If you are interested in studying at a British university, the tuition fees in Great Britain seem high at first glance. In contrast to other internationally renowned universities, studying in the United Kingdom is comparatively inexpensive.
There is a whole range of financial aids available to students from Germany. If you are planning a complete course of study in the British Isles, you do not have to expect significantly increasing costs in the further course, as the tuition fees for this are capped by law.
Tuition fees in comparison
The four countries, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been managing the finances of their universities themselves since 1998. This is also reflected in the sometimes very different tuition fees. Tuition fees to study in the UK start at £ 1,820 and go up to £ 30,000. On average, it does not matter whether the degree is completed at a state university or a state college. To learn more about United Kingdom and Europe, please visit shoe-wiki.
The tuition fees at UK universities depend on several factors:
- The study program: Depending on whether it is a bachelor’s or master’s degree, the tuition fees in Great Britain vary widely.
- The subject: For example, whether in London or the rest of the UK, the tuition fees for a medical degree in Great Britain are significantly more expensive than in Germany. The costs also depend on whether you are studying full-time or part-time.
- The place of study: There is a striking difference within the UK, which affects not only the tuition fees but also the cost of living. On average, students pay more for a university or college in London than at other UK universities.
- Private or Government: It is usually more expensive to study at a private university or college in the UK.
Ranking check: top English universities at a low price
It is well known that the UK’s higher education landscape includes some of the world’s most prestigious universities. That has its price. As one would expect, the five most expensive universities in England include the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. A bachelor’s degree there costs around £ 27,750 per year.
However, there are a few real “bargains” among the renowned universities in England: including the University of Birmingham. The university is one of the 24 best universities in Great Britain that have come together to form the Russell Group. The University of Birmingham was not until 2013-14 by the Times University Guide for University of the Year chosen. Despite its high reputation, undergraduate students there only have to budget around £ 13,500 per year for their studies.
Another university that offers German students an excellent academic education for comparatively little money is Newcastle University. The university is also part of the renowned Russell Group and is one of the world’s leading universities. According to the Guardian University Guide 2015, it is also one of the top 20 British universities whose graduates enter working life particularly quickly after graduation.
How expensive is a bachelor’s degree in the UK?
The UK has the largest number of undergraduate students enrolling. All students whose home country is an EU member state enjoy many advantages in terms of tuition fees for a bachelor’s degree in the UK.
At all state universities, so-called home students from Great Britain and students from the EU pay less tuition fees than international students from other countries. This distinction does not exist at private colleges and universities. The fees are the same for all students.
Since 2012, Bachelor students from Great Britain, the so-called home students and students from the EU, have been paying the following tuition fees per year on average:
- England: between £ 6,000 and a maximum of £ 9,250
- Wales: between £ 6,000 and a maximum of £ 9,000
- Northern Ireland: up to a limit of £ 4,160
- Scotland: The Scottish government has set tuition fees at £ 1,820. The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) covers these tuition fees for qualified Scottish students as well as EU students.
Cost of a Masters in the UK
The tuition fees for master’s students are slightly higher. In state colleges, tuition fees for postgraduate studies across the UK range from £ 6,482 to £ 17,247. German students at state universities also pay lower tuition fees than international students for a master’s degree at a British university.
A Masters degree in Great Britain pays off for students from Germany for another reason: Due to the tightly organized study system in the UK, Masters students in Great Britain complete their studies faster. A Master’s degree in the UK usually only lasts one year.
The amount of the tuition fees depends primarily on the respective study program.
Is an MBA in England worthwhile?
MBA programs are among the most expensive dual-degree options in the world. The financial and economic metropolis of London in particular offers a unique learning environment for prospective MBA students. An MBA in the UK promises a high quality academic education and extensive insight into leading global businesses.
For the amount of the tuition fees for an MBA program, however, the location of the university is not the only decisive factor. The respective business schools differ in price depending on their focus and international network.
| MBA programs at business schools in London | Tuition fees per year |
| Middlesex University | from £ 16,500 |
| University of Roehampton | £ 13,500 |
What are the tuition fees to study LLM in the UK?
LLM students are particularly drawn to prestigious universities in the British Isles. The academic training is correspondingly expensive, but significantly cheaper in international comparison. Tuition fees for an LLM program in the UK start from £ 6000. Even at elite universities, studying at around £ 15,000 is not much more expensive.
When studying LLM at a renowned university in Great Britain, law students can even save a lot. The admission requirements for very good German students for an LLM degree at an outstandingly ranked university are also good.
| University | Tuition fees per year |
| Robert Gordon University | from £ 5,500 |
| London South Bank University | from £ 7500 |
Easy to finance: a semester abroad in the UK
Another attractive alternative for German students is a semester or two abroad in Great Britain. The average tuition fee is between £ 3750 and £ 5850.
As participants in the Study Abroad program, German students benefit even more from the financing options for a stay abroad in Great Britain. The diverse financing options include BAföG abroad, scholarships such as those from DAAD, PROMOS, and student loans.
The fees at UK universities for a semester abroad are based on the length of the respective semester period. In addition, the fees in the undergraduate and graduate areas can differ significantly.
| University | Semester period | Tuition fees per semester |
| University of Bristol | Spring Term: late January – early June Autumn Term: late September – late January |
£ 4625 |
| University of Essex | Spring + Summer Term: mid January – late June Autumn Term: early October – mid December |
£ 4250 and £ 5000 respectively |
| Regent’s University | Spring Term: late January – mid May Autumn Term: mid September – mid December |
GBP 7675 (UG) or GBP 8250 (PG) |
Further costs for studying in the UK
When studying abroad in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, there are additional costs for the respective university in addition to the tuition fees.
- Additional program costs may also be added for certain study programs. If an examination is not passed, a re-examination fee is also due at some universities.
- German students in Great Britain receive medical care through the British state health insurance. However, this does not cover all health insurance benefits, which is why it is worth taking out health insurance abroad.
- Book costs: Depending on the subject, book costs can also put a strain on the student wallet while studying abroad in Great Britain. On average, British students spend £ 200 per semester on books. Usually used books can be bought cheaply on campus.
