UK

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 The UK consists of four countries,  England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, united under one  government. Each has a distinct culture and feel of its own. So, at  higher education level, students have a number of options to choose  from. This article presents " study in UK requirements" for Indian students.  

The  United Kingdom remains a top choice for Indian students seeking higher  education, with more than 142,000 Indian students enrolled in UK universities in  2024 - an impressive 73% increase since 2019. This growth highlights  the lasting attraction of British education, further boosted by the Graduate Route visa, allowing international graduates to work in the UK for up to two years post-study. 

British universities host four of the world's top ten institutions, providing exceptional education across various fields. Studying in the UK also  provides a rich cultural experience, with Indian culture deeply woven  into daily life, from over 12,000 Indian restaurants to vibrant cultural  events in cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham. This  comprehensive guide will equip you with all the information for studying  in the UK in 2026. This guide also provides information on applying to  study in the UK via UCAS portal, intakes for UK universities, exams  required to study in UK, education loans for studying in UK and more

Table of contents

• Top Reasons to Study in UK in 2026
• Lifestyle Tips for International Students to Study in the UK
• Study in UK Requirements
• Timeline for Studying in the UK for Indian Students
• Applying Through UCAS in 2026
• UCAS Deadlines for 2026
• Intake Seasons for Studying in the UK
• General Exams Required for Applying to Study in the UK
• Cost of Studying in UK 2026
• Cost of Living in UK 2026
• UK Scholarships for Indian Students
• Education Loans for Studying in the UK
• Student Visa UK Requirements 2026
• UK Student Visa Application Process
• Post Study Work Visa in UK 2026
• India Young Professional Scheme
• Pre-departure Checklist for Indian Students Going to Study in UK
• Tips for Living in the UK as an International Student
• Jobs in the UK
• Study in UK Requirements Guide FAQs

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Read the article below to understand why to study in the UK and other related information to help you decide.

1. Shorter Degree Programs- Most UK undergraduate  degrees take 3 years compared to 4 years in many other countries, and  most Master's degrees are 1 year, making them more time and  cost-efficient.
2. Popular Student Destinations- The UK is the home to some of the best student cities such as Edinburgh, Nottingham, London, Cardiff, Liverpool and so on. Most of the best colleges in the country are situated in London, followed by Cambridge, Oxford and Manchester. 
3. Popular Courses in the UK- Sociology and social  studies, law, business management, computer science and  communications/media are the popular courses Indian students pursue in  the UK.
4. Safety in the UK- As a student, you will be as  safe in the UK as you are at home. When you get to your college, there  will be loads of other students who will give you all the information  you need about the place. You will find that the country is  multicultural, and you will soon have friends from all over the world.
5. Post-study work options- The Graduate Route visa  allows foreign students to stay and work in the UK for at least 2 years  after completing their degree (3 years for PhD graduates).
6. Research Opportunities- The UK remains a global  research powerhouse with substantial funding, particularly in fields  like AI, climate science, medicine, and engineering. Overall, PhD in UK for Indian students is really beneficial. 
7. English language- Studying in an English-speaking environment provides language immersion that's valuable for global careers.
8. Weather- The UK has a variable climate, changing  from day to day. It is difficult to predict the weather. In general,  the summers are warm and winters see snowfall. However, summers in the  UK are cooler than those in India. The different weather conditions  across different popular student destinations in the UK are described  below.      
   • England - Compared  to other places in the UK, England is sunnier throughout the year. On  some occasions, there can be strong winds. Also, the rains are  unpredictable and it could rain at any time during the year. London,  Manchester and Birmingham are some of the popular cities. The average  temperature in summers is around 25°C to 15°C; in winters it is around  7°C to 0°C. There are many universities in Manchester that provide quality education to students. 
   • Scotland - The  climate of Scotland is temperate and can be very unpredictable. Rainfall  is not uniform across Scotland, with the western parts getting a lot  more rain than the eastern parts. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are  the major cities. The average temperature in summers is around 19°C to  10°C; in winters it is around 6°C to -1°C.
   • Wales - In Wales,  most of the rain tends to fall between October and January. Days in  winter are shorter and the region experiences snow. Summers are warmer  than in other parts of the UK. Cardiff, Newport and Swansea are some of  the popular cities here. The average temperature in summers is around  23°C to 12°C; in winters it is around 8°C to 1°C.
   • Northern Ireland –  This region has relatively mild winters and cool summers. Northern  Ireland is cloudier than England and gets less sunshine comparatively.  Belfast, Lisburn and Newry are some of the popular cities here. The  average temperature in summer is around 19°C to 10°C; in winter it is  around 8°C to 0°C.

