Study In UK

The United Kingdom provides an exceptional academic experience for students who wish to study at some of the world’s finest universities, which are known for their high academic and research standards. According to statistics, the United Kingdom is becoming a popular destination for international students. 

Universities in the United Kingdom have a good career outcome rate.

According to Prospects and AGCAS’s ‘What Do Graduates Do?’ report, the following career outcomes were seen in the UK for first-degree graduates 15 months after graduation: 57.3% worked full-time in the UK, 11.4% worked part-time in the UK, 10.6% worked and studied, 9.2% went on to study further, 5.7% were involved in other activities, and 5.9% were unemployed or about to start work.

Why Study in UK

Every student’s decision to study abroad is a life-changing one. Students require compelling reasons to choose a study destination and academic institution from a variety of options. Here are a few reasons why you might consider studying in the United Kingdom:

Academic Quality:

According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, 4 universities in the United Kingdom are in the top ten ranks. University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and University College London are among them. The University of Oxford is ranked first in the Times World University Rankings 2023. These universities’ rankings reflect to the high calibre of their academics and research.

Research Quality:
The most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021 evaluated the research of 157 UK universities. The overall quality of submitted research was rated as world-leading (41%), internationally excellent (43%), internationally recognized (14%), and nationally recognized (2%). UK universities have produced excellent research, and students interested in pursuing research should consider the UK.

Student-friendly Destination:
Nearly 605,000 international students, both EU and non-EU, studied in UK higher education institutions during the academic year 2020-21. Around 16% (roughly 55,000). The growing number of international students in the UK shows the country’s growing popularity as a study abroad destination.

Scholarships:
Students at UK universities have access to excellent scholarships. International Scholarships Award, Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship, Chevening Scholarships, GREAT Scholarships, and Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships are only a few examples.

Leisure and Travel:
When it comes to exploring historic places, music concerts, cuisines, and other cultural festivals, the United Kingdom is a fascinating country to visit. Universities in the United Kingdom have a long history, and studying at one of them allows you to become a part of that history.

Key Highlights

Here are some of the key highlights of studying in the UK:

Education System in UK
Education system in the UK comprises of five stages that include:

Early Years:
Students up to 5 years of age can avail early years education and childcare in various state nursery schools, nursery classes and reception classes within primary schools.

Primary Education:
It covers children from the age of 5 years to 11 years. This is further divided into two Key Stages. Key Stage 1 comprises of children from 5 years to 7 years of age and Key Stage 2 comprises of children from 7 years to 11 years of age.

Secondary Education:
It covers students from the age of 11 years to 16 years. This is further divided into two Key Stages. Key Stage 3 comprises of students from 11 years to 14 years of age and Key Stage 4 comprises of students from 14 years to 16 years of age. At the end of this education, students usually take external examinations such as GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Standard Grades in Scotland.

Further Education:
It is made up of students from 16 to 18 years of age. It is post-compulsory education and covers non-advanced courses. These could include skill development, higher vocational education (such as City and Guilds or a Foundation Degree), and so on. This excludes university education.

Higher Education:
Higher education is provided in colleges and universities and includes undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (includes Doctoral programmes).

Top Universities in UK
The table below lists the top ten universities in the United Kingdom, as well as their corresponding rankings in the QS World University Rankings and Times World University Rankings:

 
Top Courses in UK
Universities in the United Kingdom provide a wide range of courses in almost every academic discipline. Certain courses, however, are highly popular among students. The table given below provides a list of popular academic disciplines and various courses that are offered under those disciplines:

 Cost of Studying in UK

The following information is intended to provide you with an idea of the cost of studying in the United Kingdom based on your academic level. For accurate fee details, students are advised to check the official webpage of that particular course.

• Undergraduate Level:
  Undergraduate tuition fees can range between £11,000 and £38,500 per year. This translates to an average of nearly £24,500 per year.
• Postgraduate Level:
  Postgraduate tuition fees can range from £8,000 to £39,000 per year. This translates to roughly £23,500 per year on average.
• Certain courses such as Medicine, may cost more than £50,000 a year.

