Top Universities and Colleges in UK - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades

Being home to around 136,000 Indian students, the United Kingdom is the 3rd most popular choice for study abroad destinations among the Indian student community, after the US & Canada, thanks to the presence of some of the world's top-ranked universities such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London & the University of Edinburgh among others. The country is also a hub of some top global MNC's such as Rolls Royce, Barclays, Vodafone, AstraZeneca, & Tesco. The UK offers students a much better environment to study & live, with the availability of diverse courses, part-time work opportunities, as well as several financial aid options to fund their studies. BBA, MIM, BE/ BTech, MSc & MBA/PGDM are some popular courses among the UK-based student community.

Universities in UK: Highlights

A majority of the UK universities have a September and October admission intake. Another admission intake that the best universities in the UK have is in January. To know more about the UK universities and UK colleges, check the admission highlights given below:

Parameter	Statistics
No. of Universities in UK	399
Tuition fees of universities in UK	Min INR 10 L-INR 40 L or above
Popular courses in UK	Law, Business Management, Computer Science, Sociology, Communications / Media
English language exams required	IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo
Entrance exams required	GMAT / GRE / SAT

Why Study in UK?

The United Kingdom is one of the favourable countries among international students. Some of the reasons why international students choose the UK as their study destination are the availability of diversified courses, high-quality education, rich cultural experience, part-time work opportunities, availability of scholarships, etc.

Student Visa in UK

International students who want to pursue higher education in some of the best universities in UK must have a UK Student Visa, previously called as Tier 4 (General) Student Visa or Tier 4 Student Visa. The fee for a UK Student Visa is GBP 524 (Approx INR 60.5 K). The documents required to apply for a UK Student Visa are a completed student visa application form, proof of parents’ or guardians’ consent, original mark sheets / provisional certificates, proof of funds, etc.

Latest Update on the UK Student Visa

The UK has announced a shift to eVisas, which means all international applicants would now have to register with the Visa & Immigration department of the United Kingdom, provide all relevant infromation regarding their passports & reasons for visit in a move that aims to further strengthen its attempt at reducing the number of illegal immigrants in the country.

How does this work?

Per the latest changes, the following would be applicable:

• The traditional visa vignette or sticker in the passport would be discontinued
• Applicants would have to register with UKVI and link their immigration status electronically
• An online account with credentials (username & password) would be provided by UKVI 
• Applicants would have to keep their personal & passport-related data (such as passport number) up-to-date on their UKVI account
• Any new changes to the passport would also have to be updated on the United Kingdom Visa & Immigration (UKVI) account 
• The same would be used to provide proof of your immigration status in the UK 
• The UKVI system would also be used by landlords & university administrators to verify a student's rights to study & live in the country
• Not updating your digital records on time can cause significant delays or issues during compliance checks 

Best Universities in UK for International Students

Some of the top-ranked universities in the UK are the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, etc. Of these, Oxford is a world-renowned UK university; however, Imperial College London, a college in UK, ranks higher globally. Check UK universities ranking from the table given below: 

University	Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking 2026	Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2025
Imperial College London	#2	#6
University of Oxford	#4	#3
University of Cambridge	#6	#5
University College London	#9	#7
King’s College London	#31	#21
The University of Edinburgh	#34	#20
The University of Manchester	#35	#29
University of Bristol	#51	#50
London School of Economics and Political Science	#56	#62
The University of Warwick	#74	#69

Best Universities in UK Engineering

According to QS Engineering & Technology, some of the best engineering universities in UK for international students include, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London,  University of Manchester, among others. Here are some of the top-ranked UK universities for masters:

Particulars	Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) - Engineering & Technology 2025
University of Oxford	#2
University of Cambridge	#4
Imperial College London	#8
University of Manchester	#32
UCL	#33
The University of Edinburgh	#58
University of Leeds	#92
University of Sheffied	#104
King's College London	#116
University of Bristol	#116

Best Business Schools in UK

To have an idea about the top Business & Management Universities in UK (Master's), students can have a look at the table given below:

Particulars	Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) - Business & Management Studies 2025
University of Cambridge	#5
University of Oxford	#5
London Business School	#7
LSE	#12
The University of Warwick	#35
Imperial College London	#37
The University of Manchester	#45
Oxford Brookes University	#82
King's College London	#83
Swansea University	#83

