Benefits of Studying in UK as Compared to India in 2024

Updated on 20 June, 2024

Shivangi Mishra

Shivangi Mishra

Sr. Content Editor

Benefits of Studying in UK as Compared to India

For Amrita Kumari, it was a tough decision to zero in on a country to pursue education abroad as all top destinations have their own advantages. So here is a list that helped her make the final call. 

The benefits of studying in UK are not lost on Indian students. The UK Home Office has reported how there was 54% of growth in sponsored study visas (in 2023) granted to Indian students in comparison to 2022. 

Choosing to study abroad in the UK is immensely attractive for Indian students, owing to its lower educational costs in comparison to countries like the USA and Australia, thereby ensuring higher value for money. Let us then look at some of the major benefits of studying in UK compared to other countries like India in this article.

What Are the Benefits of Studying in the UK Compared to India

1. Academic Credentials

One of the major benefits of studying in the UK is the country’s academic credentials. UK universities uphold the world’s most stringent academic standards. Leading UK universities have ranked within the top-10 and top-20 lists of almost all major global rankings systems. 

Big names include the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and many more. The UK upholds a utility and practical-based education system over textbook learning, emphasizing analysis, critical thinking, and creativity. 

2. High-Quality Education

One of the reasons to study in the UK is education the quality of education. The QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) is an independent body in the UK that assesses learning standards at all colleges and universities. Along with regular performance and audit checks and subject reviews, it also helps identify the best possible educational practices. It also dispatches improvisation-linked feedback. 

Research standards are also closely examined by the funding bodies for UK higher education, which publish findings periodically at regular intervals. This ensures that students access the best possible research, learning, and teaching resources irrespective of their academic disciplines/courses. 

3. Shorter Course Duration

This is another major reason to study in the UK. You will graduate faster in the UK and without any compromise with the quality of education. While you can finish undergraduate courses in three years, you can complete graduate courses in just a year. 

While the term undergraduate refers to bachelor’s degree, postgraduate is used to describe graduate students studying for a second qualification, like master’s, postgraduate certificate, or postgraduate diploma.

4. Work while studying

You can work part-time in the UK for up to twenty hours each week. You can also work full-time during the semester breaks and holidays. This will help you offset some of your living expenses and get vital professional and industry experience at the same time. 

5. Travel across Europe

The UK is excellently linked to major countries in Europe, including the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. With easy rail and air links, you can easily travel across major cities and destinations in Europe while studying in the UK. 

6. Health Advantages

International students in the UK can get free medical treatment facilities via the NHS (National Health Service). You will only pay the nominal HIS (International Health Surcharge). This is one of the biggest benefits of studying in the UK for international students. 

7. Interesting and diverse cultures

The UK is home to diverse and fascinating cultures, particularly in university towns and cities. You will get an opportunity to interact with people from almost all parts of the world. This naturally opens up possibilities of exploring new cultural traditions, festivals, and a variety of cuisines!

8. Post study work visa

The UK has already implemented a post-study work visa plan or the Graduate Route. International students who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree can apply to stay in the UK for up to two years after their studies. 

During this duration, they can work if they have  a job in hand or can look for appropriate work opportunities. Meanwhile, PhD graduates can apply to stay for up to three years. 

9. Job Opportunities

The country has been reporting a shortage of skilled labour in several industries. Scope for well-paying jobs in the UK is immense for international students, especially in job roles that feature on the skilled shortage list. 

Some of these job roles include caregivers, biological scientists and biochemists, archaeologists, engineers, business analysts, programmers, architects, graphic designers, actuaries, economists and statisticians, among others. 

Know More: Job Opportunities after MS in UK

10. Excellent research framework

The UK houses the world’s best infrastructure and facilities for research and study through its journals, faculty, laboratories, and a tradition of cutting-edge research excellence.

11. Pursuing higher education

You can complete your undergraduate degree from the UK while following it with a postgraduate degree from a leading UK university. You can also go on to pursue Ph.D. or other higher educational opportunities. 

12. Vibrant campuses

The universities and colleges in the UK have vibrant campuses offering an abundance of student societies, activities, clubs, internships, and more. Students can also enjoy extra-curricular activities and sports like cricket, football, mountaineering, rugby, water sports, and more. 

Learn new languages, dancing, cooking, gaming, and pick up new skills from hundreds of societies and organizations. 

13. Higher standards of living

The United Kingdom offers higher living standards, a major reason for students opting to study in the country. You will get better access to high-quality amenities along with better education, lesser air pollution, a stronger economy, and more.  

