Indian students are the third biggest group of international students in the UK. As of 2017 to 2018, there were 19,750 Indian students studying in the UK. In fact, in 2019 the number of Indian students in the UK increased by 63%.
The top-notch quality of education, countless studying opportunities, modern educational approaches, student job opportunities, and future prospects available is an overall exciting studying experience for Indian students.
But, on the flip side, many students from India have difficulties understanding the entire process of applying for a university degree course in the UK because the information is not very clear and often confusing for first-timers. As someone who is not from the UK, it can be difficult to navigate the information to study in the UK for future Indian students.
In this article, we’ve compiled a set of information, in the form of a step-by-step process, that an Indian student would have to go through to study in the UK.
As you may know, there are a large number of universities to choose from in the UK, whereas the number of degree courses on offer is much higher. For international students, including you as a fellow Indian student who may not have much knowledge of universities in the UK does require a little more research before making the final decision (as this will ultimately set you for life !).
However, there’s no need to stress about this too much. As long as you know what your academic goals are and what type of degree or course will get you to your future career, this will be very minor.
Even with the setback of the pandemic, you can reach all universities in the UK online for any further information. So, sit down at your laptop and begin your research with a bit of help from us.
We’ve compiled the list of all recognised universities in the UK…
We advise that you do a fast scanning of the list and look into what universities relate to your personal studying goals, financial capacities and the location to study in the UK for Indian students.
List of recognised universities for International Students as of 2021-2022:
University of Oxford – Oxford,England
Cambridge University – Cambridge England
University College London- London, England
Imperial College London – London, England
The University of Edinburgh- Scotland
The University of Manchester- Manchester, England
King’s College London- London, England
London School of Economics and Political Science- London, England
University of Bristol- Bristol, England
The University of Warwick- Coventry, England
University of Glasgow— Scotland
Durham University—- Durham, England
University of Sheffield Sheffield,England
University of Birmingham- Birmingham,England
University of Leeds- Yorkshire, England
University of Southampton England
University of St Andrews England
You might want to analyze the university’s study modules first, the proportion of practical sessions during the course (if applicable), the profile and status of its academic staff. These factors will definitely help you decide and choose the most suitable university for you.
Check the requirements
Once you’ve decided about what course you’re willing to enroll in to study in the UK as an Indian Student, it’s time to know what you need to do in order to be admitted through to the final stage. This is to add that you need to check the university’s entry requirements.
There are no typical or rigid requirements for all UK universities, therefore you need to contact the University of your choice by yourself and ask for further details. Overall, entry requirements for Indian students in the UK differ depending on the type of course or degree you want to apply for.
The list of documents required to study in the UK as an Indian student below:
Recognized Qualifications
– Transcript of Grades
– English Proficiency
– Motivation or Reference Letter
– Relevant Work Experience/Internships
Please be aware that qualifications attained overseas are most of the time not recognized in the UK unfortunately. For this reason, you may be required to attend a foundation year (1 year) to gain certain knowledge in particular subjects that your actual degree is concerned with.
Motivation, Reference letters, and proof of work experience are optional and are usually required in addition to your application at highly-reputed universities (as competition and selection criteria are tight). These documents are mostly required when you apply for a postgraduate degree also.
Always keep in mind that this initial stage is very crucial when applying to study in the UK as an Indian student because every detail counts a great deal. If your application paperwork doesn’t contain all documents as precisely required by the university it may lead to your admission delay and eventually to not even be enrolled. If necessary write them down and mark each document you have completed as you go through them. This is your future!
Never hesitate to reach your university by email and enquire about every issue that may get in your way during the whole process of your application.
After you have completed the documents required of you it is time to submit your application. Typically, international applications to study in the UK are collected through online means. The majority of UK universities are part of the joint online application platform called UCAS.
To upload your documents you must scan them into a PDF or JPG format. In addition, the application form may also include standardised information about you which you have to fulfill properly.
Wait for your admission letter
As soon as you complete your application and send this off, the University of your choice will send you an email to confirm they have received an application from you. Note that UK universities collect a large number of applications, therefore, it normally takes time to receive an answer. In normal conditions, the university will notify you within a few weeks whether or not you’re given a place at their university or not.
Get your student visa ASAP
You must get a student visa in order to be permitted to study in the UK as an Indian student or international student. Student visa in the UK is regarded as ‘Tier 4’. You can apply for your Tier 4 visa once the university of your choice confirms that you have been accepted. By that time you will also have to collect the required funds to prove that you can cover the cost of living and studying in the UK as an Indian student.
To get your student visa in the UK you need to submit the following documents:
- Valid Passport
- Proof of English Proficiency
- Proof of Financial Means to fund your stay in the UK
- The result of the Tuberculosis Test
- Proof of parental or guardian if you’re under 18
When to apply for a student visa?
You can apply for your Tier 4 visa in the UK 3 months before your course or degree starts. The processing of your visa application can take up to three weeks and you can also check its processing at any time during that period.
Student Visa Fees**
Currently, it costs £348 to apply for your student visa if you’re from overseas.
It is also important to know what benefits and what restrictions your student visa in the UK applies to you as you study in the UK as an Indian student.
A Tier visa allows you…
- To study
- Work part-time
- Bring family members in the UK (dependants)
However, you cannot
- Get public funds
- Work full-time
- Work in certain professions, for instance as a dental surgeon or a professional sportsperson
Scholarships to study in UK for Indian students
Numerous funding options count for a higher attractiveness of studying at a UK university. Indian students who want to study in the UK can easily access scholarships awarded from different resources or origins. We highly recommend you take your time and do a little research to find one because it can alleviate a big financial burden as the cost of studying in the UK can get expensive.
The variety of UK scholarships include a mix of governmental and non-governmental resources.
Here are the government-funded scholarship schemes in UK below:
- Chevening Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarships
There are also a lot of universities or other organisations which offer numerous funding options for their international students. Some of them include the followings below:
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships
- Rhodes House Scholarships
- MBA Skoll Scholarships
- Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
- UK Scholarships from British Council
- Denys Holland Scholarships
- Kingston University London Scholarships
Basic living costing for India students while studying in the UK.
1. Accommodation Costs in the UK
The costs of studying in the UK for international students does depend on the type of accommodation they go for and the city they will choose to pursue their studies. Major metropolitans like London, are much more costlier than smaller cities and towns in the UK.
Average Monthly Costs London Other Cities
University Residence £700-850 £450-550
Private Housing £800-950 £550-650
Utility Bills £40-55 £40-45
2. Food Costs in the UK
There are no extra food costs involved for international students who opt for on-campus accommodation or to a minimum.
Dining out on a regular basis is not a way to manage costs while studying in the UK. If possible, it is better to treat yourself once in a while. The best and most cost-effective option is to prepare food in advance. To give you an overview of what your average meal plan would cost, here is a list of staple grocery items with their average cost.
Item Quantity Price
Bread 1 pack £0.80
Milk 1.13 L £0.80
Chicken 300 g £1.60
Eggs 30 £2.50
Rice 5kg £6.50
Cooking Oil 1 L £1.20
Water 1.5 L £0.81
3. Transport Costs in the UK
Transport costs are the second most important costs to consider. Transport cost also varies from different cities and the mode of transport that you require to use adds to the cost of studying in the UK. Walking and cycling is a way to go for transport, but this only applies to students that live on campus and are close to their university.
City Average Monthly Transport Costs
London £50-60
Manchester £45-55
Birmingham £40-50
Liverpool £40-50
Leeds £40-45
Here at Smart Move education, our aim is to make your study in the UK as an Indian student as swift and easy as possible so you can finally kick start your career.
