Thousands of students across the world aspire to study in London every year. London, the place of residence of the Queen obviously counts for something! Although, London’s popularity isn’t limited to just Palaces or even Big Ben. The city bags the title of the best student city in the world and is home to 18 best universities. All these factors are major contributors to attracting students to study in London.
London is the top provider of quality education and a friendly environment for national and international students. So, let’s explore the different possibilities of study abroad in London. In this blog, you will find answers to why study in London, what are the best London universities, the cost of studying in London, Master in London, admission process and more.
Why Study in London: 5 Top Reasons to Study in London for International Students
London, the best student city in the world, offers numerous benefits to international students studying abroad in London. Let us look at the key perks of studying in London for international students:
- London houses some of the top universities in the world that offer world-recognised degrees. This allows you to work anywhere across the world.
- London offers international student support emphasizing on student safety. This safe city offers a favourable environment to study in london international students.
- Choosing to study in London for Indian Students guarantees a multi-cultural experience and exposure.
- You can also live in London for 2 years after your graduation. This will give you time to find a job as per your wish.
- London also offers many short term courses. This reduces your expenses without compromising with the quality of education.
Suggested: Why Study in UK: Top Reasons to Choose UK as a study destination
Now that we know the benefits of studying in London, let us take a look at the top 5 courses to study in London:
Top 5 Courses To Study In London
There are a number of top courses being taught in London universities. The best courses to study in London are the ones that offer you international exposure and quality teaching.
Some of the best courses are:
- Business Studies
- Computer Science and Software
- Finance
- Law
- Marketing
Let us explore these fields one by one:
1. Business Studies
Business studies is one of the most in-demand courses across the world. Global leaders are required to have the skills of a business professional. To be one of the best in the Business World, you can pursue an MBA from London.
Popular programs |
Top London University to take the courses |
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Suggested: Complete Guide to Pursuing MBA in UK
2. Computer Science and Software
Software, IT and computers are never going to have enough professionals. The ever-growing field is ruled by masters of the computer. To hone your technical skills you can choose to study in London at some of its best institutes.
Popular programs |
Top London University to take the courses |
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3. Finance
Studying Finance provides you with an edge. As the 6th largest economy in the world, the UK plays a big role in the World economy. This makes it one of the best destinations for Finance and Financial studies.
Popular programs |
Top London University to take the courses |
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Suggested: How to Pursue Masters in Finance in UK: Complete Guide?
4. Law
Law is another field that has emerged as one of the top courses in the UK. However, studying Law in the UK will require you to have a high competitive spirit, as Law in the UK is one of the challenging courses to pursue.
Popular programs |
Top London University to take the courses |
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5. Marketing
Marketing in London is both exciting and challenging. London houses almost all the top brands of the world. Therefore, making it the best place to understand competition and the market. Refer to the table below for popular Marketing programs in London
Popular programs |
Top London University to take the courses |
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Suggested: Take a look at the Best Courses to Study in UK
Apart from the universities listed above, there are many other top universities that you can choose for higher studies-
Top Universities to Study in London
Studying in London for Indian students and other international students is a dream come true. But, the experience gets better, if you are accepted by one of the top universities in the world.
This is possible if you choose to graduate from any of the universities listed below:
Universities |
QS World Ranking 2022 |
Average Tuition Fees/ year |
7 |
£31,500 |
|
8 |
£28,000 |
|
35 |
£27,000 |
|
49 |
£30,000 |
|
117 |
£25,000 |
|
330 |
£19,000 |
|
332 |
£21,500 |
|
334 |
£26,200 |
|
351 |
£18,000 |
|
391 |
£21,750 |
Suggested: Let’s take a closer look at these Best Universities in London
Moving further, let’s discuss some of the practical aspects of studying in London such as the admissions requirements, student visa, cost of living and studying and so on.
Requirements to Study Abroad in London
To seek admission to any of the London Universities, you are required to fulfil the necessary requirements. Some of the essential requirements for Bachelors in London, Master in London and PhD London are:
Bachelor's Degree Requirements:
- Completed 13 years of education
- IELTS- 5.5
- SAT/ AP Exam scores
Masters or MS in London Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS- 6.5
- GRE/GMAT score
- Work Experience (If required)
PhD London Requirements:
- Bachelors and Masters degree proof (minimum 60%)
- Relevant Research experience
- Minimum IELTS score - 6.5
Recommended: Here are the complete requirements to study in London for International students
If you fulfil these requirements and would like to investigate further about the admission process for studying in London, here’s a quick look at it below:
Admission Process to Study Abroad In London
There are a number of Masters and undergraduate courses in London that you can pursue.
To study undergraduate courses in London you will need to apply online through one of the following ways
- To apply via the UCAS portal, create an account, fill out your application form and pay the application fee. You will be able to apply to various universities through the same website.
