The United Kingdom (UK) has always been known as one of the most sought-after study abroad destinations. The UK houses top-ranked universities known for offering academic excellence, globally reputed master’s courses, state-of-the-art research facilities, and excellent employment prospects. So, if you want to pursue your higher education in the UK, this guide is for you.  

Key Highlights

• Types of universities in the UK
• Top universities in the UK
• Popular universities in the UK for international students
• Is it possible to study without IELTS in the UK?
• When to apply for a UK student visa?
• Cost to study in the UK

Types of universities in the UK

• Traditional universities: These are the oldest varsities in the UK and exist to date. These universities are applauded for their academic reputations.
• Metropolitan universities: These universities represent the modern faces of traditional universities as they offer wider course choices and newer facilities.
• Specialist universities: As the name indicates, these universities focus on specific subject areas like Science, Music, Art, and Dance, to name a few.
• Campus universities: These universities are mostly located on the outskirts of smaller towns or cities. Since major facilities are available at one place, campus universities are famous among the student community.

Sr. No.	Name of University	QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings 2023 (UK-specific)	THE (Times Higher Education) World University Rankings 2023 (UK-specific)
1	University of Cambridge	1	2
2	University of Oxford	2	1
3	Imperial College London	3	3
4	University College London (UCL)	4	4
5	University of Edinburgh	5	5
6	University of Manchester	6	8
7	King’s College London	7	6
8	The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSEP)	8	7
9	University of Bristol	9	9
10	University of Warwick	10	11

The UK universities offer globally recognised degrees in various domains. As per interests, students can pursue higher education in streams such as Engineering, Mathematics, Economics, Arts, etc., and can become an expert in their chosen field. However, some of the most popular courses and the prestigious universities in the UK offering these courses are enlisted below:

Business Management	Computer Science & IT	Architecture
London Business School	University of Oxford	University of Cambridge
University of Oxford	University of Cambridge	University of Liverpool
University of Warwick	University of Birmingham	Cardiff University
University of Edinburgh	University of Glasgow	University College London
University of Leeds	Imperial College London	University of Bath

Pro-Tip: If you are planning to pursue popular courses from the aforementioned universities, check the UK intake 2023 for international students and plan your academic journey accordingly.

Is it possible to study without IELTS in the UK?
As a part of the university admission process, students from non-English speaking nations like India need to demonstrate their English language skills. They need to appear for standardised English language tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). However, submitting an IELTS score is not a mandatory requirement. Some universities that allow international students to continue their higher education without IELTS in the UK are as follows:

• University of Warwick
• University of Bristol
• University of Essex
• University of Central Lancashire
• University of Northampton

The admission requirements may vary from one university to another. Therefore, check the course and university-specific requirements before applying.

When to apply for a UK student visa?

As an international student, you need to obtain a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the United Kingdom. It is advised to apply for a student visa after receiving a letter of acceptance from your chosen university.

Cost to study in the UK

The cost to study includes tuition fees, cost of living, airfare, etc. The average tuition fee of a master’s degree program in the UK is ∼ GBP 10,000 to ∼ GBP 35,000 (∼INR 10,48,000 to ∼INR 36,66,000) annually. The living cost in the UK for international students includes accommodation, food, transport, and other miscellaneous expenses. The average living cost can be ∼ GBP 12,000 to ∼ GBP 15,000 (∼INR 12,57,700 to ∼INR 15,71,000) annually.

Kindly remember that the cost of living usually varies from city to city. For instance, the cost of living in London for students is much higher than the living cost in other UK cities such as Manchester, Cambridge, etc.

So, if you aspire to study in the UK and financial challenges are troubling you, avail of an education loan for abroad studies. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer customised education loans with benefits such as 100% finance, multiple repayment options, and quick loan sanctions. Connect with us to know more!