Top Universities, Courses, Cost and Scholarships in the UK

Check the best universities in the UK for Indian students

The United Kingdom is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities. The reason why most Indian students prefer studying at a top university in the UK is that a degree from a well-regarded UK institution can greatly enhance their future career prospects. With access to world-class faculty and resources, opportunities for research and professional development, and a prestigious degree that's recognized internationally, universities in the UK offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in popular domains, like science, technology, medicine, law, engineering and more, making it easier for students to find a course that matches their interests and career goals.

Table of Contents

• Why study at top universities in the UK?

• Types of universities in the UK

• List of top 10 universities in the UK

• Courses in UK Universities

• Cost of studying in top UK universities

• UK scholarship for Indian students

• Admission intake in top UK universities

Why study at top universities in the UK?

UK universities are widely popular for their unmatched academic opportunities that are competitive and rewarding. Known for their strong academic reputation, high-quality research, and employability rate, studying at the top universities in the UK will give you access to higher-quality education and post-study work opportunities. It's not surprising to learn that two of the three best universities in the world are in the UK - the University of Oxford (ranked 2) and the University of Cambridge (ranked 3) as per QS Rankings 2023. . The UK is also known for its diverse and multicultural society, providing students with a unique cultural experience.

Types of universities in the UK

The UK has one of the reputed and oldest education systems recognized across the world. Due to their cultural significance, several terms are used to distinguish the universities in the UK. Here is a quick overview of the five types of universities in the UK:

Ancient Universities:

Universities established during the 19th century are called ancient universities in the UK. Ancient universities introduced liberal education in the United Kingdom, giving way to academic research and development. These top universities in UK are some of the first standard higher education institutions established in the English speaking world.

Red Brick Universities:

Customarily known as civic universities, the term “red brick” is used because of how these universities look. Red brick universities were established during World War I due to the growing demand for subjects such as science, engineering, design and technology.

Plate glass universities:

Based on the Robins Report, these universities were established between 1963 and 1992 to increase the number of universities in the UK. These are popularly known as plate glass universities due to their modern architecture and glass structure.

New universities or polytechnic and metropolitan universities:

Established in the 1980s and 1990s, these universities were established to help improve skilled labour in engineering, science, and technology. These universities are constantly growing and competing with other universities and are highly skilled in tutoring students with top skills for career development.

Russel Group universities:

The Russel Group is the 24 British universities compared to the US Ivy League universities. This group maintains high-quality education and new teaching methods that ensure students receive the best education and experience.

Learn more about the different types of UK universities.

List of top 10 universities in the UK

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the QS World University Rankings by Top Universities are the two most renowned and distinguished university rating systems worldwide. The QS World University Ranks draw its rankings from a survey of numerous academic experts regarding the reputations of universities and an impartial evaluation of the quality of university instruction. The World University Rankings consider the research conducted at the universities and assess the extent to which that study has been cited and quoted internationally.

Courses in UK Universities

The UK boasts a high standard of higher education across various disciplines, establishing it as a premier destination for top-notch courses. With a reputation for excellence in business, engineering, humanities, and STEM fields, the UK is a sought-after choice for Indian students seeking the best courses.

Here’re the most popular courses Indians study at top UK universities:

• Business Analytics

• Data Science

• Computer Science

• MBA and MIM (Masters in Management)

• MBBS

• Finance, International Business and Accounting

• Law

• Architecture and Construction Management

• Engineering

• Fashion and Interior designing

Finding a course, let us help you. Connect with our UK education experts or start with our course search to discover the options available to you.

Cost of studying in top UK universities

The cost of studying at the top ranking universities in UK depends on the course you choose and where you wish to study in UK. For example, students who opt for humanities and social science courses would have to pay less than laboratory and clinic degree courses. Undergraduate international students' tuition fees vary from 11,400 GBP to 38,000 GBP (approx.), with an average cost of 22,200 GBP. Whereas international graduate programs can cost from 9000 GBP to 30,000 GBP with an average cost of 17,109 GBP.

UK scholarship for Indian students

If the cost of studying at top-ranking universities in UK is outside your budget, then you can apply to popular UK scholarships for Indian students. Scholarships are offered to students on merit-basis, need-basis, student-specific or course-specific grants. Merit-based scholarships are highly competitive and require a focused application and a remarkable statement of purpose. The eligibility criteria for UK scholarships for Indian students require students with Indian citizenship, completed education in English medium, and good academic background.

Some top Scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK are-

Disclaimer- Please check the official websites for the latest application timeline for each grant/scholarship that you are applying for.

Other popular UK scholarships that you can apply to -

• Felix scholarship

• Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships

• The Gates Cambridge Scholarships

• The Rhodes Scholarships India

• Erasmus Mundus - Scholarships and Academic Cooperation

• Chevening UK Government Scholarships

• Royal Society grants

Admission intake in top UK universities

Universities in UK offer students two intakes; these intakes can also be referred to terms in certain universities. The three intakes in the UK are as follows:

• Term 1: September to December

• Term 2: January to April

• Term 3: April to June

Choosing the best intake can be a bit confusing. You can take certain factors into consideration, such as the availability of your course, your academic records, entrance test scores, acceptance rate, etc. If you do not have your scorecards ready, it would be better to apply for the next intake instead of rushing through the current one. The deadline for the intakes ends a few months before the start of the course. It is our advice to apply for the intake early to increase your chances of admission.

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