- Some UK universities also take direct applications online. To apply directly head to their official website and follow the steps mentioned below.
The admission process to apply for a postgraduate program in any London University is:
- Shortlist the London university and course you wish to study.
- Based on your course, visit the official website of the London university that offers the course and submit an application.
- Once you receive the acceptance letter from the universities you applied to, accept the one that suits your interests well.
- Prepare for your educational funding such as scholarships, loans, etc.
- Get accepted insurance (if required) and apply for your student visa to study in London.
- Once approved, book your accommodations, travel tickets, etc
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Having considered all the essential admission related information, it's time to take a look at the cost of studying in London-
Cost of Studying And Living In London
In comparison with the other parts of the UK, living in London as a student is expensive. However, managing your finances will become manageable by getting a scholarship in London, part-time jobs and by using student discounts:
Cost of studying in London for an international student:
Studying in London cost will depend on the type of course, university and the tenure of your desired course. The College fees in London is anywhere between £10,000 - £40,000 annually.
Degree Type |
Average Annual Tuition Fee |
Bachelors |
£10,000 - £35,000 |
Masters |
£15,000 - £40,000 |
Suggested: Phd In London
Cost of living in London:
Your cost of living in London includes the expenses of - your rent, food, entertainment, travel expenses etc. This cost is the amount of money you will need to survive in London as a student. However, costs vary based on the lifestyle you choose to live too.
Your overall cost per month will include:
Expense Factor |
Costs/month |
Accommodation |
£150 - £1500 |
Food |
£250 - £1000 |
Transportation |
£160 |
Entertainment |
£500 |
Stationary |
£150 |
Miscellaneous |
£300 |
Therefore, the average cost of studying in London for an international student is about £860 - £1200 per month, without rent. While your study expenses might fluctuate based on your course.
Recommended: Let’s take a closer look at the Cost of Living in UK for international students
London Weather: In London, the summers are short, comfortable, and partly cloudy and the winters are long, very cold, windy, and mostly cloudy. And January is expected to be the coldest month of the year. |
Studying in London can be pricey and scholarships can be a great way of handling the expenses:
Scholarship In London: Top Scholarships to Study in London
You will successfully be able to cut down on your study abroad cost, if you apply for a scholarship listed below:
- The Chevening Scholarships
- Euraxess UK
- The Commonwealth Scholarships
- The Royal Society Grants
- Imperial College – Imperial Bursary
- Goldsmiths College – Lewisham tuition fee waivers
- Pearson College London – Student Co-Creator Scholarship
Apart from these, many Universities offer scholarships every year to students pursuing degrees in UK. Keep a close eye on the official university websites to get more information on it.
Student Life In London: The hype of student life in London is real! The busy streets, the shopping centres, the street food, people from all over the world, the endless options of internment, be it watching a play or visiting a museum. You just can’t complain! Students in London can also adhere to special student discounts in London by grabbing any of the student discount cards like NUS Discount Card, International Student Identity Card (ISIC), UniDays Discount App, Tesco Clubcard, Nectar Card. |
Another way of cutting down costs of studying in London is by applying for part-time jobs -
Part-time Jobs in London for International Students
For a student in London, making a balance between work and study is vital. Understanding this, the UK government has strict norms about part-time jobs for students in London. According to the government rules:
- International students are allowed to work part-time for about 20 hours a week provided they have enrolled in a full-time course.
- Language centre students are allowed to work for 10 hours a week.
- Students can take up both, on-campus and off-campus jobs in London.
- Students pursuing short courses aren’t allowed to work part-time in London.
- Students having a student visa (Tier 4) are only allowed to work part-time.
- Self-employment isn’t allowed under this visa.
Following these regulations, you can take up the jobs of:
Part-time Job |
Average salary |
Tutor |
£6 |
Cashier |
£6 |
Administrative assistant |
£9 |
Bookkeeper |
£15-18 |
Sales Advisor |
£8 |
Let us now move on to discuss the job opportunities in London for students-
Job Opportunities In London After Graduation
After studying in London, you are allowed to live there for 2 years after graduation to find a suitable job. London is usually bustling with opportunities. So, if you are expecting to settle in London, it will be challenging yet not impossible.
Some of the in-demand jobs in London are:
Area of Specialisation |
Average Annual Salary |
Engineers |
£48,000 |
Finance |
£52,000 |
Marketing and Sales |
£45,000 |
Law |
£60,000 |
Healthcare |
£47,500 |
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If you wish to live the dream of studying in London, all you need to do is work on yourself and hone qualities that add value to your professional and personal life. Universities in London celebrate originality and therefore, be yourself but put your best foot forward to achieve a remarkable career in London.
Before we end the blog, let us get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about studying in London-