🇮🇳 India → UK
India is the UK's largest international student community — and for good reason. One-year master's degrees, three intakes a year and a post-study Graduate Route make the UK a natural next step after CBSE, ICSE or an Indian bachelor's degree. We guide you from shortlist to campus, free of charge.
Overview
Indian students are currently the largest international group at UK universities, and admissions teams know the Indian education system well. CBSE, ICSE and state board Class XII results are accepted for direct undergraduate entry, and a three-year bachelor's degree such as a BA, BCom or BSc from a recognised Indian university is accepted for most UK master's courses — no bridging year needed. Global Pathways is a UK-based consultancy: we shortlist universities around your percentage, budget and target intake, handle the applications and CAS, and prepare your Student visa file so the financial evidence is right first time.
For undergraduate entry, most universities typically ask for around 60–75% in CBSE, ICSE or state board Class XII, depending on the course. For master's study, a three-year Indian bachelor's degree is accepted by most universities, usually with around 55–60% or a CGPA of roughly 6.0 — competitive courses and higher-ranked universities ask for more.
Most universities currently ask for IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall for postgraduate courses and around 6.0 for undergraduate, with no band typically below 5.5. Many modern universities also accept strong English marks in CBSE or ICSE Class XII — often around 65–75% — instead of IELTS, and alternatives such as PTE Academic or the Oxford ELLT. Policies differ by university, so we confirm the current requirement before you apply.
For the Student visa you must currently show £1,171 per month for courses outside London (£10,539 for 9 months) or £1,529 per month in London (£13,761), plus your first-year tuition minus any deposit already paid. The money must be held for 28 consecutive days, and the end of that 28-day period must fall within 31 days of your visa application. Education loans from approved lenders are accepted.
What it costs
| Tuition fees | £12,000 – £20,000 per year |
| Living costs | £1,171/month outside London; £1,529/month in London (UKVI rates) |
| Student visa fee | £558 (approx ₹65,000) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £776 per year of your visa |
Figures last checked July 2026.
Student visa
Once you hold an unconditional offer and have paid your deposit, your university issues a CAS and you can apply for the Student visa up to six months before your course starts. The application currently costs £558 plus the £776-per-year Immigration Health Surcharge, and your funds must satisfy the 28-day rule. Applicants from India also need a TB test from an approved clinic, and some are invited to a credibility interview — we run a mock interview with every student before their application goes in. Our advisors prepare the full file with you, so refusals over formatting or funds simply don't happen on our watch.
Where Indian students go
Step by step
We assess your Class XII or degree results, budget and career plans, then shortlist universities and courses where you have a genuine chance of an offer — including scholarship options for the September, January or May intake.
We prepare and submit applications to three to five universities, polish your SOP and references, and chase admissions teams on your behalf. Offers from our partner universities typically arrive within two to four weeks.
Once you accept an offer and meet any conditions, you pay the tuition deposit and the university issues your CAS — the reference number you need before you can apply for the Student visa.
We build your visa file together: financial evidence meeting the 28-day rule, the £558 application fee, the £776-per-year Immigration Health Surcharge, your TB test certificate and a mock credibility interview so you walk in prepared.
Accommodation, flights, what to pack and what to expect in your first week — we brief you before you fly and stay in touch after you enrol, from opening a UK bank account to registering with a GP.
FAQ
Yes, within reason. For undergraduate courses a gap of up to around two years is usually fine, and for master's courses many universities accept gaps of five years or more — provided you can explain the time with work experience, further study or family reasons. We help you document the gap properly in your SOP so it strengthens rather than weakens your application.
Often, yes. Many UK universities accept strong English marks in CBSE or ICSE Class XII — typically around 65–75% — instead of IELTS, and most also accept alternatives such as PTE Academic or the Oxford ELLT. Medium of Instruction (MOI) letters are considered less consistently for Indian applicants, so we check each university's current policy and only apply where your profile genuinely qualifies.
Yes — most UK universities accept a three-year Indian bachelor's degree such as a BA, BCom or BSc from a recognised university for direct master's entry, typically with around 55–60% or a CGPA of roughly 6.0. You do not need a fourth year or a bridging qualification for the vast majority of taught master's courses.
You currently need to show £1,171 per month for courses outside London (£10,539 for 9 months) or £1,529 per month in London (£13,761), plus any first-year tuition still owed after your deposit. The funds must sit in the account for 28 consecutive days before you apply, and education loans from approved lenders are accepted. We check your statements before submission so the 28-day rule is met exactly.
For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, only two groups of students can bring dependants: those on a PhD, doctorate or research-based higher degree, and government-sponsored students on courses longer than six months. Students on taught master's and bachelor's courses currently cannot bring a partner or children, so plan around this rule from the start.
Yes — Student visa holders on degree-level courses can currently work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official vacations. Typical part-time roles pay around the National Minimum Wage, which helps with living costs, but you should never rely on part-time earnings to fund your tuition.
The Graduate Route currently lets you stay and work for 2 years after a bachelor's or master's degree if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, reducing to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027. PhD graduates get 3 years. Many Indian graduates then switch to the Skilled Worker visa once they find a sponsoring employer.
September is the main intake with the widest choice of courses and scholarships, and it suits students finishing Class XII or a degree in the Indian academic year. January is a strong alternative if you need more time for IELTS, funds or documents, and several of our partner universities also run a smaller May intake. We plan your timeline backwards from your target intake so nothing is rushed.
Fees, entry requirements, English-language policies and intake dates are correct to the best of our knowledge at the date shown, but universities review them every cycle and immigration rules change. Always treat figures as a guide — we confirm the exact, current requirements with the university before you apply.
Free consultation
Tell us your qualifications, budget and target intake. A Global Pathways advisor will shortlist universities, check scholarships and map your Student visa route — completely free.
Email us directly
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