Is the UK Still Good for Indian Students? 2025 Costs, Visas, Pros & Cons

In 2025, many Indian students and families are re-evaluating if the UK is still a good choice for higher education.

Here’s what students are mostly concerned about:

1. The high cost of an MS in the UK
2. The increasingly strict UK post study work (PSW) visa policy
3. Untenable and rising student living costs in the UK
4. The stress of dealing with high pressure lives as students in the UK
5. Job market saturation in the UK as international students compete for a limited number of skilled jobs

Aspirants frequently label the UK as a trap destination on Reddit and Quora. The question gets asked too frequently: ‘is the UK good for Indian students?’. This indicates a lot of skepticism around studying in the UK, for Indian students. 

But still, official data shows Indian students now make up the largest group of international students in the UK. 

“International students put nearly ten times more into the economy than they take out.”

— Dr Gavan Conlon, Partner, London Economics

This can seem perplexing.

So in this post, I will try to answer whether the UK is still good for Indian students.

What Still Makes the UK a Preferred Study Abroad Destination for Indian Students?

The UK remains a popular destination for Indian students because of many reasons.

1. Short course duration: Because the U.S. still doesn’t offer 1-year programs like the UK does. Finishing a master’s in one year lets students return to the workforce sooner. 
2. English-Speaking Environment: It is a major attraction that makes the UK the default choice for students who wish to travel to Europe (even though technically the UK is not a part of Europe).
3. Post-Study Work Option: The UK also offers the Graduate Route (post-study work visa), which currently allows students to stay for two years after graduation to look for work (but which reduces to 18 months after 31 December 2026).
4. Indian Student Communities: Indian students also choose the UK because of its strong Indian communities across cities.  

What Are the Most Significant Struggles Indian Students Face in the UK Today?

1. High MS Costs:  At top universities, the total first-year cost can reach £35,000–£40,000 (₹42–48 lakh), while regional universities and cities cost closer to £25,000–£30,000 (₹30–36 lakh). London is especially expensive, where rent and daily living costs are much higher than in smaller cities.
2. Strict Financial Proof Requirement: The UK Home Office requires students to show at least £1,529 per month for living expenses in London and £1,171 per month elsewhere, held for 28 days before applying for the student visa.
3. Student Life Stress: The one-year master’s program, while it’s alluring for students, also presents difficulties. It creates pressure: students must manage academic work, part-time jobs, and job hunting in just 12 months. Many Indian students underestimate the workload and the fast pace, and struggle with stress and burnout.
4. Stricter Post-Study Visa Policy: Post-study work opportunities in the UK are limited by policy changes. While the Graduate Route currently offers two years to find a job, from 2027 this will reduce to 18 months.

Many UK university leaders themselves warn that the country’s stricter policies could backfire for both students and institutions.

“Any new visa restrictions would limit our ability to recruit from abroad and further reduce income.”
— Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive, Universities UK (May 2025)

1. Job Market Saturation: Finding employers willing to sponsor a Skilled Worker visa is difficult, especially outside fields like IT, engineering, and healthcare. This is because many UK employers prefer to hire locals for entry-level roles, and only some large companies sponsor visas.
2. Rising Living Expenses: Finally, student living costs in the UK are rising. Finding affordable, safe housing is hard. Reports of Indian students living in overcrowded flats or struggling with large upfront rent payments are common.

Now that you’ve read all the pros and cons, what do you think? If you’re still unsure, try talking to students in the UK, or study abroad experts at GradRight.

Why Are the Costs of Studying in the UK the Biggest Cause of Hesitation for Indian Students?

The cost of MS in the UK for Indian students is high and it is important to plan for every expense.

1. High Tuition Fees:  Range from £10,000 to £30,000 for a one-year master’s usually, with top universities and specialist programs charging at the higher end.
2. Major Living Expenses: For a student in London, the UK government requires proof of at least £1,529 per month for up to 9 months, while in other cities the requirement is £1,171 per month. In reality, students in London often spend £1,300 to £1,800 each month, while those in regional cities spend £900 to £1,400.
3. Visa and Health Surcharge Costs: This includes a visa fee of £524 and the annual Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776.  
4. Initial Setup and Miscellaneous Costs: There are also costs for initial housing deposits (1-2 months’ rent), TB tests, and flights.

