Study in the UK

Many international students from around the world are drawn to the city of London or the world-famous universities of Oxford or Cambridge but this is far from all the UK has to offer. Its culture, history and reputation for academic excellence make it a great option for international students. Find out more about studying abroad in the UK here. 

Why study in the UK?

There are many reasons to choose the UK as an international student. Its culture steeped in history and tradition, it’s beautiful natural landscapes and its large number of top universities among them. Although the weather is frequently bleak, international students often find that the UK offers them plenty of things to see and do as well as opportunities for work experience and internships. London, England’s capital and one of the world’s major cities, is often favoured but there are sixteen UK entries to our Best Student City rankings, providing students with plenty of desirable options. Despite London’s appeal, cost of living in the UK is a concern for many. London receives the lowest score in the affordability indicator whereas cities such as Leicester, Liverpool and Nottingham, all ranked within the top 100 cities worldwide, rank the most affordable. 

Life in the UK

The UK is a popular study destination with almost 680,000 international students currently studying in the UK, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency; just over 23 percent of the overall student population. 

Although London is the popular student city choice for many, there are four countries which make up the UK: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, each of which are home to some of our top universities. English is a national language and is widely spoken in each of these countries although you may also find minority languages such as Scots, Gaelic and Welsh. Each country has its own culture and history, offering international students a variety of places to explore as there is complete freedom of movement between the countries to anyone holding a UK visa. 

There are plenty of things for students to do and explore in the UK. Large cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham are comparable to other major cities internationally. They have a plethora of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, museums, galleries, music venues and plenty more. However, there are plenty of things to do on a budget including, walks and hiking, cycling, visiting coastal areas, visiting libraries, weekend markets, museums, and visiting national parks. 

To learn more about what life is like when studying abroad in the UK, there are plenty of student stories available on our website like Fulya’s and Marin’s. 

Choosing a UK university

There are 90 top universities in the UK with 4 institutions in the top 10 internationally and another 13 in the top 100.  The top universities in the UK are: 

Imperial College London 

Receiving a perfect score in the international faculty ratio indicator and a near perfect score for sustainability, Imperial College London has taken the number one spot nationally this year. Imperial is a world leading education hub specialising in STEM and business degrees. 

University of Oxford 

The University of Oxford is another highly ranked British university, often competing with Cambridge as one of the top-ranked institutions in the country. With perfect scores for academic and employer reputation as well as employment outcomes and international research network, Oxford produces students who excel in the world of postgraduate work and research. 

University of Cambridge 

Established in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the fourth-oldest university in the world and currently has almost 25,000 students studying at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The university has 31 colleges where students live and study. It receives a perfect score for academic reputation, faculty student ratio, employer reputation, employment outcomes and international faculty ratio. 

UCL 

Founded in 1826, UCL ranks 4th in the country. Its location in the heart of London makes it a firm favourite, particularly with international students, as shown by its perfect score in the international student ratio indicator.  

The University of Edinburgh 

The University of Edinburgh is Scotland’s highest-ranking institution. The country’s history and rich culture influences student life with lots of initiatives aiming to benefit the local community. Its alumni include world-renowned athletes, writers, scientists and innovative thinkers. 

Applying to university 

A university in the UK will have basic entry requirements which all applicants should ensure that they meet. These include, but are not limited to: 

• A personal statement essay outlining your academic history, passion about the subject, reasons for applying to this specific course and ambitions for the future. 

• A record of your academic history and grades. This will potentially need to be translated into the British marking system, depending on your university. 

• Proof of being able to fund your studies with either personal funds or a scholarship. 

• Proof of proficiency in the English language as most university programmes in the UK are taught completely in English. Students will need to earn at least a CERF B2 level in a proficiency exam of their choice. For the IELTS test, this will mean a score of 6. In TOEFL, it is a minimum mark of 60. These are two of the most used proficiency tests although others might be accepted. 

How to find the best UK university for you 

QS can help you find the perfect university match for you. Our Course Matching Tool will help you to narrow down your search depending on your programme of choice, specialisation interests and personal values. Our University Search Tool will also allow you to explore some of our top universities and find out more about the programmes that they offer. 

Students might want to explore their UK university options in one of our QS events. QS events take place all over the world and offer students the chance to talk to representatives from leading universities, including some in the UK. Check our website for details about upcoming QS events near you and register your interest.  

Tuition fees, visas and financial aid

The price of tuition in the UK will vary depending on the specific programme and whether the student is domestic or international. For undergraduate programmes, domestic students will usually pay around £9,000 annually. International students can expect to pay anything from around £20,000 annually to £35,000 per year. For postgraduate programmes, prices can vary from: 

• Around £10,000 - £20,000 per year for a Master’s degree as a domestic student and around £20,000 to £40,000 for a master’s degree as an international student 

• Around £5,000 to £15,000 per year for a PhD as a domestic student and £20,000 to £35,000 per year for a PhD as an international student. 

• Around £35,000 to £85,000 per year for an MBA as both a domestic and international student. 

Many students will require financial aid in order to study abroad. Scholarships are often offered by universities and certain governments or can be offered by independent organisations such as QS. Our ImpACT scholarships help students from all around the world make their academic dreams a reality. Explore the QS ImpACT website to find out more. 

Any international students hoping to study in the UK will need to apply for a student visa. In order to get a UK student visa, students must have been offered a place to study at a UK university, have the money or funding agreement to support themselves (at least £1,438 per month for universities in London and at least £1,136 per month for universities outside of London) and pay their tuition, and be able to speak, read, write and understand English. Applying for a student visa will cost £490 and students can arrive up to a month before the start date of their university programme, as specified in their visa agreement, to settle in. As part of the visa application process, students will need to submit: 

• Their passport 

• A confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) letter 

• Proof of funds 

• An ATAS (academic technology approval scheme) certificate, if your programme or nationality requires it 

• Written consent from any financial sponsors 

• A negative tuberculosis test result 

Career opportunities

There are a wide range of career opportunities in many different sectors available in the UK for university graduates. According to Oxford Royale, some of the most popular graduate careers in the UK include: 

• Accountant 

• Lawyer or solicitor 

• Civil servant 

• Police officer 

• Paramedic 

• Investment banker 

• Retail buyer 

• Engineer in the Armed Forces 

• Officer in the Navy or Royal Air Forces 

• Aerospace engineer 

• Automotive engineer 

• Food or drink engineer 

• Biotechnology engineer 

• Nuclear engineer 

• IT technician 

• Banker 

• Barrister 

• Consultant 

• Geologist 

• Product development scientists 

• Media editor 

• Broadcaster 

• Writer 

• Journalist 

• Director 

• Human resources 

• Marketing 

Student support

While studying abroad can be a very exciting time, it can also be a very difficult time. UK universities aim to support students as much as possible to ensure that their move to the UK, their adaptation to British society, and the beginning of their studies goes as smoothly as possible. 

Some of the support services on offer include: 

• Funding services – supporting students through financial difficulty. 

• Accommodation services – making sure that students are comfortable while living on campus and supporting them through applying for off-campus accommodation. 

• Counselling and mental health services – supporting students who may be struggling mentally or experiencing personal issues while at university. 

• Academic support – UK universities often have a system to support students academically including people such as librarians and academic mentors. 

• Disability support – for students with disabilities, this service ensures that they can get around campus, they have the necessary learning support in lectures and examination accommodations where necessary.