The United Kingdom is the biggest island in the continent of Europe. It consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and many islands around the world. The country is surrounded by water, having only one land border with Ireland. The United Kingdom is located in northwestern Europe and it comprises an area of 242,900. There’s an important thing you need to know about UK at the beginning. Technically, the full name of the country is The United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland, but it’s commonly referred to as the United Kingdom. Its population exceeds 63 million, with London, its capital, counting for over 8 million of them. Other big UK cities include Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Belfast, Leicester, etc. The official spoken language is English and their currency is the sterling pound. Its political definition is that of a parliamentary monarchy. The United Kingdom is one of the greatest countries in the world, playing a major and a central role in global politics and economy.

A UK education opens doors, wherever you go in the world. 

From our world-recognised universities to our innovative teaching approach and the leading minds who deliver it, we have what you need to reach your potential. 

The UK has been the preferred choice for some of the most important minds in history. One in four world leaders has studied in the UK, so if you’re dreaming of achieving big things, you can be sure you’re in the right place in the UK.

A higher standard of education

The UK’s academic reputation is world-renowned. Built on a heritage that is now centuries old, our approach to education applies the very latest learning theory through universities that routinely top international tables. Our innovative teaching methods produce successful, versatile graduates who are sought-after by employers around the world.

World-ranked universities

UK universities have featured strongly in world rankings ever since they began. In 2018 the Times Higher Education World Rankings  honoured us with three of the world’s top ten universities, including the top two – the University of Oxford   and the University of Cambridge . This high quality can be found right across the country, with seven of the top 50, and 32 of the top 200 universities found here in the UK. 

Quality that’s government-guaranteed

The UK’s 162 higher education institutions are all held to strict standards by the government, so you know you are getting the best teaching, support and resources available.

A full list of 'recognised bodies' - universities and colleges that can award degrees – is published every year, to make it easy for students to see the comparative quality on offer up and down the country – and ensure they’re qualification will have credibility overseas.

Innovative teaching methods

Our universities combine traditional lectures with a variety of innovative teaching techniques, designed to encourage independent thinking, problem-solving skills and self-motivation. You will be working in small groups solving real-life problems from your future career, whether in the classroom, the lab or on field trips. 

You will have access to leading technology, from state-of-the-art laboratories to interactive screens and online-learning.

You will have an opportunity to learn from the very best in your field: many teachers in UK universities are industry leaders in their field, and you will have one-to-one access to them where you will be able to learn from their vast experience. Our institutions also cultivate industry relationships, allowing you to get practical experience in your field within world-leading organisations, and make connections to give your career an edge.

World-leading research

The consistently high quality of education in the UK has made us a firm favourite with international students all over the world, and helped to keep us at the forefront of global research.

We’re ranked second in the world for science and research and 54 per cent of our output is world-leading. Our field-weighted citation impact is higher than the US, Canada, Germany, Japan and Brazil, so when you study here you can be sure you’ll be working alongside some of the best minds – and using some of the best technology-  in the world.

Short, flexible courses

It’s not just our world-recognised universities that make us a top choice with international students. Courses in the UK are tailormade to support you in getting the most from your studies as quickly as possible. 

From the traditional to the cutting-edge – whatever you want to study, you’re sure to find a course that provides you with the understanding, experience and skills you need to pursue your dream career.

Built-in flexibility 

In the UK, flexibility is built into the majority of our courses. Many universities allow you to choose from different subject ‘modules’, so you can build a course programme that suits you down to the ground, specialising as you go for a perfectly tailored experience.

Qualify sooner

Postgraduate courses in the UK are shorter than both the US and Australia, with many MBA’s taking just one year. So you get better value for money and can begin applying your knowledge in the real world a lot sooner. 

Think differently

Our educational system doesn’t just immerse you in your chosen subject – it’s designed to help you to think differently. Throughout your studies you’ll be encouraged to ask questions, debate your teachers and fellow students, and come up with your own ideas through a blend of practical learning, lectures and seminars and innovative, high-tech teaching.

Here are the most popular UK degrees in Business:

• Business Administration.
• Finance and Management.
• International Business.
• Banking and Finance.
•  
• International Management.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate and graduate degrees generally range from $17,000 - $25,000 (depending on the exchange rate at the time of study). On average, students need between $1,300- $1,600 for living expenses per month of study (depending on if you decide to live inside or outside London

1. Internationally recognised universities & qualifications

UK is a popular destination for higher studies for students from around the world and is home to three of the top 10 universities in the world, according to the World University Rankings. A degree that you gain from an UK university will be recognised internationally by universities, employers and government bodies.

The top 5 universities in the UK (as of 2019-2020) are:

1. University of Oxford - Two of India's Prime Ministers, Indira Gandhi and Dr.Manmohan Singh have studied at Oxford
2. University of Cambridge - Indian's first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru and famous economist & Nobel laureate, Amartya Sen are both alumni of Trinity College part of Cambridge university
3. Imperial College, London - Known for its Science education, this university has produced many Nobel laureates including the inventor of Penicillin, Sir Alexander Fleming
4. University College London (UCL) - The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, studied law here

2. Quality education

The UK has retained its position as a popular destination among international students owing to its long standing tradition of providing quality education. The standard of teaching and research at UK universities and colleges is routinely assessed and graded by official organisations to ensure that set benchmarks are met. Although UK institutes undertake the responsibility of ensuring standard and quality of different programmes themselves, independent audits are carried out by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). Professional bodies may also guide the curriculum and perform reviews on individual departments in an institute. Colleges in Scotland may undergo reviews by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education.

