Study in UK
Let’s know why Indian students prefer the UK as a top study destination
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, education in the UK has become a benchmark for other countries.
Table of contents
- Student visa requirements for the UK
- Cost to study in the UK
- Scholarships to study in the UK
- Intakes in the UK
- Top courses to Study in the UK
- Top Universities to Study in the UK
- Job Prospects in the UK
- Cost of living in the UK
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) student visa | 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. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
| 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
Cost to study in the 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. | 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.
Scholarships to study in the 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 the UK as an Indian student:
| S.No. | Name of the scholarships | 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 |
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 |
Top courses to study in the UK
With world-class universities and experienced faculties, and multiple opportunities in different fields, the UK is a top choice among international students. Know all the popular 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
Top universities to study in the UK
When deciding which university to study 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
QS Ranking of UK Universities
| 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 and Political Science (LSE) | 56 |
| 9. | The University of Warwick | 64 |
| 10. | University of Bristol | 61 |
Job prospects in UK
Highest paying degrees in the 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.
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
Popular sectors with job opportunities in the UK
There are various career opportunities post-graduation for international students studying in the UK. Here are the popular fields you can opt for higher education:
| Sectors | Sectors | Sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Technology and telecom | Insurance | 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:
| Living 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 (calculated on membership for the students’ sports centre) | £10 - £20 |
| Books and stationery | £21 |
| Socializing | £120 |
| Travel and transport (based on the monthly cost of a student bus pass) | £32 |
| Childcare (if needed) | £656 |
*Please note that all figures are indicative
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