1. Indians living in the UK- Indians are the UK’s  largest ethnic minority group. As per the 2011 Census of England and  Wales, the Indian ethnic group population was nearly 1.4 million in  England and Wales, and the 2021 data revealed this population had grown  to up to 1.9 million. The majority of Indian immigrants resided in three  cities: Leicester, London, Manchester, and Birmingham. The rest of the  Indian immigrants live in major metropolitan areas like Cardiff,  Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast.  

All international students in the UK  will need a letter from the college in order to open a bank account. The  college will give you this letter during the induction and registration  events. It is essential that all UK international students register  with a local doctor. Again, the college will help you arrange this  during the induction and registration events.

You will have full access to a wide  range of clubs and societies at the university. The college also  arranges social events throughout your study period. Typically, this  would include city tours, ice skating, ten-pin bowling, and visits to  other cities in the UK.  Moreover, the UK offers you brilliant  opportunities for recreation, such as music concerts, museums, visits to  castles, and much more. Make sure that you enjoy yourself to the  fullest while striking a balance between your academics and leisure.

Firstly, you need to decide whether you  want to live in university-managed accommodation or with a private  landlord. Choosing university-managed accommodation can also give you a  catered or self-catered option. The catered accommodation offers the  benefits of your meals being cooked for you and a degree of certainty  with meal costs.

If you have an idea about what you  prefer, the accommodation office at your university will be able to tell  you what accommodation they have available, so that’s the place to  start. If you are thinking of renting from a private landlord or if your  chosen university can’t offer you anything in its own residential  facility, the accommodation office should be able to provide you with a  list of private properties and landlords in the area.

Wherever you choose to live, you should  make sure that you know your contractual rights and responsibilities. In  most cases, you will be asked to enter into a tenancy agreement, which  you should read thoroughly before you sign. Check tips on how to find student accommodation abroad.

The kind of accommodation options available would be -

• Short-term accommodation: Hostels and hotels.  Temporary housing may be offered through your institution while you get  settled. Talk to your institution's international support staff or check  their website for details.
• Rental: You can rent or 'lease' a property by yourself or with friends. This can be done through a real estate agent or privately.
• On-Campus: Living can be a great option to  minimise travel. Most universities have comfortable and furnished  apartment-style living on campus or close by.
• Homestay: This option allows you to live with a family in their home.

The college orientation week is mandatory for international students, so ensure that you arrive  before it starts. This is the time when you will be introduced to the  university and its services, as well as enrol in your classes. It is  essential that you read your guidebook, which is provided by the  college. The guide explains each part of the admission process. 

Along with sports, colleges offer  extra-curricular activities that provide students with a wide range of  experiences. Music, drama, science and literary societies in colleges  offer opportunities for outdoor education and other leisure activities.  Visits to theatres, concerts, and places relevant to the courses of  study, such as art galleries and museums, religious centres or  historical sites, scientific companies and projects, are all part of  college life.

If not Australia, then where would you like to study?USAUKNew ZealandEuropean Countries - Italy, Sweden, NetherlandsOthers387 votes| Live1/5 polls

These vary between study programs and  levels. For each course, Indian students will need to meet a minimum  English language requirement. Along with that, a minimum academic record  of 65% and above for the humanities stream in class XII, and 70 - 80%  and above for the Science/Commerce stream in class XII will also be  required. Foundations and Diploma programs are available for students  who have secured below 60%. The student should have completed 18 years  of age before joining a degree program.

Documents required by UG aspirants for UK Student Visa

• Consolidated marksheets and certificate of the tenth and twelfth
• Academic transcript
• English proficiency test scores: IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE Test/ Other
• Personal statement
• Bonafide Certificate
• NOC for Students
• Reference letters
• Gap Certificate
• Copy of passport
• CV (if applicable)

It is important to note that these  numbers are just for reference purposes; the actual numbers may differ  from university to university.

