Study in the UK
Choosing a university, applying through UCAS or direct, meeting the English requirement, the Student visa, funding, and life after graduation.
UK universities differ in research focus, teaching style and location. Useful signals are the course content itself, the TEF rating on the Office for Students register (England), student satisfaction in Discover Uni data, and whether the university belongs to the Russell Group of 24 research-intensive universities. Check that the institution is a licensed student sponsor, or you cannot get a visa.
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. The main deadline is 31 January; for Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses it is 14 October. Universities make offers in UCAS Tariff points or grades, and Clearing places unfilled courses later in the year. Postgraduate courses usually take applications directly through the university (or UCAS Postgraduate). A first degree takes three years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and typically four in Scotland. Foundation years exist for students who need more preparation.
You need evidence of English. For a Student visa this is usually a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI, unless you are exempt. Each university sets its own score, and some courses ask for more.
You study on a Student visa, applied for after a licensed sponsor gives you a CAS. You pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, and must show maintenance funds. Check gov.uk before you apply.
Tuition for international students is set by each university and is usually the largest cost. Some scholarships and bursaries exist, from universities and from funders; we list only those we have checked against the official source. See our scholarships page.
Degree-level students can usually work up to 20 hours a week in term-time. After graduating, eligible students can apply for the Graduate visa: 2 years for applications on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027 (3 years for doctorate holders in both cases). Check gov.uk for the current rules.
London, England · University
Oxford, England · University
Cambridge, England · University
London, England · University
Edinburgh, Scotland · University
Manchester, England · University
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Fully funded one-year master’s at a UK university, covering tuition and living costs
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
Funded full-time taught master’s study at a UK university (funder: UK FCDO)
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
Funded doctoral study at a UK university for candidates from eligible countries
British Council
At least £10,000 towards tuition for a one-year postgraduate taught course
New scholarships, application deadlines and admission guides, a couple of emails a month, no spam.