Best Universities for Value for Money 2023
Discover our top 20 university value for money winners, with good quality teaching and an excellent student experience.
We are excited to reveal the best university for value for money in the UK is the University of St Andrews. Read on to find out the top 20 award-winners for 2023.
How do you know if a university is good value for money?
With the typical UK university tuition fees at £9,250, students want to know they are getting an excellent higher education for the price. Perceptions of value for money are quite individual but factors which may contribute to this are future graduate salaries, number of contact hours, quality of the facilities and the overall living costs in a university city. Higher education institutions have to meet the expectations of students in order for them to feel they have received high quality teaching and learning. This expectation is even higher for international students and EU students, who often pay more fees than UK students for degree courses.
Our league table includes universities offering courses which are influenced by research, for example, the University of Liverpool (#4). Other winning universities provide a well-rounded experience for students, ranging from university-wide traditions at the University of St Andrews (#1), to regular college social events at Durham University (#14).
How was this top 20 award league table created?
To calculate this league table, we analysed 24,041 authentic student reviews written on StudentCrowd between June 2021 and May 2023. When students review their course, they give it a rating out of 5 stars for ‘Value for Money’. We used this rating across all universities in the UK to showcase the BEST 20 according to students.
The StudentCrowd Awards 2023 is the only university ranking based 100% on verified students in the UK, using their ac.uk email address. Please note this includes international students who attend UK universities.
Searching for the results from last year?
Best Universities for Value for Money 2022
Read about more top-performing universities in our other league tables…
We also have league tables showcasing the top universities for job prospects or teaching quality - two key factors in choosing an excellent university.
Read about all of the StudentCrowd University Awards 2023 and FAQs for the awards here.
Scroll down below to see the Top 20 Best Universities for Value for Money 2023!
Value for Money League Table 2023
University of St Andrews
Great value to learn about cutting edge debates and personally develop with growing knowledge and confidence
The University of St Andrews has featured in the top 3 of our Value for Money category for 3 years running now! Students have continually been impressed with the standard of teaching, facilities and career prospects at this prestigious university. Studying at St Andrews comes with traditions such as the May Dip, proving that the university values student enjoyment alongside academic excellence.
University of Aberdeen
Great value for money, good location and friendly staff
The coastal University of Aberdeen featured in our Value for Money category last year, showing how consistently its students feel they are receiving a high quality education. The university is one of the oldest universities in the UK, with parts of the Old Aberdeen campus buildings dating back to the 15th century.
Ulster University
Great course, plenty of opportunities, very diverse range of learning materials. Excellent teaching quality. Fun and interesting. Not your average business course. Great job prospects.
Ulster University has a national reputation for excellence and is spread over multiple campuses in Northern Ireland. There are over 27,000 students across these campuses. Students at Ulster receive top support in their transition from university to graduation, whether that is through industry-standard content in teaching or one-to-one expert advice from the employability team.
University of Liverpool
Good teaching, very helpful and value for money
With over 400 courses available at undergraduate and postgraduate level, the University of Liverpool offers a degree subject for everyone. Each course is strongly influenced by research and current industry practices. Also, the university has recently invested £800 million into its teaching, research and residential estates, reflecting its high quality educational delivery.
University of Glasgow
Good course, value for money, good faculty, good labs
The University of Glasgow is a member of the Russell Group, a group of universities which has a strong focus on research. The university has a strong history in the city, being established in 1451. Students at Glasgow are able to make the most of different teaching methods throughout their degree, including field trips, practical sessions and group tutorials.
The University of Sheffield
Good value for money. I have learned a lot from this experience. After finishing the post-graduate study, I found that I have a great interest in chemical engineering
Studying at The University of Sheffield means joining academics and alumni from a leading research institution. Students at Sheffield are challenged in their degree as they are pushed to work and think independently. The university has a plethora of resources including high-demand textbooks and digital journals across 4 learning and study facilities.
University College London (UCL)
I like this university very much, the courses are rich, the knowledge is learned a lot, and the teaching quality is very high.
University College London has more than 400 degree programmes for over 42,000 students from all over the world. This global study environment has produced alumni Nobel Prize winners in every decade since 1901. The university has 16 specialist libraries across campus, as well as a new Student Centre with 1000+ study spaces.
Loughborough University
Great value for money with a combination of brilliant teaching methods. Overall the perfect course if you want to study accounting.
As one of the top sporting universities in the country, Loughborough University's campus sprawls over 500 acres. Over 18,000 students enjoy the campus study lifestyle, which is known for its community feel. Every course at Loughborough offers students the chance to take a placement year, ensuring students are prepared for employment after graduation.
Bangor University
As a student of Bangor University, I can say that the course content was excellent and provided me with a solid foundation for my future career. The courses were well-structured and engaging, with a good balance of theoretical and practical components. I felt that the value for money was also great, with the tuition fees being reasonable for the quality of education and support provided.
