If you want to take a reputable diploma course without leaving a hole in your pocket then consider taking one of the cheapest diploma courses in UK curated in this blog post. These diploma courses are not just cheap but are also offered by accredited academic institutions in the UK.
Are you seeking a qualification that can quickly get you into the workforce? Then you should consider taking a diploma course. Diploma courses take a few weeks to 2 years to complete and in this short time equip you with the necessary skills you need to take up a specific job role. So, if you do not want to spend 3-4 years pursuing a bachelor’s degree, then consider a diploma course.
A diploma course prepares you for that specific job role you want to enter. For instance, if you want to become a manager in your workplace, you simply need to take a diploma course in management and gain both practical and theoretical skills and knowledge of a manager. With your diploma qualification in management, you can apply for managerial roles.
Also, it is best to get your diploma from an accredited institution so that it can be recognized by potential employers and clients. Since you are on this post, you don’t have to worry about that as the diploma courses curated here are, not just cheap, but are also accredited and offered by some of the top-tier universities in the UK like the University of Essex and Royal College of Art.
How Much Does A Diploma Course Cost In the UK?
The cost of diploma courses in the UK, can range between £1,000 to over £20,000 depending on the institution offering the course and your residency status (it cost more for international students). But what if I told you that there are diploma courses in the UK that costs far less compared to the estimate I gave above?
After long hours of research on the World Wide Web spent comparing the cost of various diploma courses in the UK, I was able to draft out a list of the 12 cheapest diploma courses in UK. There are even some whose costs are not even up to a thousand pounds, you’ll see. Of course, the diploma courses are offered by accredited academic institutions and are recognized by employers.
Before we get into the post, you may also be interested in previous articles we have published like the one on courses for career change in the UK if you want to explore a new career path, and another on short term courses with job guarantee in UK which is perfect for those who want to quickly enter the workforce immediately after secondary school.
Having said that, let’s get into the main topic.
Cheapest Diploma Courses In UK
The following are the cheapest diploma courses in the UK curated from my personal research:
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Children
- Professional Interior Design Diploma
- Diploma in Business and Management
- Diploma in Midwifery
- Pearson BTEC Level 4 Diploma in Business Administration
- Journalism Diploma Course
- Art & Design Graduate Diploma
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Management (Business Analytics)
- Diploma in Professional Receptionist
- Advanced Diploma in Event Management
- Advanced Diploma in International Hospitality Business Management
- Diploma in Nursing
1. Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Children
I am making this diploma first on the list because of its outrageously cheap cost of only £181.50. If you are a social worker or your job have anything to do with childcare, then this is your chance to take this diploma course and upskill yourself with leadership and management skill. The course is completely online and self-paced.
The study format is part-time which takes 18 months or less to complete. The awarding body is the City and Guilds of London Institute. There are no entry requirements to enroll for this course. Upon completion of the course, graduates will get a hard copy certificate.
2. Professional Interior Design Diploma
Here is another cheap diploma course in the UK offered by the National Design Academy to existing interior designers and those looking to become one. The course combines practical and theoretical teaching to equip you with the latest skills and knowledge that will put you at the forefront of the interior design train.
There are so many perks that come with this diploma course. Firstly, it has no entry requirement, so, even if you have no prior knowledge, experience, or qualification, you can apply. Secondly, you can choose to enroll at any time of the year. And thirdly, it is cheap at just a £1,590 estimated fee but with UK government funding, it can go as low as £895. For international students, the cost is £1,850. The institution offers different payment options to all students to make it easier for them to pay their fees.
3. Diploma in Business and Management
This cheap diploma in the UK is offered by West London College only in a distance learning format. It is designed for those who want to take up leadership roles or become entrepreneurs and seek to gain the skill and knowledge of managing a business. The course is accredited by Open College Network West Midlands.
The course consists of 20 modules, teaching students topics like business planning, marketing, operations management, HR management, business skills, and many others. The total cost of the diploma course is £3,022.
4. Diploma in Midwifery
Here is another cheap distance learning diploma course from West London College designed for those who feel drawn to caring for mothers, babies, and their families. Whether you are already a midwife seeking to upskill or you are just about to enter the field, this diploma course will equip you with relevant skills to excel in your career.
The course consists of 18 modules and teaches topics such as abnormal psychology, cell biology, human reproduction, approaches to health, psychology, and many others. The estimated cost of the course is £3,384.
5. Pearson BTEC Level 4 Diploma in Business Administration
If I were listing these cheap diploma courses in UK according to their cost, this would have taken the number one spot because it has to be the cheapest. This diploma is provided by South London College but it is on sale at Reed for only £12 and when you buy it, you have 30 days’ access to the course.
It takes approximately 195 hours to complete, that’s about a week and a half. The study method is online and you can learn on your own time. Students who purchase this course will communicate directly with the mentor and gain access to course material and assignment briefs.
6. Journalism Diploma Course
This journalism diploma course is offered by International Career Institute and designed with professional journalists to equip you with the necessary skills to succeed quickly and conveniently. Journalists that are looking to upskill and take their career to the next level can do so through this cheap diploma course and spend only £1,349.
Even if you have prior knowledge, experience, or education in journalism, you can also enroll in this course to fast-track your career. The duration to complete the course is 24 weeks and you can get your certificate and work at advertising agencies, business magazines, country newspapers, TV stations, and consumer magazines.
7. Art & Design Graduate Diploma
The Royal College of Art is offering those in the fields of art and design an opportunity to transform their careers without breaking the bank. The Royal College of Art is one of the most reputable art schools in the UK and in the world. Aside from its cheap tuition for this PG Dip Art & Design course, the institution offers scholarship options to support students.
There are different study formats with different costs ranging from £6,790 to £20,200 depending on the student’s residency status and the learning format you choose.
8. Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Management (Business Analytics)
This postgraduate diploma is offered online by the University of Essex. Only a part-time format is available for this course and it takes 16 months to complete. This is a postgraduate diploma, thus is generally costly compared to regular diplomas and has requirements.
The requirement for this one is that applicant must have an accredited undergraduate degree or a minimum of 5 years of senior-level work experience. The total estimated cost for this diploma is £7,891 which is cheaper compared to other postgraduate diplomas in the UK.
9. Diploma in Professional Receptionist
This diploma will train you with skills to become a professional receptionist in no time at a cheap cost of £39. The course is accredited by CPD and iAP, and students who pay for this course will have access to it for 12 months.
10. Advanced Diploma in Event Management
If you are passionate about organizing events, here is an opportunity to turn it into a career without leaving a hole in your pocket. Enrolling in this diploma course will equip you with solid skills, knowledge, and experiences within the field of event management and related disciplines. The cost of the course is £3,160.
11. Advanced Diploma in International Hospitality Business Management
This is one of the cheapest diploma courses in UK with only a part-time study option that takes 1 year to complete. The course has three start dates September, January, and May. It is offered online by the University of Derby. The estimated total cost of the diploma is £2,520 for both international and UK students.
12. Diploma in Nursing
Last but not least is the diploma in nursing course offered by West London College, designed for those who aim to earn a nursing degree. This diploma will give student knowledge and experience in nursing which will give them a better chance of getting accepted into any nursing school in the UK and beyond.
The course is distance learning and the fee is £3,384. No prior knowledge or experience is required to enroll for this diploma.