Study in the United Kingdom | IDP Vietnam

Studying in the UK in 2025 is the perfect choice to open the door to the future for you. In recent years, the number of Vietnamese students choosing to study abroad in the UK has been increasing. So how to study in the UK, how much does it cost to study in the UK? Let's find out why many young people choose to study in the UK with IDP!

1. Reasons to study in the UK

1.1. Short, cost-effective curriculum

The strength of the UK study abroad program compared to other countries lies in the short training program. Courses in the UK are usually shorter than in other countries. The bachelor's program in the UK will last 3 years and the master's program will last about 1 year.

When the study time is shortened, you will save some tuition fees and living expenses. The choice of flexible study programs also allows you to graduate early and search for work immediately after graduation. However, the rush during the learning process also requires you to absorb a large amount of knowledge on a daily basis and really concentrate intensely throughout the learning process.

1.2. Many scholarships to study in the UK and job opportunities

The UK is one of the top education countries, always creating the best learning conditions for international students by awarding scholarships to students with good academic achievements. You can hunt for full scholarships to study in the UK from the government, such as Chevening scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships, Great scholarships, etc.

In addition to scholarships from the government, universities in the UK also have many scholarships ranging from up to 100% for international students. International students studying for undergraduate and master's degrees in the UK can stay and work for 2 years after graduation, with no limit on the number and field of study. Doctoral students can stay for up to 3 years and and bring their spouses and children. This is great information for those who want to develop their careers and look for opportunities to settle in the UK.

See also: Chevening Scholarship

1.3. Where top universities gather

The UK has been a leader in academics for centuries. The country is home to two of the world's top three schools. Moreover, the UK also has more than 25 universities ranked in the list of the top 200 universities in the world, especially with the Russell Group - a group of top universities in the UK.

Despite accounting for only 0.9% of the global population, the UK produces 14% of the world's most cited scientific research. Since 2007, the impact of that study has been at the top of the G7 countries.

1.4. Easy procedure for applying for a UK student visa

To be accepted to study at a British university, you need to meet the GPA requirements as well as a foreign language certificate - IELTS. For specific majors at schools with high rankings, you must meet the conditions set by the school.

However, the procedure for applying for a UK student visa is relatively simple and fast with a process lasting only 1-3 weeks. If you are accepted into a highly ranked university in the UK, your visa acceptance rate will be relatively high.

1.5 British culture

If you intend to study in the UK, you will have plenty of activities to entertain you to help you forget about homesickness. Because England is a multicultural country with many families originating from all over the world, England is a mixture of many different cultures and cuisines. Therefore, it will be easy for you to quickly integrate with the culture and people when studying in the UK.

The UK has a lot of activities such as afternoon tea, concerts, flea markets, or the vibrant nightlife, sports activities so you can find entertainment to relax after stressful school hours.

2. British education system

The education system in the UK is organized into five levels, from Kindergarten to Postgraduate, providing diverse learning opportunities for students. Here's an overview of each level:

2.1 Preschool, primary, and secondary schools

These levels of education in the UK include two types of schools: public schools and private schools. Both types of schools allow students to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Kindergarten is for children ages 3 to 4 and enjoys 15 hours of free preschool per week for 38 weeks each year. Primary school is for students from 5 to 11 years old and secondary school is for students from 11 to 16 years old.

2.2. Universities

To enter the university, students need to complete GCSE, with a certificate A-Level or equivalent certificates. Undergraduate programs in the UK last 3 years and students will be awarded a bachelor's degree. Particularly in Scotland, the university program lasts 4 years to achieve an honours degree.

2.3. Postgraduate

After completing the University, students can continue to study a master's (1–2 years) or doctoral (3–4 years) program. The master's program includes both classroom learning and research, helping students develop in-depth knowledge in their chosen field.