The following documents need to be submitted for post-graduate aspirants:

• Attested copies of mark sheets of class X, XII, and the Bachelor's degree (if applicable)
  At least, two academic reference letters from professors who have taught you most recently
• If you have work experience then two letters of  recommendation from the employer/manager who knows you well and can  comment on your professional abilities
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume
• Photocopied score reports of GMAT / IELTS / TOEFL
• Portfolio (in case of students applying for art and design courses & architecture programs)
• Others (certificates/achievements at the state and national level, and extracurricular activities)
• Proof of funds

A brief overview of some specific documents is given below.

• SOP: A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is your introduction to the college and admission officers. It is  always written in the first person and describes the reason for  applying to a particular college. It needs to highlight why you are a  perfect fit for the college and why the college should accept you. The  style of writing could differ from formal to casual, but it is important  to remember that it should reflect your personality as well.
• Essay: Essays are also required to be submitted by a prospective student. Essays are  an important part of the university admissions process. Students may be  required to write one or two essays, along with a few optional essays.  Common topics include career aspirations, strengths and weaknesses,  skills, experiences, and reasons for considering a particular school.
• LOR:  A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a reference letter written by a third party describing the  qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the prospective student  to recommend him to the college in terms of that individual’s ability to  perform a particular task or function. The third party could be a  professor, a direct manager, etc.

Below is a timeline to study in the UK, explained in brief, to get admission steps completed in time:

12-18 Months Before Enrollment:

1. Start researching and select 8-12 universities that you will  apply to. Visit university websites and note application requirements,  deadlines etc.
2. Learn about options to fund your studies.
3. Make custom application strategies for different universities.

10-12 Months Prior to Enrolment: 

1. This is the time when you shift from the preparation mode to  creating the application. Think hard about what makes you unique as an  applicant and sketch out your strengths and self-assessment.
2. Register yourself and start preparing for required standardised tests like GMAT, GRE, UKCAT, TOEFL or IELTS - depending on course and university.

10 Months Before Enrolment:

1. Begin by downloading admissions brochures from the university websites.
2. Start working on the UCAS admission form and application.TOEFL or
3. Search for and begin applying for study abroad scholarships (if applicable).
4. Take standardised tests like GMAT and TOEFL.
5. Contact your professors and direct managers for at least two reference letters.
6. Begin drafting your SOP and essays.
7. Alongside your admission applications, plan for your expenses, like applying for an education loan.

Applying Through Enrolments:

1. Apply before the deadline!
2. You may have to appear for a video interview in front of the admissions committee.
3. You will get your rejection letter via e-mail by April-June (the  months may vary). The acceptance letter helps you attain a student visa.
4. Gather paperwork for your student visa.
5. Depending on the deadline, you will need to notify the  universities of your decision, pay a non-refundable deposit, and apply  for your student visa.

Application fee: All  colleges require that you pay an application fee while applying. The fee  amount will differ depending on the college and course being applied  to, so check with individual colleges about their application fee.

Applications to all undergraduate courses are filled through the  Universities and Colleges Admission System or UCAS - a central  organisation in the UK that is responsible for receiving undergraduate  applications and forwarding them to the respective institutions.

UCAS allows you to apply to five Universities through a common form. £28.95 is the UCAS application fee for up to 5 choices in 2026.  The services offered by UCAS are designed for admission to the  September/October intake in the UK, and you normally apply directly to a  university for courses starting in January or February. Check how to write UCAS personal statement.

The UCAS Application timeline for 2026 entry is displayed below:

UCAS Entry Deadlines 2026 forUndergraduate Entry

Date and Time of Application for 2026 Entry

Action

Sep 02

Completely filled UG applications can be submitted to UCAS

Oct 15, until 18:00 UK time

Equal consideration date for University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge

Jan 14, until 18:00 UK time

Equal consideration date for UG courses

Feb 26

Opening of Extra

June 30, until 18:00 UK time

Received applications will be forwarded to UK universities

July 01

Last day to add an extra choice

July 02

Opening of Clearing

Sep 24, until 18:00 UK time

Last date for UK admissions

Oct 19

Last date for adding clearing choice

Note - Students seeking  admission to a postgraduate program will have to apply to individual  universities using the application form of that particular university.  Most universities offer the facility to apply online for a nominal fee.  Once the application form is filled appropriate supporting documents  would have to be sent to the university. Although universities do not  have a deadline it is recommended that you apply early to enhance your  chances of being made an offer. In addition, students can register  themselves with UCAS Postgraduate. Once the registration is done, they  can search and shortlist the courses. Same services can be used to apply  for a few postgraduate courses (not all postgraduate courses).

