Study in the UK

Why study in the UK?

A Master’s in one year

Most taught Master’s degrees in the UK take one year of full-time study, compared with two years in many other countries. That means one year of tuition and living costs, and an earlier start to your career. Bachelor’s degrees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland usually take three years and are specialised from the first year.

A wide choice of universities and courses

The UK has universities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, from large research universities in big cities to smaller campus universities, with courses in almost every subject – business, computer science, data science, engineering, law, public health, design and more, taught in English.

Work during and after your studies

On a full-time degree-level course you can usually work part time during term and full time in vacations. After you graduate, the Graduate visa lets you stay and work, or look for work, without a job offer (see “Working while you study and after graduation” below).

The UK education system

Higher education in the UK is offered by universities and other higher education providers. The four nations have slightly different systems: the main difference for you is that a Bachelor’s honours degree in Scotland usually takes four years instead of three.

UK universities use the CATS credit system. One UK credit stands for about 10 notional hours of learning, and two UK credits are generally treated as one ECTS credit, so a UK Master’s is easy to compare with degrees across Europe.

Undergraduate degrees

Common degree titles include BSc (Bachelor of Science), BA (Bachelor of Arts), BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) and LLB (Bachelor of Laws). A “sandwich” year in industry or a year abroad adds a year to the course.

Postgraduate degrees

Taught Master’s degrees – such as the MSc, MA, MBA and LLM – usually run from September to the following September, with taught modules followed by a dissertation over the summer. Research degrees such as the MRes, MPhil and PhD focus on your own research project. For a few science and engineering subjects at Master’s level and above, your course may need an ATAS certificate before you apply for your visa; your university will tell you.

For comparison with the Indian system:

As of October 2026 — sources: QAA – Higher Education Credit Framework for England, QAA – Master’s degree characteristics, GOV.UK – Student visa: documents.

Popular universities

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• Imperial College London
• University College London (UCL)
• London School of Economics (LSE)
• King’s College London
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Manchester
• University of Warwick
• University of Bristol
• Durham University
• University of St Andrews
• Lancaster University
• University of Bath

Requirements and fees differ widely between universities and courses, so compare each course with your profile before you apply.

Entry requirements

Every university sets its own requirements for each course, and these are typical guides, not guarantees. Always check the course page.

Master’s studies

• A recognised Bachelor’s degree, usually in a related subject. Many universities publish a minimum for Indian applicants, often in the range of about 55% to 65% (or a CGPA equivalent), and the figure can depend on your Indian university or college. Top universities and competitive courses usually ask for more. Many universities accept a three-year Indian degree for a Master’s, but check the course page.
• A statement of purpose explaining why you want the course and how it fits your plans.
• Letters of recommendation, academic or professional, if the course asks for them.
• Your CV, especially for business and management courses.
• GMAT or GRE, only for some business and management programmes.
• Work experience for most MBA programmes, often several years after your first degree.

You apply for a Master’s directly on the university’s website. Most universities do not have a single deadline for international students, but popular courses can fill up, so apply early – ideally a year before you plan to start.

Bachelor’s studies

You apply for a Bachelor’s through UCAS, the UK’s central undergraduate application service, with up to five choices. For 2027 entry, the equal consideration date for most courses is 13 January 2027 (the dates for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses have already passed). Many universities accept international applications after this, and applications received after 30 June go into Clearing.

Universities set their own Class 12 requirements, and these vary widely by course and board. If your marks are below a university’s direct-entry requirement, a one-year foundation programme can be a route into the first year of a degree.

As of October 2026 — sources: UCAS – dates and deadlines, UCAS – key dates timeline.

English requirements

For a Student visa at degree level or above, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires English at CEFR level B2 or above, in reading, writing, speaking and listening. You can usually prove this in one of these ways:

• Your university assesses it. A higher education provider can assess your English itself for a degree-level course, as long as the standard is equivalent to B2. This is the most common route for Indian students.
• An approved test. A Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as IELTS for UKVI, from an approved provider.
• A degree taught in English, with an assessment from Ecctis confirming it is equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Universities set their own minimum scores. As a typical guide, many ask for an overall IELTS Academic score of about 6.0 for undergraduate and 6.5 for postgraduate courses, often with a minimum in each section, and many also accept PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT. Some universities accept a strong Class 12 English mark from certain Indian boards instead of a test – this is the university’s decision, so check before you rely on it.

English rules as of October 2026 — source: GOV.UK – Student visa: knowledge of English.

