Study in the UK: Everything you need to know

The United Kingdom, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and world-renowned educational institutions, stands as a prime destination for international students seeking a world-class education and a truly unique experience. Every year, thousands of students from around the globe choose the UK as their study destination, and for good reason.

1. A hub of excellence

The UK is home to some of the world's greatest cities, each with its own distinctive charm and cultural offerings. From the historic streets of Oxford and Cambridge to the bustling multicultural vibe of London, the UK offers a diverse array of environments for students to explore. This cultural diversity is not just limited to cities but also permeates through its educational institutions, making it a truly global learning experience.

2. Educational opportunities

The UK boasts a reputation for academic excellence that extends far beyond its borders. Its universities consistently rank among the top in global university rankings, offering a wide range of programs and courses to suit every academic interest. The teaching methodology emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and independent learning, preparing students for success in their careers and personal lives.

3. How much IELTS do I need to study in the UK?

Basically, there is no one-size-fits-all rule for all students and universities regarding the minimum IELTS score to study in the UK. Each university and each discipline will have different rules for IELTS scores

If you want to know with your academic ability and field of study how much IELTS score you will need when studying in the UK, you can contact IDP for detailed advice or refer to the table below. You can study abroad in the UK if you achieve enough IELTS scores in each of the programs below

Qualifications in the UK	IELTS Score Requirements
Pre Sessional English	You are required to have IELTS UKVI Academic
High School (A-Level)	IELTS entry around 5.0 - 5.5
International Foundation Year	IELTS UKVI from 5.0 - 5.5
International Year One	IELTS UKVI from 5.5 - 6.0
Bachelor	IELTS 6.0
Pre-Master's Course	IELTS UKVI from 5.5- 6.0
Postgraduate (Master's, PhD)	IELTS 6.0 – 6.5
Top Up Programme	IELTS 6.0 – 6.5 (depending on school and discipline) No compulsory UKVI IELTS requirements

4. Cost of studying in the UK

A common question from those who are planning to study in the UK is usually "How much money does it cost to study in the UK?" The standards for the cost of studying in the UK will vary depending on which school you choose, what major you choose to study in, and in which country in the UK. You can refer to the estimated fees for each level of study below.

Level of study	Duration of study	Estimated cost per year
Highschool (A-Level)	1-2 years	30,000 GBP - 45,000 GBP
University Preparation	1 year	11,250 GBP - 30,000GBP
Bachelor	3-5 years	12,000 GBP - 45,000 GBP
Postgraduate	1 year	13,000 GBP - 36,000 GBP
Cost of living	1 year	10,224 - 13,347 GBP

** The above figures are for reference only. Depending on the spending ability of each person, the cost of living when studying in the UK will be higher or lower.

Use the cost of living calculator to estimate the cost of studying in the UK!

5. What major should I study in the UK?

What major to choose to study in the UK is the concern of international students. To know which industry you are suitable for, you can consider some of the following factors:

What is your favorite field of study?
Majors that are easy to find a job
Majors with the opportunity to settle down

In addition, you can rely on many rankings and evaluations from experts, the strong majors are often related to Finance - Accounting, Banking, Communication, Marketing, etc. You can choose from the top hot majors in the UK below:

Medicine - Pharmacy
Law
Information Technology - Computer Science
Business Administration
Design & Architecture
Communication Industry
Logistics - Transport Management
Education and Training
Department of Psychology
English Language Teaching (TESOL)

If you are still wondering what major to study in the UK, please contact IDP or call the IDP hotline at 19006955 for advice on all important information about studying in the UK.

See more: What major should you study in the UK?

6. Latest UK Study Abroad Scholarships in 2025

Below are the outstanding scholarships for postgraduate studies (Master's, PhD) at UK Universities. If you still don't know where to prepare your application for a scholarship to study in the UK, contact IDP for support today!