 
Cost of Living in UK

The cost of living in the UK is determined by a variety of factors such as your location, type of accommodation, lifestyle, food preferences, and so on.

The table given below provides an approximate monthly cost of living in UK:

 As a broad range, we can conclude that monthly cost of living in UK for international students can range from £1,000 to £1,800.

 UK Student Visa

UK Student Visa, formerly known as Tier 4 (General) Student Visa or Tier 4 Student Visa, is available to those who want to study in the United Kingdom. Students can apply for a UK Student Visa up to 6 months before the start of their course. Students should expect a decision within three weeks of applying. Students with a UK Student Visa can stay in the UK for up to 5 years if their course is at the degree level. If a student is applying from outside the UK, he or she must pay a £363 visa processing fee. Furthermore, students should also require to a healthcare fee.

 Student Visa Requirements for UK

Students, who wish to apply for UK Student Visa, need to meet the following criteria:

• An unconditional offer to pursue a course with a licensed student sponsor. This can be proven with the help of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• Sufficient financial resources to support yourself during the course of study. Students are expect to show £12,006 for nine months (£1,334 per month) if living in London and £9,207 for nine months (£1,023 per month) if living outside London.
• Able to speak, read, write and understand English. This can be proven with the help IELTS, PTE, etc.
• Consent from parents if the student is 16 or 17 years old.
• Application fee of £363 and healthcare surcharge.
• Medical test reports (tuberculosis test).
• Academic documents and test scores.

 UK Permanent Residence Permit

After completing their studies, students must apply for the UK Post-Study Work Visa (PSW UK or Graduate Route Visa). It allows a student to return to the UK and work for two years (3 years in case of Doctoral qualification). If the Graduate Visa expires, students must apply for a skilled work visa, a general work visa (Tier 2 visa), or any other relevant visa in order to return to the UK. Students can apply for PR in the UK after living in the country for 5 years and fulfilling additional conditions such as indefinite leave to remain in the UK, indefinite leave to enter the UK, English language proficiency, life in the UK test, etc.

 Admission Requirements to Study in UK Universities

The requirements for admission to UK universities differ according to the course and academic level of the students. However, the following points will provide you an overview of requirements to study in the UK:

• Formal Schooling
• Graduate/ Postgraduate Degree (if application)
• Academic Transcripts
• Test Score of SAT/ GMAT/ GRE (as per the course)
• English proficiency test scores of IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE/ Other (as per the course)
• Personal Statement (UCAS Personal Statement in case of undergraduate applicants)
• Essays
• Resume
• Letters of Recommendation
• Portfolio (in case of creative courses)
• ID Proofs
• Financial Proofs
• Medical Proofs

 Top Cities Preferred by Students

According to Prospects and AGCAS’s ‘What Do Graduates Do?’ report, 23.1% of 2019-20 graduates were working in London. As a result, London is definitely the best option for international students. Furthermore, London has been named the QS Best Student Cities 2023.

The table given below provides top cities in UK for international students:            

Scholarships to Study in UK

 Scholarships are a great way to lower the expense of studying abroad. Furthermore, they are an acknowledgement of your academic and/or extracurricular talent. In the United Kingdom, students can apply for a variety of scholarships. Some scholarships are given by universities, while others are offered by organizations. Some of the top scholarships to study in UK include:

• Global Study Awards
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
• Chevening Scholarships
• GREAT Scholarship
• Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships

 Education Loan for Studying in UK

It is definitely expensive to study abroad. Other costs besides tuition include visa fees, travel expenses, accommodation, food expenses, University expenses, stationery costs, and so on. Students can apply for scholarships to help cover the costs of studying in the UK. Scholarships, on the other hand, are extremely competitive, and in such cases, students might apply for an education loan to study in the UK. If students receive an offer letter from a reputable university, the loan application procedure is usually quick.

