Pursuing Bachelor Degree in UK in 2024
A bachelor’s degree is the starting point for gaining significant academic and professional opportunities outside the comfort zone. It does not only grant foundational knowledge of the pursued subjects but also prepare for taking up future challenges. UK is one of the leading European countries that offers diverse academic programs at the undergraduate level to all Indian students.
In this blog, we have discussed the advantages of pursuing a bachelor’s in the UK, including top universities, popular courses, application process, and more.
- Studying Bachelor’s in the UK
- Degree in the UK
- Study Intakes in the UK
- Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor’s Courses in the UK
- Application Process in the UK
- Top 10 Universities in the UK: Rankings, Courses & Fee
- Popular Bachelor’s Degree Courses in the UK
- Living Expenses in the UK
- Student Visa of UK for Indian Students
- Eligibility & Pre-application
Studying Bachelor’s in the UK
Here are the top reasons why one should go to seek a bachelor’s in the UK.
Diverse undergraduate courses: There are about 60,000 undergraduate courses available at various UK universities in various courses.
Closer Proximity to Other European Countries: UK is much closer to other EU countries like France, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain, which can provide immense career opportunities to an international student when they have completed their bachelor’s degree in the UK.
Familiarity with Opportunities: Indian students desiring to pursue a Bachelor’s in the UK get familiar with the academic and research opportunities that the UK offers after completing postgraduate studies, which can help them in the long run if they want to get settled in the UK or its neighboring countries.
Worldwide Recognition: UK universities have an excellent reputation globally in various aspects. They make students prepare for the future.
Early Awareness: Indian students pursuing a bachelor’s in the UK get an excellent chance to explore themselves at a very early age, which helps them determine their long-term career path.
Degree in the UK
There are various types of bachelor’s degrees in the UK, such as:
- Bachelor’s of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor’s of Education (B.Ed)
- Bachelor’s of Science (B.Sc)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
If an international student has completed their bachelor’s in the UK with a grade of at least 50% (referred to as ‘third’ in the UK), they are awarded with ‘honors’ degree.
Study Intakes in the UK
Indian students can apply for the bachelor’s courses in the UK in one of the following intakes. In the UK, fall intake is the primary intake in which most major courses are available. Other two intakes are spring and summer intakes which are less popular than fall intake and also known as secondary and tertiary intakes respectively.
| Study Intakes | Application Cycle | Commencement of Study Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | September-December 2024/January 2025 | August-September 2025 |
| Spring | January/February-May 2025 | January 2025 |
| Summer | October-December 2024 | May-June 2025 |
Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor’s Courses in the UK
The general eligibility criteria for getting admission into undergraduate courses in the UK are:
Academic Requirements: Students must pass the Class XII/Higher secondary board/Senior secondary board examination with a minimum grade of at least 65%-80% in the relevant subjects or majors.
Documents Required: Following types of documents are required along with academic qualifications, such as:
- Academic Transcripts of Secondary and Senior Secondary Level (marksheets, passing certificate, school leaving certificate, etc.)
- Standardised English language test scores, such as
- TOEFL iBT: 100-110
- IELTS: 6.5-7.0
- Duolingo: 70-80
- PTE: 130-140
- Medium of Instruction Certificate (This certificate is accepted in rare cases when English language proficiency certificates are not available)
- Passport
- Other Entrance exam scores like:
- LNAT Exam (for UG Law course)
- Mathematics Admissions Test or MAT (for Mathematics courses)
- Biomedical Admissions Test or BMAT (for Medical, Biomedical, and Dentistry Programs)/UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test)
- SAT Score (if required)
- 1 Letter of Recommendation
- 1-2 Statement of Purpose
Application Process in the UK
Indian students can start applying for the desired bachelor’s degree course by following these steps:
- Decide the intake for which you are aspiring to apply to study in the UK
- Start preparing for admission at least 1 year before the beginning of the undergraduate course.
- Make a list of at least 7-8 universities.
- Visit university websites and check out the availability of the desired program.
- Based on this, check fee structure, career opportunities, location, quality of education, ranking, etc.
- You can apply for the program at UCAS portal.
