The UK offers an excellent academic experience for students looking to learn in some of the world-leading universities known for high quality of academics and research.The statistics reveal that the UK is becoming a popular destination for international students. Some of the Universities in the UK such as Imperial College London, University College London, etc. have had academic and research ties with Indian Universities since a long period of time. Universities in the UK have recorded an excellent career outcome rate.
As per the ‘What Do Graduates Do?’ report from Prospects and AGCAS, following career outcomes, 15-months after graduation, were noted in the UK for first-degree graduates: 57.3% were working full-time in the UK, 11.4% were working part-time in the UK, 10.6% were working and studying, 9.2% went on to study further, 5.7% were involved in other activities, and 5.9% were unemployed or were due to start work.
Why Study in UK
Studying abroad is a life changing decision for every students. Students need compelling reasons to finalize a study destination and academic institution out of a number of choices. Below are a few reasons why you can think of choosing the UK as your study destination:
- Academic Quality: According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, 4 Universities in the UK come under top 10 ranks. These include University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and University College London. According to the Times World University Rankings 2023 University of Oxford is at 1st position. The rankings of these Universities are a testament to their high quality of academics and research.
- Research Quality: The latest Research Excellence Framework 2021 assessed research work of 157 UK universities. The overall quality of research submissions was noted as world-leading (41%), internationally excellent (43%), internationally recognized (14%), and nationally recognized (2%). UK universities have produced excellent research and students, who are willing to pursue research, can definitely think of the UK as an option.
- Student-friendly Destination: In the academic year 2020-21, nearly 605,000 international students, both EU and non-EU, were studying in UK higher education institutions. Nearly 16% (approximately 55,000) of all new enrollments come from India. Increasing number of international students in the UK show its increasing popularity as a study abroad destination.
- Scholarships: Students have access to excellent scholarships in the UK Universities. Some of these include International Scholarships Award, Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship, Chevening Scholarships, GREAT Scholarships, Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships, just to name a few.
- Leisure and Travel: The UK is an interesting place when it comes to exploring the historical places, music concerts, cuisines, and various other cultural festivals. Universities in the UK have a long history associated with them, and studying in those Universities gives you an opportunity to be a part of that heritage.
Key Highlights
Here are some of the key highlights of studying in the UK:
| Head | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Universities in the UK | 160+ |
| Cost of Studying in the UK (per year) | £8,000 to £38,000 |
| Cost of Living in the UK (per month) | £1,000 to £1,800 |
| 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 and Times) | University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, and University of Edinburgh |
Education System in UK
Education system in the UK comprises of five stages that include:
- Early Years: Students up to 5 years of age can avail early years education and childcare in various state nursery schools, nursery classes and reception classes within primary schools.
- Primary Education: It covers children from the age of 5 years to 11 years. This is further divided into two Key Stages. Key Stage 1 comprises of children from 5 years to 7 years of age and Key Stage 2 comprises of children from 7 years to 11 years of age.
- Secondary Education: It covers students from the age of 11 years to 16 years. This is further divided into two Key Stages. Key Stage 3 comprises of students from 11 years to 14 years of age and Key Stage 4 comprises of students from 14 years to 16 years of age. At the end of this education, students usually take external examinations such as GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Standard Grades in Scotland.
- Further Education: It consists of students from 16 year to 18 years of age. It is post-compulsory education and covers non-advanced courses. These might include skill development, higher vocational education such as City and Guilds or Foundation Degree. This does not include university education.
- Higher Education: Higher education is provided in colleges and universities and includes undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (includes Doctoral programmes).
Top Universities in UK
The table given below provides top 10 Universities in the UK and their corresponding rankings as per the QS World University Rankings and Times World University Rankings:
| University | QS World University Rankings 2023 | Times World University Rankings 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | 2 | 3 |
| University of Oxford | 4 | 1 |
| Imperial College London | 6 | 10 |
| University College London | 8 | 22 |
| University of Edinburgh | 15 | 29 |
| University of Manchester | 28 | 54 |
| King’s College London | 37 | 35 |
| London School of Economics | 56 | 37 |
| University of Bristol | 61 | 76 |
| University of Warwick | 64 | 104 |
Top Courses in UK
Universities in the UK offer a wide range of courses that cover every available academic discipline. However, certain courses are very popular amongst students. The table given below provides a list of popular academic disciplines and various courses that are offered under those disciplines:
| Academic Discipline | Top Courses in the UK |
|---|---|
| Business and Administrative studies |
|
| Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics |
|
| Humanities |
|
| Natural Science |
|
| Social Science |
|
| Creative Arts |
|
Cost of Studying in UK
The following data is meant to provide you an estimate of the cost of studying in UK on the basis of academic level. For accurate fee details, students are advised to check the official webpage of that particular course.
