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Studying in the UK is one of the most surreal lifetime experiences as it has some of the most ancient, prestigious, and reputed universities in the world.
By obtaining a UK study visa, any international student can study in UK. For a long time, the UK has been one of the most sought-after destinations for international students, even today.
The top-ranked and most reputed Universities in the UK, like the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Imperial College London, University College London, and King's College, are known for their remarkable academic programs and research.
In 2022-23, almost 758,855 international students were studying at UK universities, which is a 12.4% increase from the last year. Studying in the UK not only offers the best quality education experience but also provides for future post-study work opportunities.
The Tier 4 visa, also called the UK study visa, specifically caters to the needs of international students and offers them education in the best academic institutions while offering work.
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To study in the UK, it’s essential to understand the education system in the UK. The education system offers different higher education qualifications divided into undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
A degree under graduation is the education qualification students get when they complete secondary school. Students either choose to get employed or study further after they have completed their undergraduate. It takes 3 years of full-time courses to complete an undergraduate in the UK. Different undergraduate degrees are provided in the UK, which is also commonly known as a bachelor's degree. A degradation degree is the most common and popular undergraduate graduation in the UK. Here is a complete list of the most common Bachelor's degrees in the UK:
» Pursue a Bachelor’s in the UK
A post-graduation degree is another qualification obtained upon completing the under-graduation qualification. A post-graduation degree allows a student in the UK to gain knowledge in specific subject areas. Post-graduation courses are either more teaching-oriented or research-based. Mostly, the master's degree is completed within one year when studying full-time and two years for studying part-time.
Some of the common degrees in master's include:
The education credit system in the UK is in terms of academic or university credit. The credit system in the UK is a very important criterion for those planning to study in the UK. 1 credit is equal to 10 courses of study. However, every degree has different credit requirements, which are as follows:
Type of Degree |
Credits required |
Bachelor's degree |
300 |
Bachelor's degree with honors |
360 |
Master's degree |
180 |
Integrated master's degree |
480 |
Doctoral Degree |
540 |
Obtaining a UK Study visa is essential for Indian students looking to pursue their education abroad. The UK is also known for its top-notch universities, multicultural experiences, and quite a rewarding education system.
By studying in the UK, an international student can be exposed to a wide range of educational opportunities, exposure to a global learning environment, and opportunities to build a strong international network. Here is a list of eligibility criteria and documents required for a UK student visa.
It takes 3 weeks to process a UK study visa. The processing time for all international students for short-term courses is 15 - 20 days. The processing time also changes depending on the current number of visa applications. It is always recommended that you apply for the England study visa well in advance.
The cost of a UK student visa is £490 for all international students. Moreover, they also have to pay a basic healthcare charge depending on the duration of their stay in the UK. The payment for the UK study visa fee can be made by following methods:
Many international students use the post-study work visa, or the Graduate route visa, to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing their study program. The visa allows the students to look for employment in the UK.
The graduate route visa in the UK enables the international students to stay back in the UK and look for employment opportunities for 2 years after completing their course. Extension of this duration is not available beyond 2 years. However For the PhD students, the duration is extended up to 3 years.
However, if the student wants to stay more than 2-3 years, they are supposed to apply for the Skilled worker visa.
Step 1:Get a letter of acceptance from the desired university in the UK. This is the most crucial and the foremost step of the UK student visa application process.
Step 2: Prepare and gather all the necessary documents as per the England study visa requirements.
Step 3: Apply for the UK student visa online by creating an account on the official visa website.
Step 4: Submit all the required documents and pay the application fee of £490 online.
Step 5: Schedule an appointment at the nearest embassy or consulate to complete other formalities required under the England study visa requirements.
Step 6: Wait for the approval of the UK student visa. Once the visa is approved, the applicant will receive a notification via SMS or email.
*Want to apply for the UK Tier 4 (General) student visa? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.
The UK is highly known for having some of the world’s top-ranking universities, as per the QS World University Rankings 2025. The QS rankings evaluate institutions and universities based on academic reputation, employer reputation, network of international research, and sustainability.
The following are the top 10 universities of the world based in the UK featured in the QS Rankings 2024:
Serial No. | University | QS Ranking 2025 |
---|---|---|
1 | Imperial College London | 2 |
2 | University of Oxford | 3 |
3 | University of Cambridge | 5 |
4 | University College London | 9 |
5 | The University of Edinburgh | 22 |
6 | The University of Manchester | 32 |
7 | King’s College London | 38 |
8 | London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) | 45 |
9 | University of Bristol | 55 |
10 | University of Warwick | 67 |
Public universities or institutions are nonprofit institutions owned and funded by the state or the government of the UK. Private universities in the United Kingdom are funded privately and have a smaller enrollment population relative to public universities and those specializing in particular fields of education.