Top 10 Universities in the UK: Rankings, Courses & Fee
Various UK universities, such as Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Manchester, etc., are included in the QS World University Rankings 2025, which offer diverse undergraduate courses to international students.
| University | QS World Ranking 2025 | Top Streams | Annual Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | 2 | Business Management Sciences Engineering Social sciences | £34,350-45,700 |
| University of Oxford | 2 | Sciences Engineering Humanities Management | £33,050-£48,620 |
| Cambridge University | 5 | Business Management Medicine Engineering | £25,734-£67,194 |
| University College London | 9 | Science, Engineering Arts | £31,000-£37,000 |
| University of Edinburgh | 27 | Computer Science Economics Business | £25,000-34,000 |
| University of Manchester | 34 | Law Social Science Science | £25,500-32,000 |
| King's College London | 40 | Life Sciences Law Humanities Healthcare | £24,700-33,500 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | 50 | Economics Political Science Law Management | £28,100 |
| University of Bristol | 54 | Science Engineering Business Management | £23,900-31,000 |
| University of Warwick | 69 | Business Management Engineering Social sciences | £26,290-53,500 |
Popular Bachelor’s Degree Courses in the UK
In the UK, science, engineering, business management, computer science, etc., are popular bachelor’s courses for Indian students. The average fee of these courses ranges from £12,000-38,000 or INR 12 Lakh-40,000 per year.
| Streams | Duration | Average Fee Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Science | 3-4 Years | £15,000-£35,000 |
| Engineering | 3-4 Years | £12,050-£37,000 |
| Business Management | 3 Years | £12,000-£34,000 |
| Law | 3 Years | £13,950-£39,000 |
| Medicine | 5 Years | £26,000-£55,000 |
| Computer Science | 4 Years | £13,050-£38,000 |
| Creative Arts and Designing | 3-4 Years | £13,000-£28,000 |
| Education | 3 Years | £14,000-£29,000 |
Living Expenses in the UK
Depending upon the city in which you are living and the course you will pursue, an Indian student should make a budget between £1,200-2,200 or INR 1.28 Lakh-2.35 Lakhs per month to cover accommodation, food, transport, amusement, utility services expenses, etc. Apart from these costs, tuition fees for pursuing courses are also considered which are subject to university revision every year.
| Expenditure (per month) | London | Birmingham | Glasgow | Belfast | Edinburg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £900-1,500 (INR 96,000-1 Lakh) | £532-748 (INR 56,000-79,000) | £600-800 (INR 64,000-85,000) | £600-750 (INR 64,000-80,000) | £370-650 (INR 39,000-1.49 Lakh) |
| Meals | £250-400 (INR 26,000-42,000) | £320-450 (INR 34,000-70,000) | £150-320 INR (15,900-34,000) | £90-180 (INR 9,500-19,000) | £250-450 (INR 26,600-47,900) |
| Transportation | £70-150 (INR 7,000-15,000) | £70-90 (INR 10,600-19,100) | £50-120 (INR 5,000-12,000) | £30-70 (INR 3,100-7,400) | £50-90 (INR 5,300-9,500) |
| Utilities | £110-200 (INR 11,000-21,000) | £20-80 (INR 21,100-8,500) | £90-140 (INR 9,000-14,000) | £40-70 (INR 4,200-7,400) | £40-90 (INR 4,200-9,500) |
| Total | £1,330-2,250 (INR 1.42 Lakh-2.40 Lakh) | £972-1,668 (INR 1.03 Lakh1.78 Lakh) | £890-1.380 (INR 95,000-1.47 Lakh) | £760-1,070 (INR 81,000-1.14 Lakh) | £710-2,032 (INR 75,800-2.16 Lakh) |
Student Visa of UK for Indian Students
For international students, the UK visa is essential because it provides access to one of the most sought-after academic locations in the world. This visa guarantees a safe and approved stay during the study duration by granting legal admission into the United Kingdom and indicating conformity with immigration requirements.
Eligibility & Pre-application
Course Offer and CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies):
- Receive an unconditional offer from a recognized UK institution.
- The institution will issue a CAS, a key document needed for the visa application.