In total, the student living costs in the UK and tuition usually add up to £25,000–£40,000 for one academic year, depending on university and city.

The good news is that I see students secure education loans for studying in the UK every week, if they present a strong plan to the bank.

I’ve seen cases like Abhinaya Murthy, who faced repeated loan rejections for her Master’s at LSE. Through GradRight, she secured funding and a ₹3.5 lakh scholarship, easing the burden of an otherwise heavy loan.

The point is that careful financial planning is the first step to avoid financial hardship after arrival in the UK.

How Are UK Visas and Post-Study Work Rules Making Life More Challenging for Indian Students?

The UK student visa policy has become more demanding in 2025.

1. Tighter Visa Requirements: Indian students must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their university and show financial proof covering one year’s tuition and living expenses.
2. Dependents Restriction: Only students on research programs or government scholarships can bring dependents while most master’s students cannot.
3. Graduate Route Duration Reduced: After graduation, the post-study work visa UK eligibility is a key concern. The Graduate Route allows students to work in the UK for up to two years after completing their degree. However, this will change to 18 months for new applicants from January 2027.
4. Strict Skilled Worker Visa Criteria: To stay longer, students must find a job with a minimum salary of £33,400 and an employer willing to sponsor a Skilled Worker visa.

The UK government has made clear that it will make skilled job sponsorship even tougher from 2025 onward:

“We will lift the level for skilled workers back to RQF 6 and above. Salary thresholds will rise. This approach would see the number of eligible occupations reduced by around 180.”

— UK Government White Paper, “Restoring Control over the Immigration System”, May 2025

1. Intense Job Market Competition: Post study work opportunities in the UK are not guaranteed. Many Indian students face tough competition for graduate roles. A 2024 survey found that only around 45% of Indian students who arrived in 2019 still had a UK visa five years later. Others return home, after struggling to find skilled work. So, careful research on job prospects by subject is vital before applying.

So… Is the UK Still Good for Indian Students?

Based on my experience advising thousands of families, the UK is a good fit for Indian students who meet certain criteria.

UK is more likely a GOOD fit if:

1. Students are able to fund at least 70–80% of their total MS in UK cost before departure, either through savings, scholarships, or confirmed education loans.
2. They choose a course that has clear labour market demand in the UK (such as data science, IT, engineering, or healthcare).
3. They are prepared for the intense pace of a one-year master’s and are proactive about building professional networks and seeking internships from the very beginning.
4. Their core goal is to gain international education and work experience, and they are ready to view the UK as a step in a broader career plan, not as a guaranteed route to permanent residency.

UK is probably a POOR or high-risk fit if:

1. The main motivation of a student is to “go abroad” and they pick any cheap or convenient course, regardless of quality or job prospects.
2. They depend heavily on part-time work to cover most living costs, which rarely matches real expenses, and creates intense pressure.
3. Their main aim is PR or immigration.
4. The family would face severe financial strain if a UK job offer were not to materialize soon after graduation.

In the end, I leave you with three suggestions that I share with anyone who asks me the ‘is UK worth it’ question:

1. Studying in the UK is absolutely worth it for students who want to return to India after the degree. 
2. For students who purely see an education in the UK as a milestone on a predictable journey to PR and citizenship, I advise strong caution, because the immigration landscape is shaping unpredictably. 
3. For students who are not yet sure of their long term plans, the only hedge is an honest self-assessment and realistic budgeting for a safe and successful UK journey.

At GradRight, I’ve seen our platform help over 60,000 Indian students and process ₹16,000 crore in loan requests, which has made affordable global education a reality for families across India.

So if you feel the UK is the right destination for you to study abroad, don’t hesitate to write to us and ask for personalized guidance.