The main intake seasons are the Fall and the Spring intake in the UK.  The services offered by UCAS are designed for admission to the  September or October intake in the UK. You have to apply directly to a  university for courses starting in January or February.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS),  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and Pearson Test of  English (PTE) are all standardised language tests, which are required to  be taken for the purpose of getting admission into colleges. These  follow different formats, structures, and result bands. These tests are  different in various ways, but many colleges ask for any one of the  results. So it's up to the student to decide which exam to appear for.

Repetition of exams: IELTS can be taken an unlimited number of times. TOEFL  can be retaken as many times as one wishes to, but cannot be taken more  than once in a 03-day period. PTE, on the other hand, can be taken only  12 times in a 12-month window. You must wait to receive your scores before you can book your next test.

Fee: The standard fee for these exams is INR 19,000 for IELTS, INR 18,000 for TOEFL and INR 18,900 for PTE exam fee in India.

Time to apply: Ideally,  if you are aiming at the September intake, you should appear for these  exams by November, so that you can apply before the first deadline. The  universities you will be applying to will mention which exam results  they will accept. But if they give you a choice to go for either of  these, then the choice depends on you. The time required to prepare for  IELTS/TOEFL/PTE would depend on the existing English language  proficiency. You may require 2 to 4 months of preparation before the  exam date.

The list of common exams required for studying in the UK is given below. 

1. GMAT - The Graduate Management Aptitude Test is used to measure the abilities of potential MBA aspirants to  undertake higher education in the field of business or management. It  measures the mathematical, English, and reasoning skills of the student.
2. GRE - The Graduate Record Examination is another test required to be taken by students applying to graduate  schools to pursue MA or MS. Increasingly, many business schools are also  accepting GRE scores for the purpose of granting admission for an MBA.

The university you will be applying to  will mention which exam results will be applicable to the course of your  choice. But if they give you a choice to go for either of these, then  the choice depends on you.

Repetition and Fee: You  can give the GMAT exam an unlimited number of times, subject to five  times a year, and a gap of 30 days between two tests. You can take these  tests with a gap of 30 days. The cost of the GMAT exam is $275 and GRE  is INR 22,000.

Ideally, if you are aiming at the  September intake, you should appear for these exams by November so that  you can apply before the first deadline. The preparatory duration  generally ranges from 4 to 6 months.

Average Scores: The  average GMAT accepted score across universities is 540. The average GRE  score is 155 for Verbal, 167 for Quantitative and 5.0 for Writing.

It is important to note that these  numbers are just for reference purposes; the actual scores may differ  from university to university. The higher the score, the stronger your  application.

International students in the UK have to pay more tuition fees in comparison to students from the UK or EU. The cost of studying in UK varies according to different universities, courses, and the city. For  international students, the fee starts at £10,000 (~US$14,130) and goes  up to £38,000 (~US$53,700) or more for medical and other specialised  degrees. The average cost of studying in the UK is around £22,200  (~US$31,380) per year and those who want to stay in London need to spend much higher.

The cost of living in UK depends  heavily on what part of the UK will you be living in along with how  much you will socialise. Some of the basic elements for living as an  international student in the UK are:

• Accommodation rent ( on campus or off campus )
• Groceries and food
• Utilities like electricity, water, gas, and internet
• Phone bills
• Text and reference books
• Airfare for travelling back to India

Other elements which may differ from person to person would be:

• Dining out
• Travel and Vacation
• Car rental and Car insurance
• Cable TV connection

As part of the new visa requirements, if  you are an international student, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) requires  you to have a budget of at least £1,529  per month to study in London,  in addition to the tuition fees. If the campus is outside of London, you  will require a minimum budget of £1,171 per month as requested by the  UKBA. On average, you may need around £200 to £300 per week to live in  or around London. It is just an estimate, and the final costs will vary  depending on your lifestyle, place of residence and how much you  socialize.

