London is the top choice for Indian students studying in UK, with over 40 universities and colleges offering world-class programs across STEM, business, law, humanities, and emerging fields like AI and data science. The Top 5 Universities in London, as per QS World Rankings 2026 & THE 2025 Rankings, include:
- Imperial College London (#2 QS, #9 THE) – Elite for engineering, medicine, and tech.
- University College London (UCL) (#9 QS, #22 THE) – Renowned for research in sciences, arts, and social sciences.
- King’s College London (#31 QS, #36 THE) – Strong in law, health, and business.
- London School of Economics (LSE) (#45 QS, #24 THE) – Best for economics, finance, and politics.
- Queen Mary University of London (#145 QS, #135 THE) – Affordable with excellent programs in medicine and law.
The average fee at Universities in London for a Master's program is 25–50 lakhs/year. Living costs are INR 1.5–2 lakhs/month (shared accommodation). The Graduate Route visa lets you stay and work full-time for 2 years post-graduation. During studies, you can work part-time up to 20 hours/week. London offers vibrant Indian communities in areas like Southall and Wembley, affordable eats from £5 curries, and easy Tube access. Explore the full list of universities in London with fees, deadlines, and Indian student reviews below.
Check Out: UK Universities List
- Top 10 Universities in London
- Why Study in London?
- Popular Courses for Indian Students at Universities in London
3.1 Top MBA Universities in London
3.2 Top MS in Computer Science Universities in London
3.3 Top Engineering Universities in London for Indian Students
3.4 Top LLM Universities in London
- Admission and Application Requirements for Universities in London
- Visa Requirements to Study in UK
- Cost of Living in London
- Scholarship Opportunities in Universities in London
- Universities in London: Important Considerations for Indian Students
- FAQs
Top 10 Universities in London
Check out the top universities in London for Indian students.
| University Name | QS 2026 Global Rank | The Guardian 2026 UK Rank | Average Fee (GBP/year) | Average Fee (INR/year) | Popular Course Among Indian Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | 2 | 3 | £38,000 | 41,04,000 | MSc Computer Science |
| University College London (UCL) | 9 | 8 | £35,000 | 37,80,000 | MSc Management |
| London School of Economics | 50 | 4 | £32,000 | 34,56,000 | MSc Finance |
| King’s College London | 40 | 21 | £30,000 | 32,40,000 | MSc Data Science & Analytics |
| Queen Mary University of London | 145 | 45 | £28,000 | 30,24,000 | MSc Engineering |
| University of the Arts London | 251-300 | 7 | £25,000 | 27,00,000 | MA Fashion Design |
| City, University of London | 328 | 55 | £22,000 | 23,76,000 | MSc Business Analytics |
| Birkbeck, University of London | 351-400 | 70 | £20,000 | 21,60,000 | MSc Economics |
| SOAS University of London | 511-520 | 85 | £24,000 | 25,92,000 | MA International Studies |
| London Metropolitan University | 801-850 | 100 | £16,500 | 17,82,000 | MSc Public Health |
Popular Courses for Indian Students at Universities in London
Check out the popular fields that Indian students choose to study at universities in London.
- STEM Fields: London universities, such as Imperial and UCL, are renowned for STEM programs.
- Business and Finance: Institutions like LSE and City, University of London, offer globally recognised business programs.
- Law and Humanities: King's College London and Queen Mary University offer strong programs in law, attracting aspiring lawyers from India.
Check Out: Popular Courses in UK for Indian Students
Top MBA Universities in London
The popular universities offering an MBA in London for Indian students are as follows:
| University Name | Average Fee (GBP/year) | Average Fee (INR/year) | Application Deadline 2026 | Notes for Indian Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Business School (LBS) MBA | £123,950 | 1.48 Cr | Round 1: 13 Sep 2025 Round 2: 15 Jan 2026 Round 3: 26 Mar 2026 Final: 21 May 2026 (decisions by Jul 2026) |
Full program cost; 95% placement at McKinsey/Google; Chevening full funding available; GMAT 700+ preferred. |
| Imperial College Business School MBA | £78,000 | 93.6 Lakhs | 13 January 2026 | Tech/innovation focus; GREAT Scholarships (£10,000); 98% employability; IELTS 7.0. |
| Brunel MBA | £29,500 | 35.4 Lakhs | Rolling; priority: 31 Mar 2026; final: 31 Aug 2026 | Affordable with placements; Brunel International Scholarships (£6,000 for Indians); no GMAT required. |
| Birkbeck, University of London MBA | TBA | TBA | Rolling; opens Oct 2025; final: 31 Aug 2026 | Evening classes for working pros; Birkbeck Scholarships (£2,000–£5,000); flexible for Indian professionals. |
| City, University of London MBA (Bayes Business School) | £49,500 | 59.4 Lakhs | 11 Jan 2026 | Fintech emphasis; Bayes Scholarships (£5,000+ for Indians); 92% in consulting/finance; GMAT optional. |
Check Out: List of MBA Universities in London
Top MS in Computer Science Universities in London
| University Name with Program | Average Fee (GBP/year) | Average Fee (INR/year) | Why Popular Among Indian Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London MSc Computing | £46,000 | 49.68 Lakh | Elite AI/ML focus; 98% employability (£60k+ starting salaries); GREAT Scholarships (£10,000) for Indians; strong for tech giants like Google/Amazon. |
| UCL MS Computer Science | £42,700 | 51.2 Lakh | Research-driven with Python/R emphasis; UCL Global Masters Scholarship (£15,000 for Indians); 95% placement in London fintech |
