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Study in the United Kingdom
World-famous universities, shorter degrees (3-year bachelor's, 1-year master's) and a multicultural student life.
Main and well-known universities
Examples of leading and popular universities. Uniaway is independent and listing a university does not mean a partnership.
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- UCL (University College London)
- London School of Economics (LSE)
- King's College London
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
- University of Bristol
- University of Warwick
- University of Glasgow
- Durham University
- University of Birmingham
- University of Leeds
- University of Sheffield
- University of Nottingham
- University of Southampton
- Queen Mary University of London
- Newcastle University
- Cardiff University
- Queen's University Belfast
- University of Exeter
- Lancaster University
- Loughborough University
Popular courses
Business & Management (incl. MBA)Computer Science, Data Science & AIEngineeringLawNursing, Public Health & MedicineAccounting & FinancePsychologyArt, Design & Media
Intakes
| Intake | Notes |
|---|---|
| September/October | Main intake; most courses. Apply 6–12 months ahead (UCAS deadline for most UG courses is late January). |
| January/February | Many PG and some UG courses. |
| May/June | Smaller number of courses, mostly PG and foundation. |
Typical costs
| Item | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| Tuition – undergraduate (international) | £15,000–£38,000 per year (medicine and some top universities higher) |
| Tuition – postgraduate taught | £16,000–£40,000+ per course (usually 1 year) |
| Living costs (visa minimum) | £1,529/month in London, £1,171/month elsewhere, for up to 9 months |
| Student visa fee | £558 from outside the UK |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Paid per year of visa at the student rate – check gov.uk |
GBP figures are approximate, using rough exchange rates, and are for guidance only.
Typical English requirements
| Test | Typical range |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (UKVI where required) | UG 6.0–6.5 overall (min 5.5–6.0 per band); PG 6.5–7.0 overall |
| PTE Academic | UG ~59–64; PG ~64–70+ |
| TOEFL iBT | UG ~72–90; PG ~90–100+ (check if accepted for your visa) |
| Duolingo English Test | UG ~105–115; PG ~115–125 (accepted by many but not all universities) |
Ranges are typical. Each university and course sets its own scores, and some students can be exempt.
Typical academic entry requirements
- Undergraduate: completed high school with good grades (e.g. A-levels, IB, or an equivalent national qualification); some students from 12-year school systems need a foundation year.
- Postgraduate: a recognised bachelor's degree, usually equivalent to a UK 2:1 or 2:2 depending on the university and course.
- Supporting documents: personal statement, reference(s), transcripts, passport; portfolio or interview for some courses.
Post-study work rights
Graduate Route: after an eligible UK degree you can apply for a Graduate visa. It lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027 (3 years for PhD graduates). The application fee is £937 plus the healthcare surcharge. During degree-level study you can usually work up to 20 hours a week in term time.
Visa overview
- Visa: Student visa (formerly Tier 4).
- You need a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from a licensed university.
- Proof of funds: first-year tuition (as on your CAS) plus living costs, held for 28 consecutive days. The London living-cost amount rises to £1,570/month for applications from 30 November 2026.
- Approved English test (Secure English Language Test or university assessment), TB test for some nationalities, ATAS certificate for some science/engineering subjects.
- Pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, then attend a biometrics appointment.
- Most taught postgraduate students can no longer bring dependants.
Official sources
Please note: Information is general, correct as of October 2026 and can change. Please confirm details with a Uniaway adviser and the official government website. This is not immigration or legal advice.