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Are you planning to study in one of the best countries in the world? If yes then stop wondering about the list of requirements to study in UK and keep reading because, in this blog, we will cover all the essential exams, documents and qualifications you need to fulfil your dream of studying abroad! In order to gain admission to a university in the UK, you need to fulfil several minimum academic requirements. Don’t fret if you are confused about how you should go about the pursuit of your education in the UK. In this blog, we will discuss in detail what criteria you should meet to study in the UK.
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Requirements to Study in UK
Before we get into the list of requirements to study in the UK, let’s explore why the UK remains the most popular destination for international students. The UK is easily the most coveted international destination for higher education across the globe. The country offers a wide range of specialisations at different entry levels along with vibrant campus life and a cosmopolitan experience for foreign students. The UK is also home to over 300 universities and most of the top ranking universities in the world with the lowest acceptance rate. It offers quality education, affordable accommodation, scholarships and above all, excellent post-study work opportunities.
Which English language tests are accepted?
English Proficiency Tests are the most important and common requirements for studying in UK. All universities and courses require international students to produce proof of English proficiency by submitting scores of exams like the International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). While these are some of the commonly accepted English tests for admissions, students can also submit Duolingo English Tests, Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) and Trinity Secure English Language Tests (SELTs).
Also Read – 5 Benefits of Studying in UK that You Should Know
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Students who want to pursue higher education in the UK right after finishing high school must complete their 10+2 education from a recognised Indian board and need to possess the minimum marks and eligibility requirements to study in their chosen programme and university. Here is a list of requirements to study in the UK at the undergraduate level-
- Certificate for completing 10+2 education from a recognised Indian board with minimum marks.
- Original academic transcripts from previous academic institutions.
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendations
- Scores of English Proficiency Tests
- Passport and other ID proof
- Bank statements to provide proof of Financial Funds
- Offer Letter
- Student visa
Do Check: Study in UK after 12th for Indian Students
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
International students from across the globe opt for Masters in the UK. UK universities offer some of the most popular as well as unique courses like MBA, Finance, Business Analytics, Data Science, Psychology, English, and Computer Science at the master’s entry level for students to increase their knowledge and calibre in their respective fields. In order to be admitted to some of the programmes, students might be asked to submit scores of standardised tests like GRE/GMAT or conduct their own university-specific entrance exams/interview rounds. Here is a list of requirements to study in the UK at the postgraduate level-
- An undergraduate degree from a recognised university in the same or related field with minimum acceptable marks.
- Official Academic transcripts
- Two letters of Recommendations
- Statement of Purpose
- English Proficiency Tests
- A detailed resume
- Financial Statements
- A valid passport
- Offer Letter
- Student Visa
Also Read: All you need to know about Masters in the UK
PhD Entry Requirements
PhD students who wish to pursue their doctoral programmes in the UK must have completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree from a recognised university in order to seek admission as a part of the requirements to study in the UK for PhD aspirants. The degrees must be in the same or related field as the chosen subject. The most important requirement for a PhD is a research proposal that all candidates must submit in order to be accepted. All PhD programmes include a round of interviews for selection and here is a list of requirements that PhD scholars must fulfil-
- A bachelor’s and master’s degree from a recognised university with minimum marks in both programmes.
- Official academic transcripts
- Research Proposal
- Statement of Purpose
- English Proficiency Tests
- A detailed CV
- Financial statements
- Valid Passport
- Offer Letter
- Student Visa
Check: Fully-Funded PhD in UK for International Students
Vocational Course Entry Requirements
To enroll in a basic vocational course, you will not be required any formal qualifications, similar to GCSEs. The only qualifications would be literacy skills and English language fluency, however, you should check with the school or institution that is hosting the programme as they may have their own requirements.
Other Entry Requirements
Apart from the academic requirements, there are several other requirements to pursue higher studies in the UK as an international student such as an Offer Letter and a CAS Letter.
Offer Letter
An offer Letter is one of the essential requirements for studying in the UK. UK universities consider each application form and verify all the documents submitted by the students before providing an offer letter to the students. There are two types of offer letters: Conditional and Unconditional.
The difference between the two letters is that the conditional letter is extended by the university when a student has not filled out all the requirements for studying in the programme and needs to submit those in order to be granted admission. An unconditional letter is extended by the university when a student has successfully met all the entry requirements to study in the UK and must pay the confirmation/course fees to be successfully admitted to the university.