| King's College London – MSc Advanced Computing | £40,450 | 48.55 Lakh | Ethics & cybersecurity specializations; King's India Scholarship (£10,000); 92% grads in roles at Meta/Deloitte; vibrant Indian community in central London. |
| Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) – MSc Computer Science | £35,250 | 42.3 Lakh | Affordable with industry projects (e.g., IBM); QMUL India Scholarships (£5,000); high ROI for data roles (£50k+ salaries); flexible for working Indians. |
Check Out: Complete List of Computer Science Universities in London
Top Engineering Universities in London for Indian Students
| University Name | Average Fee (GBP/year) | Average Fee (INR/year) |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London MEng | £45,500 | 54.5 Lakhs |
| University College London (UCL) MSc Engineering | £42,700 | 51.2 Lakhs |
| King's College London MSc Engineering | £40,450 | 48.5 Lakhs |
| Queen Mary MS Engineering | £31,450 | 37.7 Lakhs |
Check: Engineering Universities in London
Top LLM Universities in London
| University Name | Average Fee (GBP/year) | Average Fee (INR/year) |
|---|---|---|
| Birbeck University of London LLM | £22,980 | 27.5 Lakhs |
| London School of Economics (LSE) LLM | £39,900 | 47.8 Lakhs |
| King's College London LLM | £38,300 | 45.9 Lakhs |
| Queen Mary University of London LLM | £33,000 | 39.5 Lakhs |
| SOAS LLM | £27,840 | 33.2 Lakhs |
Also read: Top Courses in UK
Why Study in London?
London remains the number-one choice for Indian students heading to the UK as:
- It is home to 4 universities ranked in the global top 40 (Imperial #2, UCL #9, King’s #40, LSE #50 in QS 2026), giving you access to world-class education.
- More than 25,000–30,000 Indian students already live here, so you’ll find familiar food, temples, Diwali celebrations, cricket screenings, and active Indian societies on almost every campus.
- Fresh Master’s graduates easily start at £38,000–£55,000 (INR 46–66 lakh).
- The city hosts the European headquarters of Google, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Deloitte, DeepMind, & HSBC, meaning internships and full-time offers are right on your doorstep.
- The 2-year Graduate Route visa lets you work anywhere in the UK without sponsorship, while part-time jobs (20 hours/week) at £12–18/hour help cover living costs.
With an English-speaking environment, excellent public transport with student discounts, and a safety ranking higher than New York, Sydney or Toronto, it’s easy to see why one in every four Indian students who choose the UK picks London.
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Home to 40+ universities | Largest concentration of top-ranked universities in the UK |
| World’s #1 student city (QS 2025) | High-quality education + multicultural environment |
| 2-Year Graduate Route Visa | Stay back and work after your degree |
| Global career hub | HQs of Google, Amazon, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Deloitte, Meta |
| Large Indian community | Over 100,000 Indian students + strong support ecosystem |
| Top scholarships | Chevening, GREAT, Commonwealth, university merit awards |
Check: Why Study in UK?
Admission and Application Requirements for Universities in London
You can apply to London universities mainly in two intakes in UK: January and September. Undergraduate applicants must apply via UCAS, while postgraduate applicants can choose to apply directly to the university or via UCAS (depending on the chosen university). Check out the common application and admission requirements for admission to London universities.
- Academic Criteria: A minimum of 65%-70% in your previous studies is required for admission to universities in London. However, top-tier London universities have much higher requirements. For example, UCL and LSE often require a "First Class" or "Upper Second Class" degree, which equates to 75%-80%+ for many international systems.
- English Proficiency: A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (with no band below 6.0) is standard, although some programs may require a higher score. You can also opt to take alternative exams to study in UK, such as TOEFL, PTE, and CAEL.
- Additional Tests: For specific programs (like MBA or specialized master's programs), students may need GRE/ GMAT scores.
- Documents: Academic transcripts, ELP scorecards, LORs, SOP for UK, Financial proofs, work experience are among the common documents you need to submit.
Visa Requirements to Study in UK
Indian students must apply for a Student Visa. To be eligible, you must have a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK university. This is a digital record generated once you accept an unconditional offer and pay any required deposit.
You must prove you have enough money to cover your tuition fees for one academic year plus living expenses for each month of your course (up to 9 months).
- Funds for London: You must show £1,483 per month (Total of £13,347 for 9 months).
- Processing Time: The standard processing time is 3 weeks (15 working days) once you attend your biometric appointment.
- When to Apply: You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts. It is highly recommended to apply at least 2–3 months in advance to account for seasonal delays.
- The UK has fully transitioned to digital eVisas. You will no longer receive a physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP); instead, you will use a digital account to prove your immigration status.