Confused between Data Analytics & Business Analytics & deciding which one is right for you? Then check out the video below: 

Best Law & Legal Studies Universities in UK

A few of the top-ranked universities in the UK for Law & Legal Studies are the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, LSE, UCL & King's College London, etc. The top-ranking Law Universities in UK are mentioned below:

University	Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) - Law & Legal Studies Ranking 2025
University of Oxford	#2
University of Cambridge	#3
LSE	#6
UCL	#14
King’s College London	#19
The University of Edinburgh	#21
Queen Mary University of London	#39
Durham University	#57
The University of Manchester	#62
University of Glasgow	#64

Wish to study law from abroad, but confused whether to study in the UK or USA? Relax & watch the video below to get your problems solved:

Also Read

Top Ranked MBA Universities in UK	Top Ranked MS Universities in UK
Top Ranked LLB Universities in UK	Top Ranked BBA Universities in UK

Best Cities to Study in UK

The top cities that are ranked in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 are London, Edinburgh, Manchester & Glasgow. London tops the list. 

Particulars	Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) - Best Student Cities 2026
London	#3
Edinburgh	#15
Glasgow	#35
Manchester	#40
Newcastle Upon Tyne	#41
Coventry	#45
Bristol	#47
Nottingham	#49
Leeds	#51
Birmimgham	#59

Here are the top universities in London that have a high acceptance rate: 

Also Read:

• Top 10 Universities in London
• Top Universities in Scotland

Top Courses in UK

A large number of best universities in UK offer courses like BTech, MSc, BSc, MA, MBA / PGDM, BA, BBA, BE/BTech, etc. Check the number of UK universities offering these courses from the table given below:

Courses	No. of Universities
BA	262
BBA	236
BE/BTech	230
BSc	212
MA	200
MSc	195
MBA / PGDM	183
BEd	171

Application Deadline for UK Universities

The UK universities application deadline varies; however, most universities in United Kingdom accept applications on the basis of the UCAS deadline. The Oxford University application deadline and the Cambridge University application deadline are the same as that of Medicine and Dentistry UCAS Deadline. Mentioned below are the upcoming UCAS deadline 2026:

UCAS Application Type	UCAS Application Deadline
Deadline for Dentistry and Medicine courses	Oct 15, 2025
UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline	Jan 14,  2026
UCAS Final Deadline	Sep 24, 2026

Admission Requirements for UK Universities

To study in UK universities, international students are required to submit the test scores of some of the standardized exams. Besides this, students are also required to submit proof of English language proficiency.

Entrance Exams for UK Universities

GMAT / GRE are some of the entrance exams that are accepted by universities in UK. The number of UK universities accepting these tests is given below:

Tests	No. of Universities
GMAT	19
GRE	11

English Language Requirements for UK Universities

One of the admission requirements to study in UK for Indian students is the submission of English language proficiency scores. The English language test scores that are accepted by the universities in the UK are IELTS/PTE/ Duolingo/TOEFL

Tests	No. of Universities
IELTS	399
PTE	161
Duolingo	88
TOEFL	42

Looking for universities abroad WITHOUT IELTS?! Then the video below is for you:

Documents required for UK Universities

• Academic transcripts
• Test scores of standardized exams like GMAT / GRE
• English language proficiency test scores like IELTS / TOEFL / PTE
• Completed application form
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Resume
• Portfolio
• Passport-size photographs (if asked)
• Copy of the passport
• Relevant certificates of extra-curricular activities

Also Read: Documents required for Admission in UK

Application Process for UK Universities

To apply for universities in the UK, students can either apply via the UCAS application portal or the official university website itself. Generally, the UCAS application portal is used for admission to UG courses. While for admission to graduate courses, many institutes tend to accept direct applications.
Follow the steps below to apply for higher studies in the UK:

• If you're interested in undergraduate admissions, register on UCAS; for graduate admissions, register on the official university website
• Explore and select up to five courses that you like the most, and you're eligible for
• Complete the online application by submitting all the required documents and filling in all mandatory fields
• Some universities require you to submit a personal statement, where you have to explain the reason for your interest in admission
• Submit the application by paying the standard application fee
• Track the status of your application, and wait for an official response
• Accept the admission letter, and follow any further guidelines as specified by the institute 
• Apply for a UK student visa and prepare for higher studies in the UK

Cost of Studying in UK for Indian Students

The cost of studying in UK Universities varies for different universities. For international students in the UK, the tuition fee starts from GBP 10,000 (INR 11.5 L) and goes up to GBP 38,000 (INR 43.75 L) per year. The average cost of studying in the UK is around GBP 22,200 (INR 25.5 L).

