Study Abroad in UK
Discover top universities, affordable tuition, scholarships, and post-study work opportunities in the UK. Stubard guides Indian students for applications, visa processes, and course selection to study in UK.
How-To-Guide About Studying Abroad in the UK for Indian Students
The United Kingdom (UK) happens to be one of the oldest and most esteemed education hubs in the world, and it still remains a destination of choice among Indian students who would like to study abroad. The country boasts of internationally ranked universities, centuries of academic excellence, industry-oriented studies and good post-study opportunities with more than 120,000 Indian students currently pursuing education in the UK.
The UK school system is characterized by academic rigor, brevity of courses, research excellence, and international acclaim. If you want to become an engineer, computer scientist, business, finance, healthcare, law, arts, or even a data scientist, a degree in the UK helps you to gain globally recognized qualifications and practical skills.
The guide includes all information about studying in the UK that Indian students should know, including admissions, costs, universities, scholarships, visas, work opportunities, accommodation, student life, and more.
Why Indian Students Prefer to Study Abroad in UK
Indian students select the UK due to the education of global standard, international exposure and good returns on investment.
Here are the major reasons to study abroad in the United Kingdom (UK).
- Universities that are known throughout the world.
- Reduced length of the course (1-year Master’s degrees)
- Research-based and industry-related curriculum.
- High employability and international degrees appreciation.
- Part-time employment in Between Studies
- Post-Study Work Visa Graduate Route (2 years).
- Multicultural and inclusive atmosphere.
- Huge Indian student population.
- Safety of students and a high quality of life.
UK presents Indian students with the ideal combination of educational quality and academic excellence, global exposure and career development.
Quick Facts About the UK
Feature | Details |
Capital | London |
Top Cities to Study | London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh |
Popular Fields | Business, IT, Engineering, Healthcare, Law |
Tuition Fees | ₹12–35 lakh/year |
Living Cost | ₹90,000–1,60,000/month |
Intakes | September, January, May |
Scholarships | Govt. & University-funded |
UK Education System for Indian Students
The UK education system is a globally respected, structured, and career-oriented one, which takes shorter routes to graduation.
Study Levels:
- Foundation Programs: 1 year
- Bachelor’s Degree: 3–4 years
- Master’s Degree: 1 year
- PhD / Doctorate: 3–4 years
Types of Institutions:
- Public Universities: Research-intensive and international rankings.
- Specialized Colleges: Business, arts, law and healthcare.
- Colleges of Further Education: Pathway and vocational courses.
The September intake is the major intake, and then the January intake.
Top Majors Courses to Study in UK as an Indian Student
The UK is doing well in academics, research, finance, healthcare, and innovation.
Popular Programs:
Computer Science & IT
Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering
Engineering
Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automotive, Aerospace
Business & Management
MBA, Finance, Marketing, International Business, Business Analytics
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Nursing, Public Health, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences
Law & Social Sciences
LLM, International Law, Politics, Economics
Media, Arts & Design
Fashion, Film Studies, Animation, Graphic Design
Admission Criteria of Indian Students
For Bachelor’s:
- Completion of Class 12
- IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band less than 5.5)
- SAT not mandatory
- Statement of Purpose
For Master’s:
- Known undergraduate degree.
- IELTS 6.5–7.0 / TOEFL
- GRE/GMAT (only in selected programs)
- SOP + Resume + Letters of Recommendation.
Common Documents:
- Valid passport
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- English language test results.
- Resume / Portfolio (where necessary)
Apply 6–8 months before intake.
Indian Student Visa UK: Student Route Visa
The Indian students should seek a UK Student Route Visa.
Documents Required:
- Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)
- Valid passport
- Evidence of finances (9 months of tuition and living expenses)
- English language proof
- Academic documents
- Tuberculosis (TB) test report
Processing Time Visa: 3-6 weeks (priority available)
Cost of Studying in the UK
Average Tuition Fees:
Program Level | Tuition Fees (INR/year) |
Bachelor’s | ₹12–25 lakh |
Master’s | ₹15–35 lakh |
MBA | ₹25–45 lakh |
PhD | Mostly funded |
Most PhD programs are based on tuition waivers and monthly allowances.
Living Cost in the UK for Indian Students
Expense | Monthly Cost (GBP) | Approx INR |
Rent | 500–900 | ₹52,000–94,000 |
Food | 200–350 | ₹21,000–36,000 |
Transport | 80–150 | ₹8,000–15,000 |
Utilities | 100–150 | ₹10,000–15,000 |
Personal | 150–250 | ₹15,000–26,000 |
London is a more expensive city such as Manchester, Sheffield, and Leeds.
The Best Universities in the UK for Indian Academics
QS Rank 2026 | University | Avg Fees (GBP) | Best Programs |
2 | 35,000–45,000 | Engineering, Medicine | |
4 | 35,000–45,000 | Humanities, Sciences | |
6 | 35,000–45,000 | Engineering, Research | |
9 | 30,000–40,000 | Business, Law | |
31 | 28,000–38,000 | Health, Law | |
35 | 25,000–35,000 | Engineering, IT |
UK degrees are internationally accepted and very marketable.
Indian Student Scholarships in the UK
Government & External Scholarships: Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships, and GREAT Scholarships
University Scholarships: Discounts on tuition based on merit, Faculty-specific awards, and Research grants.
Benefits Include: Part-time or full tuition waiver, living allowance, and travel grants.
Apply 8–12 months early.
