Student guide to United Kingdom

Student route visa replaced Tier 4 in 2020. Apply via UKVI online once you receive your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from the institution. Maintenance funds requirement: £1,334/month London / £1,023/month outside, for 9 months upfront in your bank for 28 consecutive days. After graduation, the Graduate Route visa allows 2-year stay (3 for PhDs) without sponsor — most attractive PSW in Europe.

Students earning under personal allowance (£12,570/year as of 2026) pay no income tax. Working hours capped at 20/week during term, full-time during vacation. National Insurance number required for any work — apply once you arrive. India-UK DTAA prevents double-taxation on Indian-origin income (e.g. interest from Indian bank deposits).

Chevening (FCDO-funded, ~1,500 scholars/year, master's only, India is largest recipient country). Commonwealth Scholarships (FCDO + DfID joint funding for developing-Commonwealth students). Rhodes (Oxford, ~95 scholars/year globally, undergrad to early PhD). Gates Cambridge (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funding, ~80 PhD scholars/year). Per-university awards: LSE Master's Awards, Oxford Reach, Edinburgh Global, KCL International, UCL Global.

Major options: HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, Santander, Monzo, Starling. Monzo and Starling are app-only and approve fastest (no branch visit). HSBC International Student account opens before arrival via international transfer. Barclays Account opens with passport + university acceptance + UK address. Build UK credit history slowly — student loans, mobile contract, energy bill all help.

University halls of residence (catered or self-catered) for first-year undergrads typically. Postgraduate housing varies — Oxbridge college accommodation, LSE/UCL/Imperial limited supply. Private student accommodation: iQ Student, Unite Students, Student Roost, Vita Student — book by April for September intake. Private flat-shares via SpareRoom, Zoopla, Rightmove. UK tenancy deposits limited to 5 weeks' rent by Tenant Fees Act 2019; must be in DPS-registered scheme.

NHS access via Immigration Health Surcharge (£776/year for students as of 2026, paid upfront with visa). Register with a GP near accommodation in first month. Emergency: 999 (life-threatening) or 111 (urgent but non-life-threatening). Dental and eye care not fully covered — student-discounted private cover via Bupa or Vitality is common.

IELTS UKVI (Academic) 6.5+ overall with 6.0 minimum each band typical for postgrad; 7.0+ for English-rich subjects (English Lit, Law). Some universities accept TOEFL iBT 100+ or PTE Academic 65+. Pre-sessional English programmes (4-12 weeks before main term) common for borderline applicants.

Indian groceries widely available in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester, Glasgow. Halal certification standard at most universities; kosher in London + Manchester. Average grocery: £200-£350/month self-cooked. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Lidl, Aldi for staples; Indian shops for specialty items.

UK student towns are generally very safe. Universities provide free SafeZone apps; campus security 24/7 at most institutions. Avoid late-night unaccompanied travel in central London weekend areas. Bicycle theft is common — register at bikeregister.com.

Indian Students Association at every major UK university. Cricket and chai-and-chess societies common. Diwali on campus standard. Indian High Commission in London + Consulates in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Belfast. Alumni: IIT Alumni UK, IIM Alumni UK, ISB Alumni Europe — dense in London finance and consulting.