Study in the UK - Top universities, Courses, Fees, Scholarships and many more

Why study in the UK?

Here’s why it’s the perfect choice for you:

Top-Ranked Universities: The UK is home to 4 of the world’s top 10 universities (QS World University Rankings 2025). Get ready to learn from the best!
Endless Course Options: Explore over 50,000 courses across 25+ subjects and specialise early. The UK offers something for everyone!
World-Class Education: The UK boasts the world’s 2nd-best education system, with 82% of research rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (REF).
Shorter, Efficient Degrees: Save time and money! UK undergraduate programs typically take 3 years, and most master’s degrees just 1 year.
Part-Time Work Flexibility: Gain valuable experience—work up to 20 hours per week during term time and
full-time during holidays.

Big News for International Students: The UK Is Ready to Welcome You!

Student visa requirements for the UK

Here’s an overview of the types of study visas and their application requirements:

Visa name	Who it’s for	When to apply	Arrival in the UK
Student Visa UK	Students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution	Three months before the start of your course	Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months

^{*For detailed information, please visit the Gov.UK website}

Cost of studying in the UK

Your expenditure on tuition fees depends on the type of qualification and university or school you opt for. There are many high-ranking universities and colleges in the UK with their own fee structures. Here’s the basic cost of studying.

S.no.	Study Program	*Average fee (in Euros)**
1	Undergraduate bachelor’s degree	GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year
2	Postgraduate master's degree	GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year
3	Doctoral degree	GBP 15,000 to GBP 24,000 per year

*Please note that: all figures are indicative and PhD costs might differ as fully funded options are also available in the UK

If you want to bring down your educational expenses, it is best to apply to various scholarships available for Srilankan students.

Scholarships to study in the UK

The amount of money available and the type of award varies between institutions. Certain research programs may provide up to 100% of the tuition fee besides covering a part of your living expenditures.

Here are some popular government scholarship programs you can apply to study in the UK as a Sri Lankan student:

S.no.	Name of the scholarship	Description
1	Chevening Scholarship	Supports talented professionals who have shown prior leadership skills and exceptional performance in their respective fields. With Chevening, you can apply for a scholarship or fellowship, the selection of which is done by the high commission and British embassies.
2	Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship	The commonwealth scholarship aims to give international students from commonwealth countries a chance to pursue postgraduate degrees in the UK. Basically, the scholarship scheme caters to students from commonwealth nations to study in the UK.
3	GREAT Scholarship	This scholarship is jointly funded by the UK Government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council under the Study UK campaign. This program includes 99 postgraduate scholarships from 36 UK universities in a variety of subjects. However, for Sri Lankan students, 12 of the UK higher education institutions are offering 13 postgraduate scholarships.
4	Scotland Saltire Scholarships	Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships is a scholarship program of the Scottish Government in collaboration with Scottish universities offered in the areas of creative industries, technology, science, medical sciences, healthcare, and renewable and clean energy.

*This is an indicative list, speak with your IDP counsellor for details and the best available options suited to your profile

Intakes in the UK

Colleges and universities in the UK offer two major intakes, but few of the universities also offer summer intakes.

Intakes	Duration
Autumn/Fall intake	September to December
Spring intake	January to April
Summer intake	April to June

Top courses to study in the UK

With world-class universities and experienced faculties, and multiple opportunities in different fields, the UK is a top choice among international students. Know all the popular courses of UK universities so you can make the best of your career choice

Business management
Engineering and technology
Medicine
Law
Social Sciences
Media and communication

Top universities to study in the UK

When deciding which university to study at, it is crucial that you also look at the world university rankings. This helps you compare and understand where a university ranks and how your desired institution fares on the global map. Here are the top UK universities according to QS World University Rankings 2025

S.No.	Institution	QS Ranking 2025 (Globally)
1	University of Oxford	3
2	University of Cambridge	5
3	Imperial College London	2
4	UCL (University College London)	9
5	The University of Edinburgh	27
6	The University of Manchester	34
7	King's College London	40
8	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	50
9	The University of Warwick	69
10	University of Bristol	54

Check where these UK universities rank on the Times Higher Education charts.

