Study in the UK

STUDY IN THE UK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Study in the UK: Get Admitted to the Right University or College

You can study in the UK if a licensed university or college accepts you, you meet its English level, and you can show your course fee plus at least GBP 10,539 for living costs. AIA checks all three with you first, applies for you, and charges no fee for admission.

No admission fee. We apply for you.

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AIA supports your admission. Visa applications are separate and are made by you or a regulated adviser in the UK.

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Why the UK Admission English Money Work Start dates How it works Who we are Visa Questions Check my chances

The key facts at a glance

Study levels: Foundation or pathway, diploma, bachelor, master and doctorate
English (government level): CEFR B2 at degree level and B1 below degree level. Each university sets its own IELTS score.
Money to show: Your course fee, plus GBP 1,171 a month outside London or GBP 1,529 a month in London, for up to 9 months (October 2026)
Visa cost: GBP 558, plus the healthcare surcharge of GBP 776 a year for students
After you graduate: Graduate route: 2 years after a bachelor or master (18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027) and 3 years after a doctorate
Start dates: September for most undergraduate courses. Many master’s courses also start in January.
AIA fee for admission: None
Last updated: October 2026

Why do students choose the UK?

Students choose the UK because the money rule is clear, many universities can check your English themselves, and the Graduate route lets you stay and work after you finish. The government lists the exact monthly amounts you must show. After a bachelor’s or master’s degree you can apply for the Graduate route, which lasts 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026 and 18 months from 1 January 2027 (GOV.UK, October 2026).

Three reasons come up most often:

Clear money rule: GOV.UK sets one monthly amount for London and one for the rest of the UK, and you hold the money for 28 days in a row.
English checked by your university: at degree level, a university can assess your English itself, as long as the result reaches CEFR B2.
A route after study: the Graduate route lets you stay and work for 2 years after a bachelor or master, and 3 years after a doctorate.

Can I get admitted? What do I need for each study level?

To be admitted, you need the right education for the level, English at the level the university asks for, and proof you can pay. Each university sets its own entry requirements, so the course page has the last word. Use the table as a starting point.

Study level	Education usually needed	English score	What to know
Foundation or pathway	Secondary school	Set by the provider	Some providers run pathway courses before a degree. Ask the provider.
Diploma or vocational (below degree)	Secondary school	CEFR B1 (government). The provider may ask for more.	Shorter, job-focused courses
Bachelor	A levels, the International Baccalaureate or an equal qualification	CEFR B2 (government). Examples: Leeds asks IELTS 6.0 overall, Manchester 6.0 to 7.0 by course.	You apply through UCAS. The university sets the final marks.
Master	A bachelor degree, often with a minimum grade	CEFR B2 (government). Universities set their own score, and some courses ask 7.0.	Many courses have no fixed deadline, so apply early. Some subjects need an ATAS certificate.
Doctorate	A master degree or a strong bachelor degree, and a research proposal	Set by the university	Doctorate students can usually bring family (see the money section).

The examples come from university pages and the British Council, read in October 2026. Your course page sets the final requirement.

Popular program types

Business and management

Bachelor or master. Many universities offer both, so your marks and English score decide the fit.

Engineering

Bachelor or master. Strong maths marks help.

Computer science and data

Bachelor or master. Check each course for its marks and English score.

Law

Bachelor or master. Check each course for extra entry steps.

Health sciences and nursing

Bachelor or master. Check each course for extra entry steps.

Foundation or pathway

The way in when your qualifications or English score are just short.

Tuition varies by university and course. We show your exact first-year fee when we match you.

What English level do I need to study in the UK?

The government asks for English at CEFR B2 for degree level and above, and B1 below degree level. You can prove it with an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). At degree level, a university can also assess your English itself, but the result must still reach B2 (GOV.UK, October 2026).

How you can prove your English	What it means
Approved test (SELT)	The usual route if you have no other proof. Take it with an approved test provider.
University assessment	At degree level or above, your university may assess your English itself and may use a different test. The result must still equal B2.
A degree taught in English	A UK degree, or a non-UK degree taught in English with an Ecctis assessment of equivalence.
A UK school qualification	GCSE, A level, a Scottish Higher or similar in English, begun before age 18.
Exempt nationalities	Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and some other listed countries do not need to prove it. Check the full list on GOV.UK.

Each university also sets its own IELTS score. Leeds asks for 6.0 overall for its undergraduate degrees, and Manchester asks for 6.0 to 7.0 depending on the course. Leeds does not accept test results more than two years old at the start of the course.

How much money do I need to show?

You must show your course fee plus living costs of GBP 1,171 a month outside London or GBP 1,529 a month in London, for up to 9 months (GOV.UK, October 2026). That is GBP 10,539 or GBP 13,761. The visa costs GBP 558, and you also pay the healthcare surcharge of GBP 776 for each year of your visa.

What you must cover	Amount (October 2026)
Your course fee	The amount your university states for your course
Living costs outside London	GBP 1,171 a month for up to 9 months, so GBP 10,539
Living costs in London	GBP 1,529 a month for up to 9 months, so GBP 13,761
Visa application fee	GBP 558, paid to the government
Healthcare surcharge (students)	GBP 776 for each year of your visa, paid with the application
How long you hold the money	28 days in a row, and the 28 days must end within 31 days of your application

Example only: a course fee of GBP 20,000 outside London means you show GBP 20,000 + GBP 10,539 = GBP 30,539. The visa fee and the surcharge are paid on top. Your university and the GOV.UK guidance show which fee amount counts for your course length.

