4 Cheapest Universities in Birmingham for International Students

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In Birmingham, England, there are a handful of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in United Kingdom without paying a lot, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Birmingham, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 5 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Birmingham, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Birmingham for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Birmingham ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Birmingham City University 13,500 GBP 15%
University College Birmingham 13,500 GBP 15%
Aston University 16,300 GBP - 20,200 GBP -3%
University of Birmingham 20,000 GBP - 20,800 GBP -26%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 15,900 GBP for universities in Birmingham, Uk.

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1. Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University offers a wide range of courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Its main campus is located in the city center, but there are other building locations spread throughout the city. The university is ideal for students who seek options as other study methods, like part-time study and integrated master’s, are also available. Check out their website to know more about what’s in store for you!

2. University College Birmingham

The University College Birmingham started as the College of Bakery, Catering, Domestic Science, and Associated Studies, when it parted with its original school, Birmingham’s Municipal Technical School. In 1957, It was later renamed Birmingham College of Food and Domestic Arts. It received its ‘university status’ in 2007.

3. Aston University

The Aston University was founded in 1875, having started in Birmingham and Midland Institute. It was granted ‘university status’ on April 22, 1966, as the University of Aston in Birmingham. Aston University was hailed as “University of the Year” by The Guardian. In the same year, it was also named as “Outstanding Entrepreneurial University” by THE, or Times Higher Education.

4. University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham was founded on March 24, 1900, when it received its Royal Charter. It is considered the heir apparent of two schools: the Queen’s College and Mason Science College, which were founded in 1825 and 1875, respectively. The University of Birmingham is also a founding member of both the Universitas 21 and the Russel Group. Since then, the university has expanded by adding new programs such as Engineering and Fine Arts, among others.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Birmingham for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Birmingham ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
University College Birmingham 14,500 GBP 26%
Birmingham City University 16,300 GBP - 18,000 GBP 17%
Aston University 20,300 GBP - 21,300 GBP -4%
University of Birmingham 26,700 GBP - 36,000 GBP -37%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 19,500 GBP for universities in Birmingham, Uk.

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1. University College Birmingham

The University College Birmingham started as the College of Bakery, Catering, Domestic Science, and Associated Studies, when it parted with its original school, Birmingham’s Municipal Technical School. In 1957, It was later renamed Birmingham College of Food and Domestic Arts. It received its ‘university status’ in 2007.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, University College Birmingham should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 14,500 GBP annually for their master's degree.

2. Birmingham City University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Birmingham City University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Birmingham City University is 16,300 GBP to 17,930 GBP.

Birmingham City University offers a wide range of courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Its main campus is located in the city center, but there are other building locations spread throughout the city. The university is ideal for students who seek options as other study methods, like part-time study and integrated master’s, are also available. Check out their website to know more about what’s in store for you!

3. Aston University

The Aston University was founded in 1875, having started in Birmingham and Midland Institute. It was granted ‘university status’ on April 22, 1966, as the University of Aston in Birmingham. Aston University was hailed as “University of the Year” by The Guardian. In the same year, it was also named as “Outstanding Entrepreneurial University” by THE, or Times Higher Education.

The tuition fee at Aston University for incoming international master’s students is 20,250 GBP to 21,250 GBP. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. University of Birmingham

Another affordable university to consider in Birmingham is University of Birmingham.

The University of Birmingham was founded on March 24, 1900, when it received its Royal Charter. It is considered the heir apparent of two schools: the Queen’s College and Mason Science College, which were founded in 1825 and 1875, respectively. The University of Birmingham is also a founding member of both the Universitas 21 and the Russel Group. Since then, the university has expanded by adding new programs such as Engineering and Fine Arts, among others.

The tuition fee in University of Birmingham for master’s program for foreign students starts from 26,640 GBP.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Birmingham, England?

Applying to cheap universities in Birmingham requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in United Kingdom for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Birmingham?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Birmingham. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Birmingham is the Aston University, which offers Applied Chemistry, Business Analytics, and Transport Management to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Aston University offers Crisis and Disaster Management, Marketing and Strategy, and Applied Artificial Intelligence.


It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Birmingham, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Birmingham as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Birmingham for international students was helpful!