Merit and need-based fee waivers are  awarded to international students. Candidates with strong academics,  good performance in standardized exams and extracurricular achievements  would be eligible for scholarship awards and financial assistance. You  can check UK scholarships for Indian students.  To benefit from these opportunities, one has to make sure to send all  the required documents by particular deadlines. In addition to this, the  presentation of the application is also important because one is judged  by the image one projects.

Documents required: The documents usually needed for a scholarship application are as follows, although the requirements may differ:

• Academic records and photocopies
• A recent CV
• A letter of intent, which acts as a cover page
• Certificate of language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS scores)
• Letters of Reference (LOR)

The first thing to be aware of is whether you are eligible to apply for the student loan or not. The general eligibility criteria for getting a student loan that are followed by all the banks are –

• You should be an Indian national
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must be seeking admission to a professional, technical or another course of studies

Most banks maintain that the selected course should be job-oriented.

• You must have secured admission to foreign university institutions
• You must be above the age of 18 years or else your parents can avail of the loan

Eligibility of course: You may not get a loan on every course. Here are the kinds of courses that qualify for the education loan.

• For Graduation: Job-oriented professional or technical courses offered by reputed universities
• For Post Graduation: MCA, MBA, MS or even diplomas

These courses could be from foreign universities or institutes approved by the state and central government.

Loan amount: If your  total fee is Rs 10 lakh, the bank may offer to give a loan of 80% of the  amount and you will have to put in the balance of 20%. This is called  the margin amount. The maximum loan amount offered by banks for studies  abroad is generally around Rs 20. If your tuition fee amount is Rs 30  lakh, you’ll have to manage the rest of the funds by yourself. Some  banks charge a processing fee, while others don’t. it may be a fixed  amount or a percentage of the total loan amount. So if the bank charges  you 1% as a processing fee, that will be an additional cost you’ll have  to cover.

Documentation required: You will have to provide the acceptance letter sent by the University  reflecting that you have been selected for the course and the schedule  of fees. You will also need to show the mark sheet of the last  qualifying examination to show your academic record.

All banks have different requirements for documentation, so you need to confirm with the bank first.

Repayment: Repayment  starts only after the course period. If the student got employed within  one year after completion of the course, the repayment should start  immediately after the expiry of one month from the date of employment.

If you do not secure a job within a year  of completing the course, then repayment starts irrespective of whether  or not you are employed. The loan is generally to be repaid in 5-7  years after the commencement of repayment. If the student is not able to  complete the course within the scheduled time, an extension of time for  completion, of course, may be permitted for a maximum period of two  years. Generally, you will get up to a maximum number of 10 years to  repay the loan.

You should have the following documents before applying for a UK student visa:

• A completed student visa application form
• A letter of acceptance on the course: Your  approved education provider will give you an acceptance letter and a  visa letter, which are official and unconditional offers of a place on a  course of study. The visa letter must be issued no more than six months  before you apply. The applications where the visa letters are older  than six months will be refused.
  Having a visa letter does not  guarantee the application will be successful. The applicant must meet  all the requirements of the category and any other requirements of the  immigration rules.
• Proof of funds: The money you need to show  covers your course fees for your first year of study and living costs  for up to a maximum of nine months. The amount you will need depends on  whether you are applying as a child or an adult, and also whether you  will be studying in or out of London. You must show that you have held  the money for at least 28 days. The end of that 28-day period must not  be more than one month before the date of your application.      
  • You will need £1,529 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London
  • You will need £1,171 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London
• You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English
• You must have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17
• The fee for the UK Student Visa is £558 if a student is applying from outside or inside the UK

There are several steps to applying for a  visa. UK student visa applications are processed within three weeks of  the completed application being lodged.

Step 1 - Check if you qualify

You must be able to show that you have:

• A confirmed place at the school, university, or college where you  intend to study. It is called a ‘confirmation of acceptance for  studies' (CAS).
• Enough money (also known as ‘maintenance or funds') to cover your course fees and living costs in the UK.

Step 2 - Get your documents ready

For every document you provide, you must include the original document and a photocopy.

