Study in UK - Colleges, Eligibility & Scholarships
The UK offers an excellent academic experience for Indian students studying abroad, with 55,465 Indian students studying in 2022. With strong academic and research ties with Indian universities, the UK has a high career outcome rate. In 15 months after graduation, first-degree graduates in the UK were 57.3% working full-time, 11.4% part-time, 10.6% working and studying, 9.2% going on to study further, 5.7% involved in other activities, and 5.9% unemployed or due to start work.
Why Study in the UK?
Studying abroad is a decision that affects every student’s life. Out of a variety of options, students need strong arguments to choose a study location and academic institution. Here are a few justifications for considering the UK as your study abroad destination:
- Academic Quality: Four UK universities are ranked among the top 10 globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2023. These include University College London, Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford. Oxford University is ranked first in the Times World University Rankings for 2023. The exceptional calibre of their coursework and research is demonstrated by these universities’ rankings.
- Research Quality: Research Excellence Framework 2021’s most recent evaluation of 157 UK institutions’ research quality. Internationally excellent (43%), world-leading (41%), internationally recognised (14%), and domestically recognised (2%), respectively, were used to describe the overall calibre of study submissions. Students who want to pursue research can think of the UK as an alternative because UK universities have produced exceptional research.
- Friendly to students destination: Nearly 605,000 international students, both EU and non-EU, attended UK higher education institutions during the 2020–21 academic year. India accounts for over 55,000, or close to 16%, of all new enrollments. The UK is becoming a more popular study abroad destination as seen by the rise in the number of international students studying there.
- Scholarships: Students at UK universities have access to some of the best scholarships available. The Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship, Chevening Scholarships, GREAT Scholarships, and Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships are just a few examples of these.
- Travel and Leisure: The UK is a fascinating location to explore historical sites, musical performances, cuisines, and several other cultural festivals. Studying at one of the many historically significant universities in the UK gives you the chance to contribute to that legacy.
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).
Education System 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 |
|---|---|---|
2 | 3 | |
4 | 1 | |
6 | 10 | |
8 | 22 | |
15 | 29 | |
28 | 54 | |
37 | 35 | |
56 | 37 | |
61 | 76 | |
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
For people who wish to pursue higher education in the UK, a UK Student Visa, formerly known as a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa or Tier 4 Student Visa, is required.Students may only apply for a UK student visa up to six months before the start of their degree. After submitting an application, students can anticipate hearing back in three weeks. If they have a UK student visa and are enrolled in a degree-level course, they may stay in the country for up to five years. A student must pay a £363 visa processing charge if they are applying from outside the UK. Additionally, students must pay a healthcare premium.
Student Visa Requirements for UK
The following requirements must be met by students who want to apply for a UK student visa:
- an open invitation to enrol in a course with a certified student sponsor. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) documentation can be used to support this claim.
- enough money to support yourself while you’re pursuing your studies. Students must present £12,006 for nine months (or £1,334) if they reside in London, and £9,207 for nine months (or £1,023 if they do not) if they do not.
- able to read, write, speak, and comprehend English. IELTS, PTE, and other tests can be used to demonstrate this.
- consent of the student’s parents if they are 16 or 17 years old.
- £363 application fee plus a premium for healthcare.
- Reports from medical tests (tuberculosis test).
- Academic documents and test scores
UK Permanent Residence Permit
Students must apply for the UK Post-Study Work Visa (PSW UK or Graduate Route Visa) once they have finished their academic studies. It permits a student to remain in the UK and work there for two years (or three years in the event of a doctoral degree). If students want to continue in the UK after their Graduate Visa has expired, they must apply for a skilled work visa, a general work visa (Tier 2 visa), or any other applicable visa. Students who have lived in the UK for five years and have met additional requirements, such as English language proficiency and passing the life in the UK test, are eligible to apply for permanent residency in the UK.
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
Scholarships to Study in UK
Scholarships are a fantastic method to lower your study abroad expenses. They also serve as a testament to your academic and/or extracurricular abilities. In the UK, students can apply for a variety of scholarships. While some scholarships are provided by universities, others are provided by other organisations. Top scholarships for studying in the UK include:
- Global Study Awards
- Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
- Chevening Scholarships
- GREAT Scholarship
- Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships
- Rhodes Scholarships
- Erasmus Mundus
Education Loan for Studying in UK
Without a doubt, studying abroad is expensive. In addition to tuition, there are additional charges like visa fees, travel costs, hotel prices, food costs, university costs, stationery costs, etc. Scholarship applications can be made by students to lower the cost of studying in the UK. Scholarships are very competitive, though, and in these cases, students can apply for an education loan to pay for their UK studies. Study abroad loan programmes are offered by a number of financial institutions, including State Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, Bank of Baroda, etc. The loan application procedure is ordinarily swift if the students receive an offer letter from a reputable university.
Post study Work Permit in UK
After completing their undergraduate or graduate degree programme, international students can apply for the UK Graduate Route Visa or PSW UK. After receiving their degree, students are permitted to continue working for two years under the terms of the PSW UK or UK Graduate Visa. In the case of doctoral students, the time frame is three years. Students must pay an application cost of £715 and an annual healthcare surcharge of £624 to apply for a post-study work visa in the UK. Students may apply for a skilled work visa, a general work visa (Tier 2 visa), or any other pertinent visa when their UK post-study work visa expires.
Job Prospects in UK (ROI)
When choosing a subject, university, or nation to study abroad, students should give careful consideration to ROI (Return on Investment). ROI is the term used to describe the money a student receives after finishing a course. It reveals whether or not the investment he or she made in that particular course has yielded any notable results. The table below lists universities, their costs for various courses, and information on students’ salaries:
University | Course Fee (Annual) | Salary |
|---|---|---|
Imperial College London (MBA) | £61,500 | £69,000 (Average) |
University of Oxford (Computer Science) | £44,240 | £52,000 (Average) |
University of Cambridge (MBA) | £64,000 | £92,501 (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
Students who attended UK universities were paid in accordance with the university’s standing, the course they were enrolled in, their location, their degree level, etc. The following table gives an approximation of the graduates’ salaries, which is taken from the “What Do Graduates Do?” report from Prospects and AGCAS:
|
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 |