Migration Overseas
Home to Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College - the UK offers world-class education with excellent post-study work opportunities through the Graduate Route (18 months for applications from 1 January 2027).
Key requirements to obtain a UK Student Visa.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK institution. Valid for 6 months from issue date. Contains your course and sponsor details.
CEFR B2 for degree level and above, which your university can assess itself or you can prove with a UKVI-approved SELT. Below degree level you need B1 proved with a SELT. IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band is a typical university entry rule, not a visa rule.
Show funds for tuition + living costs for up to 9 months. Applications before 30 November 2026: London £1,529/month, outside London £1,171/month. Applications on or after 30 November 2026: £1,570 and £1,203. Funds held for 28+ days before application.
Passport valid for entire course duration. Blank pages for visa stamp. Previous UK visa history (if any) will be considered.
Tuberculosis test from approved clinic if applying from India. Valid for 6 months. Required for courses longer than 6 months.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) - £776/year for students. Paid upfront for entire visa duration. Access to NHS healthcare.
Study at some of the world's most prestigious institutions.
Cambridge, England
Oxford, England
London, England
London, England
Edinburgh, Scotland
Manchester, England
London, England
London, England
Work in the UK for 18 months (3 years for PhD) after completing your degree, for applications from 1 January 2027.
Post-Study Work Rights
The Graduate Route allows international students who've completed a UK degree to stay and work (or look for work) at any skill level for 18 months if they apply on or after 1 January 2027. The visa is 2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026, and 3 years for PhD graduates. No sponsorship is required.
Key dates and deadlines for undergraduate applications to UK universities.
UCAS applications open. Start researching courses and universities.
Oxford/Cambridge Deadline - Also Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary courses.
Main Deadline - Equal consideration for all other courses.
Receive offers from universities. Accept or decline offers.
Late Applications - Applications after this go to Clearing.
Clearing Opens - Match unplaced students with available courses.
4,000 characters max. Focus on WHY you want to study the course, relevant experiences, and future goals. No generic statements!
You can apply to up to 5 courses. Only 4 for Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary. Choose a mix of aspirational and realistic options.
£27.50 for up to 5 choices (2026 entry). Payment by card or PayPal. International students apply through UCAS same as UK students.
Degree-level students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time outside term time. Below degree level the limit is 10 hours per week in term time.
National Minimum Wage from 1 April 2026: £12.71/hr for 21+ (£13.21 from 1 April 2027)
Term Time (20 hrs/wk × 30 weeks):
~£7,600/year at £12.71/hr, before tax
Holidays (35 hrs/wk × 12 weeks, illustrative):
~£5,300/year at £12.71/hr, before tax
Total Potential: ~£12,900/year before tax (about ₹14 Lakhs at ₹108 per GBP). Illustrative, at the minimum wage; actual pay depends on the job.
Plan your UK study journey with our intake calendar. View application deadlines and course start dates.
Understanding the financial requirements for studying in the UK.
| Expense Category | Amount (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee | £558 | From outside the UK; also £558 to extend or switch from inside the UK |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £776/year | NHS healthcare access |
| Living Costs (London), applications before 30 Nov 2026 | £1,529/month | Required for up to 9 months |
| Living Costs (London), applications from 30 Nov 2026 | £1,570/month | Required for up to 9 months |
| Living Costs (Outside London), applications before 30 Nov 2026 | £1,171/month | Required for up to 9 months |
| Living Costs (Outside London), applications from 30 Nov 2026 | £1,203/month | Required for up to 9 months |
| Tuition Fees (Undergraduate) | £15,000 - £30,000/year | Varies by course & university |
| Tuition Fees (Postgraduate) | £18,000 - £45,000/year | Higher for MBA/Medical |
| TB Test | ~£100 | From approved clinic |
Get detailed expense breakdown for your study journey
Calculate your Immigration Health Surcharge based on visa duration.
Required for NHS access during your stay
Access to NHS GP, hospitals & treatment
Paid upfront with visa application
Refundable if visa refused
Prepare bulletproof financial documents for your UK Student Visa.
