: Create a detailed budget to track your income and expenses. This will help you identify areas where you can cut back.

• Housing: Consider cheaper accommodation options such as sharing a flat or house with roommates, living in a less expensive area, or negotiating rent with your landlord.

• Transportation: Use public transportation instead of owning a car if possible. Look into discounted travel passes or cycling to save money on commuting costs.

• Food: Plan your meals, buy groceries in bulk, and cook at home instead of eating out. Look for discounts and offers at supermarkets and consider buying generic brands.

• Utilities: Save on energy bills by being mindful of your electricity and heating usage. Switch to energy-efficient appliances and consider switching energy providers to get a better deal.

• Entertainment: Explore free or low-cost entertainment options such as parks, libraries, and community events. Cut down on subscription services and prioritize free leisure activities.

Who can help you to study in the UK?

Are you looking for the most affordable cities in the UK? Do you know the application process for studying in the UK? As an international student, finding affordable universities, the best scholarship opportunities, and the cheapest place to live in the UK can be difficult. So, it is always better to get help from the best overseas education consultants who can give you better guidance. AIMS Education is the best study abroad consultancy firm and our head office is in the UK. So, if you are facing trouble finding the best cities to live in the UK, you can always contact AIMS Education for better guidance.

Final words

Finding friendly and affordable cities in the UK may seem tough. London is ranked as the best city for students globally this year, but it’s super pricey to live there. However, there are other cheaper places to live in the UK for international students. They still offer great education and lifestyle, plus lots of fun things to explore.

FAQ