The United Kingdom is one of the top destinations for Indian students seeking overseas education. It is home to over 160 esteemed universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. The UK’s commendable culture, high educational standards, and diverse programs contribute to the increasing aspirations of Indian students to study there. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, more than 55,000 Indian students are expected to study in the UK in 2025.
Another significant factor motivating Indian students to study in the UK is the abundance of valuable job opportunities. Additionally, the robust economy supports the further ambitions of students from India. Historically, the following career outcomes have been observed for Indian graduates who studied in the UK:
57.3% engaged in full-time jobs
11.4% worked part-time or freelanced
10.6% pursued further education while working
9.2% focused solely on their education
5.7% participated in other activities
5.9% were either unemployed or starting ove
Key Highlights to Study Abroad in UK:
If you are aspiring to study in UK, here are some key highlights for you.
Head
Details
Number of Universities in the UK
160+
Cost of Studying in the UK (per year)
£10,000 to £50,000
Cost of Living in the UK (per month)
£400 to £1,500
Part-time Work
20 hours/week
Post-study Work Visa (PSW UK or Graduate Route Visa)
2 years (3 years in case of Doctoral qualification)
Top 5 Universities (QS)
University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, London School of Economics, University College London, University of Edinburgh
Cost of Studying in the UK for Indian Students:
Before studying in the UK, it is essential to understand the cost of living there. Knowing the estimated living expenses helps students manage their finances in a foreign country. Costs include tuition fees, travel, food, accommodation, and other expenses. Below, you can find information on tuition fees for Indian students studying in the UK. For more details on overall study costs, click the button and refer to the table.
Tuition fees:
The cost of various programs in the UK varies based on several internal and external factors, including the level of the program and the choice of university. The average fees for different programs, taking into account these factors and the exchange rates for 2025, are provided below :-
Type of program
Average fee in GBP
Average fee in INR
Undergraduate bachelor program
11,400 to 38,000 per year
12.61 to 42.04 Lacs
Postgraduate or master’s program
12,000 to 35,000 per year
12.59 to 38.72 Lacs
MBA programs
13,000 to 50,000 per year
13.59 to 55.32 Lacs
Doctoral degrees
16,000 to 35,000 per year
17.50 to 38.72 Lacs
Medicine/MBBS degrees
40,000 to 55000 per year
43.50 to 57.04 Lacs
Study In UK For Indian Students - Admission Requirements:
Students must also learn about the admission process if they are planning to study in UK. Here are the crucial details.
Where to apply
UCAS Portal/ University Portals
Application Fee
27.5 GBP (If applying through UCAS)
Basic Requirements
Transcripts, Passport, Standardized tests for studying in UK
Additional Requirements
Updated CV, Statement of Purpose, Reference letter
English LanguageRequirements
IELTS: 6.0-6.5 for UG, 6.5 to 7.0 for PG
TOEFL: 80
PTE: 60-70
When To Study In UK?:
Different courses and institutions in the UK have varying application deadlines. So, it is crucial to stay updated with all the deadlines related to the program and organization you're interested in.
Deadline for Entry Applications:
Mid of October (October 15) - The deadline for the majority of courses at Oxford and Cambridge universities falls during the middle of October. Primarily, they include medicine, dentistry, and veterinary courses.
End of January (January 31) - The usual deadline for most undergraduate courses falls at the end of January.
Intakes in UK:
There are 3 intakes to study in UK for international students. These are as follows -
Fall Intake in UK (September to December) - This intake opens doors for major courses in almost all UK Universities. If you apply in the September intake to study in UK, you will have ample opportunities to familiarize yourself with both the university and the country. There are various scholarship options available for international students in this intake
Winter Intake in UK(January through April) - Those who were not able to apply in time for the Fall intake in UK may have the option to apply for top universities in the Winter intake. Compared to the Fall intake, the winter intake has fewer applications, increasing the chances of getting your dream university.
Spring/Summer Intake in UK(May to August) -This intake is not available for all institutions and courses. The application pool is less than it was for the prior two. However, if you find your course and dream university, then you can apply for this intake to study in UK.
Study in UK For Indian Students - Popular Courses:
If you’re planning to study in UK, it is important to know about the various popular courses in different fields. Here is the list of the top courses that Indian students can select to study in UK for graduate or postgraduate courses.
