Study in the UK

Some of the oldest colleges and universities in the world, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, are located in the United Kingdom (UK). Because of its long history, UK education has become a model for other nations, renowned for its academic rigor and global impact.

Why study in the UK?

Here’s why the UK has become a popular destination among international students:

Internationally Renowned Universities: The UK has a long history of education, and its oldest universities are consistently ranked among the world’s best. The QS World University Rankings 2026 confirms the UK is home to four of the top 10 institutions worldwide and eight of the top 50.
Student-Friendly Cities: The UK boasts world-leading student cities. According to the QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking, London is now ranked #3 globally, while the UK still has a strong presence, including eight of the top 50 student cities.
Popular with International Students: The UK remains highly popular, hosting over 732,000 international students in its higher education sector (2023/24 data).
Appealing Scholarships: UK institutions provide eligible students with appealing scholarships and funding opportunities.

Programs and Their Duration in the UK

Here are the programs that UK universities offer:

Qualification	Duration	Graduate Immigration Route (GIR)
Degrees (Such as BA, B.Sc., BEng)	3 years	2 years
Sandwich degrees	4 years (including one year in the industry)	2 years
Taught masters (such as MA, M.Sc., LLM, MBA, MREs)	1 year	2 years
Research masters (such as MPhil, PhD, DPhil)	1-2 years	3 years

Cost of living in The UK

The required maintenance funds for a UK Student Visa (CAS) have been increased by the UK Home Office to reflect the rising cost of living. You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses for up to nine months of study.

For studies within London (defined as the 32 London boroughs and the City of London), you must show maintenance funds of GBP £1,483 per month, totaling £13,347 for nine months.
For studies outside London, you must show maintenance funds of GBP £1,136 per month, totaling £10,224 for nine months.

These minimum financial requirements became effective on January 2, 2025. Note that these are the minimum amounts required for the visa application and must be held in your bank account for a continuous period of 28 consecutive days before applying.

Academic Intake to Study in the UK

Colleges and universities in the UK offer three intakes. Intakes may also be referred to as terms in some institutions.

Intake	Start Date
Summer Intake	May - June
Autumn Intake	September - October
Spring Intake	January - February

Deadline for the UK universities

You need to start preparing your application a minimum of 9–12 months in advance before the commencement of your program, especially for the popular September (Autumn) intake and if you are applying for competitive courses or scholarships.

Popular programs to study in the UK

Studying in the UK offers a wide range of programs across various fields. Some of the most popular and prestigious programs that attract international students include:

Business Studies and Business Analytics
Computer Science and Data Science
Engineering (e.g., Civil, Mechanical, Electronic)
Law (LLM)
Medicine and Surgery
Physical and Life Sciences
Psychology
Actuarial Science
Sports Management

Scholarships to study in the UK

Here are some of the popular scholarships that UK universities and external bodies offer to international students:

Chevening Scholarship
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
GREAT Scholarships
Scotland Saltire Scholarships
University-specific Scholarships

Universities in the UK

Explore a complete list of universities in the UK here.

Admission Checklist

To ensure a smooth application process, please prepare the following essential documents:

Passports: Present & Previous (Original)
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Language Proficiency Test Scores: IELTS/PTE/TOEFL (Original)
Birth Registration Certificate
National ID Card (if eligible)
Academic Records:
- Result sheets for the last two years (for school students)
- Certificates & Mark Sheets/Transcripts (Original)
Medium of Instruction Confirmation
Study Continuation Report (Original)
Job Experience Certificate (Original, if eligible)
Extra Qualification Certificate (Original, if eligible)