Top 9 Free Universities In The UK

The United Kingdom is one of the countries with high-quality education, making it a top study-abroad destination.

Many students desire to study in the United Kingdom, but the high tuition rates of universities based in the UK can be a financial hurdle.

Understanding this pressure, we have done the research on your behalf to show you tuition-free universities along with references to their admission requirements and tuition waivers/scholarship programs offered.

The existence of scholarships in these ‘free’ universities in the UK is to compensate for the high cost of living for students there. If you are on a tight budget but aspiring to study in the UK, here are the best options to benefit you:

Top 9 Recommended Free Universities in the UK

It is crucial to admit that some of the free universities in the UK do have their tuition fees quoted. But we can categorize them as tuition-free because they offer certain financial aid, waivers, and scholarships that students can obtain that will allow them to study free of charge.

The UK may be among the most expensive student city in the world for International students, but here are recommended tuition-free universities you can attend to ease the financial pressure:

1. University of Plymouth
   
2. University of Bristol
   
3. The University of West of Scotland
   
4. University of Oxford
   
5. University of Cambridge
   
6. University of Reading
   
7. Bucking Hamshire New University
   
8. University of Warwick
   
9. University of Westminster
   

Remember that British universities are not expensive only because of their tuition fee. The living expenses in this country also contribute to the high rate. Sadly, this is inevitable even when you attend a free university there.

In other words, it would be helpful if you prepare to make provision for expected living expenses even though you are applying to undergraduate or postgraduate courses in any of these free British universities.

University of Plymouth

• Tuition Fee: 11,000 EUR on average (Tuition waivers available)
• University of Plymouth Admission Requirement Page 
• University of Plymouth Tuition Waiver Details Page 

The University of Plymouth is the first to begin a private medical and dental school. Though it has its average tuition fees pegged at 11,000 EUR, there are several complete scholarship programs for students aside from tuition waivers

To get accepted into the university of Plymouth, prospective students would have to provide two references (at least one from an academic who has taught them), a copy of the information page of their current passport and current or previous UK Visa, and then must meet the proper English qualification.

The universities accept any English language qualification you have to date – for example, IELTS or PTE Academic.

University of Bristol

• Tuition Fee: 9,250 EUR a year for UK home students and EU students as well
• University of Bristol Admission Requirement Page 
• University of Bristol full scholarship Details Page 

The University of Bristol is another popular and successful university in the UK with complete scholarship programs that both domestic and international students can obtain to study there free of charge.

Examples of the full tuition waiver programs at the University of Bristol that make it free universities in the UK include the Think Big Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarship, Future Leaders Postgraduate Scholarship, Chevening Scholarships, Fullbright University of Bristol Award, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, and the Commonwealth Master’s and Ph.D. Scholarships.

Some of the scholarship programs are awarded to full-time students to cover the cost of tuition, while others are available to students that enroll in one year master’s program under the School of Management.

The University of West of Scotland

• Tuition Fee: 10,500 EUR on average (Tuition waivers available)
• The University of West of Scotland Admission Requirement Page 
• The University of West of Scotland Tuition Waiver Details Page

Another ‘free’ university in the UK is the University of West of Scotland. It was established by the successful merging of Paisley with Bell College. Operating since 2007, the institution has remained a top consideration when picking low-tuition universities in the United Kingdom

There are also scholarship programs that students can be awarded such that they don’t pay tuition fees for an entire academic program in the university. 

Another good thing about choosing UWS is that there are minimum academic requirements for admission into any undergraduate degree course.

If you can demonstrate a good level of literacy and numeracy (holding passes in both English and mathematics passes in at least five subjects), you are a good fit.

University of Oxford

• Tuition Fee: 9,250 EUR for undergraduate tuition
• University of Oxford Admission Requirement Page 
• University of Oxford Tuition Waiver Details Page

At the university of oxford, outstanding graduate scholars are awarded The Clarendon Fund scholarship that offers the school 160 new fully-funded scholarships each year.

