Important: UK Student-visa eligibility and entry-clearance rules can vary by nationality and have changed in 2026. Confirm your specific eligibility on GOV.UK before you invest time or money in an application. Study UK Now checks your individual case.
- Application routes
- UCAS (undergraduate) or direct (postgraduate)
- Visa
- UK Student visa (Student Route)
- Typical total cost
- ≈ £30,000+ / year (tuition + living)
- Post-study
- Graduate Route (subject to eligibility)
Key takeaways
- India is one of the UK's largest international student markets, with strong demand for STEM and business.
- The Student visa needs a CAS from your university, financial evidence and an approved English test.
- Budget realistically — tuition plus living costs typically start around £30,000 a year.
- The Graduate Route allows eligible graduates to stay and work after studying.
The route from India, step by step
From India you secure a university offer (through UCAS for undergraduate courses or directly for many postgraduate courses), meet any conditions, receive your CAS, and then apply for the UK Student visa. English-language ability is usually shown with an approved test such as IELTS, and you must show you can cover tuition and living costs.
Costs, scholarships and timeline
Plan for tuition plus living costs from roughly £30,000 a year, higher in London. A range of university and external scholarships exist for Indian students and are worth applying for early. Study UK Now builds your timeline backwards from your intake so documents, finances and the visa are all ready in good time.
How Study UK Now helps with this
Get expert, end-to-end help — from university matching to your visa.
Frequently asked questions
How much bank balance is needed for a UK student visa from India?
You must show enough to cover your unpaid tuition for the first year plus living costs (a set monthly amount for a set number of months, higher in London), held for a continuous period before you apply. The exact figures are set by UKVI and change — always confirm the current amounts on GOV.UK before relying on them.
Can students from India work while studying in the UK?
Most full-time degree students on a Student visa can work a limited number of hours during term time and full time in holidays, subject to the conditions on their visa. Always check the work conditions printed on your own visa and the current rules on GOV.UK.
Sources — verified May 2026
Visa, fee and policy details change. Always confirm the latest on the official source before you rely on it.