Field	Scholarships and Values	Form of review
Birmingham City University	Engineering School: 1,500 GBP per year (2023 TBC) Chemistry: 2,000 GBP per year Law: 3,000 GBP (maintained for 3 years) Business School: 10% - 40% MBA: up to 50% MSc Business Analytics, Supply chain and Logistics and MSc Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship : up to 40% PG Not Business: 2,000 GBP	Automatic Review Automatic Review Apply Study a 180-credit full-time or part-time graduate program: A Master's course lasts one year if taken on a full-time basis, or two years if studied part-time.
University of Southampton	Undergraduate Merit Scholarship: up to GBP 3,000 first year Merit scholarships for international postgraduates: 1,000 GBP - 9,000 GBP for: Business School: 3,000 GBP Business School Deans: 8,000 GBP Business School MBA Excellence International Scholarship: 11 scholarships for 9,000 GBP, 15 scholarships for 6,000 GBP and 11 scholarships for 3,000 GBP. Business School Emerging Market Future Leader MBA International Scholarship: 10,000 GBP Southampton Presidential International Scholarship: GBP 10,000 available - 100% scholarship	Automatic Review Automatic Review
University of Sheffield	UG International Merit: 50% per annum PG International Merit: 25%	Receive an offer to study a full-time course at the University of Sheffield.
University of Bristol	Think Big Scholarship GBP 6,500 and GBP 13,000 per year for Undergraduate (not applicable to Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary Sciences) GBP 6,500 - GBP 13,000 - GBP 26,000 for Postgraduate Living Expense Support: GBP 3,000 (applicable for Undergraduate and Postgraduate) Global Economics Scholarships: 13,000 GBP & 6,500 GBP	- Apply for a full-time program of study before applying for the scholarship. - Providing certificates and degrees on outstanding achievements, contributions to the community, and future plans.
University of Dundee	Vietnam Anniversary Scholarship worth up to GBP 10,000 (applicable for Undergraduate and Postgraduate)	- Have applied to study at the University of Dundee in January 2024 and received a Full-time Offer Letter.
University of Bath	The Chancellor's Scholarship: worth between GBP 1,000 and GBP 2,000 for the first year of study. The International Baccalaureate 50th Anniversary Scholarship: worth between 3,500 – 5,000, 8,000 GBP for the first year of study.	- Automatic review
University of Sunderland	International Scholarship 2024/25: worth from GBP 900 up to 50% for the first year of study, in addition to a 1-year dormitory scholarship for the Sunderland campus.	- Register for admission in January, February, April, June 2024.

APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP

To find out the detailed scholarships to study in the UK for each level of study, you can contact IDP for advice on studying in the UK or visit here: Latest Scholarships to Study in the UK 2025

7. Top Best Universities in the UK

When it comes to the UK, no one is unaware of names such as the Russell Group with 24 of the best research universities in the UK or names such as the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge always maintains a leading position on global rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World (THE) University Rankings.

Below is a list of famous universities with high rankings based on QS ranking 2025.

University of Cambridge
University of Oxford
Imperial College London
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Manchester
King's College London
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
University of Bristol
The University of Warwick

However, choosing a suitable school lies not only in reputation, but also in many other factors such as academic environment, student ability, and financial ability.

If you still haven't chosen the right school for your journey to study in the UK, contact IDP for free study abroad advice in the UK!

8. Can I work part-time to study in the UK?

Studying in the UK is a great opportunity for you to learn, hone your knowledge, and experience a diverse culture. In addition to studying, international students can also look for part-time jobs to cover living expenses and improve their soft skills. However, to legally work part-time in the UK, you need to note some of the following:

Part-time work conditions for international students:

Are studying a full-time Bachelor's or Postgraduate degree at a school accredited by the UK Government.
Only 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during the holidays are allowed.
It is necessary to comply with the UK minimum wage and working conditions regulations.

Popular jobs for UK students:

Work on campus: Most universities offer a variety of on-campus work opportunities for international students such as teaching assistants, library staff, café attendants, and research collaborators..
Off-campus work: You can look for part-time jobs in sectors such as retail, restaurants, hotels, and healthcare..
You can choose jobs related to your field of study. This not only helps you gain experience, and get familiar with the real working environment but also expands your relationships at work.

See more: Top popular part-time jobs in the UK for international students

Contact IDP for free advice on studying in the UK!

Studying in the UK is a challenging journey but also gives you valuable experiences and helps you discover your potential when pursuing an international learning environment. For those of you who are cherishing your dream of studying abroad in the UK, the experts at IDP are always ready to answer your questions about the process of preparing a study abroad application, advising all information about schools, majors that attract human resources and bring high demand for immigration as well as job opportunities after graduation.

In addition, you can participate in study abroad exhibitions organized by IDP for advice and receive a list of scholarships to study in the UK. IDP also provides essential support services for international students through finding accommodation, booking flight tickets at preferential rates, free phone sim (UK), and equipping skills before departure (Pre-departure session).

FREE CONSULTATION - IDP Hotline 19006955