Study in United Kingdom: Find Top Universities, Courses & Scholarships

The United Kingdom is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for Indian students. With a strong education system, multicultural environment, and industry-based courses, the UK provides an entry point for academic success and lucrative career prospects.

Whether to pursue studies in United Kingdom schools or study in the UK without IELTS options, the advantage is evident, from top-ranked institutions to lucrative post-study work possibilities.

For an international student wanting to study in England, here’s a quick overview of all the essential factors to consider:

More than 1.6 lakh Indian students moved to the UK in 2025 for their higher education. The UK offers an excellent infrastructure for education for Indian students, a diverse environment, and good career opportunities. Pursuing a master’s in the UK will be expensive, but it’ll be worth it. 

With some of the best universities in the world, such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and University College London, you have state-of-the-art facilities, the best faculty, and a great ROI. 

Moreover, as an international student, you are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours a week when classes are in session. Let’s look more closely at why you should consider studying at UK:

• Premier Institutions: The UK boasts some of the world's top universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, which consistently rank high in global rankings.

• Diverse Programs: With a vast selection ranging from cutting-edge engineering and computer science programs to renowned law and business schools, you're sure to find a course that aligns with your aspirations.

• Global Recognition: UK degrees hold immense weight and are highly respected by employers internationally.

• Language & Cultural Immersion: Immersing yourself in a predominantly English-speaking country like the UK naturally enhances your language proficiency. Moreover, the UK's multicultural environment provides a rich cultural experience.

• Flexible English Requirements: While IELTS is a common requirement, many UK universities offer alternative English proficiency tests or even waive the requirement under certain circumstances, making UK education accessible to a wider range of students.

Once UK students complete their 12th studies, the next step would be to pursue higher education. The higher education system in UK is provided by universities. Here are the 3 types of degrees provided under the British higher education system:

• Undergraduate Degree: UG is an undergraduate degree that is also referred to as a Bachelor’s degree. It is a full-time course with a duration of 3 to 4 years. Students can also pursue a joint honours degree where students can study two or three major subjects instead of one. 

• Masters Degree:  A Masters Degree study duration is between 1-2 years based on the subject choice.

• Ph.D. Degree: Ph.D. or doctorate programs are courses that can be studied either full-time or part-time. The study duration is between 3-6 years depending on the subjects. 

UK higher education is known for its systematic degree routes, stringent quality control, and high-quality research facilities. In the UK, the UG courses generally take 3 years in England (4 years in Scotland), master's courses are finished within 1 to 2 years, and PhD studies take 3 to 6 years. 

The following table provides a detailed breakdown of these features with tangible numbers and examples:

In UK, higher education is provided by universities and they have the power to grant degrees. Here’s a quick look at the types of universities in UK:

Credit System in UK

UK follows a credit system to monitor, record as well as encourage an easy movement between courses and institutions. In general, one UK credit equates to 10 hours of work. Students have to accumulate credits per program to be able to acquire a degree. 

The main reason why international students prefer UK to study abroad is for its  well-ranked universities. There are many top universities in UK that excel in academics and help in shaping the future of students. Let us have a look at the best universities in UK:

There are multiple top courses in UK that provide diverse programs. Here’s a quick look at the best courses in UK for international students.

• Business studies

• Accounting and Finance

• Undergraduate Law

• Economics

• Computer Science

• Politics

• Biological sciences

• Electrical Engineering

The programs to study in UK for Indian students are:

An online option is needed to study in UK for Indian students. To apply for UK university, follow the steps below:

• Research & Shortlist: List the universities and courses that fit your academic record and professional objectives.

• Check Eligibility: See specific entry qualifications, such as academic qualifications and language skills.

• Application Submission: Submit applications online through the official portal of the university.

• Receive Offer: You will be offered a shortlisting after which you receive an offer letter and a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).

• Accept Offer: Respond to the acceptance and pay necessary deposits.

• Apply for Visa: Start your student visa application process with required papers.

• Finalize Enrollment: Attend to any loose ends of the enrollment process before leaving.

To apply to a university course in UK, you need to ensure that the below UK university admission requirements are met: 

The cost of living in UK depends on your lifestyle. The factors that will determine your cost of living are accommodation, transport, food, etc. The average cost of living in UK is discussed below:

There are multiple cities to study in UK. From educational factors to the living conditions, these are the top 5 best-preferred student destinations to consider in UK for further education. 

To apply for a UK student visa, the process to be followed is simple. Once you receive a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) certificate from the university, you can apply for a student visa. To apply for UK student visa, follow this step by step guide:

• Determine the type of Visa you require - Short term or Tier 4 

• Apply for the student visa under the respective visa category.

• You are required to attend a visa interview as per the university rules.

• You need to get a screening test done for Tuberculosis.