Typical first-year fees (our estimates):

Foundation or pathway: GBP 10,000 to 16,000
Diploma: GBP 11,000 to 15,000
Bachelor: GBP 11,400 to 38,000
Master: GBP 9,000 to 30,000
Doctorate: GBP 16,000 to 25,000

Bringing family: most students come alone. You can bring a partner or children only if you are a government-sponsored student on a course longer than 6 months, or a full-time postgraduate student on a course of 9 months or more. For postgraduate courses that start on or after 1 January 2024, that means a doctorate or a research-based higher degree. Each family member needs extra money: GBP 845 a month in London or GBP 680 a month outside London, for up to 9 months.

Can I work while I study and after I graduate?

Your work rights depend on what you study and on whether you work in term time or out of it, and your visa decision letter states exactly what you can do (GOV.UK, October 2026). You cannot be self-employed or work as a professional sportsperson or coach. Do not plan to pay your living costs from work, because you must show the full amount before you apply.

After eligible study you can apply for the Graduate route from inside the UK. You must hold a Student visa, and your university must confirm you completed your course. It lasts 2 years after a bachelor or master (18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027) and 3 years after a doctorate. It costs GBP 937 plus the healthcare surcharge, and you cannot extend it.

When can I start studying in the UK?

Undergraduate courses mostly start in September, and you apply through UCAS. The UCAS main deadline is in mid-January, Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, veterinary and dentistry courses close in October, and late applications are accepted until 30 June. Many postgraduate courses have no fixed deadline and start in September, January or April, so apply early.

Intake	Typical start	When to apply	What to know
September (main intake)	September	Undergraduate: through UCAS. Postgraduate: many courses have no fixed deadline, so apply early.	Most courses start here.
January	January	Set by the university. Apply early.	Many master’s courses offer it, but not every course does.
April and other dates	Varies by university	Set by the university	Some postgraduate courses start in April.

You can apply for your visa up to 6 months before your course starts, and it can take several weeks, so apply as soon as you have an offer and your CAS. Dates change every year, so check your university’s current dates before you plan.

How does admission work with AIA?

We find programs that fit your marks, English score and budget, apply for you, and follow each application until you have an offer. There is no fee for this. You only pay what the institution charges, such as an application fee or a tuition deposit.

Step 1: Check your admission chances

Answer seven short steps. You see where you are strong and what to fix first.

Step 2: Send your documents

If you look admissible, we ask for your passport, transcripts and English score through a private link, and send you a short agreement to sign.

Step 3: We apply for you

We submit your applications, follow each task and tell you when an offer arrives. A conditional offer is not final enrolment, so we show you what you still need to meet.

Ready to see where you stand?

Two minutes. Seven short steps. No fee.

“Know where you stand first. Then choose the school.”

Amir Ismail · Founder, Amir Ismail & Associates

Why students choose Amir Ismail & Associates

Since 1991, AIA has guided 25,000+ clients from offices in Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. We help you find programs that fit your marks, English and budget, and we apply for you at no fee. Schools make the decisions, and your visa stays a separate step that you handle yourself or through a regulated adviser.

Honest admission check

We tell you when a plan does not fit, before you spend money.

Programs that fit you

We match your marks, English and budget, not a template.

Free for you

Our admission help costs you nothing. You pay only the school’s own fees.

Clear on who does what

AIA supports your admission. You handle the visa yourself or through a regulated adviser.

A real application

We prepare your documents and submit your applications for you.

Since 1991

35+ years in immigration and 25,000+ clients guided.

What about the UK student visa?

You apply for a Student visa online after a licensed student sponsor offers you a place and gives you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). AIA supports your admission. The student visa is a separate application you submit to the government yourself or through a regulated adviser in that country.

The government asks for your CAS, proof of money, proof of English, the healthcare surcharge and your biometrics. You must be 16 or over, some applicants need a tuberculosis test, and master’s students and above may need an ATAS certificate for some subjects. Read the full list and apply on the official page: GOV.UK, Student visa.

Frequently asked questions

What marks do I need to study in the UK?

Each university sets its own entry requirements, so the course page decides. Undergraduate courses usually ask for A levels, the International Baccalaureate or an equal qualification, and master’s courses ask for a bachelor degree. Check your chances with AIA to see where you stand.

What English score do I need for the UK?

The government asks for CEFR B2 at degree level, and each university sets its own IELTS score, often between 6.0 and 7.0 overall. At degree level your university may assess your English itself, but the result must still reach B2 (GOV.UK, 2026).

How much money do I need to study in the UK?

You must show your course fee plus GBP 1,171 a month outside London or GBP 1,529 a month in London, for up to 9 months, held for 28 days in a row (GOV.UK, October 2026). The visa costs GBP 558, and the healthcare surcharge is GBP 776 for each year of your visa.

Can I work while studying in the UK?

Your work rights depend on what you study and on whether you work in term time or out of it, and your visa decision letter states exactly what you can do (GOV.UK, 2026). You cannot be self-employed. Do not rely on work to pay your living costs.

Can I stay and work after I graduate?

You may qualify for the Graduate route if you hold a Student visa and your university confirms you completed your course. It lasts 2 years after a bachelor or master (18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027) and 3 years after a doctorate (GOV.UK, 2026).

Can I bring my partner or children to the UK?

Only if you are a government-sponsored student on a course longer than 6 months, or a full-time postgraduate student on a course of 9 months or more. For postgraduate courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, that means a doctorate or a research-based higher degree, and each family member needs extra money (GOV.UK, 2026).

See where you stand

Two minutes. Seven short steps. No fee. We tell you honestly if you are ready to apply or what to fix first.