Study in United Kingdom from India — process, costs, visa, work rights

Graduate Route (post-study work visa) duration for bachelor's/master's graduates will drop from 2 years to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027 (PhD graduates keep 3 years). Source: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa
Since courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, only postgraduate research students (PhD/doctorate or other research-based higher degree) or government-sponsored students can bring dependants (partner/children) on a Student visa; other postgraduate and all undergraduate students cannot. Source: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/family-members
Immigration Health Surcharge for students is currently GBP 776 per year of visa length, paid upfront for the full course; verify the current rate before paying as this has been increased in past years. Source: https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay

The Graduate Route length depends on the date you APPLY for it (after finishing your course), not when you start your degree - check the current rule shortly before graduation.
Budget the Immigration Health Surcharge (GBP 776/year of visa) as a separate upfront lump sum on top of the GBP 558 application fee - it is not optional and is paid for the whole visa length at once.

The basics

Bachelor's: 3 years (bachelor's, England/Wales/NI); 4 years in Scotland
Master's / PhD: 1 year (master's, typical); PhD typically 3-4 years
Intakes: Autumn (September/October) — main · January (January)
Exams — bachelor's: No standardised admission test; A-levels/IB/board results and a personal statement
Exams — master's: Varies by programme; GMAT/GRE only for some business/technical courses
Work after graduating: Graduate Route: 2 years of post-study work permission for bachelor's/master's graduates who apply on or before 31 December 2026, dropping to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027; PhD/doctoral graduates get 3 years (gov.uk).

for the main intake

By 15 Oct 2026, 18:00 UK timeUCAS equal-consideration deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine/dentistry/veterinary medicine courses (2027 entry)
By 13 Jan 2027, 18:00 UK timeUCAS equal-consideration deadline for most other undergraduate courses (2027 entry)
After a confirmed, unconditional offerUniversity issues a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number needed for the Student visa
Up to 6 months before the course startApply for the Student visa from outside the UK; pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
Final UCAS deadline: 23 Sep 2027, 18:00Last date UCAS accepts applications for the 2027 cycle

rupees at ECB rates of 2026-09-25

Living costs: GBP 1,171–1,529 / month (gov.uk Student visa maintenance/proof-of-funds rates: GBP 1,171/month outside London, GBP 1,529/month in London, required for up to 9 months of the course.)

Visa: Student visa (Student Route, formerly Tier 4) ↗
Fee: GBP 558 · about ₹70,812
Application fee to apply from outside the UK or to extend/switch inside the UK, GBP 558; plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of GBP 776 per year of the visa, paid upfront for the whole course length.
Money to show: Must show maintenance funds of GBP 1,171/month (outside London) or GBP 1,529/month (London) for up to 9 months, held for a continuous 28-day period ending within 31 days of the application date (some exemptions for those on 12+ months prior UK immigration status or from listed 'differential evidence requirement' countries).
Processing: Usually within 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK; usually within 8 weeks when applying/extending from inside the UK (gov.uk).

Get an unconditional offer and receive a CAS number from the university
Apply online for the Student visa (up to 6 months before course start)
Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge
Provide biometrics and supporting documents (CAS, funds evidence, TB test result if required)
Receive eVisa decision

by ARWU 2025 world rank

This guide was built from: gov.uk/student-visa · gov.uk/graduate-visa · gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay · gov.uk/student-visa/money · gov.uk/student-visa/family-members · gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-student · ucas.com/applying/applying-to-university/dates-and-deadlines-for-uni-applications · ucas.com/ — checked 2026-09-28.