The cost of study in the UK generally ranges between Rs. 10 – 25 lakhs per annum, depending on the university’s rankings. However, most UK universities are generous with scholarships towards meritorious/international students.

For Student Visa purposes, you need to show 28 day old fund covering 1 year’s tuition fee and 9 months’ living expenses in the UK. The living expense that needs to be shown if studying inside London is GBP 1,334 per month, and GBP 1,023 if studying outside of London. However, you have work right of 20 hours per week during session, and full work right during vacation, where you can earn a minimum wage of GBP 7.49/hour (if age is 18-20 years), or GBP 10.18/hour (if age is 21-22 years), or GBP 10.42/hour (if age is 23+ years).

The unique concept of placement year exists only in the UK which helps you earn and you learn, helping you reduce your financial stress.

In the UK, skill-building is an important part of education. Thus, for both Bachelor’s and Master’s, many universities provide a year when students can work full-time and gain work experience. Students do not pay tuition fees for that year (only a nominal administrative fee is to be paid for the entire year).

During Bachelor’s, the placement year (also called the sandwich year) is generally the third year (or fourth year) if the course duration is four years (or five years). This allows the student to put their theories into practice and be skilled while earning handsomely. The student gains corporate experience for a year and returns to university for the final year of study. The placement year (sandwich year) helps students earn and contribute to their final year tuition fee.

A placement year during Master’s is often at the end of the theoretical course, which is generally 1 year. This means you pay tuition fees for 1 year only and administrative fees for the next year; and can work full time for an entire year. This is considered by many as a golden opportunity to convert into a full-time job.

You can work full-time after your programme end date (as confirmed on your student record) until your Student Visa expires, provided you have no further engagement or attendance requirements.

A Graduate Visa permits you to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after completing a course in the UK. If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.

Eligibility:

You can apply for a Graduate Visa if all of the following are true:

1. You’re in the UK
2. Your current Visa is a Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
3. You studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period with your Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
4. Your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course

MBA/M.Sc. Management/Master’s degree in the UK is basically 1 year. So, you pay tuition fee for only 1 year, as compared to 2 years tuition fee which you pay in India or any other country. If your course is of 2 years duration, then it is most likely that your entire 2nd year is a placement year, where you will work full time and earn, and do not pay the tuition fee (only a small administrative fee is to be paid).

The MBA cost in India from a premium college like IIM, XLRI, IIFT, SP Jain, MDI, NMIMS, SIBM, and others, is around Rs 15 – 30 lakhs, for 2 year tuition fee. An MBA/MSc Management or any other Master’s degree in the UK, from much higher ranked universities in the UK will actually cost you less, around Rs. 15 – 25 lakhs, in total tuition fee.

On completing your study, you are legally eligible to gain 2 years of international work experience. On returning to India you bring with you the advanced knowledge and skills, internationalism, which will help you get high-paying jobs in MNCs, often at higher designations too. So, study in the UK and become part of the international student community, and kick-start your international career.

Yes, it is much easier to get admission to the top 100 ranked universities in the UK compared to getting into IIT/IIMs. The reasons are lower population and bigger and better educational infrastructure which can absorb thousands of international students in each university. The good news is most of these universities will give you admission based on your Class 12/Graduation marks and IELTS (or equivalent) score. There is no need for any entrance exam like JEE/SAT/GRE/GMAT in most high-ranked universities. 75% in Class 12 or 70% in Graduation should be enough to get you an offer letter from a top 100-ranked university in the UK. IELTS requirement may be waived based on your Class 12 English marks. So with average academics, you can now study in better-ranked university than your school/college topper, in the UK, without any admission exam.