Study in UK for Indian Students After 12th – Courses & Fees

There are abundant options to study in the UK for Indian students after 12th. Studying in the United Kingdom has always been a popular choice for Indian students over the years. Geographically speaking, Great Britain or the UK lies within Europe while comprising of four nations with different cultures of their own – Wales, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland. They are politically known as a single entity, the United Kingdom, with the capital being in London. Indian students prefer the UK for the variety of course options along with several reputed universities. The UK government has recently unveiled a new 2-year post-study work visa that has further enhanced the country’s appeal as a global study destination. 

Close to 458,520 international students were enrolled for studying in the UK in 2019. As many as, 56% of these pursue undergraduate programs. As per reports from the UK Office for National Statistics, 21,165 Indians received Tier 4 (student) visas in the year ending in March 2019, growing by 40% overall. 

Here are some useful things to know if you are planning to study in the UK:

Read More: Major Requirements for studying in UK

Top Universities in UK

QS Global Ranking 2023	University
2	University of Cambridge
4	University of Oxford
6	Imperial College London
8	UCL
15	The University of Edinburgh
28	The University of Manchester
37	King’s College London
56	The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
61	University of Bristol
64	The University of Warwick

Subject-Wise Ranking of UK Universities 

Arts and Humanities

QS Subject Ranking	University	Popular Programs
1	University of Oxford	BA English Language and Literature
2	University of Cambridge	BA Hons English
9	The University of Edinburgh	BA Painting, BA Photography, BSc Sociology
11	UCL	BA Education Studies, BA in Archaeology
18	London School of Economics and Political Science	BA Philoshopy, BA History, BA Anthropology

Engineering & Technology

QS Subject Ranking	University	Popular Programs
2	University of Oxford	BA in Computer Science
3	University of Cambridge	BA Hons in Computer Science
8	Imperial College London	BEng
21	The University of Manchester	BEng
37	UCL	BEng

Life Sciences and Medicine

QS Subject Ranking	University	Popular Programs
2	University of Oxford	BSc Medicine/MBBS
4	University of Cambridge	BA in Veterinary Medicine
8	UCL	BSc Medicine/MBBS
10	Imperial College London	BSc Medicine/MBBS
14	King’s College London	BSc Physiotherapy, MBBS

Natural Sciences

QS Subject Ranking	University	Popular Programs
3	University of Cambridge	BA (Hons) Natural Sciences
4	University of Oxford	BA Biology, BA Physics
9	Imperial College London	BSc Microbiology, BSc Biochemistry
37	UCL	BSc Biological Sciences
40	The University of Edinburgh	BSc Anatomy and Development, MBBS

Social Sciences and Management

QS Subject Ranking	University	Popular Programs
2	University of Oxford	BA Economics and Management
3	The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	BA (Hons) Economics
4	University of Cambridge	BA (Hons) Economics
18	UCL	BSc Economics
25	London Business School	BSc Business Management, BSc Economics

Study in the UK for Indian Students after 12th– Vital Aspects 

Aspirants look for suitable colleges and universities in both private and public funded categories when it comes to studying in the UK. The capital city of London houses most of the country’s well-established educational institutions. The other leading destinations include Cambridge, Oxford, and Manchester.

Courses in the UK after 12th 

The UK is already known for its iconic lineup of universities, including the likes of Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics, Imperial College of London, and the University of Durham to name a few. These, along with a host of other institutions, offer a variety of courses to study in the UK for Indian students after the 12th. Popular areas include law, business management, social studies, media & communications, and computer science. Other choices include accounting & finance, politics, biological sciences, engineering, arts & design, and economics.

BSc Banking and Finance, BSc Business Management, BSc International Business and Finance, BSc Economics, BA Philosophy and Politics, BA in International Relations, BA Marketing and Media, BA in Criminology, BA Social Work (Hons), Bachelor of Law (LLB), BSc Biotechnology, BSc in Chemistry, BBA, BSc Psychology, BSc Mathematics and Computer Science, Bachelor of Engineering (BEng.) are some of the courses at top UK universities which one can opt after 12th.

Here’s a closer look at some available course options:

Deciding on a university course might be challenging for prospective candidates. The top course to study in the UK are:

Computer Science

The systematic study of theory, experimentation, and engineering that serve as the foundation for the creation and use of computers is known as computer science. It also refers to the scientific and practical approach to computation and its applications. You can have an excellent job with a degree in the area. Computer programmers, software developers, software engineers, security analysts, network system administrators, database administrators, and administrators are among the top occupations for computer science graduates.

