Study in UK: Explore the Best Ways to Success

The United Kingdom is an island nation in northwestern Europe. England, Scotland, Wales and the Northern Islands all together built up the UK or the United Kingdom. The culture in this nation is very diverse due to the presence of a mix of various generations. It is famous for its beautiful castles, university buildings, football and many more.
The United Kingdom's Stonehenge is one of the world's seven wonders and oldest monuments. It is believed to have been built more than 3,000 BC. The climate in the UK is relatively temperate with cool weather and ample rain during the year. Though, sometimes, the weather can be very unpredictable and rarely extreme.
The literacy rate for the adult male population and the adult female population of the UK is 99%. The crime rate in this nation is 47.3, and the happiness index is 6.7. Also, the global peace index of the UK is 1.693.
In the upcoming sections, you will learn about the reasons to opt for the UK, the top universities, scholarships and many more aspects in detail.

Why to Study in UK?

There are various factors responsible to make the UK one of the best nation to study abroad for Indian students. Here are some of the major reasons to study in UK from India.

1. Education System

The Education system in this country is similar to that of India, making it easier for the scholars to get adapted to it. The system here also consists of 5 stages. The following table shows these stages and their age criteria:

2. Academic Quality

As per QS world university rankings, the UK has 4 universities in the top 10 list. This showcase the quality of education they offer to their students. Also, these colleges provide best environment to the scholars to study. Supportive faculties and peers help these pupils to excel in their academics.

3. Cultural Diversity

The UK is home to people with various culture and traditions. Also has plenty of international students in the UK. Thus, creating a multi-cultural surrounding for these scholars. Not only this but, also there are people from different origins living in the nation for generations. 

4. Research Opportunities

The latest Research Excellence Framework 2021 assessed the research work of 157 UK universities. These colleges in the UK provide high-quality research to their students for better understanding and practical knowledge. They offer expert guidance and hands-on experience to these scholars for their researches. 

5. Job Options

The universities in the UK use a combination of academic and practical teaching methods. The blend of your learning, experience, as well as exposure to the business world, gives you a competitive edge that shows your ability to function in any location on the globe.
Thus, you become an appealing candidate for the employers in your home country and can dodge the long line of applicants for the same job.

What Are the Visa Requirements to Study in the UK?

A UK student visa allows a student to stay in the UK and pursue an academic course for up to 5 years. There are 3 types of the UK study visa. These are:

1. Tier 4 (General) Student Visa

This is the most common visa category for global students over 16 years to stay and pursue a full-time degree course at a recognised UK academic institute with a valid Tier 4 sponsor. You must apply for this visa 3 months before the start of your course. The arrival in the UK for this study visa is up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer and up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months.

Requirements:

• Financial Proof
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• University Letter
• TB Test Results

2. Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa

This visa type is for children aged between 4-17 years of age who wish to study at an autonomous school in the UK. Like the Tier 4 (General) visa, it needs a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the school and adequate funds to cover tuition and living costs.

Requirements:

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• School Letter
• Medical Certificate
• Age: 4-17 years

3. Short-Term Study Visa

This visa class is for students undertaking a short-term course in the UK, like a course of up to 6 months. It is not eligible for degree programs. The prerequisites may vary based on the specific course and institute. 
You must apply for this visa 3 months before your date of travel to the UK. The arrival in the UK for this study visa depends on your opted travel dates.

Requirements:

• Current Passport
• Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)
• University Letter
• TB Test Results
• Financial Proof

Top 5 Universities in UK

In this section you will learn about the top 5 universities in the UK in detail. The following table shows the top courses in the top 5 colleges in the UK:

Admission Requirements for UK Universities

Admission requirements to study in the UK colleges vary based on the course and academic level of the students. Though, the following points will give you a synopsis of the prerequisites to study in the UK:

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

Cost of Studying in the UK

The following data will provide you with an estimate of the cost of studying in the UK based on academic level. For accurate fee details, scholars are advised to check the official webpage of that specific course.

• UG tuition fees can be in the range of £11,400 to £38,000 yearly. Thus, this decodes to an average of about £22,200 per annum.
• PG tuition fees can be in the range of £9,000 to £30,000 per year. This translates to an average of almost £17,109 yearly.
• There are courses such as medicine that might cost more than £50,000 per annum.

3 Best Cities in UK for International Students

As per the QS Best Study Cities Rankings 2024, there are 15 cities of the UK in the top 100 list. In this section, you will learn about the 3 best cities in the UK for international students. The table below shows the top cities with best universities there:

1. London

The London city is the home to many renowned universities around the globe. Also, it ranks 1st in the QS best study cities rankings. You can also find a sizable number of Indian student communities in this city.

