Study in UK for Indian Students
Study in UK
Why Choose UK for Education?
The UK is a premier education destination, home to renowned universities that uphold high academic standards and rigorous curricula.
With a diverse array of programs, students can find courses that align with their interests and career aspirations. The multicultural society enriches the learning experience, exposing students to various cultures and perspectives. The UK excels in research and innovation, offering access to advanced facilities. Many undergraduate programs last three years, while master’s programs typically span one year, enabling quicker graduation.
Recent visa changes allow graduates to stay for up to two years to seek employment, with UK qualifications recognized globally.
Quick Facts
- London is the capital of the UK.
- The UK is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Popular cities in the UK include London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff, and Liverpool.
- The UK is home to over 130 universities, including many of the world’s oldest and most prestigious institutions.
- 6 of the World’s Top 100 Universities are located in the UK.
- 3 out of 30 Best Student Cities in the world are in the UK (QS Best Student Cities 2024).
- UK universities have produced over 100 Nobel Laureates across various fields.
Cost of Studying in UK
The student is required to show 1 year of Tuition Fees mentioned in the CAS and 9 months of Living Cost.
Tuition is set by each university and varies as much by course as by institution; the living figures are what the visa application expects you to show, and the surcharge and the visa fee are what the UK government collects. None of them is our charge — we do not receive any part of them.
| Category | Detail | Estimated cost in GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Undergraduate 10,000 – 38,000 | 10,000 – 38,000 |
| Postgraduate 12,000 – 45,000 | 12,000 – 45,000 | |
| Living Expenses, inside London | Student 13,761 | 13,761 |
| Dependent 7,605 | 7,605 | |
| Living Expenses, outside London | Student 10,539 | 10,539 |
| Dependent 6,120 | 6,120 | |
| Visa and immigration charges | Immigration Health Surcharge 776 | 776 |
| Student visa fee 558 | 558 |
Costs: UK universities revise their tuition every year, and the maintenance figures, the health surcharge and the visa fee all move on the Home Office’s own schedule, so a figure that is right for one intake can be wrong for the next. Tell us which intake and which universities you are aiming at and we will confirm what you will actually need.
Ask us about UK costsLanguage Proficiency Tests
Approved English language tests for studying in the UK typically include:
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Cambridge English Qualifications
It includes C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, which have specific score requirements.
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Duolingo English Test
Popular Courses in UK
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Business and Management
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Engineering
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Computer Science
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Medicine and Healthcare
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Arts and Humanities
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Hospitality and Tourism
Step by step
How to apply to study in the UK
The UK runs three intakes a year, so there is no single deadline — you work backwards from the one you are aiming at. Allow eight to twelve months from the first conversation to boarding the plane. Most of that is not the application itself: it is the English test, the documents and the money, and each of those has to be finished before the step after it can start.
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Pick your intake and work back from it
September or October is the primary intake and carries the widest choice of courses, for undergraduate and most postgraduate programmes alike. January or February is a second intake some universities run for particular courses, mostly postgraduate. A few institutions take a smaller May or June intake for certain specialised courses. Check that your course actually runs in the intake you want before you build a plan around it.
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Choose the course, and find out what it asks for
Entry requirements are set by each university and by each course rather than nationally, and beyond the academic qualifications and the English score they can include an interview, a portfolio for a creative course, or a standardised test. Find out which of those your shortlist asks for now, because anything that has to be booked, sat or built is the part of this list you cannot compress later. A PhD is a different route again: it needs a research proposal and a funding plan before an application means anything.
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Sit an accepted English test
IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, a Cambridge qualification or the Duolingo English Test — the list is above, and which of them your university accepts, at which score, is worth confirming before you book. Leave enough room to retake it once if you need to. The visa has its own English requirement as well as the university’s, so a score that satisfies an offer is not automatically the end of it.
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Apply, and gather the documents while you wait
Applications go to several universities rather than one. Academic transcripts, your passport and your English result are what everything after this is assembled from, and transcripts and passports are the slowest of the three to obtain — so start those first, not last. If you have a gap in your education, this is the point to write down what you did in it and what evidence you have, because you will be asked.