In fact, London was rated as the 5th best student-friendly city in the world, by QS rankings 2016

3. Opportunities offered by UK education system

Among the benefits of studying in UK is a wide choice in picking your field of study and institution. You can choose from 150,000 courses at universities and colleges across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and directly contact the institute to order prospectuses.

If you are looking to pursue a Master's course in UK, you may find the one-year duration for all Master's programmes to be a big advantage. Alternatively, you may opt for a Master's programme in combination with PhD, which will save you an additional year. Shorter duration of courses in UK helps reduce tuition and accommodation costs.

The UK education system promotes close interaction between students and lecturers and provides the freedom to combine different subjects into a single course of study. English language support is offered by many institutions to help international students develop the essential study and language skills required to complete their course successfully. Most universities have counsellors and advisors to provide information and support to international students who can help you get used to the education system or any aspect of your course.

4. Strong research infrastructure

As a research student evaluating the benefits of studying in UK, it will be interesting for you to note that the country puts across 6.4% of global journal articles, 11.6% of citations and 15.9% of the world’s most highly-cited articles, even though it constitutes just 0.9% of world's total population.

The latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) which checks the quality of research conducted by more than 154 leading universities and colleges in the UK, classified 30% of the research as 'world-leading' and 46% as 'internationally excellent'. 

An impressive number of 95,184 research doctoral degrees were awarded in the country from 2008-09 to 2012-13. The fields of clinical sciences, health & medical sciences, social sciences, business and humanities command strong emphasis in UK research (International Comparative Performance of the UK Research Base, a report prepared for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills).

5. Work while you study

Many Indian students in the UK gain work experience along with their study. A part-time job, internship or placement during vacation and volunteering are some ways to develop valuable skills that you can add to your CV. A work placement is a part of the study course for some colleges, and your university or college may assist in providing placement

6. Work permit after study

There have been some changes on the post-study work visa since November 2015. You can now stay in the UK after completing graduation if you hold a job offer with an annual salary of at least 20,800 pounds (Rs. 18.3 lakh). There is no limit on the number of international students who can stay in the UK upon completion of their course. In order to work in the UK after completing your studies, you need to switch from a Tier 4 Visa to a Tier 2 General Visa. You will be required to apply for a work visa from the UK Border Agency, and you can opt from the following, depending on your employment status post study:

Tier 2 (General) Visa - Open to recent graduates holding a UK recognized Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree with a job offer from a licensed employer paying a salary of at least £20,800.
Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa - Open to students who are in process of developing a world-class innovative idea and are sponsored by their university.

7. Scholarship and financial support

Indian students who're worried about expensive tuition fee need not lose sleep either, for there are many scholarships that you can apply to, especially at postgraduate and research level, to support your study and cost of living costs. (Also read: List of scholarships for Indian students in UK)

For scholarships offered by UK universities, you will need to gain acceptance to the course of study before you become eligible to apply.

8. Health benefits

Indian students in the UK are eligible to receive free medical treatment by the National Health Service (NHS) if enrolled in a full-time course. Your spouse/partner and/or dependent children will also be exempt from payment if they reside with you during the course of your study programme. Your college or university may have a special health policy for students too.

9. Cross-cultural experience

There were 4,36,585 international students from 180+ countries studying in the UK last year, out of which Indian students were the 2nd largest group (18,320)! Studying in UK is an opportunity to experience a multicultural environment, meet new people and fellow international students from across the world and discover new places. You benefit by developing a range of skills that are necessary to be part of today's global workforce

• UK visa application form. According to the UK visa type you are applying for, you may have to complete the form online at the website of the Visa4UK website, or the manual application form.
• Two photographs. These photos should be taken within the past six months and in color.
• Your Valid Passport. It must be valid for three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the UK after your trip. It must also have at least one blank page for the visa.
• Proof you have the financial means to cover the living costs while in the UK. This may be your bank statements for the last six months, or pay slips for the same period.
• Proof of accommodation. You will need to present a document that shows where you will be accommodated while in the UK. Note that you do not have to fully pay a hotel/hostel in UK before getting the visa, just to get such a document.
• Detailed travel itinerary. Submit a travel plan that gives all the information regarding how and what you are planning to do in the UK. Include the travel dates, places you will visit, meeting agenda, booked tour, festival agenda, etc. Click here to learn how to book dummy flight tickets for UK visa.
• Tuberculosis Test Results. Nationals of several world countries will need to submit the requests of a Tuberculosis Test in order to be eligible for a UK Visa. Check here if you need to provide the TB test results.
• Biometric information. If you are applying for a visa that lets you stay in UK for more than 6 months, you will need to submit your biometric information. This includes giving your fingerprints and a digital photograph taken at the appropriate application center.
• UK visa invitation letter. (If applicable). If you will be staying over at a friend or a family member, then you should submit a letter of invitation. Your host must be a UK national or a legal resident.
• Paid UK visa fees. You should submit the receipt that confirms you have paid the visa fee as required.
• Certified translations of any document that is not in either English or Welsh.