Tuition (1st Year)
Full Amount
Living (London)
£1,529/month × 9 (£1,570 from 30 Nov 2026)
Living (Outside London)
£1,171/month × 9 (£1,203 from 30 Nov 2026)
Funds Held For
28+ Days
Your journey to studying in the UK.
Research universities on UCAS, check entry requirements, and apply through UCAS (undergraduate) or directly (postgraduate).
Accept your offer, pay deposit if required, and receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the university.
Gather passport, financial documents, English test scores, TB certificate, and academic transcripts.
Complete online application, pay visa fee (£558) and IHS. Book biometrics appointment at VFS centre.
Attend VFS appointment for fingerprints and photo. Answer questions about your study plans if asked.
Standard processing 3 weeks. Priority service available for faster processing. Receive passport with vignette.
Prestigious scholarship opportunities to fund your UK education.
UK Government's flagship scholarship. Fully funded Master's degree including tuition, living costs, and flights. Highly competitive - for future leaders.
Full Funding
For Master's and PhD students from India. Covers tuition, airfare, and monthly stipend. For those with strong academics and leadership potential.
Full Funding
Most UK universities offer merit-based scholarships. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE have specific awards for international students.
£2,000 - £20,000
Jointly funded by British Council and UK universities. Specifically for Indian students pursuing postgraduate courses at partner universities.
£10,000+
UKRI, AHRC, EPSRC offer funding for PhD research. Covers tuition and provides stipend. Available at research-intensive universities.
Full PhD Funding
For Indian professionals and academics in arts, heritage, and humanities. Supports short-term research and professional visits to UK.
Varies
Trusted financial partners to help finance your studies.
HDFC Credila, SBI, Axis Bank - Up to 100% financing for UK universities.
Open UK bank account from India before arrival. Student account with no fees.
Best GBP rates with BookMyForex, Thomas Cook, Niyo forex cards.
Help with bank statements, loan letters, and sponsor documents for visa.
Find answers to the most common questions about this visa category.
The Student visa (formerly Tier 4) allows you to study full-time courses at licensed student sponsors in the UK for programs longer than 6 months.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is an electronic reference number from your UK educational institution confirming your place. You need a CAS to apply for student visa.
You need to show course fees (at least the first year) plus living costs for up to 9 months. For applications made before 30 November 2026 the living costs figure is £1,529 per month in London and £1,171 per month outside London. For applications made on or after 30 November 2026 it is £1,570 per month in London and £1,203 per month outside London. The date that matters is the date you apply, not the CAS date or the bank statement date.
Yes, within limits. Students on a degree-level or higher course at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full-time outside term time. Students on a course below degree level can work up to 10 hours per week in term time. Part-time students have no work entitlement. You cannot be self-employed or work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
The Graduate route lets you stay in the UK to work, or look for work, without sponsorship after completing an eligible course. It lasts 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027, and 2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026. Doctoral graduates (PhD) get 3 years. Anyone starting a course now will normally apply under the 18-month rule. The application fee is £937, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge at £1,035 per year.
The Home Office requires CEFR level B2 for degree-level courses and above, and B1 for courses below degree level. For degree-level study your university can assess your English itself, or you can use a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) or other accepted evidence. A SELT is mandatory only for courses below degree level. Entry scores such as an IELTS band requirement are set by each university and can be higher than the visa minimum.
Only students on a PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8) or a research-based higher degree, and government-sponsored students on courses longer than 6 months, can bring a partner and children under 18. Students on taught courses, including one-year taught master's degrees, cannot bring dependants. Dependants' work rights depend on the student's course and permission length and are not unrestricted, and professional sportsperson or coaching work is not allowed.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance is required for certain sensitive subjects before applying for student visa. Check if your course requires it.
You can arrive up to 1 week before course start if course is 6 months or less, or up to 1 month before if course is longer than 6 months.
Student visa time does not count towards settlement, and neither does time on the Graduate Route. The settlement clock starts once you switch to a qualifying route such as Skilled Worker. Under the earned settlement model confirmed by the Home Secretary on 2 November 2026, the default qualifying period there is 10 years, or 5 years for earners above GBP 50,271 in 3 of the last 5 years and for specified public service roles. The detailed Immigration Rules are expected from the December 2026 Statement of Changes.
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