Category: UK

Are you an Indian student planning to study abroad in the UK? Here’s your one-stop guide – with no fluff, only researched facts.

Popular UK Universities Among Indian Students (and Why)

Here’s a list of the top 15 popular UK universities that Indian students who plan to study abroad in the UK opt for:

University Name	Why Indian Students Choose It

University of Oxford

Legacy, Rhodes scholarships, and highly valued for Law, IAS, and literature aspirants.

University of Cambridge

Strong in STEM; targeted by Indian students for Engineering and Economics.

Imperial College London

Top destination for Indian science & tech grads; excellent global job prospects.

University College London (UCL)

Diverse campus, Indian student groups, great for medicine and architecture.

London School of Economics (LSE)

Respected for Law, IR, and Economics; ideal for UPSC & diplomatic career tracks.

University of Edinburgh

Rising in AI and data; preferred by Indian PG students seeking research-heavy courses.

University of Manchester

Big Indian community, popular for business, pharmacy, and social sciences.

King’s College London

Medical, legal, and health-related programs attract many Indian pre-med and law students.

University of Warwick

Warwick Business School is a magnet for Indian MBA and finance students.

University of Bristol

Known for Aerospace and Law; great for Indian engineers upskilling.

University of Glasgow

Lower cost of living, strong alumni links, and top in life sciences.

University of Nottingham

Popular for pharmacy, biotech, and agriculture; good UG & PG mix.

University of Birmingham

Offers GREAT and Chevening scholarships; vibrant Indian student culture.

University of Leeds

Attracts Indian PGs in business, AI, and data science.

Queen Mary University of London

Affordable London option with strong law, dentistry, and applied tech programs.

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Tuition Fees Breakdown (per year)

Degree Level	Average Fee (GBP)	Approx. INR (₹)
Undergraduate	£10,000 – £25,000	₹10–25 lakhs
Postgraduate	£11,000 – £30,000	₹11–30 lakhs
MBA	£30,000 – £50,000	₹30–50 lakhs
Medicine	£35,000 – £55,000	₹35–55 lakhs

Scholarships for Indian Students

Scholarship Name	Offered By	Value
Chevening Scholarships	UK Government	Full tuition + living costs
Commonwealth Scholarships	UK Universities	Tuition + airfare + stipend
GREAT Scholarships	British Council + Unis	£10,000
Inlaks Scholarship	Inlaks Foundation	Up to $100,000
Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford)	Rhodes Trust	Full tuition + allowance

Popular Intakes & Application Deadlines

Intake	Starts In	Apply By (Suggested)
September	Sep	Jan – Mar
January	Jan	Aug – Oct
May (Limited)	May	Jan – Feb

Application Step-by-Step Timeline

Month	To-Do
Oct – Dec	Research courses, shortlist unis
Jan – Mar	Prepare for IELTS, LORs, SOP
Mar – May	Apply via UCAS or directly
May – Jun	Accept offer, pay deposit
Jun – Jul	Arrange finances, apply for visa
Aug	Book flights, pack, pre-departure prep
Sep	Fly to UK & attend orientation

Living Expenses (Monthly Averages)

City	Rent (GBP)	Food (GBP)	Travel (GBP)	Total (GBP)
London	£700–1,000	£150	£150	£1,000+
Manchester	£400–600	£120	£90	£700–850
Edinburgh	£450–650	£130	£100	£750–900
Birmingham	£400–550	£120	£90	£700–800

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Pro Tip: Sharing apartments can cut your costs by 30% or more.

Part-Time Work Opportunities

Work Type	Pay Range (Per Hour)	Limits During Term
On-Campus Assistant	£10 – £13	20 hrs/week
Retail Jobs	£9 – £12	20 hrs/week
Freelance/Remote Work	£10 – £25	20 hrs/week
Internships	£10 – £20	As per contract

Note: During holidays, you can work full-time.

Visa-Related Details

Visa Type	Name	Cost (GBP)	Processing Time
Student Visa (Tier 4)	Student Route	£490	15 working days
Dependent Visa	Tier 4 Dependent	£490	15 working days

Visa Essentials

Requirement	Details
CAS Letter	From your university
Proof of Funds	Tuition + £1,023/month (9 months)
English Language Requirement	IELTS/TOEFL/PTE accepted
TB Test	Mandatory from India
Visa Interview	Sometimes required

After Graduation: Stay Back Options

Route	Details
Graduate Visa (Post Study Work)	2 years stay back after UG/PG; 3 for PhD
Skilled Worker Visa	Sponsored job by UK company
Entrepreneur/Startup	Limited options under new rules

Overall Documents Checklist

Category	Documents Needed
Education	Degree certificates, transcripts, IELTS/TOEFL
Identity	Passport, passport photos
Financial	Bank statements, sponsor letter (if any)
University	Offer letter, CAS letter
Health	TB Test Report, Health Insurance

Useful Links

Resource	URL
UK Student Visa Guide	https://www.gov.uk/student-visa
UCAS Application Portal	https://www.ucas.com
Chevening Scholarships	https://www.chevening.org
British Council India	https://www.britishcouncil.in/study-uk

Need Personalized Help?

With careful planning, a strong application, and the right support from Admitix, you can study abroad in the UK.

Start today!

FAQs

Q. What are the most popular UK cities among Indian students?
A. London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham are top picks due to university reputation, job hubs, and strong Indian communities.

Q. Can Indian students work part-time while studying in the UK?
A. Yes, Indian students on a Student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during vacations.

Q. Are scholarships available for Indian students in UK universities?
A. Absolutely. Many unis offer scholarships like GREAT, Commonwealth, and university-specific ones for Indian applicants.

Q. What are the academic requirements to apply from India?
A. Typically, 65%–85% in Class 12 for undergraduate and 55%–70% in bachelor’s degree for postgrad, plus English proficiency (e.g., IELTS).

