Guide to Studying in the United Kingdom

Academic Year

September - July

130

Ranked Institutions

218

Listed Institutions

Currency

British Pound

Study in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom, made up of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, has been the most popular study destination for international students. It has some really famous and renowned universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, King’s College London, and Imperial College London. With over 160 higher education institutions, the UK offers a wide range of choices for students seeking to study abroad.

Why study in the United Kingdom?

Here are a few reasons why studying in the UK is a good choice:

Most universities in the UK doesn’t require students to take SAT/ACT or GMAT/GRE for undergraduate or postgraduate admissions respectively.

The UK allows students to complete their degrees faster than other countries, with undergraduate degrees completed in 3 years and Master degrees completed in 1 year.

The UK allows students to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during the term-time and 40 hours per week during summer break

UK Universities offer tuition fee discounts and partial scholarships to international students.

Graduates who finish their degree in the UK are eligible for a 2-year Post-study work visa, followed by a 5-year Tier 2 work visa, leading to permanent residency in the UK

Study Options in the UK

The UK provides a wide range of study options, with many renowned universities and thousands of courses to pick from. Here are the study options available for international students planning to study in the UK.

Foundation Year

Universities in the UK offers foundation courses, also known as Pathway, in a variety of subjects such as Art and Design, Business and Economics, Finance, Computing, Law, Engineering and Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Medicine and Pharmacy. These foundation programs start at multiple intakes of the year including:

Here are the list of universities offering foundation year for international students planning to study in the UK.

Undergraduate Degree

Typically, an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in the UK takes 3 years for international students. However, certain degrees, such as engineering and science, can extend to four years with the option of a one-year placement, known as a sandwich year. On the other hand, some universities do provide fast-track 2-year undergraduate degrees, primarily in business disciplines, allowing students to complete their degrees more quickly.

Here are the list of universities offering UG programs and their average tuition fee for international students

Master's Degree

A postgraduate master’s degree in the UK typically lasts for 1 year, which is shorter compared to the two-year duration in many other countries. This allows international students to save both time and money, enabling them to start their professional careers more quickly. However, it’s worth noting that a few UK universities do offer master’s degrees with a placement year, extending the program to up to two years.

Here is the list of universities offering PG programs and their average tuition fee for international students

Top-up (Final Year)

A Top-up year is a final year of an undergraduate degree, completed in one year. It allows students to upgrade their existing qualifications, like an HND or foundation degree equivalent to two years of a degree, to a full UG honors qualification. UK universities provide various intakes for top-up, including September, November, January, March, May, and July.

Learn about UK universities offering Top-up degrees and their estimated tuition fee

Cost of Study in the UK

The tuition fees in the UK vary depending on the university chosen, and the student’s study level. Undergraduate fees start at about £12,000 per year, and for postgraduate studies, they start at around £14,000. If you’re planning to study medicine or dentistry, the fees can go up to £32,000 per year and more.

On average, the study expenses fall within the following range of prices:

Foundation in UK= GBP £14,000 – GBP £18,000

Undergraduate in UK= GBP £12,000 – GBP £22,000

Postgraduate in UK= GBP £14,000 – GBP £25,000

UK universities also offer the option of paying tuition fees in installments. Typically, most UK universities require a deposit of £5000 for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the beginning before filing a visa application, with the remaining amount to be paid in installments.

Click here to learn about UK universities initial deposit and their installment plans.

Get Guaranteed Admissions in UK

Cost of living in the UK

Living costs in the UK varies across England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. On average, international students in the UK spend somewhere between £10,500 to £12,500 per year. However, actual living expenses may vary depending on student’s personal spending habits.

Living costs in London are significantly higher than in other cities that also provide exciting opportunities to students, such as Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Leeds. However, it is worth noting that there are affordable areas in London as well where student can live within budget.

Click here to learn about an average expense of student in the UK, including food costs, housing, and other goods and services.

Working in the UK

Working part-time can help manage your living expenses and part of your tuition fee

Bringing family to UK

Make sure you have enough funds to support your family.

Study in the UK without IELTS

It is possible to study in the UK without IELTS by applying to few universities that have alternative English requirements. These may include having English subject as the first language in IGCSE/O-Level, achieving a score of over 65% in English in Class 12th, an undergraduate degree taught in English, or enrolling in a pre-sessional course designed for international students.

Check out university requirements for admission in the UK without IELTS

UK University Entry Requirement

All international students must meet both the Academic and English language entry requirements to study in the UK.

Following are the documents needed as part of your application for university admission:

Valid Passport Copy
Two references or recommendation letters
Bank Statement or scholarship letter
CV (if applying for Master’s degree)
ATAS certificate (if apply for certain Master’s degrees)
Portfolio (if applying for art and design degree)
BRP card, previous CAS letter and visa copy (if studied or visited UK before)

Documents may vary depending on the country you are applying from.

Best Study Abroad services for students in Pakistan

Top Ranked Universities in the UK

There are over 150 public and private universities in the UK. However, Russell group universities are considered to be the top ranked UK universities. The Russell Group is a group of 24 leading universities in the UK committed to offering a world-class research in different fields.

Click here to view the full list of 24 Russell group universities and their Year of joining

Click here to view the full list of all UK universities and their Year of joining

How to Apply for a Study Visa in the UK?

The application for a Tier 4 UK student visa can be made online. There are a handful of student visa requirements, including financial statements, English language requirements, and university offer letters, among other requirements listed below for carrying out studies in the UK:

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Dream, Explore, Study Abroad

Studying abroad gives you the chance to explore different cultures as well as gain qualifications that can help you get into your dream career.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a UK Work visa from Pakistan?

Yes, getting a UK work visa while living in Pakistan is possible. However, the chances are very limited because there are too many legal restrictions from the UK government. First of all, you have to get a job in the UK, and then your UK employer will send an offer letter to you, provided that he will satisfy the UK government that you are the right person for this job. You will apply for a work visa to the UK embassy in Pakistan on behalf of that offer letter.

What career opportunities are available after graduation in the UK?

After graduating from the UK, you will get 2 to 3 years of poststudy work visa and be eligible to work anywhere in the UK. After successfully securing a job in your desired field, you can extend your work visa and excel in your career.

Can I study and earn in UK?

Students enrolled in full-time degree programs can work up to 20 hours in their university term time per week and full-time during their vacation period. After degree completion, international students may be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa, such as the Graduate Route. Whereas students enrolled in part-time courses are not eligible to do any paid or unpaid work in the UK.

If you want to know more about the international student requirements for UK study programs, please check out the university admission guidance and get a free consultation with expert counselors of JnS Education

Can I study in United Kingdom for free?

There are different scholarships available for international students which can cover their tuition fees. However, getting free education at the beginning of your education journey in the UK can be challenging.

How to Study in the UK after 12th with the Pathway program?

Studying in the UK after completing your 12th grade through a pathway program is a great option for Pakistani students. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to pursue higher education in the UK after completing your secondary education:

Research and Choose a Pathway Program
Select Your Course and University
Check Eligibility Criteria/Entry Requirements
Apply for the Pathway Program
Get a Conditional Offer and Visa Application
Apply for Your University Degree

By following these steps, you can transition from completing your 12th grade to studying your preferred course at a UK university through a pathway program.