Why Study in UK and not India?

The decision to study abroad is a big decision, so it’s important to understand your options. The UK is a great place to study and has a lot to offer international students. There are lots of reasons why you should choose to study in the UK and not in India as your destination for further studies. To know all about the benefits of studying in the UK rather than India, keep on reading this blog.

Why Study in UK?

Here are some reasons why international students choose to study in the UK for their higher studies:

• A strong reputation: The UK has a strong reputation for first-class higher education and training and excellent research facilities.
• High-quality staff: Many UK academics are world leaders in their field and teaching and learning methods are constantly being developed to ensure high-quality teaching and learning environments for students.
• No fees for some courses: Some UK universities charge no tuition fees for undergraduate or postgraduate study, even for non-EU students.
• Flexible programmes: A wide range of flexible full-time, part-time and distance learning courses are available at undergraduate, masters and PhD level.
• Access to jobs: It’s easier than ever before to find work while you study in the UK. Employers value the skills that you will gain during your course and employers often offer excellent opportunities for work placements or work-related projects as part of your course. This makes it easier to gain valuable experience which can help boost your career prospects.

Also Read: UK vs Canada: Where to Study in 2021?

Education system in the UK vs India

Let’s compare the two entirely different education systems to have an in-depth understanding.

• The British education system is based on the three-tier structure comprising primary, secondary and tertiary education. There are also a host of private schools that cater to children of all age groups and backgrounds. In India, education is also divided into three levels – elementary or primary (grades 1-5), middle (grades 6-8) and secondary (grades 9-12). In addition to these, there are several types of institutions like colleges, universities, technical institutes, language centres and others which provide vocational training.
• There are some differences between universities in the two countries when it comes to postgraduate studies. In India, universities conduct their own entrance exams while in the UK they are centralised by a national organisation called UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
• The duration of courses offered in both countries is almost similar. A Bachelor’s degree (equivalent to Hons) lasts for three years.

Also Read: Ireland vs the UK: Eligibility

Why Study in the UK and not in India?

There are approximately 40 universities in the UK that feature among the top 200 higher education institutions in the world. Some of them are Oxford University, Cambridge University, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Imperial College London. Finding work opportunities abroad definitely does not mean compromising your academic qualifications or achievements.

• Unique culture: Most people say that UK education is good but the main reason why they choose to study abroad is the experience of life. Firstly, when we talk about the UK, we think of London and the whole city along with its culture is something that appeals to most students. The different cultures, people and traditions make it a great experience for anyone who visits the country.
• Better Job and Scholarships: The next reason why one should go to the UK for studies is to get a better job. A lot of companies have their branches outside India as well and hence it gives you an opportunity to work there after you graduate. An added advantage of studying abroad is that you might be able to get scholarships or grants to support your studies from various government or private agencies. It is a general perception that studying in the UK might be more expensive than in India. But, that’s not quite true. If you are looking for quality education, the UK is the place. It has a strong educational system, solid infrastructural facilities, and learning new cultures.
• Great Infrastructure: Another reason why studying in the UK is better than in India is the infrastructure or facilities available for students at universities. Most of them have state-of-the-art infrastructure and top notch facilities like computer labs, sports facilities, libraries etc. The teachers are experienced professionals who are known for their knowledge and expertise in their respective fields. British universities are nowadays very welcoming towards international students and are prepared to offer them support with every aspect of their stay (accommodation, financial matters etc.) so that they can feel at ease in a completely new environment.

 UK vs India

The major difference between UK and India to choose as a destination for study:

Country	UK	India
Benefits	Quality education, internationally accredited universities, flexible course durations, work opportunities	Top-ranked colleges, second largest education system, a wide variety of courses, affordability
Top Universities	Oxford University, Cambridge University, University of Manchester, Imperial College London	IIT, IIM, IISC, University of Delhi, Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Popular courses	Business Studies and Management, Law, Computer Science	Teaching, management engineering
Basic Eligibility	Must have passed 10+2 with minimum marks obtained between 55% and 75%	Completion of UG or PG degree with minimum 65% – 75% aggregate marks
Average Tuition Fees	£18,000 to £35,000 (INR 18.06 lakhs – INR 35.13 lakhs)	INR 40,000 – INR 80,000
Popular Intakes	Fall Intake, Winter Intake, Summer Intake	Depends on the university/college

Some Facts About Universities in the UK

Studying in the UK is a straightforward process that takes only a few steps to complete. The first step is to register at one of the many reputable universities in the UK, some of which are listed below: 

• University of Birmingham, offers over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes including law, business, engineering and social sciences. 
• The University of Bristol delivers world-class education in seven faculties with over 50 departments. 
• King’s College London (KCL) is one of the top 20 universities in Europe and was established in 1829 by King George IV. KCL has over 75 departments covering a wide range of subject areas including Science, Arts and Medicine. 
• Durham University is ranked 5th among research-led institutions in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and all its degree programmes have been rated gold or silver under the new TEF.