Engineering (Civil)

The purview of the civil engineering discipline emcompasses designing, constructing, and maintaining the physical and naturally built environment, including projects like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings. Roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, water supply, and sewage treatment systems are just a few of the public and private construction projects and designs that civil engineers plan, develop, manage, operate, and maintain. 

Education

Facilitates learning, or the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, beliefs, and habits. Alumni also embarked on various positions, including early childhood educator, education administrator, secondary school teacher, special student educator, teaching assistant, learning mentor, and primary school teacher.

Psychology

With this degree, you can become one of the highest-paid professionals and improve your capacity for decision-making and problem-solving. Psychology is a social science that studies how people behave and think and their conscious and unconscious behavior. It does this by establishing broad principles and investigating particular situations. Clinical psychology, counseling psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, further education teaching, Health psychology, high-intensity therapy, and occupational psychology are the most sought-after career paths.

Medicine

The study and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease, are known as medicine. A wide range of medical procedures has developed to preserve and restore health by identifying and treating illnesses. A medical degree opens up many career opportunities after graduation. Cardiologist, Clinical radiologist, General practitioner, Hospital doctor, Physician associate, Psychiatrist, Healthcare scientist, Genetics, Higher education lecturer, and Paramedic are just a few of the careers closely associated with a medical degree.

Physiotherapy

 One of the highly paid professions in the UK is of a physiotherapist. A physical approach is used in this dynamic healthcare field to treat illnesses and injuries. In most cases, physiotherapists are employed by private businesses or the government’s national hospitals. Physiotherapy students have excellent graduate prospects all across the world.

Business and Management

The program is currently the most popular. A professional degree in business administration aims to train managers using a scientific method. It addresses many business domains that are essential to management analysis and strategy. Private equity, data analytics, banking & finance, entrepreneurship, and information system management are all related to investment banking.

Read More: How to settle in UK | Cost of studying in UK

Eligibility Criteria for Studying in the UK

There are specific eligibility criteria for undergraduate and diploma courses in the UK after the 12th. These include 

1. A student should be 18 years of age. 
2. The 12th-grade marks must be at least 65% for humanities aspirants. 
3. The 12th-grade effects should be at least 70-80% for science and commerce aspirants. 
4. Those students scoring less than 60% will be eligible for pursuing foundation and diploma courses. 
5. Proof of English language proficiency.

The admission criteria may vary from one university to another.

Read More: Best job opportunities after MS in UK

Necessary Documents for Studying in the UK 

There are several documents needed to study in the UK. These include 

1. Attested copies of 10 and 12th standard mark sheets
2. Proof of funds 
3. Two academic reference letters
4. Resume 
5. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
6. A portfolio for applicants in disciplines like design, art, and architecture. 

Academic Intakes

To have a fruitful studying experience in the UK, keep these factors in mind:

Deadlines at prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge are typically early. 

Although there are four official start dates for each academic year, each of which lasts 12 months, most students’ academic years will run from September 1 to August 31.

The specific deadline falls somewhere in June for overseas undergraduate students.

The UK undergraduate course structure, the entire application procedure, and the general timeframe should all be extensively studied by students.

The UK-based Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) manages all applications for undergraduate courses. It holds responsibility for collecting all applications and their requisite fees before forwarding the same to the respective universities and colleges for the September/October session.  Students can apply to 5 universities with one UCAS application.

However, these are the crucial times to make sure you need to get in touch with your desired universities. The UCAS deadlines for the UK intakes of  2022 are listed below-

• February and May- September Intake
• June and September- January/February Intake

This year’s deadline is 15 October 2022 for most of the programs at Cambridge and Oxford, as well as the majority of medical, dental, and veterinary courses at all other schools.

Cost of living for students in the UK

Accommodation, food, health insurance, study materials, transportation, and other expenses are divided into various categories.

Accommodations: The two main options are privately owned housing or housing managed by the institution. In the former, you can choose between catered and self-catered options; the costs will vary based on the type of lodging selected. Approximate accommodation costs for halls of residence may be around £400-£600 each month while ranging between £320-530 per month for private accommodation.

Prices vary according to the area and type of lodging chosen. Each month, utilities may cost £40–£50, and food and household expenses could be close to £160–£200. Health insurance is necessary for international students.

Regarding fees, it should be noted that overseas students who submit a formal application are eligible for merit-based tuition waivers. Students are also allowed to apply for loans to cover their educational expenses.

Read More: Job opportunities in India after MS from the UK

Scholarships

Many people have a longstanding dream of going for higher education in the UK, but due to 

financial constraints, not everyone can fulfill this dream. Brilliant young individuals who want to study in the UK may not find financial problems a barrier because of the number of scholarships available.

