Overview
University of Greenwich is a public research university in South East London, spread across three campuses:
Greenwich Campus the historic Old Royal Naval College, about 25 minutes from central London by DLR.
Avery Hill Campus an 86-acre green campus in southeast London, mainly used for education, health, and life sciences courses.
Medway Campus shared with the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University in Chatham, Kent, around 45 minutes from London.
The university is organised into four faculties covering architecture, computing and engineering, business, education, health and social sciences, liberal arts, and natural sciences. It offers more than 200 undergraduate and 150 postgraduate programmes, along with foundation years, apprenticeships, and online courses through Greenwich Online.
Greenwich holds the Athena Swan Charter for gender equality and is recognised by the UK's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for its teaching standards. It's a popular choice among international students, particularly from India, Nigeria, and China, thanks to its comparatively lower tuition fees and central London location.
University Courses
Admission
Greenwich runs two main intake points: September (the primary intake, largest range of courses) and January (postgraduate and a smaller number of undergraduate courses).
Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS. Typical requirements:
A-levels, BTEC, IB, or equivalent entry grades vary by course, with competitive subjects like Nursing and Architecture asking for higher grades than General Business or Humanities courses.
English language proficiency: usually IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall (or equivalent, such as TOEFL or PTE), with no band below 5.5–6.0.
International qualifications are assessed against UK equivalency tables for example, many sources cite around 60–65% in Year 12/senior secondary as broadly comparable to the university's standard offer.
Postgraduate applicants apply directly through the university's online portal. Typical requirements:
A relevant bachelor's degree, usually with a minimum of a 2:2 (or equivalent GPA/percentage).
IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component) for most taught master's programmes.
A CV, personal statement, and academic references requirements vary by faculty.
Application steps at a glance:
Choose your course and check its specific entry requirements on the course page.
Apply via UCAS (undergraduate) or the Greenwich applicant portal (postgraduate).
Submit transcripts, English test scores, and references.
Receive a conditional or unconditional offer.
Accept your offer and pay any tuition deposit required.
Apply for your UK Student visa once you have your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Deadlines shift each year UCAS undergraduate deadlines typically fall in January for equal consideration, though Greenwich also accepts later applications through Clearing. Postgraduate applications are usually accepted on a rolling basis until courses fill.
Scholarship
Greenwich offers several scholarships and bursaries aimed specifically at reducing the burden of international tuition fees:
International Scholarship Award a reduction of up to roughly £3,000–£3,500 off first-year tuition fees for eligible international undergraduate and postgraduate students, usually applied automatically or via a short application after an offer is made.
Regional and country-specific scholarships targeted awards for applicants from specific regions or countries, changing periodically based on university partnerships.
Greenwich Progression Bursary support for students progressing from partner colleges or foundation programmes.
International Hardship Fund discretionary financial support for enrolled international students facing unexpected financial difficulty.
External funding routes Greenwich students can also apply for Chevening Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships, both UK government-funded schemes open to postgraduate applicants from eligible countries (these are separate from, and additional to, university-run awards).
Most scholarships are awarded automatically on assessment of your application rather than through a separate essay-based process, but eligibility criteria, deadlines, and amounts change year to year check the scholarships and bursaries page for your specific course and nationality before you apply, since a scholarship you're relying on may not carry over between intakes.
Finances
Planning your budget for Greenwich means looking beyond tuition to the full cost of studying in London:
Typical monthly costs (single student, London-based campus):
Funding your studies:
UK/Home students can apply for Student Finance England (or the equivalent in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland) for tuition fee loans and maintenance loans.
International students typically self-fund or rely on scholarships, education loans from banks in their home country, or sponsor funding UK Student visa rules require proof of funds covering tuition and living costs before a CAS is issued.
Part-time work students on a UK Student visa can generally work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during scheduled holidays, which many students use to offset living costs.
Payment plans Greenwich allows tuition fees to be paid in instalments rather than as one lump sum; check the Finance office for the current schedule.
Because visa financial-proof requirements and loan terms change based on UK government policy, always confirm current figures with the university's Finance and Money Advice team or the official UK government visa guidance before finalising your budget.
Accommodation
Greenwich guarantees accommodation to first-year students who firmly accept their offer by the published deadline, since spaces are allocated first-come, first-served.
University halls (Cutty Sark Hall, Daniel Defoe Hall, Devonport House, McMillan Student Village, and others near the Maritime/Greenwich campus):
Shared en-suite rooms from roughly £146–£230+ per week on a 39-week contract.
Bills, Wi-Fi, and contents insurance are usually included.
A refundable deposit (commonly around £400) secures a room.
Private purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) near campus:
Studios and en-suite rooms typically range from £210 to £550+ per week, depending on location, room type, and finish.
Contracts often run 44–51 weeks, longer than university halls.
Private rentals (shared houses, flats):
Roughly £700–£1,200 a month for a room in a shared house, plus a deposit (often five weeks' rent), referencing checks, and usually a UK-based guarantor.
Most first-years choose university halls for cost and proximity to campus, while returning students often move to private shared housing once they're familiar with the area. If you're applying from overseas, book as early as possible popular halls near the Maritime Campus tend to sell out first.