Top Universities in the UK  

List of top universities in the UK for the year 2022 – 2023:

Top Universities in the UK	QS World University Rankings 2022	THE World University Rankings 2022
University of Oxford	#2	#1
University of Cambridge	=3	#2
University College London	#8	#4
Imperial College London	#7	#3
The University of Edinburgh	#16	#6
The University of Manchester	=27	#8
King’s College London	#35	#7
London School of Economics and Political Science	#49	#5
University of Bristol	#62	#10
University of Warwick	#61	#9
Queen Mary University of London	117	110
University of Bath	166	201-250
University of East Anglia (UEA)	=303	=200
University of Essex	439	301-350

Top Universities in India

List of top universities in India for the year 2022 – 2023:

Top Universities in India	QS World University Rankings 2023
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi	#185
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay	=177
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur	#280
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras	#255
Indian Institute of Science, Banglore	#186
University of Delhi	#501-510
Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune	#591-600
Jamia Millia Islamia	#751-800
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad	#651 – 700
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi	#1001 – 1200

Popular Courses in the UK

Here we have mentioned the best courses in the UK that are selected by the majority of international students: 

• Business Studies
• Accounting and Finance
• Economics
• Law
• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Biological Sciences
• Electrical Engineering
• Politics 

Eligibility Criteria to Study in the UK

International students must be aware of the following essential requirements to study in the UK:

• Copy of a valid passport
• Students must complete their undergraduate or postgraduate studies with a minimum of 65% – 70% marks, as per University norms. This will ensure that they have enough knowledge and skills to pursue their studies successfully. 
• Some universities also specify that students must have a minimum CGPA above 3.0 on 4 point scale or equivalent while applying for their graduate level programs.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and C1 Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English). 
• GMAT/GRE or any other entrance exams for masters programs
• Academic Transcripts
• Letter of Recommendations (LOR)
• Portfolio (for specific courses)
• A CV/Resume (if applicable)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Cost of Studying in the UK vs India

Educational expenses of a graduate degree range from £ 18,000 to £ 35,000 (18.06 lakhs – INR 35.13 lakhs), contingent upon the college and scope of courses. As far as the typical cost for basic items, this would cost around £ 11,000 – 12,500 (INR 11.04 lakhs – INR 12.54 lakhs) for an extended time of the study (i.e 9 months).

In India, the last thing to stress over is the expense of concentrating as it is a lot lower when contrasted with one of the worldwide instructive pioneers, the UK. 

Popular Intakes: UK vs India 

Intake	Starting Months	Application Deadlines
Fall Intake (Primary Intake)	September	June- July
Winter Intake (Secondary Intake)	January/February	August – September
Summer Intake (Least Intake)	April/May	October – January

It is a fact that there are more job opportunities in the UK for international students as compared to India. There are various reasons for this.

Post Study Work Opportunities in the UK 

The UK offers a lot more opportunities for work. It is a highly globalised nation and offers various opportunities to people from diverse backgrounds. There are various sectors in which you can avail yourself of jobs such as healthcare, engineering, law, accounting and many more. In addition to that, the country has also come up with a new visa scheme for international students called the New Graduate Route Visa. 

The scheme allows international students to work in the UK after their studies for 2 – 3 years without any minimum salary requirements. This scheme will open up a lot of doors for you in your career as you will get to experience working in another country.

UK Work Visa Requirements

Type of Visa	Restriction	Maximum Staying	Sponsorship Needed	Dependents Allowed
Tier 2 (General) visa	Minimum salary of £30,000 per year	5 years and 14 days	Yes	Yes
Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme	A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by your university	1 year	Yes	Yes
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa	18 to 30 years old and from the nationals of certain countries*	2 years	Yes but only for the nationals from the Republic of Korea	No
Tier 5 Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa	Authorised exchange schemes	1-2 years depends on different schemes	Yes	Yes
Start-up Visa	Endorsement letter from an authorised body	2 years	No	Yes

Here are some of the important reasons why an international student chooses to study in the UK rather than India. If you are one of them who is planning to leave for the UK to pursue your further education, Leverage Edu can help you to make your study abroad dream come true.