How to Study in UK after 12th for Indian Students?

Studying in the UK has been popular among Indian students as they get the best education at UK Universities. The article dives into the best courses available in the UK after Class 12, eligibility criteria, the admission process, the cost of studying in the UK and more.

The United Kingdom is home to some of the top-ranked universities and is one of the favourite study-abroad destinations among international students. It is known for providing great education and conducting excellent research. No doubt it is the top choice for Indian students seeking to study in UK after 12th.

There are a vast array of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in UK available in almost every subject, ranging from humanities and social sciences to engineering and natural sciences. Universities in the UK offer a world-class education, with globally recognised degrees that can open doors to exciting career opportunities in the future. The UK's diverse student body and multicultural environment provide a unique learning experience that fosters personal and professional growth.

India continues to be one of the largest sources of international students for the UK. In recent years, the number of Indian students studying in the UK has steadily increased. This article will provide you with brief information for students who want to study in the UK after Class 12th.

Also Read:

• Eligibility Criteria to Study Abroad for Indian Students
• Top High Salary Courses After 12th 

Study in UK after 12th for Indian Students

Every year, many Indian students plan to study abroad and choose the UK as their dream destination. Students get into private as well as public universities in the UK to complete their undergraduate degrees. Studying in UK after 12th offers Indian students a 3-year bachelor’s degree, world-ranked universities and a 2-year Post-Study Graduate Route visa. There are just so many study options after the 12^th for Indian students offered by the colleges in the UK. The main intake to study in UK is September/October intake, with a smaller one in January.

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Best Courses to Study in UK after 12th

Universities in the UK are known for their popular courses in Engineering, Business, Arts, and other programs. There are so many world-ranked universities available in the UK like Cambridge, Oxford University, London School of Economics, Imperial College of London, and the University of Durham are well known. We have listed below the popular courses to study at UK universities.

• Business & Management
• Engineering
• Computer Science & IT
• Health & Science
• Education & Training
• Law
• Medicine
• Psychology

Eligibility Criteria to Study in UK after 12th

The eligibility criteria for studies after 12th in the UK depend on the programme and the location that students select to study in the UK. We have listed below the basic eligibility criteria followed by international students to get admission to the UK.

• The student must have attained 18 years of age.
• For Humanities, 12th-grade marks should be a minimum of 65%.
• For Science and Commerce, 12th-grade marks should be 70 to 80% or above.
• Students who have scored under 60% are eligible to pursue Foundation and Diploma Programs.
• The score of the English language proficiency exam i.e. IELTS or TOEFL or PTE.
• Submit SAT Score or ACT Score as per the requirement.

Documents Required for Studying in UK after 12th in India

• Submit 10 & 12 class mark sheets
• Two academic reference letters.
• Proof of Funds
• Proof of IELTS or TOEFL
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume
• For applicants in Art, Design, and Architecture courses a suitable Portfolio

Application Timeline to Study in UK in 2026-27

Before applying for admission, it is important to know the UCAS deadlines. Some universities in the UK have much earlier deadlines while some accept your applications even in the month of October. You have to start the application process based on the preferred session for admission. All UCAS deadlines for courses in the UK are listed below.

• October
• January
• June

Application Process for Universities in the UK

The application process for admission to Universities in the UK is simple that is managed by the University College Admission System (UCAS). UCAS is responsible for collecting the student’s applications and the fee that is transferred to the respective university/ college. Students are required to complete the mandatory documents required during the application process.

Steps to follow in order to apply to a university/college in the UK

Step 1: Select a university wisely. There are multiple renowned higher studies academic institutions in the UK which offer various undergraduate courses, in different streams and fields of study. You have to keep in mind which course you wish to study and then filter out universities accordingly. You can check QS, Times Higher Education and other ranking platforms for subject-wise ranking of these universities. Once you've selected a handful of institutes read about their placement/employment reports as well. This would help you understand how fruitful would your academic tenure be in that particular university.

Step 2: Make sure that you meet all the requirements to study abroad in UK - which would be listed in the application for your selected course. Visit the respective university websites and carefully read about all the listed eligibility criteria. Keep all your documents handy as you may have to upload or send them, as required. All your documents should be valid and clear. Keep in mind the application deadline as it may differ for different universities. It is always a good idea to apply well in advance of the set deadline so that you don't miss out on your targetted college. 

Step 3: Before submitting your application, make sure all the information provided by you is correct and valid. Most of the universities in the UK would require you to create an account on the UCAS platform and then fill out the application. But there are a few which have their own application submission pages on their websites. Check how to apply to foreign universities from India. 

Step 4: Once you have sent your application, you will get an email confirmation from the university. It may or may not take time to process your application depending upon the inflow of applications from around the world. For the convenience of applicants, application tracking has been set up at UCAS where the status of the same can be checked.

Step 5: Overseas students should make sure that they have enough financial means to fund their studies and stay in the country. Living expenses will vary according to the university's geographical location. It is obvious that the tuition fees for top-ranking institutes will be higher than that of the lesser-known ones. You may apply for scholarships if you wish to study at an institution that has higher tuition fees. 

Cost of Studying in UK for International Students in 2026-27

The cost of studying in the UK depends on the type of structure of the course. The major cost component for any international student is the tuition fee charged by the college/university. The total cost depends on the course and the university that students select for their studies. Tuition fees at UK universities for medical and business courses are high compared to other courses.

Also Read:

• Part-time Work Options in UK for International Students
• Popular Job Sectors in UK in 2026

Cost of Living in UK for International Students

The United Kingdom is one of the most expensive countries in the world. The country has a high standard of living and for international students, tuition fees and living costs are the major expenses. The other costs are distributed among the various elements of accommodation, food, medical insurance, study materials, transport, and miscellaneous. The cost of living in the UK is broken down here below. 

• Accommodation: The primary choice is either university-managed or private accommodation. In the former, you further can opt for catered or self-catered; the costs will depend on the type of accommodation chosen.
• Living Expenses: The international student has to abide by the new Visa regulation defined by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) which has proposed a budget of a minimum of £1,334 per month exclusive of tuition fees.
• Health Insurance: It is mandatory for international students.

Scholarships to Study in UK

The United Kingdom has offered over 200 scholarships for undergraduate programs. Students get scholarships based on their merit in academics. Both UK Government and Universities offer verities of scholarships to Indian students. The United Kingdom is one of the popular destinations to pursue higher education for Indian students.

Top 5 UK Scholarships for Indian Students

• Chevening Scholarships for Indian and International Students
• Rhodes Scholarships
• Erasmus Mundus
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship 
• GREAT Scholarships

This was all about "how to study in UK after 12th in India" or how to get into a bachelor's course in UK after 12th in India. For more such information, follow Shiksha Study Abroad and reach out to Shiksha's Counselling Services for free.