However, a lot of private universities work harder to improve the overall student experience.
The distinction between Public and Private Universities in the UK
Criteria |
Public University |
Private University |
Fund |
Funded by the state government and the subsidies |
Funded by private ventures, investors, and tuition fees. |
Tuition fees |
Low and reasonable |
High |
Scholarships |
Offered but less than private universities |
Many are offered |
Accreditation |
Accredited by the state or national government |
Accredited nationally |
Admission |
More seats with less stringent criteria |
Only enroll a limited number of students based on stringent criteria |
UK |
|
|
The UK has a well-rounded education system and excels in many academic disciplines with exciting career prospects. Many doors open in the UK for business, engineering, and STEM students.
Here are the top courses in the UK and their other details:
The demand for business analytics is quite high in the UK. Business analysts play a very important role in making decisions and moving a business forward. Their average annual salary is £47,302.
Popular Programs |
avg Tuition fee (yr) |
Top Universities |
Job prospects |
Avg. salary (yr) |
|
£18,000 - £29,500 |
|
|
£47,302 |
This course is thriving in the UK, so universities like Kings College, the London School of Economics, and the London School of Political Science offer a wide range of courses in data sciences. Companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Cisco are some of the big companies in the IT industry that are offering jobs to data scientists in the UK.
Popular Programs |
avg Tuition fee (yr) |
Top Universities |
Job prospects |
Avg. salary (yr) |
|
£19,000 - £40,54,400 |
|
|
£52,000 |
A degree in computer science provides students with the core skills to run businesses and organizations. Universities in the UK are at the top in offering computer science, and various departments conduct research for the world's top companies.
Popular Programs |
avg Tuition fee (yr) |
Top Universities |
Job prospects |
Avg. salary (yr) |
|
£20,000 - £43,000 |
|
|
£35,000 |
The MBA in the UK is one of the best places to invest in a career for professionals. The average annual salary is £35,000 - £65,000. It has been one of the most sought-after courses in the UK for decades.
Popular Programs |
avg Tuition fee (yr) |
Top Universities |
Job prospects |
Avg. salary (yr) |
|
£40,000 -£1,00,000 |
|
|
£35,000 - £65,000 |
It is one of the most competitive courses in the UK. Top universities like the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and King’s College London have high-standard research labs that provide the best clinical practice. Pursuing a bachelor's degree in medicine from the UK also comes with the best employment opportunities in healthcare.
Popular Programs |
avg Tuition fee (yr) |
Top Universities |
Job prospects |
Avg. salary (yr) |
|
£22,000 - £52,000 |
|
|
£40,000 - £90,000 |
This course specifically caters to corporate finance, investment management, and applied quantitative finance. The average annual salary for this course starts from £40,000.
Popular Programs |
Average Tuition fee (yr) |
Top Universities |
Job prospects |
Avg. salary (yr) |
|
£2,000 - £45,000 |
|
|
£40,000 onwards |
Universities in the UK provide LLB degrees with a proper understanding of the core legal practices. Students also have the opportunity to choose a combination subject with Law, such as business, politics, or journalism. The average annual salary in Law in the UK is £20,000 - £70,000.
Popular Programs |
Average Tuition fee (yr) |
Top Universities |
Job prospects |
Avg. salary (yr) |
|
£19,500 -£44,000 |
|
|
£20,000 -£70,000 |
Architecture has a lot of potential in the UK for aspiring students. The country has the best three universities that specialize in this course. There are high job prospects and the average annual salary is £25,000 -£65,000.
Popular Programs |
Average Tuition fee (yr) |
Top Universities |
Job prospects |
Avg. salary (yr) |
|
£17,000 -£40,000 |
|
|
£25,000 -£65,000 |
The UK is consistently ranked 5th globally as it is known for its innovation. Engineering skills today are in high demand in the UK. An engineering degree in the UK lays a stepping stone for many innovative job prospects like chemical / civil and Mechanical engineering.
Popular Programs |
Average Tuition fee (yr) |
Top Universities |
Job prospects |
Avg. salary (yr) |
|
£14,000 -£50,000 |
|
|
£40,000 onwards |
As the daily living costs in the UK are increasing, international students have to be more careful with their expenses. The cost of living in the UK varies depending on your lifestyle preference, expenditure habits, the city or the study location, and the course level pursued. The average cost of living in the UK for an international student may range from £12,000 - £15,600 annually, including accommodation, groceries, bills, and other utilities and expenses during their stay in the UK. Here is a list of factors that account for the cost of living in the UK.