Also Read
Cost of Living in London
| Category | Average Cost (GBP) | Details & Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (Shared/Halls) | £750 – £1,200 | University halls average £848. Private house shares in Zones 2-3 are roughly £800+. |
| Groceries | £160 – £250 | Shop at Aldi, Lidl, or ASDA to stay closer to £160. Buying in bulk helps. |
| Utilities | £60 – £100 | Includes electricity, gas, water, and heating. Often included in student halls. |
| Transport | £103 – £150 | Monthly Student Oyster Card (Zones 1-2) is £103. Cycle to reduce this to near zero. |
| Mobile & Internet | £30 – £50 | SIM-only deals (Voxi/Smarty) start at £10. Home fiber is ~£25-£35. |
| Leisure/Social | £100 – £200 | A pint in a pub is £6.50, and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant is £20. |
| Miscellaneous | £50 – £80 | Books, toiletries, and laundry. |
| Total Monthly | £1,253 – £1,830 | Equivalent to approx. 1.4 Lakh – 2.1 Lakh |
Check: Cost of Living in London
Ways to Reduce Costs
- Student Oyster Card: Provides a 30% discount on travelcards and bus/tram passes.
- 16-25 Railcard: Costs £30/year but saves 1/3 on rail fares across the UK—pays for itself in 2-3 long-distance trips.
Scholarship Opportunities in Universities in London
Studying in London can be expensive for many Indian students. Here comes the scholarships in UK for Indian students at your ease. Check out the popular scholarships you can get during your time in any of the universities in London.
| Scholarship Name | Funding Provider | Target Audience | Value & Coverage | Key Deadlines (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarship | UK Government | High-potential leaders (Masters) | Full Coverage: Tuition, monthly stipend, flights, and visa fees. | Aug – Nov (Pre-entry year) |
| Commonwealth Scholarship | Commonwealth Commission | Citizens of Commonwealth countries | Full Coverage: Tuition, living allowance, and airfare. | Oct – Dec (Pre-entry year) |
| GREAT Scholarships | British Council & UK Unis | Postgraduates from specific countries (e.g., India, China) | Minimum £10,000 towards tuition for a one-year Master’s. | Jan – June (Varies by uni) |
| UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship | University College London | International students from low-income backgrounds | Full tuition fees + maintenance allowance (limited awards). | April 2026 |
| Global Talent Scholarship | Queen Mary University | High-achieving international UG & PG applicants | UG: Up to £12,000 / PG: £5,000 tuition discount. | Automatic or May 2026 |
| President’s Scholarships | Imperial / City / QMUL | Outstanding academic achievers (UG & PG) | Varies; typically £5,000 to full tuition awards. | Jan – May 2026 |
| Felix Scholarships | Private Trust | Underprivileged students from India/Developing nations | Full Coverage: Tuition and living costs (SOAS, Reading, Oxford). | Jan – Feb 2026 |
Universities in London: Important Considerations for Indian Students
Studying in London offers Indian students a world-class education but comes with unique academic, financial, and lifestyle adjustments.
- The Graduate Route visa remains the most significant advantage, allowing Indian graduates to stay and work for 2 years (3 years for PhDs) without needing a job sponsor.
- Many students use the 2 years to find an employer who can eventually sponsor them for a Skilled Worker Visa, which leads to Permanent Residency (ILR) after 5 years of working.
- While UKVI requires £1,483/month for visa purposes, real-world costs are often closer to £1,600–£1,800/month due to high transport and utility costs.
- Always use a Student Oyster Card (30% discount) or a 16-25 Railcard. Walking or cycling can save you up to £100 monthly.
- Accommodation in areas like Bloomsbury or South Bank fills up 6 months in advance.
- Most private landlords require a UK-based guarantor. If you don't have one, services like Housing Hand can act as one for a fee, or you may be asked to pay 6 months' rent upfront.
- As a full-time student, you are exempt from Council Tax, but you must apply for an exemption certificate through your university.
The IHS (£776/year) gives you access to the NHS. Register with a local GP (doctor) immediately upon arrival; do not wait until you are sick. UK universities focus heavily on independent research and critical thinking. Unlike the structured Indian system, you may only have 12-15 hours of lectures a week, with the expectation that you spend 20+ hours on self-study.
FAQs
Ques: What is the most centrally located university in London?
Ans: The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of the most centrally located universities in London. It’s right in the heart of the city, near Covent Garden, the Royal Courts of Justice, and the British Museum. Other centrally located options include King's College London (Strand Campus) and University College London (UCL) in Bloomsbury.
Ques: Which is the best university in London?
Ans: It depends on your field of interest! Imperial College London is top-notch for STEM subjects, while UCL excels in a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, law, and arts. LSE is unmatched in economics, politics, and social sciences. All three are consistently ranked among the best in London and globally.
Ques: Apart from Oxbridge, is the University of London the best university in the UK?
Ans: The University of London is not a single university but a federation of 17 institutions, including UCL, LSE, and King’s College London, some of the best universities in the UK. Oxbridge refers to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the two oldest, wealthiest, and most famous universities in the United Kingdom.
Found 40 universities
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER
