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For overseas students, the UK is the most popular destination. Over 600,000 foreign students visit the nation each year to enrol in various academic programs. Numerous prestigious universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and many others, are located in the United Kingdom. Degrees from UK universities are recognized around the world. Education is less expensive here than it is in the USA and Australia. When it comes to being the preferred location for overseas students, the UK trails only the US. Some of the top universities in the world, as indicated by the global university rankings, are located in the United Kingdom.
Due to its centuries-old universities and reputation for turning out the brightest brains, the UK has long been considered one of the top educational destinations in the world. The UK is still among the top options for students looking for a warm, friendly environment and a top-notch education nowadays.
Students can get support from AIS Overseas throughout the whole UK admissions process. Our extensive service package and experience will make your time as a student stress-free. AIS Overseas helps you select the finest university to start your education at the correct time and offers professional advice for UK student visas at the right time.
Do you need help studying abroad? AIS Overseas is available to help you in any manner.
<32 class="all-heading">Top Universities in the UK as per QS Ranking 2024Many of the best universities in the world are located in the UK. The UK is home to a sizable number of universities with high QS rankings. The top 10 universities in the United Kingdom are listed in the table below.
British rank |
Global rank 2024 |
University |
1 |
2 |
Cambridge University |
2 |
3 |
Oxford University |
3 |
6 |
Imperial College London |
4 |
9 |
University College London (UCL) |
5 |
22 |
The University of Edinburgh |
6 |
32 |
The University of Manchester |
7 |
40 |
King's College London |
8 |
45 |
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) |
9 |
55 |
University of Bristol |
10 |
67 |
The University of Warwick |
Source: QS World University Rankings 2024
International students can attend inexpensive public universities in the UK; some even allow admission without an IELTS score.
Public Universities in the UK [Low Tuition Fee] |
Public Universities in the UK [Without IELTS] |
Public Universities in London
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UK Intakes
Three distinct study intakes are offered in the UK: fall, winter, and spring. The UK universities view the autumn admission as their primary intake.
Intakes |
Study Program |
Admission deadlines |
Fall (Primary/Main Intake) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate |
September–December |
Winter (Secondary Intake) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate |
January–April |
UK The four nations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have different tuition costs. The cost of studying in the UK varies depending on the university and program you select. The ROI of studying in the UK is substantial. In comparison to the USA and Australia, the cost of study is lower in the UK. UK tuition varies according on the kind of university. Private institutions charge a higher tuition than public universities do.
The annual tuition fee for international students ranges from £10,000 to £30,000. The typical monthly living expenses, which include housing, food, rent, and other expenses, might fall between £800 and £2,300.
Study Program |
Average Tuition Fee in GBP (£) |
Undergraduate Bachelor Degree |
£6,000 to £25,000 yearly |
Postgraduate master's degree |
£10,000 to £30,000 yearly |
Doctoral Degree |
£13,000 to £40,000 yearly |
For overseas students, the UK is the most popular study destination. Globally, the UK constantly scores highly in terms of educational standards. More than 37,000 undergraduate degree programs and 50,000 postgraduate degree programs are offered by UK universities. International students are free to select any course that fits their budget and areas of interest. UK colleges prioritize future-focused and applied research over traditional classroom instruction. The UK is now the most sought-after country for study because of its innovations, cutting-edge curricula, and numerous knowledge and research initiatives. International students looking to study in the UK can view the list of the top courses in the country for 2024–2025 based on recent research.
For international students, the majority of UK universities offer substantial scholarship incentives. Candidates who meet the requirements might use these UK education scholarships to reduce their financial load.
Name of the Scholarship |
Amount (Per Year) |
The Commonwealth Scholarships for PhD and Master's |
Up to £12,000 |
The Chevening Scholarships for Master's |
up to £18,000 |
BrokerFish International student scholarship |
Up to £822 |
Gates Cambridge Scholarships for International Students |
Up to £45,000 |
UWE Chancellor's Scholarships for International Students |
Up to £15,750 |
Reach Oxford Scholarships for Developing Country Students |
Up to £19,092 |
Brunel International Excellence Scholarship |
Up to £6,000 |
Felix Scholarships |
up to £16,164 |
The Glenmore Medical Postgraduate Scholarship at the University of Edinburgh |
Up to £15000 |
Glasgow International Leadership Scholarships |
Up to £10,000 |
Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford University for International Students |
Up to £18,180 |
University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarships |
Up to £2,000 |
International students might benefit from studying in the UK in a variety of ways. UK universities are well-known for their calibre and distinction, which makes the nation an appealing option for overseas students.
Additional advantages for students from abroad include
Higher Study Options
|
Part-time work duration allowed |
Post-study work permit |
Can departments work full-time? |
Is schooling free for department children |
PR option available for post-study and work |
Bachelors |
20 Hours per week |
2 Years |
Yes |
Yes! Up to 18 Years |
No |
Masters (MS/MBA) |
20 Hours per week |
2 Years |
Yes |
No |
With its numerous well-known universities and the most cutting-edge educational system, the UK is a popular choice for overseas students pursuing higher education. In the UK, about 600,000 foreign students are enrolled in various graduate, postgraduate, and master's programs. The majority of overseas students choose to enroll in business management MBA and MIM programs. Several of the most successful CEOs in the world have taken business management degrees at UK colleges.
The top 10 courses in UK with high demand:
Other courses to study in the UK include:
In-demand jobs in UK
Universities | Programs |
---|---|
Cambridge University | Bachelors |
Imperial College London | Bachelors, Btech, |
King's College London | Bachelors, Masters |
London School of Economics | Bachelors, Masters |
University College London | Bachelors, Btech, Masters, MBA |
University of Cambridge | Bachelors, Btech, Masters, MBA |
University of Edinburgh | Bachelors, Btech, Masters |
University of Manchester | Bachelors, Btech, Masters, |
University of Oxford | Bachelors, Btech, Masters, MBA |
University of Sheffield | Bachelors |
University of Warwick | Bachelors, Masters, MBA |
University of Bristol | Btech, Masters, MBA |
University of Nottingham | Btech |
University of Southampton | Btech |
London School of Economics and Political Science | Masters |
City University of London | MBA |
Lancaster University | MBA |
University of Bath | MBA |
University of Durham | MBA |
Higher Study Options |
Minimum Educational Requirement |
Minimum Required Percentage |
IELTS/PTE/TOEFL Score |
Backlogs Information |
Other Standardized Tests |
Bachelors |
12 Years of Education (10+2)/10+3 years Diploma |
60% |
Overall, 6 with 5.5 in each band
|
Up to 10 backlogs (more may be accepted by some private hospital universities) |
NA
|
Masters (MS/MBA) |
3/4 Years of Graduate Degree |
60% |
6.5 overall, with no band smaller than 6. |
Some colleges may require the GMAT for an MBA, with a minimum of 2 years of full-time professional work experience. |
Program Level, Length, Requirements, and Application Deadlines
Higher Study Options |
Duration |
Intake Months |
Deadline to Apply
|
Bachelors |
4 Years |
Sep (Major), Jan (Minor) |
6 months before the intake month |
Masters (MS/MBA) |
1-2 Years |
Sep (Major), Jan (Minor) |
4-6 months before the intake month
|
Step 1: See if you are eligible to apply for a UK visa.
Step 2: Prepare by gathering all necessary paperwork.
Step 3:Use the internet to apply for a UK visa.
Step 4: Await the status of the approval.
Step 5:Take a plane to the UK to begin your study.
Study visas for the UK are granted in a period of 3 to 6 weeks International students are welcome to study a variety of degrees in the UK. Students who meet the requirements are selected for study in UK universities. If all of the documentation is correct, applying for a study visa to the UK doesn't take very long. Obtain the visa on time by submitting all the required paperwork.
For type 4 visas, the cost of a UK student visa ranges from £363 to £550. Changing to a different category or extending the visa will set you back about £490. The cost of the UK student visa embassy may vary depending on the situation.
Higher Study Options
|
Average Tuition Fee per Year |
Visa Fee |
1 year's worth of living expenses or a 1 year supply of finances |
Bachelors |
11,000 GBP & Above
|
490 GBP |
12,500 GBP Approximately (Inner London)
9,500 GBP Approximately (Outer London) |
Masters (MS/MBA) |
15,000 GBP & Above
|
Holders of dependent visas are free to work in the UK. They are not, however, permitted to practice as residents. Please be aware that your dependant spouse cannot "switch" to a Tier 2 General Visa while they are in the nation, even if they are highly trained and obtain sponsorship through a Tier 2 licensed employer on their account.
Your spouse and dependents are among the family members who can travel with you or remain in the UK while you study under the dependant visa.
Dependant means defined as:
If you meet these requirements, you are allowed to bring a dependent:
A dependent may apply concurrently with the main applicant for a UK student visa or after the main applicant receives the results of their visa application.
Family members must wait for their permit to be accepted before submitting their permission for entrance clearance if the applicant has filed for further leave to remain in the UK after completing their studies and has not yet received a decision.
Dependents must apply for citizenship or country of residence in their own countries to be eligible for a student visa. Each dependent must complete a separate application, which must be submitted online.
The majority of the time, scheduling an appointment online includes scheduling a visit to the visa application centre to enrol in biometrics and submit supporting documentation.
Dependents requesting a visa must have sufficient money to cover their living expenses in the UK. The visa is valid for a maximum of nine months for £680 per month. If the visa is granted for nine months or longer, that comes to a total of £6,120 per dependent (9 x £680).
This need can be met by a letter or bank statement, and the money needs to be held in the name of the student or their spouse/partner. A letter from the official sponsor confirming that they are paying for the living expenses of any dependents may be provided to satisfy the financial requirements if the holder of the UK student visa has one.
International students who have graduated and are in the UK on a valid student visa are permitted to stay as long as they have a work offer that pays at least GBP 35,000 per year.
After finishing their studies, the students had to convert to a Tier 2 General Visa, which allowed them to remain in the UK for a maximum of five years.
Students who work and obtain work experience may be able to apply for permanent residence, but they must earn at least GBP 35,000 annually.
If an international student has a job offer worth at least GBP 20,800 per year, they are permitted to remain in the UK after completing their studies as long as they have a valid Tier 4 visa.
Such students may convert their Tier 4 Visa to a five-year-validity Tier 2 General Visa in order to remain in the UK.
The work experience gained by students after their studies will help them when they apply for permanent residency in the UK.
Top Courses
MBA |
MASTERS |
B.TECH |
BACHELORS |
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE |
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION |
OVERSEAS EDUCATION LOAN |
COUNTRY SPECIFIC ADMISSION |
COURSE RECOMMENDATION |
DOCUMENT PROCUREMENT |
For international students, there are two types of UK visas.
Short-term/UK Type-C Visa: You are eligible to apply for a UK Type-C visa if you have chosen to study in the UK for a short-term course or language program.
K long-term visa Type 4 visa: A visa of more than ninety days is granted. Send your visa application to the UK embassy directly or to the consulate in your home country.
Yes! IELTS is not required for entrance to some UK universities. Instead of the IELTS, institutions may accept any other documentation of your prior academic performance in the English language. Under the standards of the university of admission, you must take the IELTS. You can include the university's certificate that says you can study in the UK without taking the IELTS when you apply for a UK study visa.
Prepare all the necessary paperwork for your application for a student visa to the UK. A UK-issued CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), evidence that you have the money to support your studies there, results from any past academic work, medical test results, etc. The UK visa website is where you may apply for a student visa to the UK. You must use a debit or credit card to pay the online application fee for a UK student visa at the time of application. Visit the visa facility to pick up the visa at the designated time and day after checking the status of your application online.
In order to be eligible to enroll in courses in the UK, students must meet a number of requirements specified by the university, including having all required educational transcripts, a CAS, an acceptance letter from the UK university, proof of financial stability to cover the costs, travel and health insurance, and a certificate of language proficiency.
The cost of a study visa for the United Kingdom is between 490 and 550 pounds. It was recently increased by 127 pounds. The application fee is the cost that must be paid before the visa is applied for.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organizations fund the Chevening Scholarship, which is available for all master's level programs at any university in the United Kingdom. This fully-funded scholarship covers living expenses in addition to tuition fees, and it is awarded to exceptional and proficient students only.
The British Airways Scholarship is given to students who want to pursue professions in aviation. There are several requirements to apply for this scholarship, which is available to all students studying aviation.
PhD students in the UK are eligible for the Commonwealth scholarship, which is awarded to those who meet certain requirements. Firstly, you must have earned at least an upper second class undergraduate degree. Secondly, you must have completed a master's degree after completing a graduate degree. Thirdly, if you are unable to pay for your PhD in the UK, you can apply for this scholarship, which will provide £1,000 per month to help with living expenses.
Every time a new rule is introduced, the nation adds more to the list. According to the most recent news, international students are not permitted to bring dependents on their student visas. However, if the dependent is enrolled in a postgraduate research program in the United Kingdom, they may be allowed to obtain one. This restriction will take effect in January 2024. On July 17, 23, a new regulation was implemented, stating that international students may convert to work route visas after completing their course of study.
The United Kingdom is home to numerous esteemed academic institutions offering a diverse range of programs. The QS World Ranking 2024 lists the top 10 universities in the United Kingdom, arranged from highest to lowest ranking.
Name of the University |
Location |
University of Oxford |
Oxford |
University of Cambridge |
Cambridge |
Imperial College London |
London |
UCL |
London |
University of Edinburgh |
Edinburgh |
King’s College London |
London |
London School of Economics and Political Science |
London |
University of Manchester |
Manchester |
University of Bristol |
Bristol |
University of Glasgow |
Glasgow |