5 Cheapest Universities in Glasgow for International Students

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

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Glasgow Caledonian University 13,000 GBP 23%
University of Strathclyde 15,200 GBP - 23,100 GBP 10%
Glasgow School of Art 16,800 GBP - 19,500 GBP -0%
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 18,400 GBP - 19,400 GBP -9%
University of Glasgow 20,400 GBP - 24,000 GBP -21%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 16,800 GBP for universities in Glasgow.

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1. Glasgow Caledonian University

Inclusivity and diversity are evident in one of Scotland’s most prominent universities, Glasgow Caledonian University. Students from many countries have experienced a Glasgow Caledonian University education, and you might be the next! The institution takes pride in its excellent teaching, grounded on experience since 1875. The university’s training and strong industry connections have allowed high employability rates. Moreover, it has fared well in various rankings and performance assessments, even ranking 4th in the United Kingdom for learning experience.

2. University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde may be the perfect university for students dreaming of studying in Scotland. This public institution is highly-esteemed, even earning the title of the University of the Year in 2012 and 2019. It has welcomed and honed thousands of students for over two centuries, ranking 5th in the United Kingdom for student satisfaction. Moreover, it is located in Glasgow, one of the most vibrant and welcoming cities worldwide.

3. Glasgow School of Art

As an art school, the Glasgow School of Art has general and specialized courses in different subjects like design and fine arts. It consists of five departments divided into architecture, design, fine art, innovation, simulation, and visualization. The university has its own share of notable alumni, and it has also received recognition in international rankings for its performance among art and design schools.

4. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is one of the best universities when it comes to performing arts. The institution is specialized in the following subject areas: dance, drama, education, film, music, and production. They have notable alumni who have made an impact in their own fields, such as acting. Students are thoroughly trained through specialized teaching and other opportunities with the school’s national and international partners.

5. University of Glasgow

Founded in 1451, The University of Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in Scotland. Throughout the years, this renowned institution has collaborated and partnered with the best and highly acknowledged universities across the globe.

Moreover, the university prides itself on being at the forefront of supporting sustainability. It is fully aware of the impacts of climate change and has since committed to attaining carbon neutrality by 2030. Most of its study programs and courses are aligned and designed with its commitments. Truly making it one of the respected UK universities that promote positive influence to its student body.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Glasgow School of Art 8,100 GBP - 29,400 GBP 44%
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 11,800 GBP - 26,500 GBP 18%
Glasgow Caledonian University 14,500 GBP - 15,500 GBP -1%
University of Strathclyde 16,400 GBP - 23,700 GBP -15%
University of Glasgow 20,400 GBP - 25,800 GBP -43%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 14,300 GBP for universities in Glasgow.

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1. Glasgow School of Art

As an art school, the Glasgow School of Art has general and specialized courses in different subjects like design and fine arts. It consists of five departments divided into architecture, design, fine art, innovation, simulation, and visualization. The university has its own share of notable alumni, and it has also received recognition in international rankings for its performance among art and design schools.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Glasgow School of Art should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 8,100 GBP to 29,340 GBP annually for their master's degree.

2. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is 11,781 GBP to 26,460 GBP.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is one of the best universities when it comes to performing arts. The institution is specialized in the following subject areas: dance, drama, education, film, music, and production. They have notable alumni who have made an impact in their own fields, such as acting. Students are thoroughly trained through specialized teaching and other opportunities with the school’s national and international partners.

3. Glasgow Caledonian University

Inclusivity and diversity are evident in one of Scotland’s most prominent universities, Glasgow Caledonian University. Students from many countries have experienced a Glasgow Caledonian University education, and you might be the next! The institution takes pride in its excellent teaching, grounded on experience since 1875. The university’s training and strong industry connections have allowed high employability rates. Moreover, it has fared well in various rankings and performance assessments, even ranking 4th in the United Kingdom for learning experience.

The tuition fee at Glasgow Caledonian University for incoming international master’s students is 14,500 GBP to 15,500 GBP. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. University of Strathclyde

Another affordable university to consider in Glasgow is University of Strathclyde.

The University of Strathclyde may be the perfect university for students dreaming of studying in Scotland. This public institution is highly-esteemed, even earning the title of the University of the Year in 2012 and 2019. It has welcomed and honed thousands of students for over two centuries, ranking 5th in the United Kingdom for student satisfaction. Moreover, it is located in Glasgow, one of the most vibrant and welcoming cities worldwide.

The tuition fee in University of Strathclyde for master’s program for foreign students starts from 16,399 GBP.

5. University of Glasgow

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, University of Glasgow has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 20,400 GBP yearly.

Founded in 1451, The University of Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in Scotland. Throughout the years, this renowned institution has collaborated and partnered with the best and highly acknowledged universities across the globe.

Moreover, the university prides itself on being at the forefront of supporting sustainability. It is fully aware of the impacts of climate change and has since committed to attaining carbon neutrality by 2030. Most of its study programs and courses are aligned and designed with its commitments. Truly making it one of the respected UK universities that promote positive influence to its student body.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Glasgow, Scotland?

Applying to cheap universities in Glasgow 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 Glasgow?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Glasgow. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Glasgow is the Glasgow Caledonian University, which offers AI and Data Science, Accountancy, and Applied Biomedical Science/Biomedical Science to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Glasgow Caledonian University offers 3D Design for Virtual Environments, Accounting, Finance and Regulation, and Applied Data Science in Engineering.


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 Glasgow, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

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

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

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