Business and Administrative studies
Economics
Finance and Accountancy
Business and Management Studies
Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics
Computer Science
Mathematics
Civil Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Humanities
History
Languages
Philosophy
Natural Science
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Social Science
Sociology
Law
Politics
Education
Creative Arts
Art and Desig
Media
Performing Arts
Tests Required to Study in UK:
To study in UK, candidates have to prove their English proficiency by submitting some English proficiency test scores. Generally, universities in UK accept IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE scores. However, your selected university or course's minimum score requirement may differ.
Below, you can check the details of all 3 main English proficiency tests.
Tests Required to Study in Ireland:
To study in Ireland for Indian students, you have to provide certain basic requirements which depend on both the university and the course you are picking. Besides other requirements, there are some standardised exams that you have to attempt for admission, such as the GMAT, GRE, or GAMSAT (for medical students).
In general, English courses in Ireland universities must require an English proficiency assessment to evaluate your skills, where you can either check on what’s university’s requirements else you can pick whichever you want. However, the minimum score requirement for your selected university or course may differ. Head over to the below details in brief.
IELTS
TOEFL
PTE
IELTS
IELTS or IELTS UKVI is conducted for those who want to study and work in the UK. Although both exams are similar, UK Offices administer IELTS UKVI. The exam consists of 4 sections – Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. All sections are scored between 1 to 9 band score. The overall score is the combination of all section scores.
Generally, UK Universities accept 6.0 to 6.5 IELTS Band scores for undergraduate courses. Candidates who get a 7+ band score are eligible to study in UK.
TOEFL
Candidates who want to study graduate or postgraduate courses in the United Kingdom can take TOEFL iBT. The exam is conducted both online and offline mode. Getting a good score in TOEFL shows your proficiency in English. Generally, a score of 70 is accepted by the universities in UK.
PTE
PTE is continuously gaining popularity due to its easy process and quick declaration of results. The exam consists of 4 sections, just like IELTS and is accepted by almost all universities. Generally, candidates with 50-63+ PTE scores can apply for their courses in UK universities.
Study In UK for Indian Students - Student Visa:
Learning about the student visa is crucial if you want to study in UK. If you have received an offer letter from UK university, you are required to apply for a Tier 4 study Visa. This visa allows you to study in UK and also permits you to work up to 20 hours per week and full-time during breaks.
You should apply for a visa as soon as possible after receiving an acceptance letter from the institution and at least 1 to 2 months before the degree program starts. Your visa may take up to 15 to 20 days. The application cost will be around INR 50,000.
Further, the potential cost of visa application is somewhere around ₹8,991, & can further vary depending on your specific course requirements & eligibility. The best part of applying for a student visa in Ireland is the higher acceptance rate which is somewhere around 96%. Hence, if you have got all your documents right on time, then there are chances of getting a smoother visa approval.
Candidates, planning to study in UK, have to apply for the visa by submitting the essential documents such as:
Indian students seeking financial help to study in UK can apply for several awards and scholarships offered by the UK government. They are eligible to get up to 100% of scholarships to study in UK.
Moreover, many universities also grant merit-based and supplementary rewards to study in UK for Indian students who deserve. These scholarships are available for all undergraduate students. However, due to strict and specific qualifying requirements, scholarships for postgraduate and doctorate studies in the UK are not available to all applicants.
Here are the Scholarship opportunities for Indian Students to study in UK.
Scholarship to Study in UK
Name of Scholarship
Level of Study
Countries Eligible
Eligibility Criteria
Applications Open
Amount
Chevening Scholarships
Master’s
144; around 700 scholarships per year
-
-
-
Commonwealth Scholarships
Master’s and PhD
62 Commonwealth nations
Commonwealth citizen, refugee or British protected
person and at least 2:1 Honours degree
August before the course is due to start
Covers tuition fees, a monthly living allowance and travel costs
Saltire Scholarships
Master's
Canada, India, Pakistan, USA and China
-
October, till May
50 scholarships worth 8,200 GBP
Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships
Master's/PhD
-
Degree from any Canadian university with a minimum
grade A, across all courses
January
8,710 GBP worth scholarships plus travel allowances
BAFTA Scholarships
Master's
-
Chinese national seeking to study a postgraduate
course in the field of film, television or games
March (closes in June)
10,246 GBP as tuition fee plus additional living
expenses
Inlaks Scholarship
All levels (but you must have an undergraduate
degree)
-
Undergraduate degree, offer letter from a
‘top-ranking' instit