2. Edinburgh

As per the QS Best Study Cities Rankings, Edinburgh ranks 16th in the list. It is the capital city of Scotland. Edinburgh is commonly referred to as "City of Hills". Also, the city is one of the most reasonable cities for students in the UK.

3. Manchester

Manchester is sometimes referred to as the second city of England. As per the QS Best Student Cities Rankings, this city is ranked 30th. Manchester is a great place for educational as well as professional growth.

How Many Indian Students Are Studying in the UK?

In recent decades, the number of Indian students who opt to study and live in the UK has rapidly grown every year. This is due to the scholars' will to attain globally recognised academic degrees from top universities worldwide. Since most of the top colleges around the globe are present in the UK, students from India are more interested in studying here. In the last year, the number of Indian students who went to this country to pursue their higher education increased to around 1,32,710.

What Are the Best Scholarships to Study in the UK?

In this section, you will learn about the best scholarships to study in the UK in detail. The following table shows the benefits of these scholarships:

Felix Scholarship

This UK scholarship was launched to offer the chance to capable students from India and other growing nations to opt for their PG degree at a college in the UK. It is a merit as well as a need-based grant and is open to pupils interested in a full-time master's or PhD degree. To apply for this grant,

• You must be a citizen of India, 
• Not enlisted in any other institute and 
• Have a bachelor's degree from an Indian university. 

Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Trust in Oxford offers this UK scholarship program. This program yearly gives over 100 fully-funded grants for students who opt for full-time PG study at the University of Oxford. Also, this college is one of the world's best institutes. It is a merit-based scholarship. To apply for this grant, 

• You must be an Indian citizen 
• Good academic performance in the UG degree from a college in India.

Chevening Scholarship

The government of the UK offers this scholarship to foreign students including India. With this aid, you can opt for a one-year post-graduation degree. The scholarship is also based on merit. The eligibility criteria for this grant is:

• Work experience for at least 2 years. 
• The study abroad aspirants should return home country once their tenure is over.

Global Study Award

The Global Study Award was started and maintained by the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), StudyPortals, and the British Council IELTS. It is a merit-based grant. The preferred criteria for this scholarship are: 

• The student must take the IELTS test and 
• Have an ISIC and 
• International Youth Travel Card at the time of application.

GREAT Education Scholarship

The British Council GREAT Education Scholarships (India) applies to students who want to do their PG degree from universities in the UK. The preferred criteria for this scholarship are:

• The student must be a citizen of India.
• They must have completed a UG degree.
• The scholar must meet the English language criteria set by the desired college.
• The applicant must exhibit a strong interest and commitment to the chosen subject.

Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship

This advanced research fellowship is offered by the Indian Ministry of Human Resources and Development. It is a merit and subject-based fellowship. One scholar is elected yearly for this fellowship and is placed as a junior Research fellow.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Above 60% up to PhD 
• Age between 30-40 years
• 3 years of teaching background.

Education Loans

Since the scholarships are very competitive in such cases, students can apply for education loans to study in the UK. Various financial firms like the State Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, and Bank of Baroda have several schemes for study abroad loans. If the scholars receive an offer letter from an esteemed college in the UK, the loan process is usually quick for them. Thus, this will help students study in UK from India for UG and PG courses.

What Are the Job Prospects and Post-Study Work Permits in the UK?

The UK is a hub of possibilities for global students. As per the data from the World Bank, the UK is the 5th largest economy in the world, which makes it an ideal place for creating a successful career. 

• For this, the scholars should work in this country. But is it possible to work with a study visa after your course is completed? No, it is not possible. Thus, to work in the UK, students from abroad must apply for the UK Graduate Route Visa or Post-Study Work Permit UK after completing their UG or PG degree course.
• This will allow a student to stay back and work for 2 years after completion of the degree. Also, the duration for Doctoral students changes to 3 years.

While applying for study abroad in the UK, you must first look for the Return on Investment (ROI) based on the course and college you are finalizing. It refers to the salary that a scholar will obtain after completing the course.

Top 5 Job Opportunities With Salary

In this section, you will learn about the top 5 job opportunities with salary. The following table shows information about the jobs in detail:

Gradding is your compass to direct you to select UK to study abroad as your dream terminus. We understand that the goal of studying in this country is a deep and life-changing aspiration for many students. The UK has a rich history, a custom of academic excellence, and a diverse and vibrant cultural atmosphere. Our platform is devoted to helping you venture on this transformative journey with ease and confidence.