• If you’re going to stay in UK for more than 6 months, you have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

• Once you’ve filled in your visa application, you need to send in your biometric information after which your visa will be processed.

• The process for a student visa is 3 weeks and can be extended based on your visa application.

Ensure for your visa interview, you are reaching 30 minutes prior to the interview time.

Higher education in the UK costs differ widely by level of study and institution, offering clear and competitive charges. For under-graduate degrees, yearly fees for tuition are around INR 16 lakhs to INR 30 lakhs. Masters programs generally cost between 16 lakhs to 28 lakhs per year, and for doctorate, you get a monthly stipend that covers your living costs. 

Planning your budget effectively requires a clear understanding of the typical living expenses in the UK, which can vary by location. 

Accommodation charges vary between INR 1 to 2 lakhs per month, with living expenses in London much higher than other UK cities like Cardiff, Newcastle and Nottingham. When planning your university, make sure you consider all the expenses to make a holistic decision. 

• Accommodation: College-owned pen-houses are very expensive, so make sure to find cheaper accommodations. Rent can be up to INR 1 lakh per month.

• Food & Utilities: INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 per month on groceries.

• Transportation & Miscellaneous: Around INR 20,000 to INR 40,000 for miscellaneous costs

The UK provides transparent avenues for international students to move from study to permanent residence, supported by organized visa schemes. 

For instance, the Graduate Visa allows students to work in the UK for a maximum of 2 years upon graduation, or 3 years for PhD graduates, as a means of securing post-study work experience. 

Alternatively, through the employment of an approved sponsor and satisfaction of certain salary and residency requirements, you can move to a Skilled Worker Visa, which can ultimately lead to permanent residence.

• Graduate Visa: Provides two years (or three years for Ph.D. holders) to secure work experience.

• Skilled Worker Visa: If you have gained employment with an approved sponsor, you can become eligible for this visa, which may result in permanent residence.

• Eligibility Criteria: Normally comprise continuous residence, passing salary levels, and demonstrating your skills are in demand.

Scholarships are a great source of funding for international students. There are multiple scholarships for international students in UK. Some of them are government-funded while the rest are non-government-funded. Apart from this, even universities offer scholarships options. Some top scholarships for Indian students in UK are:

Chevening Scholarships

• International Students pursuing Masters in any UK universities

• Amount/Benefit: Covers tuition fees, travel, and other allowances

Euraxees UK

• Students pursuing research programs such as PhD.

• Amount/Benefit: 100% Funded and covers air tickets, books, medical insurance, and accommodation.

Commonwealth Scholarships

• Students pursuing Full-time Masters degree in selective courses

• Amount/Benefit: Covers tuition, examination fees, airfare, thesis grants, study travel grant, excess baggage/ warm clothing allowance, and a stipend of £1,116 per month for those studying in London’s metropolitan areas.

Felix Scholarships

• Indian students pursuing Masters/Research programs in a UK University (except Medicine)

• Amount/Benefit: 100% Funded Tuition fees and Stipend

Clarendon Fund Scholarships

• International students pursuing  Masters/Ph.D. degrees at Oxford University

• Amount/Benefit: Fully funded coverage on course fees and grants for living expenses

Denys Holland Scholarship at UCL

• Students pursuing Undergraduate Studies

• Amount/Benefit: £9,000 per year for 3 years

University of Westminster International Scholarships

• Students pursuing full-time Masters degree in any subject (except MBA)

• Amount/Benefit: Covers tuition fees, flights charges, accommodation, and living expenses.

International students have several job opportunities in UK after Masters. Right before expiry of a student visa, you can apply for a Graduate visa wherein students can stay for a minimum of two years after completing a course. These two years will give you time to find the right job.

Here is a quick look at the top fields that offer job opportunities in UK after masters:

Work Visa & PR in UK

As stated above, a Graduate visa can help international students get a UK work visa that can help them stay for 2 years after their course. For Ph.D. holders, the stay is up to 3 years.

If you’re looking to extend your stay, apply for the Skilled Worker visa. On this visa, you are eligible to work with an approved employer and can stay in the UK accordingly. 

With this visa, you are eligible to apply for PR as well. To be applicable for PR in UK, ensure the below checklists are met:

• Lived and worked in UK for 5 years

• Meet the salary requirements

• Prove that your skills matter for the job position

When applying for PR, you need to pay a fee of £2,389. The process will take up to 6 months. If you wish to seek an immediate reply, you need to pay an additional £500- £800.  Availing PR in the UK opens a wider door to better career opportunities as well as other benefits the UK provides to its residents. 

Choosing to pursue higher studies in UK can dramatically improve your access to excellent education and quality life. For this  reason, the UK has always been a preferred student destination among international students. If you too are thinking of moving to UK for higher education, you have picked the right destination. To seek better assistance on going forward with your decision to study in UK, get in touch with Ashiraj counsellors today!