- Undergraduate Level: Undergraduate tuition fee can be in the range of £11,000 to £38,500 per year. This translates to an average of nearly £24,500 per year.
- Postgraduate Level: Postgraduate tuition fee can be in the range of £8,000 to £39,000 per year per year. This translates to an average of nearly £23,500 per year.
- Certain courses such as medicine might cost more than £50,000 per year.
Cost of Living in UK
Cost of living in UK depends on various factors such as your location, type of accommodation, lifestyle, dietary habits, etc. The table given below provides an approximate monthly cost of living in UK:
| Head | Lower Range (per month) | Upper Range (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £715 | £860 |
| Food | £300 | £470 |
| Personal items | £180 | £305 |
| Social activities | £40 | £90 |
| Study costs | £35 | £80 |
| Other | £20 | £35 |
| Total | £1,290 | £1,840 |
(Source: University of Oxford)
As a broad range, we can conclude that monthly cost of living in UK for international students can range from £1,000 to £1,800.
UK Student Visa
UK Student Visa,formerly called as Tier 4 (General) Student Visa or Tier 4 Student Visa, is applicable for those who want to pursue higher education in the UK.Students can apply for UK Student Visa 6 months before the commencement of their course, and not before that. Students can expect to receive a decision within 3 weeks of application. On the UK Student Visa, students can stay in the UK for up to 5 years if their course is at degree level. If a student is applying from outside the UK, he/ she needs to pay a visa processing fee of £363. Moreover, students are also required to a healthcare surcharge.
Student Visa Requirements for UK
Students, who wish to apply for UK Student Visa, need to meet the following criteria:
- An unconditional offer to pursue a course with a licensed student sponsor. This can be proven with the help of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
- Sufficient financial resources to support yourself during the course of study. Students are expect to show £12,006 for nine months (£1,334 per month) if living in London and £9,207 for nine months (£1,023 per month) if living outside London.
- Able to speak, read, write and understand English. This can be proven with the help IELTS, PTE, etc.
- Consent from parents if the student is 16 or 17 years old.
- Application fee of £363 and healthcare surcharge.
- Medical test reports (tuberculosis test).
- Academic documents and test scores.
UK Permanent Residence Permit
Once a student has completed his/ her academics, students need to apply for the UK Post-Study Work Visa (PSW UK or Graduate Route Visa). It allows a student to stay back in the UK and work for 2 years (3 years in case of Doctoral qualification). Once the Graduate Visa expires, students need to apply for skilled work visa or general work visa (Tier 2 visa) or any other relevant visa, if they wish to stay back in the UK. Students can apply for PR in UK if they have stayed in the UK for 5 years and fulfilled other conditions such as indefinite leave to remain in the UK, indefinite leave to enter the UK, English-language proficiency, life in the UK test, etc.
Admission Requirements to Study in UK Universities
Admission requirements to study in UK Universities vary depending on the course and academic level of the students. However, the following points will provide you an overview of requirements to study in the UK:
- Formal Schooling
- Graduate/ Postgraduate Degree (if application)
- Academic Transcripts
- Test Score of SAT/ GMAT/ GRE (as per the course)
- English proficiency test scores of IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE/ Other (as per the course)
- Personal Statement (UCAS Personal Statement in case of undergraduate applicants)
- Essays
- Resume
- Letters of Recommendation
- Portfolio (in case of creative courses)
- ID Proofs
- Financial Proofs
- Medical Proofs
Top Cities Preferred by Students
According to the ‘What Do Graduates Do?’ report from Prospects and AGCAS, 23.1% of the 2019-20 graduates were working in London. Hence, London is definitely the top choice for international students. Moreover, London has ranked at the 1st position on the QS Best Student Cities 2023. The table given below provides top cities in UK for international students:
| City | QS Best Student Cities 2023 Rank |
|---|---|
| London | 1 |
| Edinburgh | 10 |
| Glasgow | 25 |
| Manchester | 25 |
| Coventry | 40 |
| Birmingham | 45 |
Scholarships to Study in UK
Scholarships are a great way to reduce your cost of studying abroad. In addition, they are a recognition of your academic and/ or extracurricular talent as well. Students can apply for a number of scholarships in the UK. Some of the scholarships are offered by the Universities, while others are offered by organizations. Some of the top scholarships to study in UK include:
- Global Study Awards
- Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
- Chevening Scholarships
- GREAT Scholarship
- Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships
Education Loan for Studying in UK
Studying abroad is definitely expensive. Besides tuition fee, there are other costs such as visa fee, travel expenses, accommodation, food expenses, University expenses, stationery costs, etc. Students can apply for scholarships in order to reduce their cost of pursuing academics from the UK. However, scholarships are very competitive and under such circumstances, students can apply for education loan for studying in UK. Various financial institutions such as State Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, Bank of Baroda, etc. have various schemes for study abroad loans. If the students receive an offer letter from a reputed University, the loan process is usually quick.
