Discover a world-class education in the UK, a renowned global hub for excellence in education and research.
The United Kingdom (UK) is home to some of the world’s oldest universities and colleges having their roots in the 12th and 13th centuries. Coming from such a strong legacy, study in UK has become a benchmark for other countries.
Student visa requirements for the UK
Here’s an overview of the types of study visas and their application requirements:
Type of student visa | Who it’s for | When to apply | Arrival in the UK |
Tier 4 (General) | Students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor | Three months before the start of your course | Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. |
Short-term study visa | Students who have offered a place in a short-term course in the UK, such as an English language course or training course | Three months before your date of travel to the UK | Depends on your nominated travel dates |
*For detailed information, please visit the Gov.UK website
Read more here.
Cost to study in UK
Your expenditure on tuition fees depends on the type of qualification and university or school you opt for. There are many high-ranking universities and colleges in the UK with their own fee structures. Here’s the basic cost of studying.
S.No. | UK Study Program | Average fee (in Euros*) |
1 | Undergraduate bachelor’s degree | GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year |
2 | Postgraduate master's degree | GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year |
3 | Doctoral degree | GBP 15,000 to GBP 24,000 per year |
*Please note that: all figures are indicative and PhD costs might differ as fully funded options are also available in the UK
If you want to bring down your educational expenses, it is best to apply to various scholarships available for Indian students.
Read more here.
Scholarships to study in UK
For Study in UK, the amount of money available and the type of award varies between institutions. Certain research programs may provide up to 100% of the tuition fee besides covering a part of your living expenditures.
Here are some popular government scholarship programs you can apply to study in UK as an Indian student:
S.no. | Name of the UK scholarship | Description |
1 | Chevening Scholarship | Supports talented professionals who have shown prior leadership skills and exceptional performance in their respective fields. With Chevening, you can apply for a scholarship or fellowship, the selection of which is done by the high commission and British embassies. |
2 | Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship | The commonwealth scholarship aims to give international students from commonwealth countries a chance to pursue postgraduate degrees in the UK. Basically, the scholarship scheme caters to students from commonwealth nations to study in the UK. |
3 | GREAT Scholarship | This scholarship is jointly funded by the UK Government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council under the Study UK campaign. This program includes 99 postgraduate scholarships from 36 UK universities in a variety of subjects. However, for Indian students, 12 of the UK higher education institutions are offering 13 postgraduate scholarships. |
4 | Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships (CWIT) | Charles Wallace India trust scholarships (CWIT) is the scholarship fund of Charles Wallace India Trust that provides grants to Indian students currently living in India in the early or middle stages of their career and either working or studying in the heritage conservation, arts, or humanities. |
5 | Scotland Saltire Scholarships | Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships is a scholarship program of the Scottish Government in collaboration with Scottish universities offered in the areas of creative industries, technology, science, medical sciences, healthcare, and renewable and clean energy. |
*This is an indicative list, speak with your IDP counsellor for details and the best available options suited to your profile
Read more here
Intakes in the UK
Colleges and universities in the UK offer two major intakes, but few of the universities also offer summer intakes.
Intakes | Duration |
Autumn/Fall intake | September to December |
Spring intake | January to April |
Summer intake | April to June |
Read more here
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Top courses to study in UK
With world-class universities, experienced faculties, and multiple opportunities in different fields, the UK is a top choice among international students. Know all the popular study abroad courses of UK universities so you can make the best of your career choice
Business management
Engineering and technology
Medicine
Law
Social Sciences
Media and communication
Read more here.
Top universities to study in UK
When deciding which university to study in UK at, it is crucial that you also look at the world university rankings. This helps you compare and understand where a university ranks and how your desired institution fares on the global map. Here are the top UK universities according to QS World University Rankings 2023
S.No. | Institution | QS Ranking 2023 (Globally) |
1 | University of Oxford | 4 |
2 | University of Cambridge | 2 |
3 | Imperial College London | 6 |
4 | UCL (University College London) | 8 |
5 | The University of Edinburgh | 15 |
6 | The University of Manchester | 28 |
7 | King's College London | 37 |
8 | London School of Economics | 56 |
9 | The University of Warwick | 64 |
10 | University of Bristol | 61 |
Check where these UK universities rank on the Times Higher Education charts.
Job prospects in UK
The UK is a hub of opportunities for international students. According to the data from the World Bank, the UK is the 5th largest economy in the world, which makes it a perfect place for building a successful career.
Read more here.
Highest paying degrees in the UK
With a huge job market, UK universities offer some popular degree courses that are in demand in the job market, and professionals in the fields are paid well. Here are the highest-paying degrees in the UK.
MBA
Executive MBA
Masters in finance
LLM
Doctorate
Read more: Highest Paying Jobs in UK
Popular sectors with job opportunities in the UK
There are various career opportunities post-graduation for international students study in UK. Here are the popular fields you can opt for higher education:
Technology and telecom | Financial services | |
Law | Apps, web, and e-commerce | Energy, Mining, Chemicals, Environmental |
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech | Consumer goods | Transportation and logistics |
Consulting and professional services | Retail and trade | Media and communication |
Public sector and education | Service, tourism, restaurants | Health care |
Charity and not profit | Sports, culture, and recreation | Construction and real estate |
Cost of living in the UK
Here’s a list of the minimum monthly amount you should expect for living expenses in the UK:
Expenses | Monthly cost |
Bills (electric/ gas/ water) | £40 - £50 |
Food and housekeeping | £160 - £200 |
TV license (mandatory with TV or watching BBC online) | £12.56 (or £150.50 per year) |
Mobile phone | £15 - £50 |
Clothes and shoes | £25 |
Leisure and sports | £10 - £20 |
Books and stationery | £21 |
Socializing | £120 |
Travel and transport | £32 |
Childcare (if needed) | £656 |
Please note that all figures are indicative
FAQs related to Study in UK
We know you have a lot of questions in your mind, so have answered common questions students as you raise about study and living in the UK.
1. Is CAS letter needed for UK?
The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a crucial document required to obtain a student visa for studying in the UK. It is an electronic document provided by your university to support your student visa application. As an international student, you must request a CAS letter before applying for the visa. Generally, the CAS is issued after accepting an offer and paying the specified deposit* to secure your place. The letter includes your personal information, details of the course you will be studying, the duration of the study, and a unique CAS number.
2. Why apply for a Pre-Masters program?
Every year, a significant number of international students apply to UK universities to enhance their academic abilities. However, entry requirements for courses can pose challenges to their study abroad plans. This is particularly true for students who:
Wish to switch fields after their undergraduate program, where the old and new fields may not align well.
Struggle to meet the English proficiency test requirements.
Lack a strong foundation in their chosen field.
If you fall into any of these categories, a pre-masters course is tailored for you. This course provides the necessary theoretical concepts and practical tools to prepare you for the master's program. It is advisable to refine your academic writing skills, enhance your language proficiency, and familiarise yourself with academic terminologies before embarking on your postgraduate journey.
3. What are the different law degrees in the UK?
Law is a highly sought-after course among UK universities, offering two distinct types of Law degrees for aspiring students. Let's delve into a brief description of each:
Type 1: Barrister
Type 2: Solicitor
4. How to Study in the UK after 12th with the Pathway program?
Pathway or foundation courses are primarily designed for students who do not meet the academic entry requirements, have not attained the desired score in the English language proficiency test, or wish to switch their field of study. These courses aim to support international students in enhancing their language proficiency and acquiring the necessary skills to pursue higher education in UK universities. Typically lasting for a year, some pathway courses have a narrow focus, while others offer a more general curriculum.
Check out the FAQs for the UK
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