Range of 1st-Year Tuition Fees	No. of Universities
Free	3
Max 10 Lakh	88
Max 20 Lakh	242
Max 30 Lakh	291
Max 40 Lakh	301
40 Lakh+	72

Also Read: Cost of Studying in UK

Cost of Living in UK

The average cost of living in UK for International students is around GBP 14,000 - GBP 22,000 per year (Around INR 16.5 L - INR 25.9 L). Note that the average cost of living in London will be higher as compared to other UK cities. As per Shiksha, the average monthly cost of accommodation in UK is around GBP 690-GBP 955 (INR 81.3 K-INR 1.12 L).

Given below is a detailed breakdown of the cost of living in UK for Indian students:

Cost of Living Component	Average Monthly Cost (in GBP)	Average Monthly Cost (in INR)
Housing	GBP 690-GBP 955	INR 81.3 K-INR 1.12 L
Food	GBP 200-GBP 350	INR 23.5 K-INR 41.25 K
Utilities (Gas, Electricity, Water, TV, etc.)	In London: GBP 200 Rest of UK: GBP 120	In London: INR 23.5 K Rest of UK: INR 14.1 K
Groceries	In London: GBP 175 Rest of UK: GBP 136	In London: INR 20.6 K Rest of UK: INR 16 K
Mobile Bills	GBP 18	INR 2.1 K
Laundry	GBP 25	INR 2.9 K
Stationary and Textbooks	GBP 35-GBP 55	INR 4.1 K-INR 6.4 K
Travel Expenses	In London: GBP 110 Rest of UK: GBP 70	In London: INR 12.9 K Rest of UK: 8.2 K
Movie Ticket	GBP 9	INR 1 K
Dinner at a Restaurant	GBP 15-16	INR 1.7 K-INR 1.8 K

Source: The University of Oxford and the British Council

Conversion rate: 1 GBP= 117.86

Also Read: Cost of Living for International Students in UK

Scholarships in UK

Various universities in the UK offer scholarships to international students. Below is a list of the scholarships offered by UK universities.

Scholarship Name	Financial Award	Scholarship Eligibility
Rhodes Scholarship – Law	Covers the Oxford University Fees, University of Oxford application fees, UK student visa fees, and International Health Surcharge or IHS Annual Stipend worth GBP 19,800 (INR 23.34 L) Two Economy Class Flight Tickets to and from UK, at the beginning and end of each Oxford year	Must be a citizen of India, holding an Indian passport or equivalent proof of Citizenship Must have completed Class X or Class XII, from a recognised school in India OR Must be in the final year, or have already completed an undergraduate degree at a recognised university in India Must be aged 18-23 years old, by the start of Oct, 2025 OR must be under 27 years of age AND have completed a UG degree by Oct, 2024
Felix Scholarship - MBA	100% University of Oxford tuition fees  Living Costs worth GBP 18,300 (INR 21.6 L) One return flight from India to the UK	Must be an Indian student, or a student from a low-income country Must be applying for or enrolled in full-time master's or DPhil programs Must demonstrate exceptional academic abilities and leadership skills in non-academic
Kent Future Students India Scholarships - PG Taught	GBP 5,000 (INR 5.9 L) as one tuition fee for one year	Must be domiciled in India Must be applying for a full-time postgraduate taught course in UK Must have paid the tuition fee deposit by the end of Aug Only available to students beginning their educational journey in Sep 2025 Must be self-funded, and pay the tuition fee directly to the University of Kent Applicants who have applied for either: Master's programme with pre-Masters OR Distance learning programmes OR the PCert or PDip programme
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	Maintenance Fee worth GBP 20,000 (INR 23.6 L)  for one year Two Economy Flight tickets, to travel, to and from the UK, one at the start of the academic year and one at the end of the Cambridge year Complete Cover of Inbound Visa and Healthcare costs University Composition Fee Extended Maintenance Fee for a duration of upto 4 years, in the form of PhD Scholar Allowance	Must be a student from outside the UK and Ireland Must be applying for either a full-time or part-time PhD, a full time MLitt or a one-year full-time postgraduate course (except some coures such as MBA, MFin, MD, BA, EMBA, Master of Accounting and some other courses) Must demonstrate academic excellence
WBS Scholarship	Full tuition coverage and partial funding	Must demonstrate exceptional academic ability Must be applying for higher studies at the Warwick Business School of The University of Warwick An applicant would automatically be considered after applying for a course at WBS