Q. How early should Indian students apply to UK universities?
A. Ideally 10–12 months before intake (especially for September starts), to allow time for offers, visas, and financial planning.

London has always been a dream destination for international students. Reasons? Its top-notch education, incredible career prospects, lively city life, and more. But let’s be real, living and studying in London in London comes with its costs.

If you’re planning to move here for higher studies, it’s important to get a practical and clear idea of what to expect financially. This will help you make the most of your time and experience in the city.

In this blog, we break it all down for you.

Factors Impacting Study Cost In London

So, what exactly influences the cost of studying in London? Here’s a closer look at the key factors:

• Tuition fees for international students
• Cost of living, including rent, food, and transport
• Pre-arrival and post-arrival expenses

Now, let’s dive in and explore what it really takes to study in London without breaking the bank!

Tuition Fee Costs for Indian Students

Without a doubt, London is the ideal study-abroad destination for international students; however, compared to other British cities, the cost of living here for students is far higher. But, choosing to attend university in this city means you will have access to top-notch teaching and research facilities as well as excellent career opportunities – the pros, you see.

Therefore, according to your level of study, the cost of studying in London for you is as follows:

Degree Type	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Bachelors in London	£10,000 – £20,000
Masters degree in London	£10,000 – £20,000
Doctoral Degree in London	£15,000 – £24,000

Further, for your better understanding, below is a detailed overview categorized for private and public universities in London:

Private Universities in London

If you choose a private university in London for your higher education, your cost of study in London may be slightly higher than those who choose to study in public universities. Here are some of the famous universities and their yearly tuition fees:

University Name	Tuition Fees (annually)
GSM London	£10,000
BPP University	£9,500
Regent’s University London	£18,500
St. Mary’s University London	£12,900

Public Universities in London

Now, we share a similar breakdown of finances if you plan to opt for public universities during your higher studies in London. Here are some famous public universities in London and their respective study cost:

University Name	Tuition Fees (Average Annual Fees for 2024)
London School of Economics	£23,088
Imperial College London	£10,000
The University of London	£10,000
London Metropolitan University	£4,500 – £9,000
The University of East London	£21,000

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Scholarships for Studying in London

Having shared with you areas that would need financial commitments should you choose to study abroad in London, we now share crucial information on scholarships to support your stay in the UK.

Scholarships	Average Amount (in £)
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	£17,500 stipend per annum
Imperial College London Ph.D. Scholarship	£16,500
GEMS International Undergraduate Scholarship	£2,000 fee reduction each year
Cambridge University MBA Scholarship	£30,000

Living Expenses in London for Indian Students

Now, specifically regarding Indian students and their potential study costs in London. The average monthly living expenses in London for Indian students are around £1,015. This is if they live outside London. Likewise, the average expense for those who reside in inner London is around £1,265 per month.

Below is an overview of the cost of living in London for Indian students:

Expenses Type	Amount (in £)
Accommodation	£8,100 per year
Food	£3,000 per year
Travel	£1,220 per year
Leisure and Miscellaneous Costs	£2,220 per year

Pre-arrival and Post-arrival Costs of Studying in London – What You Need to Budget For

Alright, so you’ve decided to study in London – amazing choice! But before you start, let’s talk about the costs you’ll need to cover before and after you arrive. Planning ahead will save you from any last-minute surprises, and trust me, London is full of surprises (some fun, some… less fun for your wallet).

Pre-Arrival Costs

This cost includes what you’ll spend before you even get there. Before you hop on that flight, there are a few essential expenses to take care of:

Expense Category	Details / Estimated Cost

Entrance Exams

– GRE

₹15,800

– GMAT

₹18,500

– IELTS/UKVI

₹15,100

– TOEFL

₹13,770

University Application Fees

£50 – £150 per university (check individual websites)

Student Visa & Health Surcharge

Financial proof required for: – £1,050/month (outside London) – £1,265/month (in London)

Other Administrative Costs

Includes mailing documents, sending test scores, etc.

Flight Tickets to London

₹27,887 – ₹31,794 (one-way; book early for best rates)

Post-Arrival Costs

Coming to Post-arrival costs, this cost includes what you’ll spend once you’re in London.

Once you land, here’s what you’ll need to factor into your budget every month:

Expense Category	Details / Estimated Cost
Tuition Fees	£10,000 – £24,000 per year (varies by course & university)
Living Expenses	~£1,265 per month (includes rent, food, travel, etc.)
Money-Saving Tips	Use student discounts, get part-time work, follow budget hacks

Need Personalized Help?

Studying in London can be a life-changing experience – but planning your finances, picking the right university, and navigating scholarships can feel overwhelming.

That’s where expert guidance can make all the difference. With personalised support, strategic advice, and help from study-abroad mentors like Admitix, your London dream isn’t just possible – it’s doable.

Let’s make London happen – together.

FAQs – Living and Studying In London

Is London too expensive for international students?
London can be pricey, yes. But with smart budgeting, scholarships, and student discounts, you can absolutely manage it. Many students also take up part-time jobs to support themselves.

What’s the average cost of living in London for Indian students?
Expect around £1,265/month if you live in inner London, and about £1,015/month if you’re outside central zones.

Are there affordable universities in London?
Yes. Some public universities like London Metropolitan University and The University of London offer relatively lower tuition fees, starting around £4,500 – £10,000/year.

Can Indian students get scholarships in London?
Definitely! Scholarships like GEMS International, Gates Cambridge, and Imperial College PhD Scholarships offer substantial financial support.

Do I need IELTS or TOEFL to study in London?
In most cases, yes. Universities require proof of English proficiency. Some may waive it if you’ve studied in English-medium institutions before – but always check specific university