3. Conditions for studying in the UK

To make your dream of studying in the UK come true, you need to meet some important conditions:

3.1. Educational conditions

The educational requirements to study in the UK will vary depending on the school and level of study you are applying for. You can refer to the general conditions below:

• Secondary level: students aged 13 years and above

• High school: Students from 16 years old, who have completed grade 10 or grade 11 with a GPA of 7.0 or higher.

• Foundation Program: Complete the high school program

• College: Graduated from high school or have completed the 1st year of University or College.

• Undergraduate: completion of the 1st year of University or College.

• Pre-Master's Program: University Graduation

• Master's Level: University Graduation

• Doctoral Level: Master's Degree

3.2. English language ability

English language requirements to study in the UK also vary depending on the school and level of study you are applying to. You will pass the SELT Test from an approved institution. Or you need to achieve a minimum level corresponding to level B1 or B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), depending on the level of course you are taking.

Below are the general English language requirements of all levels in the UK that you can refer to:

• Secondary level: IELTS minimum 4.5 or equivalent.

• High school level: IELTS minimum 5.0 or equivalent.

• Foundation Programme: Minimum IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.

• College: Minimum IELTS 5.5 or equivalent

• Undergraduate: Minimum IELTS 6.0 or equivalent

• Pre-Master's Program: Minimum IELTS 6.0 or equivalent

• Master's Level: Minimum IELTS 6.0 - 6.5 or equivalent.

• Doctoral Level: Minimum IELTS 7.0 or equivalent

3.3. Proof of finance

You must prove that you can afford to pay for your studies and living expenses in the UK. The amount of money you need to prepare will depend on where you study:

• GBP 1,334/month (up to 9 months) for courses in London.

• GBP 1,023/month (up to 9 months) for courses outside London.

In particular, from January 2, 2025, the cost to be proven will increase:

• 1,483 GBP/month in London.

• GBP 1,136/month outside London.

Free Study Abroad Consultation

4. Academic Programs for International Students

The education system in the UK offers a wide range of flexible options for international students, helping you to have a study path that suits your level and personal orientation. Here are the UK study programs for international students:

4.1 A-Level, Foundation and International Baccalaureate

Most universities in the UK do not directly recruit high school graduates from other countries. Instead, you will need to complete an A-Level, Foundation, or International Baccalaureate (IB) to meet the entry requirements.

Some prominent schools offer these programs:

• York College

• Nottingham College

• Exeter College

• Loughborough College

• Bellerbys College.

4.2 Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate studies in the UK last an average of 3 years, with common qualifications such as:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA): suitable for social sciences, humanities, and communication.

• Bachelor of Science (BSc): for the fields of natural sciences and technology.

• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng): for those pursuing engineering.

In addition, some programs may last 4 years if they combine 1 year of study abroad, an internship year, or advanced research. In particular, Medicine alone often requires a study period of up to 6 years to ensure sufficient in-depth knowledge.

4.3 Master's Programs

After completing the bachelor's degree, students can continue to study a master's program in the UK for 1 year. This is an intensive period that helps you expand your knowledge, advanced research, or develop professional skills in your chosen field.

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 when How much IELTS score will I need to study 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

6. 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 as below.

** 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!

7. 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 19006955 for advice on all important information about studying in the UK.

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

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!

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

9. 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 UK 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!

See also: Universities in the UK

10. Can I study in the UK part-time?

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, in order 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, 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

11. Post-graduation job opportunities in the UK

The UK is the headquarters of many leading European corporations, bringing countless attractive job opportunities for graduate students. In order to maintain strong development, the UK often organizes many large-scale recruitment rounds every year, especially in October and June, which is also the time when students have just graduated. However, the competition in the international environment in the UK is extremely fierce, requiring you to put in a lot of effort, to outperform applicants from all over the world. Therefore, you need to balance your study time and actively build an outstanding personal profile while still studying at the University.

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).

Apply for a UK study abroad consultancy with IDP.

FREE CONSULTATION - IDP Hotline 19006955