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Accept an offer and get your CAS
An offer is usually conditional. You meet the conditions, accept it and pay the deposit, and the university then issues the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies your visa application is built on. Universities run a credibility interview of their own before they issue it, so the CAS is not a formality that follows the deposit — it is a step you prepare for.
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Get the money in place, in your own name
The application has to show one year of the tuition fee named on your CAS plus nine months of living cost, and the living figure differs depending on whether your university is inside or outside London. What matters as much as the amount is where it has been and for how long: money that appears the week before an application raises the question the whole financial requirement exists to ask.
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Apply for the Student visa
The Student route is points-based and needs 70 points: the CAS is worth 50, the financial requirement 10 and the English requirement 10. That is why the three steps above are in the order they are — each one is a block of points, and none of them can be assembled at the visa stage. UKVI can also call an applicant for a credibility interview at any point, so be ready to explain your choice of course, university and city in your own words before you go to VFS.
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Pre-departure
What to carry in hand baggage, what your work rights are once you land — up to twenty hours a week during term time and full time in the holidays, with some kinds of work excluded — how to open a bank account, accommodation for at least the first few weeks, and who to contact in your first week. The Graduate Route comes later and is applied for from inside the UK after your final results, so it is worth knowing the shape of it now and not planning around it yet.
FAQs
Studying in the UK — your questions answered
Can I work while I study?
Yes, international students in the UK can work while studying, but there are restrictions. On a valid Student visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. You can take on part-time jobs, internships, or placements, but self-employment and professional sports roles may be restricted.
What are the criteria for available scholarships?
Scholarship criteria in the UK vary by institution and program, but commonly include academic excellence, often demonstrated through strong grades or qualifications. Many scholarships may focus on specific courses of study or fields, while others assess financial need. Involvement in extracurricular activities, compelling personal statements, and strong letters of recommendation are also important. Additionally, some scholarships may be limited to specific citizenship or residency statuses.
What are the entry requirements in the UK?
Entry requirements for studying in the UK typically include:
- 1 Academic Qualifications
- 2 English Language Proficiency
- 3 Financial Evidence
- 4 Other Requirements: Some courses may have additional requirements, such as interviews, portfolios (for creative courses), or standardized tests.
Will I be eligible for a post-study work visa?
To be eligible for the Post-Study Work Visa (Graduate Route) in the UK, you must have completed a qualifying degree at a UK institution while on a valid Student visa. You need to apply within a specified timeframe after receiving your final results. This visa allows you to stay for up to 2 years (3 for PhD graduates) to work or seek employment.
How many intakes are there in a year?
In the UK, there are typically three main intakes for university courses each year:
- 1 September/October Intake: This is the primary intake and the most common for undergraduate and many postgraduate programs.
- 2 January/February Intake: Some universities offer a second intake for specific courses, especially in postgraduate programs.
- 3 May/June Intake: A few institutions may have a smaller intake during this period, primarily for certain specialized courses.
Is a PhD possible in the UK?
Yes, a PhD is possible in the UK if the student has a good research proposal and has proper funding.
Is a gap acceptable in the UK?
Yes, but students must be able to explain the gap during their visa interview.
Do students need to face the visa interview at VFS?
- 1 Universities are conducting a credibility interview before issuing CAS.
- 2 UKVI can randomly call the student for a credibility interview, hence it is recommended that the student should be prepared for the visa interview before going to VFS.
What is UKVI?
UKVI, or UK Visas and Immigration, is a division of the Home Office responsible for managing the UK’s immigration system. It processes visa applications, enforces immigration rules, oversees sponsorship for employers and educational institutions, and ensures compliance with immigration laws, playing a key role in the country’s immigration framework.
What is the PBS Student Route visa?
Students will require a total of 70 points to be granted a student visa. Points will be awarded for meeting the requirements of the route as set out below:
- 50 Points – CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance)
- 10 Points – Financial Requirement
- 10 Points – English Language Requirement
How do I choose the right institution?
Consider factors such as program availability, university rankings, location, campus facilities, and student support services when selecting an institution. For expert assistance, contact IFS.
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