• A signed copy of your completed visa application form
• A valid passport
• 1 passport-sized colour photograph which meets the photo guidelines
• Evidence of your confirmed place at the University
• Any previous passports to show your previous travel history
• If you send a document that is not in English, it must be accompanied by a full translation that can be verified

Step 3 - Apply online

You will need to register and create an account on official UK Visa website.
When  you have completed your online application form, you will need to print  and sign your completed form. You must use the online appointment  calendar to book an appointment at the visa application centre. When you  have completed your online application, you will receive an email  message containing your application number.

Step 4 - Pay your application fee
The UK student visa fee in 2026 is £558. There are 4 ways to pay your visa application fee.

• Payment at Standard Chartered Bank - You can pay  your fee at some branches of Standard Chartered Bank. The bank will  issue a demand draft in favour of the 'British High Commission'.
• Demand draft from a nationalised or foreign bank - You can pay your fee by getting a demand draft issued by a  nationalised or a foreign bank. Bank charges for this service will vary.  The demand draft must be in favour of the 'British High Commission’.
• Payment at the visa application centre - You can pay the visa application fee at the visa application centre when you submit your visa application.
• Pay online - You can pay your visa application fee online using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.

Step 5 - Visit the visa application centre on the appointed date

You must book and attend an appointment  at our visa application centre to submit your application and facial  photograph and fingerprints.

A health insurance policy is mandatory  for international students, as students have to stay abroad for a long  period of time. However, now students need not buy a separate health  insurance policy, as it is part of the student visa issued to them. The  insurance helps students during the time of hospitalisation as it covers  all costs and they do not need to pay any money themselves. Students  must note that at the time of UK student visa application, they will  have to pay for an Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS). The  healthcare surcharge will depend on various factors such as your place  and duration of study.

The UK post-study work visa allows foreign students to stay back in the UK to search for work for a  period of two years after completing their graduate studies. Doctoral  PhD students will be eligible for 3 years stay back. PSW UK (UK Graduate Visa) will attract a £937 application fee and £1,035 healthcare surcharge per year.

A new scheme titled 'Young Professional Scheme’  has been launched by India and the UK government, which will permit  those with Indian nationality, aged 18-30, to live and work for a  maximum of two years in the United Kingdom. Thousands of Indians aged  between 18-30 years will benefit from this scheme as they would get  exposed to multiple work opportunities. More details about the scheme  have been included in the article later.

A Visa holder in the UK gets a Dependent  Visa for the same duration as the primary applicant. This is applicable  for master's degree applications only. Undergraduates cannot take  dependents with them to the UK.

If you have a student visa, your  dependents apply as 'dependents of a Points Based System migrant'. Each  dependent completes a separate application form and pays a separate fee.

Along with your own maintenance funds,  you need to show an additional £680 (for courses outside London) to £845  (for courses in London) for each dependent for each month that you are  applying for up to a maximum of 9 months' maintenance funds. You can use  a scholarship to cover the maintenance funds for your dependents if you  already have got a scholarship. The scholarship letter must state that  funds are also intended for your dependents. Check  - what next after applying to UK universities?

An initiative of India and the UK government, the Young  Professional Scheme has finally flagged off serving good news to all  those who are looking forward to moving to the UK. A total of 2,400 visa  applications will be accepted by the UK government between the age of  18 to 30. The selected lot will be able to travel, live and work in the  country for a maximum of two years. An open ballot system the scheme  began in March 2023 and will end after three years. 3,000 candidates  will be exchanged between India and Britain through this scheme. During  the stay, one can move to the UK anytime, leave and return, till your  visa validity is intact. 

Eligibility

• The applicant should be a citizen of India aged between 18-30 years
• He/she should be holding the eligible qualification
• He/she should have a saving of £2,530

Application Process

The applicant will have to submit their identity proof and related  documents. One may get an appointment fixed if one needs any assistance  in the process. One has to pay an application fee of £319 and a  healthcare surcharge of £1552 as well. In case your application is  rejected, no amount of the application fee will be refunded.

Selection Process

Random selection will be made for the entries. If you're selected  you'll receive an email regarding the same within two weeks of the  closing of the ballot. You don't have to pay a fee to enter the ballot.  Those successful need to apply for their visas before the deadline ends.  Within 6 months of applying one needs to move to the UK. In case one is  not selected, he/she can try again in the future. The tentative month  set is July.

