Study in the UK: a complete guide for international students

• Globally recognised degrees from world-ranked universities
• One-year master's degrees that save time and money
• A diverse, welcoming student population from across the world
• The chance to stay and work after graduating through the Graduate route for 18 months

Our UK partners range from research-intensive universities such as the University of Manchester, Newcastle University and Lancaster University to career-focused universities such as Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Greenwich, and specialist schools such as The University of Law and Hult International Business School.

Undergraduate courses look at your school-leaving results (for example WASSCE, NECO, HSC, SPM or A-levels); some students take a foundation year first. Postgraduate courses look at your bachelor's degree classification or CGPA. Most universities also require proof of English, through a test such as IELTS or PTE or, in some cases, your previous education. We check the requirements for your background.

The main intake is September, with January and sometimes May intakes for many courses. Apply 6–9 months ahead for the best choice of courses and scholarships.

Studying in the UK means budgeting for three things: tuition fees, living costs and your visa. The figures below are indicative and were checked in October 2026. Your offer letter or CAS shows your exact tuition fee, and our student portal calculates the total funds you need for your visa.

Student visa maintenance funds

To get a Student visa you must show you can pay your living costs, called maintenance funds, as well as your outstanding first-year tuition. The amount is going up for Student visa applications submitted on or after 30 November 2026. What counts is the date you submit your visa application, not your course start date.

• "London" means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.
• For a course of nine months or longer, you normally show nine months of living costs: £14,130 in London or £10,827 outside London, plus any first-year tuition you have not yet paid.
• The money must usually be held for 28 consecutive days, and the last day of that period must be no more than 31 days before you apply.

Required funds = outstanding first-year tuition + maintenance funds − permitted deductions.

Accommodation offset

If you have already paid your university or college for accommodation it arranges, you may be able to deduct up to £1,570 from the maintenance amount (from 30 November 2026). This does not normally apply to payments to private landlords, private student-housing providers or other third-party accommodation companies.

Tuition fees

Fees vary a great deal by university, course, location and year of entry, so always check the fee on the university's own course page.

Living costs

The visa maintenance amount is the minimum evidence the Home Office asks for, not a full personal budget. Plan for a realistic monthly budget above it.

First-year budget examples (nine months)

The tuition figures are examples only. The lower total is tuition plus the visa maintenance amount; the upper total is tuition plus the top of the realistic living budget.

Visa and healthcare costs

Most students applying for more than six months must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives access to the NHS. Dependants pay it too.

What to have ready

• Your first-year tuition fees
• The correct maintenance amount for London or outside London
• The visa application fee
• The Immigration Health Surcharge
• Flights
• An accommodation deposit
• An emergency reserve of at least £500–£1,000
• A buffer in case exchange rates move

Total funds to prepare = tuition + maintenance funds + visa and IHS costs + emergency buffer.

Key points to remember

• The new maintenance amounts apply to visa applications submitted on or after 30 November 2026.
• Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days unless an exemption applies.
• The accommodation offset is capped at £1,570 and applies only to accommodation arranged by your university or college.
• Tuition fees and maintenance funds are separate requirements.
• Check the outstanding tuition on your CAS and the current GOV.UK guidance just before you apply.

For the official figures, see GOV.UK: Student visa money you need and GOV.UK: visa fees.

Many UK universities offer merit scholarships and early-payment discounts to international students, and some are awarded automatically with your offer. Your counsellor will find the ones you qualify for.

To apply for a UK Student visa you will usually need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university, proof of funds held for at least 28 consecutive days, proof of English, your passport and, for some countries including Nigeria, Ghana and Bangladesh, a TB test certificate. You will also pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

For the full and current requirements, visit the GOV.UK Student visa website.

Free course matching, application support, SOP and personal statement help, finance checks for your visa, mock interviews, accommodation and airport pickup — all with one dedicated counsellor.