Study in the UK with Youni Choice

UK Admission & Application Process

Applying to a university in the UK is done through an online admission platform called UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Through this platform, students who want an undergraduate degree can submit the documents for the different universities they want to apply to. These include:

Contact us now



Required Documents:



A completed registration form on UCAS with your personal details and education information and qualifications



A personal statement - an essay that will help you stand out from the crowd and through which you can showcase your unique abilities



An academic recommendation from a teacher or an advisor



Payment of the application fee £28.50 which allows you to apply to up to five universities



Universities may request grade transcripts and test certificates which have to be submitted directly to the university applied to



Oxford and Cambridge also require interviews as part of their student selection process

Language tests and visa

UK universities require international students to prove their language proficiency. The IELTS and TOEFL are the most widely used. Top UK universities require a minimum score of 7.0-7.5 on the IELTS and a minimum range from 17-20 on the TOEFL.

Since Brexit, all students from outside of the UK or Ireland need to obtain a student visa to study in the UK. Visas are now given electronically, as eVisas, and the registration is done online through UK Visas and Immigration. To be granted a visa, you must provide the following:

Documents Required To Obtain A Visa:



A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which is proof of acceptance from a UK university.



English language proficiency certificate



Proof that you have the financial means to support yourself during your studies



The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee of £776 per year for each year of your visa; this covers your public health insurance for the length of time spent in the UK



The student visa fee of £490 for undergraduate studies and £716 for graduate studies

We can help you with getting a visa to the UK



Financial terms of admission

International students in the UK may need to show proof that they can financially support themselves and pay the university tuition in order to get a visa. The funds need to cover tuition and living expenses for the first academic year. For students studying outside of London, the monthly requirement (for up to 9 months) is £1,023 and for those studying in London, the monthly requirement is £1,334. Students who get scholarships or loans need to show this in their financial statement.

Some of the hardest universities to get into in the UK are also some of the top-ranked globally, like Oxford, Cambridge, or Imperial College London. Their acceptance rates are between 16%-26% overall, but certain programs are much more competitive than others.

Application and major possibilities

Universities that are much easier to get into in the UK are London Metropolitan University, the University of Sussex, and University for the Creative Arts, which have acceptance rates of over 60% for international students who meet their criteria.

Some of the most popular university degrees in the UK based on applications in the UCAS platform in 2024 were:



Law



Psychology



Computer Science



Economic Studies



Design Studies

UK University Fees

Since Brexit, costs have gone up significantly for EU students who want to study in the UK. The tuition fees at universities in the UK generally range from £10,000 to £38,000 per year. Certain fields like business, engineering, and medicine have higher tuition than others. Universities in London also typically cost more than those in other cities.

At prestigious universities in The Russell Group, which is the UK’s equivalent to the Ivy League in the US, tuition can go much higher. At Oxford, for example, tuition was between £35,260 - £59,260, depending on the program of study for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Universities with affordable fees:

Two of the cheapest universities in the UK are the University of Hull and Leeds Trinity University, which have programs starting from £12,000.

University of
Hull

Leeds Trinity University

Scholarships in the United Kingdom

To get a scholarship in the UK, you should research the universities you’re interested in attending and see what scholarships are available for your program of interest. Each university awards their own scholarships. There are different scholarships available based on the subject of study, academic achievements, or financial need.

For example, international students at the University of Bristol can apply for their Think Big scholarships, which offer up to £20,000 for the cost of tuition. Students at Cambridge can apply for a variety of scholarships through the Cambridge Trust.

While scholarships are competitive, if you fulfill the criteria and start the application process early, you will improve your chances of getting an award. A well-written personal statement that highlights your experiences and achievements and a few strong letters of recommendation will support your application.

Student Budget in the UK

The cost of living in the UK for an international student is higher than in many other European countries. A student should be prepared to budget between £900-£1400 per month, with living costs in London being the highest. This includes renting a room or paying for student accommodation, as well as food and transport costs and other necessities. University housing costs between £660-£850 on average, and buying groceries will cost at least £150.

Public transportation adds to the cost of living in London. Students who commute to class will need to plan this into their budget. Going to a university in a smaller town where rents are cheaper and transport is less expensive will save on expenses.

Student Life in the UK

Students in the UK can expect to spend around 25-35 hours per week on full-time study. This will be a combination of time spent in lectures or tutorials as well as on individual study and reading. Students may need to adjust to the different grading system in the UK. Also, the majority of a student’s grade will be based on their exam results.

Where to study in the UK?

London is one of the most attractive cities for international students, even though the cost of living there is around 30% more than in other UK cities. Students choose London for its prestigious universities, vibrant life, and international atmosphere. Outside of class, students can visit famous museums, attend shows and festivals, and explore London’s diverse neighborhoods. London also has many job opportunities for students, both during and after their studies.

Glasgow, Leeds, and Nottingham are some of the most popular university cities for students, and they are cheaper than London. Glasgow attracts over 185,000 students annually with its three universities, an art school, and a music conservatory. Glasgow is Scotland’s biggest city and hosts many cultural and musical festivals throughout the year.

Working in the UK

Students can work part-time in the UK while on a student visa, but some rules apply. Full-time students can work up to 20 hours per week during courses and up to 40 hours per week during school holidays. Students may not be self-employed or own their business while on a student visa in the UK. The self-employment rule also applies to “gig jobs” like food delivery services because workers in this field are considered self-employed.

The UK has a minimum national hourly wage which applies to any job. Students between the ages of 18-20 will make £8.60 and those over 21 will get £11.44 (as of Jan. 2025). The easiest jobs to find are in customer service, hospitality, and administration. Paid internships are also a good source of income, and they give students relevant experience for their degree.

Future Prospects in the UK

Students who want to stay in the UK after successfully graduating from university can apply for a Graduate visa. The Graduate visa is a two-year visa for bachelor or master’s students and three years for PhD students. It can only be applied for once, but with this visa, graduates have work flexibility as they develop their careers. The Graduate visa application costs £822, and an additional payment of £1,035 per year for the Immigration Health Surcharge is required.

Some of the highest paying entry-level jobs in the UK for recent graduates are in the fields of IT, engineering, or finance with salaries between £25,000-£40,000 per year, and in healthcare, with salaries of £24,000-£30,000 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which UK cities have the largest student populations?

The UK is home to some of the biggest and most diverse student communities in Europe.

London – Over 400,000 students
Glasgow – 185,000+ students
Birmingham – 180,000+ students
Manchester – 100,000+ students
Edinburgh – 100,000 students (ranked #19 for international student population)
Leeds – 80,000 students‍
Nottingham – 60,000+ students

These cities offer vibrant student life, academic excellence, and strong career opportunities.

Is it expensive to study in the UK?

Yes, tuition fees in the UK are higher than in many other European countries. International students usually pay between £10,000 and £38,000 per year, depending on the university and programme. However, many universities offer scholarships and financial aid options to support talented or underprivileged students.

Can I get a scholarship in the UK?

Yes, there are several national and university-level scholarships available:

Chevening Scholarships – funded by the UK government for master’s students.
Commonwealth Scholarships – for students from Commonwealth countries.

Many top universities like UCL, King’s College London, and LSE offer partial or full scholarships based on merit or need.

What are the career prospects after graduating in the UK?

UK university graduates are highly sought after by employers worldwide. Degrees from UK institutions are well respected, and fields like business, tech, engineering, and politics offer strong career paths. Thanks to the Graduate Route Visa, international students can stay and work in the UK for up to 2 years after graduation.

Why choose to study in the UK?

Top universities from United Kingdom

Top universities from United Kingdom