Shahid Mustaq Murshed Study Abroad Content Specialist
Study Abroad Content Specialist
Studying abroad is one of the biggest investments in one’s life and choosing the right destination and the right course is the key to success. Many international students, including Indians, select UK, USA, Canada as their study abroad destination. However, UK has been always a top choice for Indian students for over a decade now. Though recent reports indicate that Indians are not prioritizing UK as their study destination anymore, still, there are several reasons why you want to study in UK.
As per the QS ranking 2025, 4 UK universities have secured their positions in the top 10. Additionally, with the introduction of the Graduate Route Visa, Indian students can now stay back for up to 2 years after graduation to work in the UK. It perfectly aligns with the employment opportunities, as UK’s average salary of 34,963 GBP/ year (as per Statista 2024) proposes a good return on investment. Last but not the least, scholarship schemes, such as the Chevening Scholarships and GREAT Scholarships, further ease the financial burden for Indian students. These are possibly the best reasons behind why study in the UK. More discussed below.
World Class Education by UK Universities
As you already know, 4 UK universities have successfully secured their position in the QS ranking 2025, but there are more. 15 UK universities are ranked under the top 100 in QS, and 12 universities are ranked in the top 100 in THE (Times Higher Education) ranking. Refer to the table below to know more.
| THE Ranking | QS World University Ranking, 2025 | Universities | Average Fees/ Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| #9 | #2 | Imperial College London | 4,712-67,500 GBP |
| #1 | #3 | University of Oxford | 23,580-83,770 GBP |
| #5 | #5 | University of Cambridge | 14,875-80,000 GBP |
| #22 | #9 | UCL (University College London) | 8,630-61,800 GBP |
| #29 | #27 | The University of Edinburgh | 25,800-51,400 GBP |
| #53 | #34 | The University of Manchester | 7,000-57,000 GBP |
| #36 | #40 | King’s College London | 22,410-58,740 GBP |
| #50 | #50 | The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | 27,480-44,928 GBP |
| #78 | #54 | University of Bristol | 20,700-48,300 GBP |
| #106 | #69 | University of Warwick | 18,744-53,750 GBP |
Flexible and Affordable Courses to Study in UK
Apart from having world-class universities, UK also offers flexible courses that teach skills which are the most sought after by the employers. More than 395 individual universities and colleges – offering over 50,000 under-graduate level courses in the fields of your choice. Moreover, the shorter duration of courses also attracts many international students. For example
- Bachelor degrees are generally 3 years long in UK, as compared to 4 year long courses in US or Canada
- Majority of the masters programs including MBA in UK are of 1 year, creating an opportunity for the students to enter the professional world sooner. It also makes the education affordable, as compared to US, Canada and other countries.
Also Check: Cost of Living in UK
Additionally, 7 out of 10 international students accept that they are progressing further, being promoted quicker and earning more because of their UK education. Some of the top courses in UK are
- Engineering
- Technology
- Mathematics
- Business
- Humanities
- Natural Science
- Social Science
Explore: Best Courses to Study in UK
Work Opportunities After Studying in UK
A UK student visa allows you to pursue part time jobs in UK for 20 hours per week during your study period. You can also choose to work full-time during semester/ study breaks in jobs in UK. This helps to manage your everyday living expenses along with your studies.
Additionally, with a Graduate route visa, international students who have successfully completed an undergraduate or master’s degree have the option to apply to stay in the UK for up to 2 years. It also enables Ph.D students to stay for 3 years.
Student Friendly Destination
The capital city of UK, London, has consistently been ranked #1 in the QS Best Student Cities list for 3 consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025). Many of the top universities in UK are located in London, enhancing its reputation.
Also Check: Top Universities in London
Diversity and Learnability in UK
About 9.5 million people of UK are born outside of UK. This means international students who move to UK could have the opportunity to learn about numerous cultures and make friends with people from around the world. They also get to learn new languages, apart from the widely spoken English language.
Explore: Student Guide to Study in UK
Scholarships and Funding Opportunities in UK
Majority of the UK universities offer multiple scholarship opportunities for international students. Be it academic excellence, financial need, or sports, UK universities offer scholarships to fund your studies. Government scholarships like Chevening Scholarships, GREAT scholarships also strengthen your financial needs.
Employment Opportunities After Studying in UK
As per the reports of Office for National Statistics published in February 2024, UK has an employment rate of around 75%. In the UK, there is a shortage of nurses, pharmacists, teachers, engineers – and more – and the government actively recruits professionals for these positions from abroad. So, if you are going to UK to study any of these, the chances of getting jobs in UK is increased further. Here, we have added some popular job roles in London and their average annual salaries for your reference.
Explore: UK Work Visa
Living Costs in UK
Living costs are the 2nd biggest expense in your study abroad journey. As we all have different lifestyles and spending habits, the living cost varies from one to another. Housing, meals, commuting, household bills, shopping, and other leisure activities are all included in the cost of living. The average living cost in the UK is around 1,100 to 1,300 GBP per month.
Similar to tuition costs at UK universities, living costs might change based on your lifestyle, housing preferences, etc. For instance, rent is more expensive in cities like Brighton or London than it is in Manchester or Aberdeen.
To conclude, it can be said that, UK is a promising country with a lot of opportunities for international students. If you are planning to get your higher education from UK, the article can help you in various ways. The country is aiming to create 500,000 jobs by 2025, which will certainly help to your answer for: ‘Why study in the UK?’
FAQs
Ques: Why study in the UK? How to answer in an interview?
Ans: Studying in the UK offers a world-class education, exposure to diverse cultures, and a chance to build a global network. Highlight the UK's strong academic reputation, innovation, and access to top universities and industry connections that align with your career goals.
Ques: How to answer: "Why do you want to join this university?"
Ans: Research the university’s programs, campus culture, faculty, and alumni success stories. Link these aspects to your academic and career aspirations. For example, you could say, “I’m drawn to your university for its strong focus on [subject], research opportunities, and the vibrant international student community.”
Ques: What are the benefits of studying in the UK?
Ans: The UK provides high-quality education, diverse learning environments, and globally recognized qualifications. You can also benefit from work opportunities, cultural immersion, and the chance to network with professionals across various industries. Plus, it’s home to some of the world’s best universities.
Ques: Does studying in the UK make sense for Indian students?
Ans: Absolutely, yes! The UK offers a chance to experience a global education system, improve English language skills, and gain valuable international work experience. Many Indian students find that studying in the UK enhances their career prospects, with its strong job market and international reputation.
Comments