Part time Work Options for International Students in UK
Students, who are studying in the UK, can also opt for part-time work in order to reduce their cost of pursuing academics from the UK. However, part time work in UK for international students comes with certain riders that include a maximum work of 20 hours per week for those studying at degree level or more, when the classes are in session. Language center students can pursue 10 hours per week of work when their classes are in session. However, students can pursue full-time work during their vacations. In addition, students can also look for yearlong industry placements that usually fall between the penultimate and final year of their degree.
Post study Work Permit in UK
International students, after completing their undergraduate or postgraduate degree course, can apply for the UK Graduate Route Visa or PSW UK. PSW UK or UK Graduate Visa allows a student to stay back and work for 2 years after completion of his/ her degree. The duration is 3 years in case of Doctoral students. In order to apply for post study work permit in UK, students need to pay an application fee of £715 and an annual healthcare surcharge of £624. After the expiry of UK post study work visa, students can apply for skilled work visa or general work visa (Tier 2 visa) or any other relevant visa.
Job Prospects in UK (ROI)
ROI (Return on Investment) is an extremely important factor for students while finalizing a course, University, or country for studying abroad. ROI refers to the salary or pay package that a student obtains after completing the course. It shows whether the investment he/ she has made in that particular course has fetched him any significant returns or not. The table given below provides Universities, their fee for a particular course, and salary details of the students:
| University | Course Fee (Annual) | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London (MBA) | £61,500 | £68,657 (Average) |
| University of Oxford (Computer Science) | £44,240 | £75,000 (Average) |
| University of Cambridge (MBA) | £64,000 | £96,429 (Average) |
Popular Job Sectors in UK
Students, who have completed their education from UK Universities, were placed in different sectors on the basis of their course, major, electives, previous work experience, etc. Some of the popular job sectors in the UK are given in the table below:
| Popular Job Sectors in UK | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Design and Media | Business, HR and Finance | Education and Teaching |
| Engineering and Building | Healthcare and Medical | Technology and Telecommunications |
| Legal | Social Welfare | Retail |
| Science and Research | Government | Energy |
Average Salary in UK – By Job
Having studied in UK Universities, students received different salaries based on University reputation, course, location, degree level, etc. The following table, sourced from ‘What Do Graduates Do?’ report from Prospects and AGCAS, provides a rough estimate of salaries received by the graduates:
| Job/ Field | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Hospitality, Leisure, Tourism, and Transport | £21,469 |
| Finance and Accountancy | £25,182 – £27,069 |
| Business and Management | £24,796 – £27,542 |
| Physicist | £28,116 |
| Politics | £24,699 |
Study in UK FAQs
Q. Is UK good for studies?
A. UK is one of the most sought-after destinations for pursuing academics and research. UK universities have been well-received by various ranking indices such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education Rankings. 4 Universities have made it to the top 10 list on the QS rankings. In addition, UK universities have performed very well on Research Excellence Framework for their research quality and output. As a destination, UK consists of more than 55,000 Indian students and more than 605,000 international students. It is a multicultural country that has rich heritage and leisure and travel options. Students, who wish to study abroad, can definitely consider the UK as an option.
Q. Can you give me a brief on UK student visa?
A. UK student visa allows a student to stay in the UK and pursue an academic course for up to 5 years. In order to apply for UK student visa, a student needs to have an unconditional offer to pursue a course with a licensed student sponsor. For this purpose, he/ she needs to provide Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Other conditions include proficiency in English, medical tests, financial proof, etc. UK student visa fee stands at £363, if a student is applying from outside the UK.
Q. How can I stay back in the UK after completing my academics?
A. Students, who wish to stay back in the UK after completion of their course, need to apply for UK post study work visa (PSW UK) or UK Graduate Visa. With the UK Graduate Visa, students can stay back in the UK for 2 years (3 years in case if they have completed a Doctoral qualification) and work. Application fee for UK Graduate Visa is £715. In addition, you are required to pay an annual healthcare surcharge of £624. After the expiry of the Graduate Visa, you can apply for other relevant visa such as Tier-2 visa.
Q. Which the top Universities in the UK?
A. As per the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education Rankings, following are the top universities in the UK: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, King’s College London, London School of Economics, University of Bristol, and University of Warwick. All these Universities have performed well on academics and research. In addition to academics, Universities in the UK offer various facilities such as labs, accommodation, sports and recreation facilities, etc.
Q. What is the approximate cost of living in the UK for international students?
A. International students can expect to spend anywhere between £1,000 and £1,800 per month depending on their location, type of accommodation, dietary habits, lifestyle, course requirements, University fees (such as library fees, gym fees, etc.), leisure activities, travel, etc. Students can apply for scholarships and/ or work part-time in order to reduce their cost of living in the UK. Students must note that they are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week when their classes are in session.
