Why Study in the UK

India is one of the largest source countries when it comes to international students studying in the UK. In the academic year 2022-23, 173,190 Indians were studying in this country, surpassing China that year. According to statistics released in December last year, the enrolment of Indians in 2023 at various UK institutions went up by an impressive 273.9% relative to 2019. The generous number of world-class universities and the Graduate Route Visa are touted as major reasons this country is so appealing.

Here are a few other reasons why the UK is such a popular study destination:

• Emphasis on hands-on experience, and industry training in addition to classroom sessions.
• Diverse offerings in terms of program formats, subject areas of study, and additional qualifications.
• Employment opportunities right after graduation in some of the world’s best firms.
• A multicultural community that offers exposure to a wide range of cultures, experiences and lifestyles.
• Medical support services and coverage for international students.

World-class education system—the biggest draw

The most significant aspect that makes the UK so attractive is the presence of many of the world’s best colleges and universities. Varied undergraduate, graduate, research, and other options are available in every subject area that you can think of, making the UK a haven for students who choose unique academic pursuits too.

The top 15 universities in the UK, as per the QS World Ranking 2025 are:

1. Rank 2: Imperial College, London
2. Rank 3: University of Oxford
3. Rank 5: University of Cambridge
4. Rank 9: UCL
5. Rank 27: University of Edinburgh
6. Rank =34: The University of Manchester
7. Rank =40: King’s College London
8. Rank =50: The London School of Economics and Political Science
9. Rank 54: University of Bristol
10. Rank =69: The University of Warwick
11. Rank 78: University of Glasgow
12. Rank 80: University of Birmingham
13. Rank =80: University of Southampton
14. Rank =82: University of Leeds
15. Rank =89: Durham University

Cultural diversity and cosmopolitan environment

Statistics reveal that in the year ending September 2024, 1.1 million people came to the UK from outside the country for work, study or to join their family here. The number of sponsored study visas for the same period stood at 392,969. When you head to the UK to study, you are stepping into a truly multicultural community where you have the opportunity to interact with and learn from peers from all over the world. This is a truly cosmopolitan environment, where you will find businesses, cuisine, entertainment options, and other aspects catering to different cultures and ideologies. It is not an exaggeration to say that no matter where you hail from, you are bound to feel right at home in this country.

Shorter duration of courses when compared to the USA

One of the main reasons the UK is growing in popularity is that it has plenty of courses that can be wrapped up quickly without compromising on quality or training. Let’s compare the programs here with another popular study destination, the USA. In terms of both course duration and structure, there are notable differences. An undergraduate degree in the UK is around three years compared to the four-year duration in the US. Of course, if you are in the medical field, the duration could be longer. Master’s programs in UK universities are typically one year long, while the US programs span two years.

This not only means that you complete your studies quicker and enter the employment market sooner but also that your overall tuition fee is lower since you pay for fewer years/semesters. Since the cost is one of the biggest challenges Indians face when considering studying abroad, this is a significant advantage the UK offers.

PSW or Graduate Route Visa

The Graduate Route makes it easy for you to work in the UK after completing your studies. One of the attractive aspects of the Graduate Route visa is that this does not require sponsorship or endorsement from your university or an employer.

Here is more about this visa:

• This route is open only for those currently residing in the UK who fall under the Tier 4 or Student immigration category.
• You can use the Graduate Route Visa only once.
• This route is open for those doing an undergraduate program, master’s, PhD or doctoral program in the UK. You must complete your program before applying.
• The program that you have successfully completed must be the same one for which you received your CAS or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (There are some exceptions to this rule).
• Undergraduate and master’s students can stay back for two years with this visa while PhD/Doctoral students can stay back for up to three years.
• Once you have started working under this Visa, you can switch jobs if you find it necessary. You can also be self-employed. The exception is that you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or become a coach.
• You may choose to work at any skill level with this visa.
• If you are thinking about studying after you have this visa, make sure you are well aware of what is allowed. English language courses, part-time UG courses, evening classes and specific professional courses may be allowed. But check if the course you want to study is permitted under this visa.

Applying for the Graduate Route Visa: You can apply for the Graduate Route Visa as soon as you complete your course from your institution and have an official intimation of this.  You must have your valid student permit when you apply, and once your application is made, the student permit is extended until you know whether your Graduate Route Visa is approved or not.

Your institution will have a support group to help you with the application process. The application fee for the visa is currently £822 and there is also an Immigration Health Surcharge to be paid, which may be to the tune of £1000.

Scholarships and financial aids

One of the biggest roadblocks in studying abroad is the expenses involved, but scholarships can ease the financial strain. Here are a few scholarships you can consider:

• Commonwealth Scholarships: Around 700 such fully-funded scholarships are offered every year. There are several financial aid options under the Commonwealth Scholarship category and six subject areas are earmarked for these scholarships.
• Chevening scholarship: This scholarship is offered to students who want to do a master’s course in the UK. The award is for one year and covers your tuition fee. Students who demonstrate leadership skills and who are academically excellent stand a better chance of getting the Chevening Scholarship.  
• GREAT scholarship: These scholarships can get you a minimum funding of £10,000 for a year-long postgraduate course. Some of the best universities in the UK are part of this programme. If you have an undergraduate degree from India with great academic credentials, apply for this scholarship with all the necessary paperwork.
• Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship: CWIT has offered around 3000 grants until now. Different types of this scholarship are available and they are for Indians who wish to pursue ambitions in artistic, academic and professional fields.
• Inlaks Scholarships: Exceptionally talented students may be eligible for this scholarship that aims to help them become beacons of change in their respective fields. The funds are given for university courses and specific programmes.

There are many other options too and the university you are enrolling at is sure to have its own lineup of funding and scholarship options. Do explore every avenue that is open to you to reduce your financial burden.

Safe and welcoming environment

The UK holds the 34^th rank in the Global Peace Index and it is deemed one of the safest places for Indian students to live in. A 7% increase in family-related visas for the year ending September 2024 suggests that more people felt safe enough to bring their loved ones to the country.  Many Indians have made this their permanent residence, meaning you are likely to hear familiar languages and names no matter where you are in the UK.  Since the country is a melting pot of cultures, it is easy to fit in and to find friendly neighbours and peers willing to help you out.

With so many advantages, it is no surprise that this has been a favoured destination for Indians for years now. Several famous and successful Indians have attributed their academic training and growth to institutions in the UK. Some of them are:

• Srinivasa Ramanujan
• Dorabji Tata
• Amartya Sen
• Harivansh Rai Bacchan
• Indira Gandhi
• Dr Manmohan Singh
• Rabindranath Tagore
• Kushwant Singh
• V. K. Krishna Menon

The UK is the third most popular destination for Indians who want to study further. The dramatic increase from 36,612 students in 2019 to 136,921 in 2023 underlines how the UK has steadily become a coveted destination for Indians.  The presence of reputed universities with the best academic training, great alumni networks and comprehensive industry connections ensures that studying here gives you a competitive edge. Start your groundwork and identify the colleges in the UK that you would like to apply to!