Study Abroad in the UK: Indian Student Guide

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.

You Might Also Like: Russell Group Of Universities (UK)

The Russell Group is a prestigious association of 24 research-intensive UK universities.

These institutions are recognized for their focus on academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and high-quality teaching.

Collectively, they influence policy, shape innovation, and attract top-tier talent globally.

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

Also, You Might Like: Living And Studying In London As Indian Students

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.