Overview | Admission Process | Visa Information | FAQs

The academic year in UK begins in end September/ early October. The best time to apply is in October before the year admission is being sought. In the case of postgraduate entry, certain institutions like Oxford, Cambridge and the London School of Economics (LSE) have fixed deadlines and would want applications to be made strictly within the given timeframe. However, most universities/colleges do not have any deadlines.

Yes, they do. UK offers Indian students a number of scholarships under a variety of programmes. Most of the scholarships available are for postgraduate study, although limited awards are also available for undergraduate and research programmes. Approach the British Councils in India for a copy of the comprehensive scholarship guide. This is available at all British Council and British Library centre at a nominal cost of Rs.100/-. This guide gives detailed information on application criteria and deadlines for each scholarship scheme.

Yes, spouses can accompany full time students on a dependent visa, provided students can show that adequate funds are available for their support. Spouses can also work if their stay is for a year or more.

Yes. The student should get a sponsorship letter from them indicating the relationship and the extent to which they are prepared to fund the student’s studies. Besides this, they would also be required to show evidence of financial support (for example, bank statements, salary certificate, a statement from the Chartered Accountant, their source of income etc.).

Most British institutions require you to prove your proficiency in English only if it has not been your first language. You may be required to either take the IELTS test which is administered regularly by the British Council at all its centres. Alternatively, the TOEFL is also recognized by British institutions.

Yes, a student can take up a part time job while studying. International students are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during holidays. The amount earned varies between £ 3 to £ 16 per hour. While this is generally not sufficient to sustain students, it does come in handy as additional pocket money. However, when applying for a visa, students must show evidence of full financial support from other sources to cover their tuition and living costs.

Student visas cannot, at any cost be converted into work permits. If a student is offered a job, the employer has to apply to the Home office for the student’s work permit. This can take three months or more and is often difficult to obtain. During the interim period, the student will have to return to their home country.

Most UK degrees awarded are recognized in India. The following programmes are however, not recognized: postgraduate Medicine, courses run by City and Guilds, courses run by the Chartered Institute of England and Wales, the LLB degree, if done after class 12 is not recognized for practice in India.

Accommodation provided by the institution might be the most suitable type if the student is coming to the UK for the first time. It will provide the student with opportunities to get to know other students and become involved in the social life of the institution. There are two main types of accommodation provided by institutions: Halls of residence, and Self-catering halls.

Generally the postgraduate course in the United Kingdom is of duration of one year. The student is expected to complete his study within the given time frame.

Indian citizens require visas for the United Kingdom unless they are legally settled in the UK and are seeking to return within 2 years of departure, or they have the right of abode in the United Kingdom, or they have previously been granted leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for a period of more than six months and are returning to the UK for the same purpose before that leave has expired, or they are exempt from immigration control.

The Visa Section is open for personal applications from 0800 - 1200 and from Monday - Friday, excluding public holidays. It is between April and September that the section is very busy. Outside these months, people receive a much speedier service outside these months. A student will always need a valid passport with space for a visa (additional pages are not acceptable), the visa fee and an application form. Children too must hold individual passports. Supporting documents are necessary for some applications. A student is also required to show through documents that he has enough funds to support himself in the UK and job/studies to return to after completion of studies. The visa section is also available in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

Fees Standard Visa	: Rs 2,900
Multiple entry (1year)	: Rs 4,800
Multiple entry (2years)	: Rs 5,600
Multiple entry (5 years)	: Rs 7,000
Multiple entry (10 years)	: Rs 12,000

Fees are payable on application, for each applicant, including children, and are non-refundable.

Applications, if sent by post, should be accompanied by a bank draft made payable to "British High Commission". The draft should include additional Rs 40 to cover the postal charges of returning the passport(s) if sent. The appropriate fee in cash must accompany applications lodged in person at this office. An official receipt must be obtained for all payments made.

If the student is a first time traveler to the United Kingdom, he must submit his visa application in person. If he is not a first time traveler to UK, it is possible for him to submit his passport, visa application and fee along with supporting documents through a third party.

A student requires having in possession the following documents.
1. A valid passport with at least six months validity remaining, and enough space to insert a visa;
2. A fully completed and signed application form showing a contact name and address in the UK;
3. 2 recent passport sized color photographs;
4. Applications must be accompanied by the correct fee - BY BANK DRAFT ONLY which should made in
    favor of BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION.

You must include comprehensive documentation with your application, and it may cause some delay if you do not.

The visas like non-settlement visas are issued within 24 hours of application. Any person intending to stay in the UK for more than 6 months will require medical clearance before traveling. This will normally take up to ten working days.

P.s: Waiting periods are subject to change at short notice.