Five reasons for Indian students to consider the UK for an education abroad

Every year thousands of Indian students plan to pursue a higher education abroad. With hundreds of universities and institutions to choose from, zeroing down on the right choice can be a difficult task. Aspirants need to navigate the process of selection, weighing a whole range of factors to pick the right course, institution and destination – a significant and potentially life-altering decision.

For many years now, the UK has been a highly coveted foreign education destination for Indian students. Over the past couple of years there has been a significant rise in the number of students travelling to the UK from India to pursue university courses. In the year ending June 2022 alone, nearly 118,000 Indians were issued study visas, an 89% rise compared to the previous year. With a high success rate of 96% for study visa applications, well above the global average, it’s not surprising that Indians form one of the largest groups making up the UK’s diverse international student community.

The UK has always been globally recognised for its quality of education, which is renowned for the learning experience delivered though a strong academic curriculum. Students graduating from UK universities do not only gain degrees from international institutes – they also develop a valuable network of friends and mentors while they’re studying. The UK’s strong focus on research, facilitated by its world-class resources for incubation and transformation of and ideas into real-world applications, sets it apart from higher education systems the world over.


The UK’s higher education institutions have strong links to industry, meaning students gain access to relevant and influential networks. An education in the UK therefore brings great value to graduates by strengthening their career prospects. The UK’s rich heritage and position in the global socio-economic landscape are also a big draw for Indian students. Over the past 2 years, both India and the UK have been working closely towards the common goal of internationalising higher education, with elaborate plans for more cooperation in transnational education (TNE). Both countries are actively implementing policies that support student mobility and bilateral opportunities for students.

Here is a list of five factors that make the UK one of the best destinations for Indians looking to pursue higher education abroad.

Credibility
Home to some of the best higher education institutes in the world, the UK hosts 4 of the top 10 institutes globally and 81 of the top 1,000, according to the QS Global Rankings 2023. The UK’s strong focus on providing students a balanced learning experience and outlook helps them innovate and perform in the most dynamic scenarios. Its world-renowned institutions deliver guidance and mentorship to students following their graduation, supporting them to make inroads into a successful career. In fact, according to UUKi’s International Graduate Outcomes report, 83% of international graduates from the UK feel that their degree enabled them to secure a job.

Employability
The UK announced the Graduate Route policy in July last year, something which has further contributed to the UK’s popularity among Indian students. The Graduate Route allows international graduates of UK universities to stay back after earning a degree and work or look for work for two years. Students with doctoral (Ph.D.) qualifications can get a three-year post-study work visa. This expands the avenues for Indian students looking to gain work experience in the UK. The UK also offers international students many opportunities to gain valuable professional experience during their studies through internships and placements, supporting them to launch their careers. In fact, according to QS Graduate Employability Rankings, UK graduates are among the most employable in the world.

Eligibility and Policy
The recently-signed agreement between India and UK on mutual recognition of academic qualifications will further expand prospects for Indian students on their return home.

Mutual recognition supports more seamless acceptance of UK qualifications and allows all Indian students with degrees from the UK to pursue further studies, research or employment back in India, in the private or public sectors. The Indian government will also allow students with UK degrees to participate in lateral entry schemes to recruit candidates at senior positions.

Affordability
The UK typically offers education at a lower average cost compared to some of the other popular foreign education destinations. Another important thing to note is the availability of one-year masters’ programmes – which can be extremely cost effective. Students are able to earn in the form of opportunity cost as they can gain coveted credentials and join the job market within just one year, meaning they don’t have to pay tuition or living expenses for a second year, as is the case with the conventional two-year courses offered in various other countries.

Universities in the UK and the British government also offer a host of scholarships for Indian students, provided individually or together. The list includes scholarships like the British Council Women in STEM scholarships, the Charles Wallace India Trust scholarships, GREAT scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, and more.

Liveability
Moving to a new country to study can be daunting. However, UK universities guide students through a network of communities of international students, faculty and mentors, allowing them to connect with others from similar backgrounds and beliefs. These networks allow students to access emotional and academic support.

The UK’s large Indian population creates a cultural bridge between the two countries. As a result, a variety of authentic and delicious Indian cuisines and food is easily available in the UK – particularly in larger cities. Not just this, the all-embracing nature of the UK and its cultural connect with India means many of the popular Indian festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm.

A fusion of international perspectives, cultures and experiences, the UK offers students a great chance to tread the path towards self-discovery. Students get exposure to a philosophical cocktail of music, arts, people, fashion, literature and culture. Also, students can explore the UK’s historic cities and beautiful countryside – and sample gastronomical delights from across the globe.