Part time Work Options for International Students in UK

Students studying in the UK have the option to work part-time in order to lower the cost of pursuing academics in the UK. However, part-time work in the UK for international students comes with certain conditions, including a weekly maximum of 20 hours for those studying at the degree level or higher when classes are in session. When their classes are in session, language centre students can work 10 hours each week. Students, on the other hand, might work full-time throughout their holidays. Furthermore, students can look for yearlong industry placements that usually fall between their penultimate and final year of their degree.

 Post study Work Permit in UK

After completing their undergraduate or postgraduate degree course, international students can apply for the UK Graduate Route Visa or PSW UK. PSW UK or UK Graduate Visa allows a student to stay and work in the UK for two years after completing his or her degree. The duration is 3 years in case of Doctoral students. Students must pay an application cost of £715 as well as an annual healthcare surcharge of £624 in order to apply for a post-study work visa in the UK. After their post-study work visa in the UK expires, students can apply for a skilled work visa, a general work visa (Tier 2 visa), or any other relevant visa.

 Job Prospects in UK (ROI)

ROI (Return on Investment) is an important factor for students while selecting a course, university, or country to study in abroad. The salary or pay package that a student receives after completing the course is referred to as ROI.

It shows whether or not the investment he or she made in that particular course has fetched any significant returns. The table below lists universities, their fees for specific courses, and student salary information:

Popular Job Sectors in UK

Students who completed their study at UK universities were placed in various sectors based on their course, major, electives, previous work experience, etc.

 Average Salary in UK – By Job

Students who studied at UK universities were paid differently depending on the university’s reputation, course, location, degree level, etc. The table below, based from Prospects and AGCAS’s ‘What Do Graduates Do?’ report, provides a general estimate of graduation salaries:

Study in UK FAQs

• Q. Is UK good for studies?
  UK is one of the most sought-after destinations for pursuing academics and research. UK universities have been well-received by various ranking indices such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education Rankings. 4 Universities have made it to the top 10 list on the QS rankings. In addition, UK universities have performed very well on Research Excellence Framework for their research quality and output. As a destination, UK consists of more than 605,000 international students. It is a multicultural country that has rich heritage and leisure and travel options. Students, who wish to study abroad, can definitely consider the UK as an option.
• Q. Can you give me a brief on UK student visa?
  UK student visa allows a student to stay in the UK and pursue an academic course for up to 5 years. In order to apply for UK student visa, a student needs to have an unconditional offer to pursue a course with a licensed student sponsor. For this purpose, he/ she needs to provide Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Other conditions include proficiency in English, medical tests, financial proof, etc. UK student visa fee stands at £363, if a student is applying from outside the UK.
• Q. How can I stay back in the UK after completing my academics?
  Students, who wish to stay back in the UK after completion of their course, need to apply for UK post study work visa (PSW UK) or UK Graduate Visa. With the UK Graduate Visa, students can stay back in the UK for 2 years (3 years in case if they have completed a Doctoral qualification) and work. Application fee for UK Graduate Visa is £715. In addition, you are required to pay an annual healthcare surcharge of £624. After the expiry of the Graduate Visa, you can apply for other relevant visa such as Tier-2 visa.
• Q. Which the top Universities in the UK?
  As per the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education Rankings, following are the top universities in the UK: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, King’s College London, London School of Economics, University of Bristol, and University of Warwick. All these Universities have performed well on academics and research. In addition to academics, Universities in the UK offer various facilities such as labs, accommodation, sports and recreation facilities, etc.
• Q. What is the approximate cost of living in the UK for international students>
  International students can expect to spend anywhere between £1,000 and £1,800 per month depending on their location, type of accommodation, dietary habits, lifestyle, course requirements, University fees (such as library fees, gym fees, etc.), leisure activities, travel, etc. Students can apply for scholarships and/ or work part-time in order to reduce their cost of living in the UK. Students must note that they are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week when their classes are in session.