Financial Requirements:
- You need to demonstrate that you have enough money to cover your tuition fees and living expenses. Depending on the length and location of your course, the financial requirements can vary.
- £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London.
- £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London.
English Language Proficiency:
- You must prove your English proficiency by meeting the required scores on a recognized English language test.
- Commonly accepted tests include IELTS, TOEFL, and Pearson Test of English (PTE).
Visa Application for UK Student Visa
- Create an Account: Create an account on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online application system.
- Complete the form: Complete the online visa application form on the official UK government website.
- Payment of Visa Fee: Pay the visa application fee £490 or INR 52,000 online. This fee is subject to change and may vary based on the type of course and the duration of stay.
- Healthcare Surcharge: Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of the application process. This provides access to the National Health Service (NHS) during your stay. The fee is £776 or INR 82,800 for every stay that lasts 6–12 months and £388 or INR 41,000 for any additional period that is less than 6 months.
- Biometric Appointment: Schedule and attend a biometric appointment at the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
- Submission of Documents: Submit the required documents to the Visa Application Centre.
- Interview (if required): Attend an interview if deemed necessary. Not all applicants are required to attend an interview.
- Visa Decision: Wait for a decision on your visa application. The processing time can vary.
Documentations required
- CAS letter
- Passport
- Passport-size photographs
- Proof of funds
- Academic qualification
- English language proficiency evidence (e.g., IELTS results)
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results
Career Opportunities after Bachelor’s in the UK
After completing undergraduate degree programs in the UK, Indian students can find various employment opportunities in multiple sectors such as business management, law, medicine, computer science, etc., which allow them to sustain themselves in the country and prepare them for future roles. Their average salary depends on several factors such as employer, field, job post, experience, location, etc.
| Streams | Job Titles | Average Salary Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Science | Lab Technician Research Assistant Research Specialist | £25,000-34,000 (INR 26 Lakh-36 Lakh) |
| Engineering | Project Manager Mining Engineer Civil Consultant | £32,000-51,000 (INR 34 Lakh-54 Lakh) |
| Business Management | Accountant Financial Manager Sales Representative | £21,000-44,000 (22 Lakh-47 Lakh) |
| Law | Legal Secretary Legal Cashier Judicial Assistant | £27,000-45,000 (28 Lakh-48 Lakh) |
| Medicine | Doctor Dentist Healthcare Administrator | £34,000-59,000 (36 Lakh-63 Lakh) |
| Computer Science | Data Analyst Software Developer Cyber Assistant | £29,000-31,200 (INR 29 Lakh-33 Lakh) |
Part-Time Jobs in the UK
Indian students in the UK can also work part-time during their undergraduate studies to cover their monthly expenses. They can work up to 20 hours per week. Indian students can work as clerks, library assistants, warehouse supervisors, babysitters, dog walkers, tutors, etc., and earn up to £25 per hour.
Conclusion
UK is a top choice for individuals looking for a top-notch education and a global perspective because of its rich historical and cultural background, excellent living standards, and opportunities for real-world work experience. A wide range of job prospects are made possible by the international acceptance of UK degrees, and students gain essential skills from the emphasis on innovation and critical thinking.
FAQs
Are UK Qualifications recognised across the globe?
Yes, the credentials of the universities based in the UK are recognised world wide due to high quality education system and modern teaching methodology.
Can an Indian get UK permanent citizenship?
UK citizenship is not easy, especially if you are a Tier-2 visa holder. You need to be a UK permanent resident or a Tier-1 visa holder (e.g., as a student or skilled professional) to apply for an ILR, and if you have been working in the UK for many years, then it is easier for you to get an ILR.
What is the minimum IELTS score is required for UK?
You need an IELTS score of 6.0 for undergraduate courses and a 6.5+ for postgraduate courses to study in the UK.
What is a bachelor's degree called in the UK?
In the UK, bachelor’s degrees are also called ‘first degree,’ awarded when students complete their undergraduate program in due time.
How long can you stay in the UK after your bachelor's?
An international student can stay for 2 years in the UK after completing their bachelor’s degree program there. In that time, they can pursue employment by obtaining a work visa, which will further extend the validity of the stay.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
