Study in the UK from India

Study in the UK at a glance

Visa route

Student visa

Who decides

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office

Key document from your university

CAS — Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

Main intakes

September / October and January / February (some courses start at other times)

Usual course length

Bachelor's degrees are usually 3 years (4 in Scotland); taught master's degrees are usually 1 year

Health cover

Immigration Health Surcharge, paid as part of the visa application

Currency

Pound sterling (GBP, £)

Teaching language

English — you usually need to show English language ability

What do I need to study in the UK?

Short answer: you apply for the Student visa. Who decides: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office. The checklist below shows what the route asks of you; the official page has the current detail.

What the Student visa route needs from you

• A confirmed place on a course at a licensed student sponsor (your university will confirm it is one)
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by that university
• Proof that you can pay your course fees and support yourself — the official page sets the rules
• Evidence of your English language ability, in the way your university and course level require
• A valid passport and the other documents listed on GOV.UK for your situation
• A tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if the rules for your country and course length require one
• Payment of the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge
• Fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) at a visa application centre

When can I start? Intakes in the UK

Short answer: the main intakes in the UK are September / October and January / February. Some courses and universities add other start dates.

• September / October
• January / February

Work back from your start date: applications, then the offer, then proof of funds, then the visa. The timeline below shows the usual order — your university’s deadlines always come first.

How do I plan my move to the UK? What you will do, and when

A typical order of play for a September start. Your own dates depend on your university and course — treat this as a planning guide, then confirm every date on the official pages.

1. 1

   12–9 months before you start

   Shortlist courses and universities

   Compare courses, entry requirements and application deadlines. Undergraduates usually apply through UCAS; postgraduates usually apply directly to each university. Check that the university is a licensed student sponsor.

2. 2

   9–6 months before

   Apply and collect offers

   Send applications with your transcripts, references and personal statement. Offers can be conditional — for example on final results or an English test score.

3. 3

   After you accept an offer

   Meet the conditions and request your CAS

   Your university tells you when it will issue your CAS and what it needs first, such as a deposit or English test results. Check every detail on the CAS against your passport.

4. 4

   3–4 months before

   Get your evidence ready

   Gather proof of funds in the format GOV.UK asks for, book a TB test if it applies to you, and organise your documents in one folder (your StudentFlow document vault works well for this).

5. 5

   As early as the official page allows

   Apply for the Student visa online

   Complete the online application, pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, and book your biometrics appointment. GOV.UK states how early you can apply for your course start date.

6. 6

   While you wait

   Sort accommodation

   Apply for university halls or look at private student housing and shared rentals. Never pay a deposit for a room you have not been able to verify.

7. 7

   After the visa decision

   Book flights, forex and a phone plan

   Book travel once your visa is approved, arrange how you will pay on arrival, and decide how you will get data on day one (an eSIM is one option).

8. 8

   Arrival week

   Land, enrol and settle in

   Carry your passport, visa documents, CAS and university letters in hand luggage. Complete enrolment, follow your visa decision’s instructions for proving your status, register with a GP and open a bank account.

What does it cost to study in the UK? Costs to plan for

We do not quote amounts here because they change. Each line below tells you where the real number lives.

• Tuition fees

  Set by each university and course. International fees are published on the course page.

• Living costs

  Rent, food, transport and phone. These vary a lot by city — London is usually more expensive than most other places.

• Visa application fee

  Paid online when you apply. Check the current fee on GOV.UK.

• Immigration Health Surcharge

  Charged for the length of your visa and paid with your application. Use the official calculator.

• Maintenance funds

  Money you must be able to show, held in the way the rules require. The amount depends on your course and location.

• English and TB tests

  Fees go to the approved test centre or clinic, not to the government.

• Flights and luggage

  Fares change with season and how early you book. Check the baggage allowance before you pack.

• Housing deposit and first rent

  Many landlords ask for a deposit and rent in advance. Ask how the deposit is protected.

• Forex and bank charges

  Compare exchange rates and transfer fees, not just the headline rate.

Popular universities in the UK

A starting point, not a ranking. Check each university’s own site for courses, fees and deadlines.

All universities in the UK

Guides for studying in the UK

Official sources for the UK

• Student visa — GOV.UK — Eligibility, how to apply, documents
• Money you need — GOV.UK — Maintenance funds rules
• Immigration Health Surcharge — GOV.UK — What it is and how to pay
• TB test for visa applicants — GOV.UK — Who needs a test and where to take it
• UCAS — Undergraduate applications

Study in the UK: common questions