Some scholarships that can help students ease their financial burden are: 

• Axol Science Scholarship
• ASID Foundation Legacy Scholarships
• Cambridge Khattar Harrison Scholarship
• Cambridge Trust Scholarship- UG and PG
• Monica Cole Research Grant
• Oxford and Cambridge Society of India (OCSI) Scholarships
• (ISC)² Women’s Cybersecurity Scholarships

Benefits of studying in the UK

There are numerous advantages of learning in the UK after the 12th standard. These include:

1. Academics-

The highest academic standards are found in UK universities. According to the 2023 QS World Ranking, four of the top 10 institutions worldwide, including Oxford and Cambridge, are in the UK. You’ll discover that practical and valuable information is valued more highly in the UK than textbook learning. This will help you develop analytical and critical thinking abilities and creative capacity in your field of study.

2. High-Quality Programs-

The UK’s independent Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) routinely evaluates the educational standards of all of the country’s colleges and universities. In addition, assessing their work through audits and subject reviews also assists in locating the top teaching methods and provides comments for improvisation. The UK higher education funding authorities also review these research standards and regularly publish their findings. Regardless of their chosen course, this guarantees all students access the best learning, research, and teaching opportunities.

3. Degree Courses in a Short Span

Since UK courses are shorter and more intensive than those in many other nations, you’ll graduate more quickly without sacrificing degree quality. A graduate program will take just one year to complete, as opposed to the three years it takes to finish an undergraduate program. This saves you time and a significant sum that would have been spent on tuition and living expenses.

4. Working While Learning

During term time, you are permitted to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week to pay for your education and daily living needs. Even during your semester break, you can work full-time. By doing this, you’ll be able to pay your bills and earn expertise in your business.

5. Visit Europe When you’re studying-

Major European nations, including France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, are well connected to the UK, with Belgium being the closest at lengths between 300 and 1,000 miles. While studying in the country, you can visit many locations because the airport is open round-the-clock.

6. Post-study work permits

Global students can stay in the UK for up to two years to work or look for work after graduating, thanks to the UK after-study work visa. The objective here is to obtain a general work visa eventually. PSW (post-study work) visa holders are permitted to work at any job they find for the first two years following graduation. Once they locate a job that matches the skill-based standards, they can switch to skilled work visas after two years.

7. Advantages for students’ health-

The National Health Service (NHS) will provide free medical care while studying in the UK if you are an international student. You will have to pay a modest International Health Surcharge (IHS) to receive this benefit.

Read More: Packaging list for Indian students going abroad

Visa for students

The General Student Visa (Tier 4) is required for undergraduate courses while a Short-Term Study Visa is required for short-term courses. Application fees for the general student visa may be around £348.

UK Student Visa Requirements

1. Applicant should be 16 years or more. 
2. Should have been offered a place in course
3. Should have sufficient funds to support tuition fees, living costs, and other expenditures 
4. Should adhere to different government-established rules and regulations 
5. Healthcare surcharges will be payable as part of the application
6. The minimum IELTS band score for studying in the UK should be 5.5-6.5

Post Study Work Visa

Post-Study Work Visa for 2 Years, a permit under the new graduate route is a policy that enables Indian students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate level programs at UK universities to remain in the country and hunt for employment there for up to two years after graduating and finishing their studies. Students may work at any skill level during this time without being restricted by the minimum threshold salary or employer sponsorship requirements. International UG and PG students can access the UK labor market and search for job prospects through this path.

With the post-study work visa, qualified students can work or look for a job at any skill level and transition to the skilled worker employment route if they discover a position that fits its standards.

Skilled Worker Visa

You will be eligible to work in the UK with this permit for a maximum of five years (renewable).

You will have to wait a maximum of 56 days for a response after submitting your work visa application.

If you have the following documents, you can apply for a work permit:

1. An official job offer from a recognized UK firm
2. Proof of proficiency in the English language
3. A valid passport.
4. Health insurance payment of £624 per year:

Three months before your first day of employment, you can begin the work permit application process. Individuals and families can both submit applications online. Verify your eligibility and pay the visa fee and health surcharge. After that, you will need to provide your biometric data.

Your work visa will cost between €706 and €1,631. When you apply, you will know the exact sum you must pay

Conclusion

One of the most popular places for Indian students studying abroad after 12th grade is the UK. Its popularity is attributed mainly to the high standard of education, the availability of numerous programs, and experiential learning. So, if you’re considering moving to the UK for higher studies, do your research and pick the right program and college.