The United Kingdom has long been a top destination for international students. Annually, 1.4 lakh Indian students travel to the UK for higher education. That’s majorly because the UK offers world-class education and excellent career prospects. The key benefits of studying in the UK include:
High-quality education with globally recognized degrees.
Access to world-class research opportunities.
A culturally diverse and inclusive environment.
Strong industry links and career opportunities.
Various scholarships and financial aid options.
Top Universities in the UK
The UK boasts some of the highest-ranking universities worldwide. The top 5 universities in the UK, known for their academic excellence, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong employer reputation, include:
The UK offers a wide range of courses for international students, with some of the most popular fields being:
Business
Engineering
Medicine
Astronomy
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Study in the UK for Indian Students After 12th
BSc Management – London School of Economics
MEng Mechanical Engineering – Imperial College London
MBBS Medicine – University College London
BSc Astrophysics – University College London
BSc Computer Science – University of Edinburgh
BA Business & Management – University of Exeter
BEng Civil Engineering – University of Sheffield
MBBS Medicine – Imperial College London
MPhys Physics with Astrophysics – University of Manchester
BBA Business Administration – University of Strathclyde
BSc International Business – University of Warwick
MEng Electrical & Electronic Engineering – University of Manchester
MBBS Medicine – King’s College London
BSc Astronomy, Space Science & Astrophysics – University of Kent
BEng Mechanical Engineering – University of Leeds
BSc Accounting & Finance – University of Manchester
BEng Aerospace Engineering – University of Bristol
MBBS Medicine – University of Glasgow
MPhys Astrophysics – University of Edinburgh
MBBS Medicine – Queen Mary University of London
BA Marketing – University of Bath
MEng Chemical Engineering – University of Cambridge
MBBS Medicine – University of Birmingham
BSc Physics with Astronomy – University of Nottin
BA Economics – University of York
BSc Business Analytics – King’s College London
BEng Computer Engineering – University of Southampton
MBBS Medicine – University of Manchester
BSc Astronomy & Planetary Science – Open University
BSc Biomedical Science – University of Sheffield
Tuition Fees and Cost of Living in the UK
Tuition fees
International students can expect to pay between £10,000 and £38,000 per year, depending on the university and course, with medical and MBA programs on the higher end.
Living expense
Annual living costs typically range from £12,000 to £15,000, covering accommodation, food, transport, and other daily needs, with London being more expensive than other cities.
Budgeting Tips
Look for student discounts, railcards, and supermarket loyalty programs to help cut everyday expenses while studying in the UK.
Scholarships and Financial Aid for International Students in the UK
Use GradRight’s loan bidding platform to get the best education loan offers. Then submit your application with required documents like transcripts, SOP, and reference letters.
Get admission
Once accepted, apply for a student visa, arrange accommodation, and budget for living in the UK.
What are the basic requirements to study in the UK?
If you’re planning to study in the UK, here’s what you’ll need:
Good grades and the right academic qualifications.
English skills usually with a test like IELTS. If you want to study in the UK without IELTS, that is also possible with alternatives like TOEFL, DET, etc.
Enough cash to cover your tuition and living costs while you’re in the UK.
A valid student visa. This means meeting the UK’s immigration rules and handing in the paperwork.
Can I study in the UK without an IELTS score?
Yes, you absolutely can. A bunch of UK universities allow skipping the IELTS test. Here’s how it works:
If you’ve already studied in English (like at school or college), that might be enough.
If you have scores from other accepted language proficiency tests like TOEFL, DET, etc.
Basically, check with the school you’re applying to and they’ll let you know ways to study in the UK without IELTS.
How much study gap is accepted for studying in the UK?
UK universities are usually fine with a study gap of up to five years. So if you’ve taken some time off, you can still study in the UK.
You will just have to give them a reason for the break, like:
Work: If it’s related to what you want to study, that’s a plus.
Certifications: Picking up some professional skills.
Others: Any other reason that the university is willing to accept.
Every university looks at study gaps differently, so just be honest about your reason. That’s because what matters more is what you bring to the table now than a perfect schedule.