Job prospects in UK

The UK is a hub of opportunities for international students. According to the data from the World Bank, the UK is the 5th largest economy in the world, which makes it a perfect place for building a successful career.

Highest paying degrees in the UK

With a huge job market, UK universities offer some popular degree courses that are in demand in the job market, and professionals in the fields are paid well. Here are the highest-paying degrees in the UK.

1. MBA

2. Executive MBA

3. Masters in finance

4. LLM

5. Doctorate

Popular sectors with job opportunities in the UK

There are various career opportunities post-graduation for international students studying in the UK. Here are the popular fields you can opt for higher education:

Technology and telecom	Insurance	Financial services
Law	Apps, web, and e-commerce	Energy, Mining, Chemicals, Environmental
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	Consumer goods	Transportation and logistics
Consulting and professional services	Retail and trade	Media and communication
Public sector and education	Service, tourism, restaurants	Health care
Charity and not profit	Sports, culture, and recreation	Construction and real estate

Cost of living in the UK

Here’s a list of the minimum monthly amount you should expect for living expenses in the UK:

Expenses	Monthly cost
Bills (electric/ gas/ water)	£40 - £50
Food and housekeeping	£160 - £200
TV license (mandatory with TV or watching BBC online)	£12.56 (or £150.50 per year)
Mobile phone	£15 - £50
Clothes and shoes	£25
Leisure and sports (calculated on membership for the students’ sports centre)	£10 - £20
Books and stationery	£21
Socializing	£120
Travel and transport (based on the monthly cost of a student bus pass)	£32
Childcare (if needed)	£656

Please note that all figures are indicative

Cost of living calculator

FAQs related to UK Education

We know you have a lot of questions in your mind, so have answered common questions students as you raise about studying and living in the UK.

1. Is CAS letter needed for UK?

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a crucial document required to obtain a student visa for studying in the UK. It is an electronic document provided by your university to support your student visa application. As an international student, you must request a CAS letter before applying for the visa. Generally, the CAS is issued after accepting an offer and paying the specified deposit* to secure your place. The letter includes your personal information, details of the course you will be studying, the duration of the study, and a unique CAS number.

2. Why apply for a Pre-Masters program?

Every year, a significant number of international students apply to UK universities to enhance their academic abilities. However, entry requirements for courses can pose challenges to their study abroad plans. This is particularly true for students who:

Wish to switch fields after their undergraduate program, where the old and new fields may not align well. Struggle to meet the English proficiency test requirements. Lack a strong foundation in their chosen field.

If you fall into any of these categories, a pre-masters course is tailored for you. This course provides the necessary theoretical concepts and practical tools to prepare you for the master's program. It is advisable to refine your academic writing skills, enhance your language proficiency, and familiarise yourself with academic terminologies before embarking on your postgraduate journey.

3. What are the different law degrees in the UK?

Law is a highly sought-after course among UK universities, offering two distinct types of Law degrees for aspiring students. Let's delve into a brief description of each:

Type 1: Barrister Type 2: Solicitor

4. How to Study in the UK after 12th with the Pathway program?

Pathway or foundation courses are primarily designed for students who do not meet the academic entry requirements, have not attained the desired score in the English language proficiency test, or wish to switch their field of study. These courses aim to support international students in enhancing their language proficiency and acquiring the necessary skills to pursue higher education in UK universities. Typically lasting for a year, some pathway courses have a narrow focus, while others offer a more general curriculum.

^{* https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/features/uk-higher-education-data-international/international-student-data#:~:text=Key%20facts,and%20559%2C825%20were%20non%2DEU.
*}^{https://www.ref.ac.uk/}

^{Updated on November 18, 2024}