Many times students tend to forget the main things that they must  carry in their travel backpacks while moving to a new country abroad.  Well, here we have compiled a small list of essential stuff that Indian  students must definitely carry along with them when they head to study  in the UK -

• Buying travel insurance
• Keep your visa and CAS documents safe and handy. For safety  reasons, always keep a clear photo of all your travel and university  documents in your mobile and on your email ID. You will be stress-free  in case of theft or loss of documents (if any such unpleasant situation  occurs)  
• Arrange accommodation in the UK before reaching the country
• Arrange transportation to/from the airport to home in the UK
• Consider buying traveller’s cheques
• Check baggage and customs limitations - buy travel bag tags to easily identify your luggage after completing your flight 
• Clear all paperwork with your home educational institution and keep a copy or originals of them with you - just in case
• Pack some home-made pickles and spices - for the initial cravings  you get after starting to feel homesick on reaching the new country
• Load funds onto a multi-currency Forex card.
• Carry some cash in GBP for immediate expenses upon reaching the UK such as - for taxi and food

Get your documents in order and make photocopies to store in your baggage and keep at home, including:

• Passport
• Airline tickets
• Travel insurance certificate
• Letter of Acceptance from the educational institution
• Key addresses and phone numbers
• A bank statement showing proof of funds
• Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
• Traveller’s cheques -if applicable
• Medical and immunisation records
• Academic history and university transcripts

You need to have some understanding of  the British culture before moving there. Here are a few pointers that  will help make your stay comfortable.

• Punctuality: The  British are usually sticklers for punctuality, and it will be considered  improper if you are late for an appointment, a tutorial or a social  gathering. If you are going to be late, it is advisable to let the  person know beforehand and explain the situation.
• Queues: Queuing is  important in the UK, you will have to queue at shops, supermarkets,  banks, and government offices. Jumping a queue is considered  ill-mannered and can annoy those already standing in a queue.
• Personal space: The  space you leave between you and a person you are speaking to is very  culture-specific. In Britain, it is usual to leave one arm's length  between you and the person you are speaking to, as crossing that  invisible boundary will be seen as an infringement of privacy.
• Social Niceties: As  an international student, you will be perplexed by the number of times  the British say please, thank you and sorry. Taking that as a cue, you  should add ‘please’ at the end of every request, and ‘thank you’ each  time someone does something for you.
• Driving in the UK:  Driving in the UK is on the left side of the road. It is necessary to  obtain a UK license by arranging to take a driving test. If this is not  done, you run the risk of being prosecuted for driving without a valid  license. You must be insured before you can drive a car in the UK. To  hire a car in the UK you must hold a full Driver’s Licence or an  International Driving Licence and have been driving for twelve months or  more.
• Bank accounts: Having  a UK bank account is important for international students. It can take  up to 2 weeks to open a bank account. You can open a bank account only  after you are in the UK and have registered for full-time study. UK law  requires banks to make detailed checks on customers to establish proof  of identity, proof of address in the home country and proof of new  address in the UK.
• Travel: London  Underground - You can pay a cash fare, use a pre-paid ‘Oyster card’ or  buy a paper travelcard. Using an Oyster card, a single fare will cost  you £5.
• Buses - Most routes in Central London  require that you buy tickets before you board. Ticket machines selling  single fares and daily bus passes are located next to the main bus stops  on these routes.

The job scenario for international students in the UK is highly  competitive. Securing a permanent sponsored role post-graduation  requires targeted networking, strict visa compliance and high-demand  skills. While studying, on a study visa, you can work up to 20 hours per  week during term time, and full-time during vacations. But a  post-graduate visa allows students who have just completed an eligible  degree to stay and work (or look for work) for 2 years (3 years for  PhDs) without needing upfront employer sponsorship. To remain long-term,  they must transition to the Skilled Worker Visa. It requires finding a licensed employer and earning at least the required minimum salary threshold for your occupation.

Did you find this guide helpful? We  would love to hear from you. If you have any queries or need assistance  for studying abroad, reach out for Shiksha's Counselling Services for free.