The University of Oxford is one of the top universities on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in the UK.

As an International student, you can study here for free by applying for programs like the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, which covers course fees and provide a grant for living cost for full-time students, or the CHK Charities Scholarship if you are applying for a full-time or part-time graduate course.

University of Cambridge

• Tuition Fee: 10,500 EUR on average (Tuition waivers available)
• University of Cambridge Admission Requirement Page 
• University of Cambridge Tuition Waiver Details Page

Cambridge University is considered one of the free tuition UK universities as it offers numerous tuition waiver scholarships to exceptional international students

The collegiate research institution is rich in history and known to be the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world.

If you are picking Cambridge as your top choice, you should know that the school has halted mass lectures in person as they are now administered online.

University of Reading

• Tuition Fee: 19,500 EUR a year for international students on non-laboratory courses 
• University of Reading Admission Requirement Page 
• University of Reading Tuition Waiver Details Page

With the Century and Subject scholarship of Master’s Scholarships at the University of Reading, International Students can study for a Master’s degree without tuition fees.

The public university is based in Berkshire, England, United Kingdom, and has been running for almost a century.

Other scholarship programs offered to students here that make it tuition-free include the University of Reading Sanctuary Scholarships and the Vice Chancellor Global Award – available to International undergraduate students.

Most of these scholarships take the form of a tuition fee reduction and are applied for each year of study.

Bucking Hamshire New University

• Tuition Fee: 11,000 EUR on average (Tuition waivers available)
• Bucking Hamshire New University Admission Requirement Page 
• Bucking Hamshire New University Tuition Waiver Details Page

The average tuition fee for students at Bucking Hamshire University is around 11,000 EUR, but it is considered a free university because it entertains certain tuition waivers and full scholarships.

Students are offered innovative courses like music management and film and television production here. Besides being a free university, Bucking Hamshire offers exceptional courses like air transport and commercial pilot training.

So if you are planning to study for a professional pilot’s license, this is a good starting point. The institution was established in 1891 with more than four campuses.

University of Warwick

• Tuition Fee: 9,000 EUR and 18,480 EUR for domestic and International tuition, respectively.
• University of Warwick Admission Requirement Page 
• University of Warwick Tuition Waiver Details Page

The University of Warwick offers the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence scholarship program awarded to exceptional students who propose to study undergraduate programs at the University of Warwick for free.

The institution is known as one of the UK’s best. It also awards Albukhary Undergraduate Scholarships, though competitive, but available to students who pay tuition fees at the overseas rate.

International Students can also apply for the Chancellor’s International Scholarships at the University of Warwick. The most outstanding International Ph.D. applicants receive full payment of academic fees and a UKRI-level stipend for three years and five months.

University of Westminster

• Tuition Fee: 9,000 EUR and 12,000 EUR for domestic and International tuition, respectively.
• University of Westminster Admission Requirement Page 
• University of Westminster Tuition Waiver Details Page

This public research university based in London, UK, offers International Part Fee Scholarship available to Overseas fee-paying students allowing them to study tuition-free.

The University of Westminster is considered a free university in the UK as it awards various financial aid schemes to international postgraduate students to allow them to study without worrying about tuition costs. Examples of these schemes include Chevening awards, Marshall Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships, and Fullbright Awards Programs.

Here, students can also apply for the AZIZ Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship that supports Muslim Students from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Before You Go…

Getting accepted into free universities in the UK, especially for international students, will require Scores on English proficiency tests like IELTS, Academic transcripts from previous academic institutions, letters of recommendation, and a Student Visa.

If you are not based in the UK but applying for any of these free universities, you should also have a Valid passport, Proof of financial funds, a Resume/CV, and a Statement of Purpose.

Universities in the UK boast of some of the best educators in the world, even in tuition-free institutions. You will also have a broad choice of courses or programs. The best part as an international student, you get to work while studying.

It is good that some free universities provide employment opportunities for their students through which they can independently fund their living expenses while studying.