Scholarships

• Chevening Scholarships – the UK government’s fully funded scholarships for a one-year Master’s. A full award covers tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, economy return airfare and the visa fee. You need at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience, three eligible UK course choices with an unconditional offer from at least one, and you must return home for at least two years afterwards. The 2027/28 round opened in August and closed in October 2026; check chevening.org for the next round.
• GREAT Scholarships India – run by the British Council and UK universities, they give £10,000 towards tuition for a one-year taught Master’s. For 2026/27, 12 scholarships were offered at participating universities. You must be an Indian citizen with an undergraduate degree and apply through the university. The 2027/28 list had not been published when we checked.
• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships – for candidates from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries, including India, who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. They cover tuition, return airfare and a monthly stipend (£1,712, or £2,000 in the London area). You need at least an upper second-class degree or equivalent, and you must be nominated by a national nominating agency – the CSC does not accept direct applications. For 2027/28, the CSC deadline is in October 2026 and nominating agencies set their own earlier deadlines, so plan a year ahead.
• University scholarships – many UK universities offer merit scholarships or fee reductions for international or Indian students. Check each university’s funding page.

Programmes as of October 2026 — sources: Chevening – eligibility, Chevening – application timeline, Chevening – what the scholarship covers, British Council – GREAT Scholarships India, CSC – Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships.

Education and living costs

Tuition fees

Fees are set by each university and vary by course, level and location. Laboratory-based, clinical and MBA courses usually cost more. The British Council gives these ranges for international students:

Check the exact fee on your university’s course page.

Living costs and proof of funds

Your living costs depend mainly on whether you live in London or elsewhere, and on your accommodation. For the Student visa, you must show that you have enough money for:

• your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months), less anything already paid – the amount is shown on your CAS, and
• living costs for up to 9 months:

“London” means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. The money must have been held for at least 28 days in a row, and the end of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of your visa application. If you use an education loan, you need a letter from the lender. These are the visa minimum, not a full budget.

Other costs

• Visa fee: £558 from outside the UK.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 a year for students, paid when you apply. It is charged for the whole length of your visa, including part years.
• TB test at an approved clinic in India.

Figures as of October 2026 — sources: British Council – cost of studying in the UK, GOV.UK – Student visa: money you need, GOV.UK – healthcare surcharge.

Working while you study and after graduation

While you study

• On a full-time course at degree level or above, at a university with a track record of compliance, you can usually work up to 20 hours a week in term time, and full time outside term time, including official vacations.
• Below degree level the limit is 10 hours a week in term time, and part-time postgraduate students cannot work.
• A “week” is any seven-day period starting on a Monday, and you must keep records of your hours.
• You cannot be self-employed or work as a freelancer or contractor, take a permanent full-time job, or work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

Check the exact work conditions of your visa in your UKVI account, and never go over the limit – it can put your visa at risk.

After you graduate

The Graduate visa lets you stay in the UK to work, or look for work, after you successfully complete a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD. You do not need a job offer.

• 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026
• 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027
• 3 years for a PhD or other doctoral qualification

You must be in the UK on your Student visa when you apply, and apply before it expires. The application fee is £937, and you pay the healthcare surcharge (usually £1,035 a year). Students who finish a one-year Master’s in 2027 will apply on or after 1 January 2027, so the 18-month period will apply to them.

Rules as of October 2026 — sources: UKCISA – working during your studies, GOV.UK – Student visa, GOV.UK – Graduate visa.

Student visa

To study a degree course in the UK you need a Student visa. You must be 16 or over, have an unconditional offer and a CAS from a licensed student sponsor, show enough money, and meet the English requirement.

How to apply

1. Receive your CAS. After you meet your offer conditions, your university issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. Apply within 6 months of receiving it.
2. Get your TB test. India is on the list of countries where you need a tuberculosis test if you are coming for 6 months or more. Book it at a UKVI-approved clinic; the certificate is valid for 6 months from the x-ray.
3. Apply online on GOV.UK. You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts. Pay the £558 visa fee and the healthcare surcharge.
4. Prove your identity. You will either give your fingerprints and photograph at a visa application centre or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app – you are told which when you apply.
5. Wait for the decision. From outside the UK, a decision usually takes about 3 weeks. You may be able to pay for a faster decision.
6. Access your eVisa. If you are approved, you get an eVisa – an online record of your immigration status. Set up a UKVI account and link the passport you will travel on.
7. Travel. You can arrive up to 1 month before a course longer than 6 months (1 week for a shorter course), but never before the start date on your visa.

Documents for a Student visa

• A current passport or other valid travel document
• Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• Proof of money for your course fees and living costs (see “Education and living costs” above)
• Your TB test certificate
• An ATAS certificate, if your course and nationality require one
• Written consent from your financial sponsor, if you have had official financial sponsorship for fees or living costs in the last 12 months
• If you are under 18: written consent from your parents or legal guardians and proof of your relationship to them

Bringing family members

For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, you can bring a partner or children only if you are a government-sponsored student on a course longer than 6 months, or a full-time postgraduate student on a PhD, other doctorate or research-based higher degree of at least 9 months. Students on a taught Master’s cannot bring dependants. Eligible dependants each pay the visa fee and surcharge and must show extra funds (£845 a month in London or £680 a month outside London, for up to 9 months).

Visa rules and fees as of October 2026 — sources: GOV.UK – Student visa, apply, documents, family members, TB test, TB test clinics in India.