Also Read: Cost of Living in UK

You can also get in touch with our study abroad consultant for free consultations. 

More Information to Read
Spring Intake in UK Summer Intake in UK Exams for MS in UK
Student Life in UK Education System in UK Cost of Study in UK
Study in UK for Indian Students Scholarship in UK for Indian Students How can Indian Citizens obtain UK Citizenship

Here are some major UK vs India education system pointers

FACTORS

UNITED KINGDOM

INDIA

Course duration for master’s 1-year 2-year
Practical/industry training  Most courses have industry/practical component Only few courses have industry/practical component
Avg cost  High fee in public universities. Average fee at an educational institute is INR 18 lakh-35lakh per year Low fee in public universities
No. of universities 160+ 1000+
Student-Teacher ratio Small thus focused learning Large thus impersonalized learning
Degree recognition Globally-recognised degrees Recognition not at par with the UK
Top universities University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College LondonUniversity of Edinburgh, King’s College London, LSE, UCL Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), IISc, Delhi University, AIIMS, Aligarh Muslim University

Benefits of Studying in UK Compared to Other Countries

Are there any advantages of studying in the UK as compared to other countries like the USA and Australia? 

Let’s find out below:

Parameters UK USA Australia
Cost of Living  £900-1400 per month Up to $25,000 per year AUD29,710 per year
Number of Universities in QS Rankings 93 200 39
Post-Graduation Work Visa Stay for up to two years after completing your course with the Graduate Visa/Graduate Route OPT/CPT and subsequently H1-B/O visa, depending on applicability Temporary graduate visa for 2-4 years
Unemployment Rate 3.8% 3.9% 4%
Work while Studying Up to 20 hours per week while studying and full-time during breaks/holidays Up to 20 hours per week while studying and full-time during breaks/holidays Up to 48 hours every two weeks while studying and unlimited during breaks/holidays
Average Course Tenure Three years for undergraduate courses and one year for postgraduate courses Four years for undergraduate courses and two years for postgraduate courses 3-4 years for undergraduate courses and 1.5 years for postgraduate courses
Average Tuition Fees  £11,400-38,000 per year for undergraduate courses and £9,000-30,000 per year for postgraduate courses $8-50,000 per year (undergraduate programs) and $10-55,000 per year (postgraduate programs) AUD 17-50,000 per year for undergraduate courses and AUD17-53,000 per year for postgraduate courses 

Conclusion

As you can see, there are multiple benefits of studying in the UK that are worth considering, in relation to India and various other countries. 

You should make a list of your chosen universities and note their requirements carefully before applying. Make sure you also check the student visa guidelines minutely to avoid errors. 

Also Read
Universities for Masters in Physiotherapy in UK Top Universities in UK for Masters in Construction Management Free Education in UK for Indian Students
Why Study in UK MS in UK for Indian Students Why UK for Masters
Masters in International Business in UK Master’s in Public Health in UK Masters in Psychology in UK

FAQs on Study in UK

How much money is required for a UK student visa?

Application for a UK student visa for up to 2 years is INR 43,595 for an Indian aspirant. This may be subject to change as per government guidelines.

Can I study in the UK without IELTS?

A good IELTS/TOEFL score is one of the prerequisites for seeking admission to any reputed university and acquiring a study visa. 

Certain universities may waive off IELTS requirements if you produce a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate stating English as the instructional language at your previous institution. However, taking an English language proficiency exam is highly recommended.

Is a medical test required for a UK student visa?

These requirements vary depending on your country of domicile. For Indian students, the British government mandates a TB certificate as part of the visa application process if the course duration is of more than 6 months.

What are the requirements to study in the UK?

A strong academic profile, good scores in standardized and language proficiency tests, and a well-written statement of purpose are some of the basic requirements to get into a UK university.

Which UK city has the most Indian students?

While specific figures are unavailable, major cities like London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Durham, Coventry, and Edinburgh are expected to have high populations of Indian students. 

What is the difference between Indian education and UK education?

The UK system focuses more on critical thinking, hands-on learning, and independent learning. The Indian system is more geared towards theory, rote-learning and the role of teachers. 

Did you find this article helpful?

Shivangi Mishra

Sr. Content Editor

She is an experienced writer and journalist who has extensively covered the education sector in India and Abroad. Now helping Indian aspirants realise their foreign education dream by providing them with relevant content and information through upGrad Abroad. Amateur traveller, loves to read Architectural Digest!

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