London – UK’s bustling capital – is more than just a center for business and culture. It’s also a major hub for education for local and foreign students alike. In fact, more than 125,000 of the 340,000 international students in the UK are currently based in London.
While the city has a high cost of living compared to most UK regions, it does offer affordable education as long as you know where to look. The capital is home to many cheap yet renowned universities, and we will be looking at the cheapest universities in London for international students.
What Are the Requirements to Study in London?
Applicants need to have a GPA of at least 2.75 – although the higher, the better. Other requirements include academic transcripts and proof of English proficiency.
Depending on the university or program, additional documents may be required. These may include any of the following:
- Letters of recommendation
- Curriculum vitae
- Compilation of work (for arts & design students) or publications (for science students)
Essays or interviews may be needed to gain admission to certain competitive programs.
Check Also: United Kingdom Programs for International Students
Can You Study in English at Universities in London?
Yes, as all London schools teach their programs in the national language – English. At the London Metropolitan University, for example, English scores vary per course.
As for the University of East London, only 6 types of proficiency tests (IELTS-2, TOEFL, Pearson PTE, Trinity College London, and Cambridge IGCSE) may be submitted by international students.
Cheap Universities in London
1. University of East London
- Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: From GBP 13,740 ($18,580) Per Year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: From GBP 13,500 ($18,250) Per Year
- Tuition Fee Page
- Scholarships Page
The University of East London or UEL is a public institution founded in the year 1892 as the West Ham Technical Institute. UEL was eventually awarded the university status a century after – like many UK universities at the time. With a tuition fee of around $17,000 a year, the University of East London is the cheapest university in London for international students.
UEL is currently divided into 3 campuses, with the Stratford Campus playing home to the School of Education & Communities, the School of Health Sport & Bioscience, and the School of Psychology.
The University Square Stratford, on the other hand, houses the School of Law & Social Science and the Institute of the Performing Arts. The campus library and student rooms are based in the Docklands Campus.
Despite having a small student population of more than 10,000 students, UEL has a sprawling international community. To date, almost a third of the enrollees (32%) come from abroad.
2. Middlesex University London
- Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: From GBP 14,500 ($19,600) Per Year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: From GBP 14,500 ($19,600) Per Year
- Tuition Fee Page
- Scholarships Page
Middlesex University London or MDX is named after the historic boundary of Middlesex, despite being located in northwestern London.
MDX first operated in the year 1878 as a teacher training college known as St. Katharine’s College. In 1992, it merged with other smaller institutions to form the MDX it is known today.
This cheap university in London is currently divided into 3 faculties – Arts & Creative Industries, Professional & Social Sciences, and Science & Technology. These have helped MDX attain its high international ranking. To date, it is one of the top 500 universities in the world – and one of the top 200 in Europe.
MDX’s prestige is well-known to international students, as almost half (45%) of the university’s 15,000+ students come from the outside UK.
As a globalized institution, MDX also has international branches in Dubai, Malta, and Mauritius.
3. University of Greenwich
- Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: From GBP 15,100 ($20,400) Per Year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: From GBP 15,100 ($20,400) Per Year
- Tuition Fee Page
- Scholarships Page
The University of Greenwich is a public institution with campuses in London and Kent. It first started as Wool Polytechnic in the year 1890, before it was renamed Thames Polytechnic in 1970. Eventually, it became the University of Greenwich following its merger with the Thames College of Healthcare Studies in 1992.
The university is currently home to more than 14,000 students. More than a third (38%) are international enrollees.
These students are housed in various campuses, including the former Old Royal Navy College – which is the location of the Business School and Faculty of Liberal Arts & Science. The Faculty of Health & Education, on the other hand, is situated in Avery Hill. Last is the Medway Campus, which is the home of the faculty of Engineering & Science.
4. University of Westminster
- Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: From GBP 14,400 ($19,460) Per Year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: From GBP 13,000 ($17,580) Per Year
- Tuition Fee Page
- Scholarships Page
The University of Westminster, one of the most affordable universities in London, was founded as the Royal Polytechnic Institution in the year 1838. It was the first polytechnic to operate in the capital, right until it became a full-fledged university in the year 1992.
The university currently has a main campus along Regent St., which is home to the Faculties of Law and Social Science & Humanities. Media & Arts students are based at the Harrow campus, while Architecture, Business, & Policy Studies students are situated at Marylebone. Some of the school’s laboratories, on the other hand, are situated on the Fitzrovia campus.
These campuses see a total of 14,000+ students – with more than a third (38%) enrolling as international applicants.
5. London South Bank University
- Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: From GBP 14,900 ($20,140) Per Year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: From GBP 14,900 ($20,140) Per Year
- Tuition Fee Page
- Scholarships Page
London South Bank University (LSBU) is a public institution located in Elephant & Castle, London. Formerly the Borough Polytechnic Institute, it is one of the many UK schools that attained university status in the year 1992.
LSBU, which has a main campus in South Bank and a satellite branch in Havering, has a total of 7 academic schools. This cheap university in London has the following colleges: Applied Science, Art & Creative Industry, Business, Engineering, Built Environment & Architecture, Law & Social Science, and Health & Social Care.
LSBU is ranked as one of the UK’s finest, thus giving it a high degree of popularity abroad. Complimented by cheap tuition, LSBU has seen an influx of international students, which represent a third (33%) of the school’s 11,500+ strong population.
I hope that this article on the cheapest universities in London was helpful. To know more information on studying abroad, check out the United Kingdom Programs for International Students.
