Study in United Kingdom for Indian Students: Top Universities, Courses, Fees & Requirements

The multicultural aspect is one of the key contributors that draws multiple international students to pursue their higher studies in UK. With a diverse cultural base nearing 5 lakh international students, the county has always been friendly and welcoming. 

The UK is home to some of the most prestigious and well-ranked universities in the world. The high academic standards, highly skilled academic staff and research output are well recognised globally and are bound to shape your  career for the best.

The country offers a host of educational, social, and career opportunities, thus making it a preferred study destination. Anyone deciding to study in UK cannot go wrong with their choice. 

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

UK is considered to be the second most popular study abroad destination for overseas students. Apart from the quality education, there are multiple other benefits of studying in UK. Given below are the top reasons to study in UK for international students:

• UK is home to well-ranked universities. The decision to study in England at the top universities increases a student’s chance to be hired by top companies.
• UK study abroad programs are diverse. Each program is the right blend of theory, practicality, and expert guidance, thus preparing students for the corporate world.
• To retain the high education standards, UK’s educational system undergoes a regular check by the Quality Assurance Agency.
• Students studying in UK can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during term time. This not only helps them alleviate the financial burden but also helps in gaining valuable work experience.
• Teachers in UK come from a qualified background and are experts in the subjects they teach. Their global network benefits international students in terms of exposure to better opportunities.

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. 

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:

1. Decide which university and course you wish to study in UK
2. Based on the course chosen, visit the official website of the university that offers the course and apply there
3. Once you receive the acceptance letter from the universities you applied to, accept the ones that suit your interests well 
4. Prepare for your educational funding such as scholarships, loans, etc.
5. Start applying for your student visa.
6. Once approved, book your accommodations, travel tickets, etc

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:

1. Determine the type of Visa you require - Short term or Tier 4 
2. Apply for the student visa under the respective visa category.
3. You are required to attend a visa interview as per the university rules.
4. You need to get a screening test done for Tuberculosis.
5. If you’re going to stay in UK for more than 6 months, you have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
6. Once you’ve filled in your visa application, you need to send in your biometric information after which your visa will be processed.
7. 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.

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 Yocket counsellors today!