Also Read: UK Scholarships for Indian Students 

Part-Time Work Options in UK

International students who are studying at a degree level or more can work a maximum of 20 hours per week. Marketing, Accountancy, Health Services, Retail, Customer Service, etc. are some of the high-paying job sectors for students studying in the UK. Some of the top part-time jobs in the UK for international students are:

• Teaching Assistant
• Baby sitter
• Tutor
• Event Planner
• Library Assistant

Also Check: Part-Time Work Options in UK for International Students 

Post Study Work Permit in UK

After the completion of studies in the UK, students can apply for a UK Post-Study Work Visa. Through this work permit, international students will be able to stay back in the UK to search for a job for two years after the completion of their graduate studies. For graduate students holding a PhD or other doctoral degree, the Graduate Visa is valid for 3 years.

Top Job Sectors in UK & Economy

A few of the popular job sectors in the UK are Accountancy, Banking and Finance; Business, Consulting and Management, Energy and Utilities, Healthcare, Law, etc. According to Trading Economics in 2025, the GDP growth in the UK expanded to 0.7% in the first quarter (Jan 25-Mar 25) of the year, which also happens to be the strongest rate of growth in recent months.

Jobs in UK

According to data curated from UCAS, some of the highest-paying jobs in the UK include Legal Professionals, Marketing and Sales Directors, Medical Practitioners, Financial Managers and Directors, and IT and Telecommunication Directors, among others. The average salary for the graduates of some of the top-ranked universities in the UK is given below:

Jobs	Median Salary (in GBP) Per Year	Median Salary (in INR) per year
Chief Executives and Senior Officials	GBP 81,832	INR 94.4 L
Legal Professionals	GBP 41,958	INR 48.4 L
Marketing, Sales & Advertising Directors	GBP 84,156	INR 97.13 L
IT and Telecommunications Directors	GBP 85,523	INR 98.7 L
Investment Bankers	GBP 43,500	INR 50.2 L
Specialist Medical Practitioners	GBP 67,460	INR 77.86 L
Financial Managers and Directors	GBP 68,123	INR 78.62 L
Brokers	GBP 55,174	INR 63.68 L
Public Relations & Communication Directors	GBP 64,841	INR 74.84 L
Higher Education Teaching Professionals	GBP 45,301	INR 52.3 L
Train and Tram Drivers	GBP 60,727	INR 70 L

Source: UCAS

How to apply for a UK student visa?

Students seeking admission to the best universities in UK, must have a UK student visa to move to the United Kingdom.

Indian students can follow the steps mentioned below to apply for a UK student visa from India:

• Obtain a Confirmed Letter of Acceptance, also known as the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), from one of the UK Universities you've applied to
• Take a language test of your choice, be it IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo, and attain the minimum qualifying marks
• Demonstrate valid proof of finances, which typically involves a bank statement, showing you have enough money to fund your studies in the United Kingdom
• Gather all essential academic and personal documents such as previous mark sheets, passport with complete travel history, sponsor letter, etc
• Register on the official UK Student Visa application website (Immigration Services)
• Fill the online UK visa application form, upload all essential documents, fill all mandatory fields, and pay the standard UK Visa application fee
• Book a slot for biometric verification
• Visit the UK Visa centre, and get your fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken on the date you booked your slot
• Track the status of your application via the official visa application portal

Wondering what documents you must provide as part of the UK Student Visa application process? Check out the complete UK Student Visa Guide from here, and get all your UK Visa questions answered: UK Student Visa Complete Guide

Akash Gaur09-19-2025 17:59