Particulars |
Monthly cost (£) |
Accommodation |
£500 -£700 |
Food |
£100 -£200 |
Gas and electricity |
£60 |
Internet |
£40 |
Mobile Phone |
£50 |
Laundry |
£25 |
Stationary and Textbooks |
£20- £40 |
Clothing |
£50- £75 |
Travel |
£30- £40 |
Accommodation: Housing and accommodations account for One of the biggest factors influencing your budget while studying in the UK. The average monthly cost of accommodation for an international student living in the UK is £500 -£700. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the average monthly accommodation prices in different cities in the UK
City |
Average monthly cost |
London |
£1309- £3309 |
Manchester |
£650- £1,738 |
Edinburg |
£717- £1,845 |
Cardiff |
£763- £1,717 |
Food: The total cost of food influences the overall cost of living of an international student in the UK. There are dining hall options in the universities in the UK from which students can choose, and the food ranges from £5- £10 per meal. Food usually costs somewhere around £100 -£200 per month. Here is a breakdown of meals from different places in the UK.
Items |
Cost (£) |
Meal, normal restaurant |
£12 |
A meal in a mid-range restaurant |
£50 |
McDonald’s McMeal |
£6 |
Cappuccino (regular) |
£2.76 |
Water (0.33 L bottle) |
£0.97 |
Transportation: The breakdown of transportation is as follows:
Transportation and vehicle Prices |
Average cost (£) |
Gasoline (1 L) |
£1.76 |
Monthly bus/ transport pass |
£160 |
Bus ticket, single use |
£1.65 |
Taxi (normal Tariff) |
£4.65 |
Taxi Tariff, 1 km (Normal tariff) |
£1.7 |
Each year, most of the international students enroll in UK institutions in the most reputed study destinations, like the UK.However, the expense of these universities varies depending on the type of university and the level of their study, but the average annual price of these universities is £9,250 - £10,000. The Social sciences and humanities degrees are cheaper than the clinical and research degrees. STEM fields are usually more costly and premium.
Moreover, international students must also consider the UK student visa fee, which is a necessary expense for studying in the UK. Here is a list of universities' study levels and expenses.
Level of study |
Degree Type |
Average Annual Fee |
Undergraduate |
Access courses |
£18,581 |
Certificates and diplomas |
£16,316 |
|
First degrees |
£17,718 |
|
Integrated masters degrees |
£23,390 |
|
Postgraduate |
Advanced certificate diplomas |
£23,317 |
Apprenticeships |
- |
|
Certificate diplomas |
£12,325 |
|
Doctorate's |
£15,750 |
|
Master's |
£15,953 |
|
Professional Qualifications |
£20,800 |
Name of the university |
Average tuition fee |
Scholarships offered |
UK study visa Application fee |
University of Oxford |
£23,088 |
10 |
£75 |
University of Cambridge |
£9,250 |
10 |
£60 |
Imperial College London |
£10,000 |
7 |
£80 |
University college London |
£17,710 |
9 |
£115 |
The university of Edinburgh |
£23,200 |
2 |
£60 |
London school of Economics and Political science |
£18,408 |
8 |
£95 |
University of Manchester |
£30,000 |
5 |
£60 |
University of Bristol |
£21,100 |
10 |
£60 |
King’s college London |
£18,100 |
10 |
£60 – 120 |
The UK provides financial aid to international students who do not have access to financial resources in terms of education loans and scholarships. The scholarships reduce the burden of studying abroad and lead to better and more rewarding career opportunities for international students. There is always high competition for getting scholarships, so it is always suggested that the students start the procedure 8 – 12 months in advance.
The award offered in the scholarship varies depending on the institutions and enrolled programs. Some research programs provide fully funded scholarships, whereas some cover part of your living expenses.
Intake |
Duration |
Autumn/ Fall Intake |
September – December |
Spring Intake |
January – April |
Summer Intake |
April – June |
Some of the major universities in the UK offer scholarships to its international students for the academic year 2024-2025. The scholarships include partially and fully funded scholarships, which also provide them with a monthly stipend for tuition fees, accommodation charges, health insurance, and a travel allowance.
Name of the scholarship |
Funded by |
Amount |
Courses |
Deadline |
British Govt/FCO |
£18,000 |
Masters |
5 November 2024 |
|
Commonwealth Master/s & PhD scholarships for developing commonwealth countries |
DFID |
100% of the tuition fee |
Masters PHD |
15 October 2024 |
Oxford – Weidenfeld and Hoffman Scholarship and Leadership Program |
University of Oxford |
100% of the tuition fee |
Masters |
7/8/28 January 2024 |
Gates Cambridge Trust |
£30,000-£45,000 per year |
Masters PHD |
16 October 2024 3 December 2024 7 January 2025 |
|
Clarendon Fund scholarships at the University of Oxford |
Oxford University Press |
£18,662 |
Masters PHD |
3 December 2024 7-8 January 2025 |
University of Oxford |
£19,092 |
Bachelor’s |
15 October 2024 12 February 2025 |
|
Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford University for International students |
Rhodes Scholarship Fund |
£19,092 per annum |
Masters PHD |
July-October 2024 |
The Marshall Scholarship for US citizens to study in the UK |
Marshal aid commemoration Commision |
£38,000 per year |
Masters |
24 September 2024 |
Step 1: Research the appropriate scholarships available in the UK.