Also Read – Top 4 UK Universities that Give an Offer Letter in 2 Days
CAS Letter
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is another essential requirement to study in the UK. Without this letter, students can not apply for their student visa. A CAS Letter is issued by the chosen university/institution after students their unconditional offer letter. It is a comprehensive letter that is issued electronically and is issued on first-cum-first basis order. It contains a unique license number which indicates that the university has accepted your application and invited you to study at their institute. It also includes a fee deposit that all candidates must pay to the sponsoring University, the cost can range from anywhere between 0 to £6,000. This amount is adjusted in the student’s first-year fees and must be paid before you apply for a student visa. Here are all the details mentioned in the CAS letter
- Sponsor university license number
- Course details
- Duration of your chosen course
- Tuition fees for the course
- Amount already paid from the tuition fee
- Amount paid for the accommodation (if any)
- Scores of IELTS or TOEFL
Also Read – Universities Issuing CAS Letters in Under £2000
Universities Issuing CAS Letters in 1000 Pounds
Most UK universities ask accepted students to deposit a CAS fee as a part of the list of requirements to study in the UK. Here is a list of universities that issue CAS letters with a deposit of 1000 pounds or less for a variety of programmes-
| University | CAS Deposit |
| University of Liverpool | £1000/less |
| University of Manchester | £1000-£2000 |
| University of Essex | £1000 |
| Cranfield University | £1000 |
| Queen Mary University of London | £500 to £2000 |
| University of Edinburgh | £500 to £1500 |
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FAQs
All candidates have to fulfil all the given requirements to study for a programme in UK before applying for a student visa. After receiving your unconditional offer letter and a CAS letter from your university, students can proceed to apply for a student visa. The requirements for a student visa are A valid passport, financial statements, passport-size photographs, unconditional offer letter and a CAS letter.
The percentage requirement to study in UK is different for every course and programme. Your academic qualifications are the most criteria for selection and higher your percentage, the better your chances of admission.
Yes, it is possible to study in UK after 12th exams. Many UK based universities have undergraduate programmes for international students in a wide range of subjects. The eligibility criteria for these programmes is completion of 12th standard, statement of purpose, letter of recommendation and English proficiency tests.
UK is the international hub for education, technology and finance; the most popular programmes in the country are masters in computer science, finance, business management, data science etc.
The cost of studying in UK depends on the course fees, city/university, living expenses and miscellaneous cost of the student.
UK Universities offer additional English preparation as part of your course, If you do not meet the English language requirements,
You can bring your dependents (spouse or children) if your course is at the postgraduate level and you meet specific financial requirements.
Your dependents will need to apply for a separate visa.
Yes, many UK universities offer scholarships for international students, including merit-based and need-based awards.
You can also apply for government scholarships such as the Chevening Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarship, or university-specific funding.
Step 1: Research universities and courses.
Step 2: Prepare and submit your application to the university (often through UCAS for undergraduate courses).
Step 3: If accepted, you will receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Step 4: Apply for a student visa.
Step 5: Arrange accommodation, flights, and finances.
Step 6: Attend orientation and begin your studies.
The length of stay after completing your studies depends on the type of visa you have:For most students, you can stay in the UK for up to 4 months after completing your course.
The Graduate Route Visa allows you to stay for 2 years after completing a degree at a UK higher education provider (3 years for PhD students).
On a student visa, you are generally allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.
However, this depends on your course and university rules. Some postgraduate courses may allow full-time work during term time.
Yes, you need to provide academic transcripts and certificates from your previous studies, such as A-levels, a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent qualifications, depending on the course level you are applying for.
There is no upper age limit for studying in the UK, but you must meet the academic and visa requirements for the course you wish to pursue.
Typically, students applying for undergraduate courses are between 18 and 22 years old, while postgraduate students can range from 22 to 30 years or older.
Most UK universities require an English language proficiency test like IELTS, TOEFL, or Pearson PTE.
Some institutions may waive this requirement if you have completed your education in English or if you are from an English-speaking country.
You must show that you have enough funds to cover your tuition fees for the first year of study, as well as living expenses (generally £1,334 per month for living in London, or £1,023 per month outside London).
This was all about the important entry requirements to study in UK! If you are someone planning to study in UK and feel overwhelmed by the huge list of requirements then get in touch with our experts at Leverage Edu to ease your burden!
Leave a Reply
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Thank you very much, this site has been very helpful and I have gotten all the information I need
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Hi,
We are glad that you found the information in our blog on Requirements to study in UK helpful. If you wish to get 100% guidance in your UK application journey, do call our expert at 1800-572-000 and book your first counselling session for FREE.
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Hello, I have completed my 12th.
And I want to study in the uk for my bachelors
Do I have to write my IELTS or IELTS (UKVI)?-
Hi Vaishnavi, if you want to study then you have to prepare for IELTS. To ace your exam, you can start your preparation with Leverage Live by booking a FREE demo session with us! Here is the link: https://live.leverageedu.com/
Hope this helps!
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6 comments
Thank you very much, this site has been very helpful and I have gotten all the information I need
Hi,
We are glad that you found the information in our blog on Requirements to study in UK helpful. If you wish to get 100% guidance in your UK application journey, do call our expert at 1800-572-000 and book your first counselling session for FREE.
Hello, I have completed my 12th.
And I want to study in the uk for my bachelors
Do I have to write my IELTS or IELTS (UKVI)?
Hi Vaishnavi, if you want to study then you have to prepare for IELTS. To ace your exam, you can start your preparation with Leverage Live by booking a FREE demo session with us! Here is the link: https://live.leverageedu.com/
Hope this helps!
Hii, Thank you for this very informative post.
Myself Ahiri from India, I’ve given my class 12th boards exam under CBSE and will be getting result my mid July, and want to pursue undergraduate course (B.A) in international relations in UK. Do I need to prepare for tests like IELTS or any such exam for being eligible ?
Hi please get in touch with our study abroad experts at 1800 57 2000 they will surely help you