Bangor University is found in the picturesque county of Gwynedd in North West Wales. There are over 10,500 students enrolled at this research-driven institution. There are a variety of courses available to choose from, as well as opportunities for degree apprenticeships to gain real life experience to compliment what students learn in the lecture theatre.
Royal Holloway, University of London
Very informative lectures and workshops, they’re designed in a way to get the most out of your learning it’s really good
The 135-acre green campus of Royal Holloway, University of London is located just 40 minutes away from London by train. Every student at RHUL has access to an employability programme called CVstac, which is embedded into every course. Students at RHUL learn through a modern curriculum enriched by research and informed by industry.
Queen's University Belfast (QUB)
Amazing course, well worth the time and money, lots to learn, already in my final year I have many job prospects in this field of work.
Established in the capital of Northern Ireland, Queen's University Belfast offers over 200 degree options, all including the latest technology and industry influences to produce confident graduates. Students have shared in reviews how much value they found from course content in helping them to feel prepared for work in industry.
University of Strathclyde
This course is intense but well worth the time and money. Strathclyde's PGDE is the best I have found.
Located in Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde is at the centre of an affordable and friendly city. Recently the university have invested £60 million into a new Learning & Teaching Building, a collective space for learning and teaching on campus. Strathclyde is home to students from over 100 countries, all whom leave well equipped for employment or further study.
University of Portsmouth
Outstanding course, with fantastic learning opportunities and excellent tutors.
Students at Portsmouth have access to top quality learning and academic support throughout their degree. This includes workshops on academic writing, critical thinking and referencing. The University of Portsmouth also offers dual degrees, which allows students to gain two bachelors or masters degrees in less time than studying them separately.
Durham University
Great teaching and value for money. Great professors :)
Situated in a historic northern city, Durham University is a compact and focused study community. The institution places an emphasis on student potential, with academic staff ensuring students make progress throughout their degree. There are 17 colleges at Durham, which gives all students the opportunity to take part in activities and make strong friendships.
University of Birmingham
super course well taught and value for money
Based on a green campus about a 30-minute walk from the city centre, the University of Birmingham is a hub of student excellence. Recently the university hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games at it's fantastic sporting facilities. There are over 350 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate courses at Birmingham. Students have shared in reviews how they felt a sense of belonging whilst studying there.
Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU)
Good value for money due to the trips the course offers... Overall, I am enjoying my course and the things I learn will help me with my future career.
Students at Liverpool John Moores University can be assured that staff are rooting for them to succeed and make the most of their degree. Positioned in Liverpool city centre, this university is immersed in busy urban life, creating an inspiring and motivating learning environment. Many courses also have the option to include a placement year as part of the degree.
Nottingham Trent University (NTU)
The Architecture BArch Hons program at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is highly regarded for its excellence in teaching and hands-on learning experiences. My tutors are knowledgeable, supportive, and encourage me to think creatively and critically... Ive noticed that the course offers a good balance of practical and theoretical learning, ensuring that I am well-prepared for my future career. One of the standout features of the program is the opportunity to work on real-world projects and collaborate with industry professionals... NTU has strong links with the architecture industry, which will provide me with valuable networking opportunities.
Nottingham Trent University is divided into five campuses: City Campus, Clifton Campus, Brackenhurst Campus, Confetti Nottingham and Confetti London. NTU actively prepares its students for the working world by ensuring that every undergraduate degree includes work experience, placements or volunteering opportunities. This makes graduates uniquely qualified for success and 91% of graduates are in work or further study six months after leaving university (HESA).
University of Dundee
This course is amazing, the teaching staff is very good with their learning techniques, the placement opportunities are a great part to this course. I cant wait to study again next year.
The University of Dundee is located 2 minutes away from the city centre, meaning that students are always close to local events and entertainment. This Scottish university is perfect for those looking to save money at university, as Dundee is renowned for its low living costs and rent prices. Also, the university library has long opening hours, ensuring students can access academic resources at a time of day that suits them.
Sheffield Hallam University
Good collection of books and accessible 24x7 library. Supportive staff's for everything expected. High speed internet connectivity. Good support over career. Value for money in all aspects.
Sheffield is one of the most affordable cities in the UK for students. This makes being a student at Sheffield Hallam University accessible for many and reduces a lot of the financial stress at uni. In 2024, the university will be opening up 3 new buildings, offering world-class teaching facilities, designed with sustainability in mind. Also, SHU has excelled as one of the leading trainers of healthcare staff for the NHS in the UK.
University of Warwick
I am currently studying Economics at this university and I am thoroughly impressed with the level of education and resources available to me. The professors are knowledgeable and passionate, making every class engaging and thought-provoking. The curriculum is well-rounded and provides a strong foundation in the subject.
The University of Warwick is a leading research institution and a member of the Russell Group. This research influences the teaching at Warwick, meaning students are up-to-date with current findings and knowledge. Outside of lectures, students have the option to join one of the 300 student-run societies to enhance their social life. On campus, the University of Warwick also offers more than 8,000 part-time jobs to students.