Step 2: Check if you meet the eligibility criteria
Step 3: Prepare and gather all the necessary documents like Letters of recommendation, academic records, etc.
Step 4: Submit the complete application along with the documents.
Step 5: Prepare for the interviews only if applicable.
Management of expenses in the UK can be really difficult at times for international students, especially when the city and the environment they are living in are more expensive than those in their home country.
This is why most international students choose to work part-time during weekends and during their post-study hours on weekdays. While a part-time job enables international students to be more independent, the certifications received after the completion of the part-time work also help students get good work opportunities in the future.
Many universities and colleges recommend international students work only a maximum of 15 hours per week to maintain a study-life balance. Part-time jobs are the best way for international students in the UK to manage their expenses and also gain valuable experience.
Job |
Average weekly salary (20 hrs) |
Teaching assistant |
£233 |
Customer service Representative |
£222 |
Event Planner |
£280 |
Tutor |
£500 |
Baby sitter |
£260 |
Dog Walker |
£250 |
Library Assistant |
£240 |
Barista |
£200 |
Tour guide |
£246 |
Translator |
£28 |
Most of the international students after completing the degree course stay for 2-3 years in the UK to work and gain experience in employment. Every year The UK has more than 1000 work openings in almost every sector. The students start looking for employment opportunities in their final year itself.
Looking for employment online through the company's web pages and official sites is the best way to find employment. Recently, in the UK, 60% of students were employed within 9 months of graduation, 72% of students worked for graduate-level jobs, and 58% of students reported meeting complete expectations of the post-study work visa
A degree obtained from a university in the UK can produce a major return on Investment (ROI) as the degrees from the universities in the UK are globally recognized. International graduates from such universities secure high-paying jobs and rewarding career opportunities in the future. Even though the initial investment in UK education, including the tuition fee, a student visa can be expensive.
The long-run benefits and the rewarding career potential always outweigh the costs and expenses. The type of industry of job, type of job market, and the level of qualification of the student also have the potential to influence the return on investment.
As per the Institute of Student Employers (ISE), there are sectors like legal, IT, Finance, digital, and other professional services that mostly generate high returns on investment (ROI) in the UK.Other than these common and conventional fields, there are other sectors like financial coaching, data science, cloud computing, and cyber security that will generate stronger financial rewards in the near future. Here is a complete breakdown of the UK's top universities, job placements, and ROI.
Name of the University |
Annual Fees |
Job Placement |
Return of Investment |
University of Oxford |
₹19,50,000 |
80% of the graduates placed in job within six months of graduation |
More significant increase in the earnings covering costs within 5 years |
University of Cambridge |
₹18,00,000 - ₹20,00,000 |
79% of the graduates placed in job within six months of graduation |
24% within 1 year |
London School of Economics and Political science (LSE) |
₹18,00,000 - ₹21,00,000 |
85% Placement rate |
Very high |
University of Edinburgh |
₹16,00,000 - ₹20,00,000 |
82% employability rate |
Good return for research and academic oriented careers |
The employment rate in the UK is 75%. The UK job market has ample job opportunities. The following is a complete breakdown of the top in-demand jobs in the UK, including their salaries and the top employers.
Job |
Average salary (year) |
Top employers |
Engineer |
£53,993 |
Google, Microsoft, Meta, J.P Morgan |
Healthcare |
£1,50,537 |
Hospitals and healthcare facilities |
Human resources (HR) |
£60,485 |
PwC, J.P Morgan, Barclays |
Accountancy and Finance |
£65,894 |
PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG |
Marketing and Sales |
£71,753 |
Google, Microsoft, Nest, Accenture |
Computer Science and Information Technology |
£63,370 |
Adobe, Microsoft, Google, Tesco, KPMG |
Advertising and PR |
£64,361 |
WPP, Merkle, Awin, AKQA |
Education |
£67,877 |
Educational Institutions |
Law |
£77,161 |
Allen & Ovey, Herbert Smith Freehills, SAP, Google |
Art and design |
£49,578 |
Google, Meta, IBM, Framestore |
Studying in the UK is the most surreal academic experience. There are prestigious and highly reputed universities like the London School of Economics, Imperial College London, and University College London, which are known for their excellence in education, innovative teaching methodology, and globally recognized programs. More than 500,000 UK study visa applications are processed every year. Today, the UK is one of the most sought-after destinations for international students around the globe.
Y-Axis can assist by giving more vital support to aspirants who wish to study in the UK. The support process includes:
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