Top Scholarships in UK for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Offered By | Level of Study | Coverage | Target Group |
| Chevening Scholarships | UK Government | Postgraduate (Master’s) | Full tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel costs | Students from over 160 countries |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office | Postgraduate (Master’s, PhD) | Tuition, airfare, and living expenses | Students from Commonwealth countries |
| GREAT Scholarships | British Council & UK Universities | Postgraduate (Master’s) | Minimum £10,000 towards tuition fees | Students from selected countries (incl. India, China, Malaysia) |
| Rhodes Scholarship | Rhodes Trust & University of Oxford | Postgraduate (Master’s) | Full tuition, living costs, travel | Outstanding students worldwide |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship | Gates Cambridge Trust | Postgraduate (PhD) | Full tuition, allowance, airfare | Non-UK students |
| Clarendon Fund | University of Oxford | Postgraduate (Master’s, DPhil) | Tuition and generous grant for living costs | International students applying to Oxford |
| Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship | University of Edinburgh | PhD | Partial tuition fee coverage | International students |
| University of Westminster Scholarships | University of Westminster | Undergraduate & Postgraduate | Tuition fee waiver | Developing country applicants |
| UCL Global Masters Scholarship | University College London | Master’s | £15,000 toward tuition | Low-income international students |
| University of Bristol Think Big | University of Bristol | Undergraduate & Postgraduate | £6,500 to £13,000 tuition waiver | International students |
Study Intakes in the UK
Intake | Months | Notes |
September | Sep–Oct | Main intake |
January | Jan–Feb | Limited courses |
May | May | Few programs |
Work Opportunities in the UK
During Studies:
- Part-time employment: 20 hours/week when in term.
- Full-time employment: Over holidays.
Post-Study Work:
Graduates are eligible to apply for the Graduate Route Visa:
- Bachelor’s & Master’s: 2 years
- PhD graduates: 3 years
Graduates are able to work full-time in any position without being sponsored.
IT, finance, healthcare, engineering, construction, and data analytics are already in high demand in the UK.
UK Student Accommodation
The student accommodation in the UK is secure, controlled and hospitable. Options include:
- College hostels.
- Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
- Student flats and personal rentals.
- Homestays
Types of Rooms:
- Ensuite rooms
- Non-ensuite rooms
- Shared rooms
- Studio apartments
- Shared flats and townhouses
The majority of the accommodations are Wi-Fi-connected and furnished with rooms, kitchens, laundry, study areas, gyms, and security. Students are allowed to reserve accommodation online.
UK Student Experience
The academic background, exposure to the world and cultural diversity make studying in the UK a dream among many Indian students. Indians are also a great number in the UK, and students have no problem locating Indian food, festivals, temples, and communities.
London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds are some of the cities with a large population of Indians. Traveling around the UK and visiting historic wonders, museums, the countryside, and destinations throughout Europe are also popular with students.
A Few More Facts About the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, formally the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is a union of four nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The UK is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy and one of the most influential nations in the whole world in terms of history, academic and economic strength.
The UK is incredibly well-connected, and it is densely populated, but the nation is very small in terms of geographical size when compared to Australia and Canada. The transport network in the country is developed and comprises underground metros (Tube), national rail, trams, buses and domestic flights that enable students to travel fast and affordably across the country. The London transport network is one of the largest in the world.
The UK has more than 40 international airports, including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham, which offer excellent services to India and other nations. Student travelling around the UK and to Europe, particularly during study breaks, is very easy because most of the European destinations are within a short flight.
The UK uses English as the language of instruction and communication. British English is universally accepted and spoken in the field of academic work, professional life, and immigration. Other than English, Welsh, Scots Gaelic, Punjabi, Polish and Urdu are also spoken languages in the UK because of the diversified nature of the UK population.
The UK is a multi-cultural and multi-religious society that does not practice any official state religion, but as a society, has a historical weight on Christianity. The citizens practice various religions with ease, such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Buddhism. Diwali, Holi and Vaisakhi are the Indian festivals that are celebrated in most cities in the UK.
Tourism is a significant contribution to the UK economy, and the students enjoy the benefits of living in a country that is full of history, culture, architecture, museums, castles, theatres and natural landscapes. During weekends and holiday periods, the students are able to visit places like London, Edinburgh, Oxford, Cambridge, Cardiff, the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, and seaside towns.
The UK is also characterized by a good healthcare system (NHS), high standards of safety and security, student welfare services and strictness in university rules and regulations that give international students’ academic and personal care throughout the period of their study.
Studying in the UK provides Indian learners with the opportunity to enjoy an ideal combination of academic excellence, cultural diversity, global exposure, as well as professional networking and make their study-abroad experience both enriching and memorable.
Final Note
The UK is still amongst the most secure and high-end study-abroad locations among Indian students. Having globally respected degrees, shorter courses, better post-study opportunities, and abundant cultural experience, pursuing a study in the UK can be a life-changing academic and career choice. There is no doubt that it is one of the best ideas to study in UK for Indian students.
Cost of Living in United Kingdom
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Frequently Asked Questions
The UK has the best universities in the world, reduced course lengths, and high employability. Four of the UK universities are among the top 10 universities in the world in the QS ranking.
The UK is moderately expensive, but it has excellent ROI due to shorter degrees.
The cost of studying in the UK is ₹12–45 lakh per year, depending on the course and university.
The living cost in the United Kingdom is GBP 1,200–1,500 per month on average.
Yes, you can work up to 20 hours per week.
The Graduate Route Visa is given to eligible graduates.
Yes, the UK has good systems of student safety and welfare.