List of Cheapest Cities in the UK for International Students

The cheapest places to live in the UK for students are based on two substantial factors, the tuition fees of their universities and the living expenses incurred in that particular city. Not only are those cities home to some well-reputed universities but they are also known for offering quality education and great employability rates.

To help you familiarise yourself with these cities, here is a list of some affordable cities in the UK for international students:

• Cardiff
• Cambridge
• Sheffield
• Glasgow
• Birmingham
• Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Manchester
• Nottingham

Let's have a look deeper at each of these cheapest student cities UK for students:

1. Cardiff

Cardiff is an amazing and the cheapest place to live in the UK for students. You will find so much to see and do in this friendly city with endless opportunities to meet with the people to share your interests. It is a thriving city with brilliant arts and music scenes. Filled with plenty of international students, it is a compact city where you will find students every 10-minute walk away from the town. Its city center has some beautiful architecture dating from the twelfth century.

You can feel reassured while living in Cardiff as the city is not too expensive. The average living costs can be somewhere between GBP 187 (INR 19,150) to GBP 310 (INR 31,746) per month. Also, Cardiff is the headquarters of many multinational ventures that offer various opportunities to students to take part-time jobs or do internships along with their studies.

A list of top universities in Cardiff City are:

2. Cambridge

Cambridge is of historical and multicultural yet small vibrant city. The city has a wide variety of socio-cultural activities and events that students can enjoy whilst studying. It is one of the leading tourist destinations where you can find different cultures and individuals at every step. Students may take advantage of a wide range of attractions from museums and art galleries to restaurants and parks in the city. Different faculties, departments, and colleges are spread across the city, which can be easily accessible by foot or bike.

You can expect a minimum housing charge of GBP 150 (INR 15,361) to GBP 330 (INR 33,795) per week to stay in the city. Also, the city has one of the most popular universities i.e. University of Cambridge. Being a center of hi-tech Silicon Fen industries, top companies like Google, Microsoft, Sinclair, and Jagex are located here.

The top Universities located in Cambridge are:

Suggested: Student Accommodation in London

3. Sheffield

It is the fifth largest city in the UK and is big enough to be declared an important economic and cultural spot in the country. The city also enjoys as the cheapest university city in the UK because of its comparatively affordable living costs to other student cities. Considered the best student city for business in the UK, the city has many performing industries such as manufacturing, energy production, coal mining, steel production, etc.

According to the Student Living Index 2023 by NatWest, Sheffield ranked as the 3rd most affordable city in the UK. Facilities like travel, food, accommodation, and entertainment are affordable here, with an easy to roam around the city on foot. The average housing cost in Sheffield is GBP 130.05 (INR 13,318) per week which could go up to GBP 1,110 (INR 1,13,674) monthly with other expenses.

Some of the top universities in Sheffield are:

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4. Glasgow

Glasgow is another cheapest city in the UK for students. The city is growing rapidly, achieving more and bursting with energy and inspiration. With an international population of more than 20,000, you can find many local businesses, services, and nightlife venues in Glasgow offering promotions and discounts. The universities of Glasgow are well equipped to assist their students in the city.

Glasgow is considered the cheapest student accommodation in the UK. To plan out a budget for your time in Glasgow, you can expect a cost of GBP 9,700 (INR 9,93,371) to GBP 13,263 (INR 13,58,256) per year to live and study in the city. However, it could be more or less, based on the factors like your accommodation choice and lifestyle.

Some of the best universities in Glasgow are:

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5. Birmingham

Birmingham offers chances to live and work in the youngest major city in the UK. The city is popular for its world-class restaurants, entertainment, and shops. Home to more than one million people of a variety of cultures and ethnic groups, Birmingham's 25 percent of the total population is 25 and younger. If you love sports, the city has many top stadiums like the world-famous Edgbaston cricket ground, historical golf course, etc.

This city is also known to offer a supportive environment for innovative business initiatives for the growth of the economy and business growth. Many international ventures like Jaguar Land Rover, and BBVA Compass offer opportunities to graduates. Also, the average cost of living in Birmingham can vary between GBP 4,753 (INR 4,86,751) to GBP 6,079 (INR 6,22,546) annually.

A list of some top universities in Birmingham are:

6. Newcastle Upon Tyne

Newcastle Upon Tyne is listed among the top 10 Best UK Student City in the Students Hub league table, published in 2023. Also, the city has witnessed a growing culture, regularly hailed as the best city for students. This is partly because of the city's compactness, making it large enough to be vibrant and exciting while being small enough to feel at home. It is also because of the countless number of students, as everyone in the six people in the city is a student.

Considering the cost of living in the city, your living costs may cover expenses like food, travel, accommodation, and study materials. The average cost of living in the city for an international student is around GBP 9,752.79 (INR 9,98,696) per month.

The top universities in Newcastle Upon Tyne are:

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7. Manchester

Manchester City is a budget-centric area to live in, offering you to enjoy some of the cheapest transportation costs in the UK. The city greatly offers social activities and several choices when it comes to filling some food cupboards. With an international population of over 19,000, the city is famed for its welcoming style and vibrant cultural scene. It has a striking cultural architecture with a rich heritage and a prestigious Russell Group university.

The city also offers an array of job opportunities and internships to students across the city. Google, BBC, Adidas, and Siemens are some of the biggest companies and brands you find in Manchester. The cost of staying often is your largest cost, estimated to be around GBP 277 (INR 28,367) per month. You can expect to spend GBP 346 (INR 35,433) to GBP 546 (INR 55,915) to live in Manchester.

Some of the top universities in Manchester are:

8. Nottingham

Nottingham has the largest student population, among the most vibrant cities in the UK. No matter your taste or budget, the city has something for everyone. You will never be short of seeing things like theatres, museums, art galleries, arthouse cinemas, music festivals and venues in the city. The popular industries of Nottingham City include digital media, financial and business services, life sciences, and retail.

The universities in Nottingham have developed and collaborated with local companies, encouraging their students to gain work experience for future career opportunities. The total cost you can expect to live in Nottingham ranges between GBP 990 (INR 1,01,385) to GBP 1,250 (INR 1,28,011) per month.

A list of top universities in Nottingham are:

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How Can I Apply?

The PhD, postgraduate, and undergraduate application processes at UK institutions vary somewhat from those at other universities throughout the globe. 

• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, or UCAS, handles undergraduate admissions. Direct applications are also accepted in some circumstances. 
• You must register and complete your application on the UCAS website to do this.
• While certain institutions, like the University of Brighton or the University of St Andrews, even allow direct applications from students, the majority of UK universities only accept applications that have been confirmed by UCAS. 
• PG and PhD candidates can apply to the university directly.

From the Desk of Yocket

The UK is known for its high-quality education, but it can be expensive. If you're looking for a more affordable option, consider studying in one of the UK's many pocket-friendly student cities. These cities offer low tuition fees and affordable accommodation, as well as a variety of student-friendly amenities and activities. Post completing higher education, the UK offers a lot of career opportunities to students. However, one of the most difficult things an international student has to go through is to decide which are the cheapest cities in the UK for international students to pursue education.

It's not too late for 2024! Apply with Yocket now and grab your seats for the affordable student cities in the UK in 2024. With Yocket, you can find the best universities and programs in the UK that fit your budget and career goals. Get personalized guidance from our experts on choosing the best affordable student city in the UK for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to study in the UK at an affordable price. Apply with Yocket today!