Student Life in UK for Indian Students

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Samarpita Goswami
Updated on Mar 15, 2023 10:42 PM IST

How is life in the UK for an international student? What is the culture and weather like in the UK? Where do I live in the UK? This guide covers all the aspects of life in the UK for Indian students. 

Student Life in UK for Indian Students

Often a question lurks in the minds of young adults: 'How is life in the UK for Indian students'? The reputation and rankings of a few of the world's famous universities in the UK are testimony to the country's sheer brilliance in academics. The amalgamation of traditions with contemporary thinking etches the identity of the top universities in the UK. Cosmopolitan cities break the barriers of discomfort for international students and merge with the culture faster than they can imagine.

While planning to study abroad, an international student has to go through a number of pre-arrival and post-arrival formalities. Everything being new and done for the first time often fuzzles the minds of the students. It is crucial to do an accurate assessment of the pros and cons that one might experience while studying in the UK. In case they get a glimpse of what life in UK for Indian students will look like, it can help them to surpass all the challenges that they might face along the way.

In this article, we will try to extensively cover some of the pertinent queries regarding life in UK for Indian students starting from the visa application to healthcare facilities in the UK.

How is Student Life in UK for Indian Students?

Students can enjoy their study programmes in the UK in addition to their studies. By staying in any of the cities in the United Kingdom. Students can visit numerous exciting places, especially during their vacations or free time. Students can learn about the cities' rich culture by visiting art galleries and museums. The transportation system in the United Kingdom is likewise exceptional, making it easy for everyone to get to locations and hotspots throughout the country. Students in the United Kingdom can enjoy a mix of academic and social features while learning about the country's culture, art, philosophy, and much more. Students can even stay longer if they desire to work in the country.

These aspects make student life in UK for international students more pleasurable and memorable for students during their stay. Let us now look at the best UK cities for higher education for Indian students. 

Cities of UK

UK Ranking

World Ranking

London

1

1

Edinburgh

2

15

Manchester

3

29

Glasgow

4

39

Coventry

5

47

Nottingham

6

48

Birmingham

7

49

Newcastle Upon Tyne

8

57

Aberdeen

9

64

Brighton

10

83

Our study abroad experts have years of expertise to guide students through the admission process to the famous universities of the world right from the application process to the university to the application for a visa.

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UK Student Visa for Indian Students

The life of Indian students in UK starts with the application for student visa permits in the UK. There are a few types of student visas in UK.

  • Student Visa (previously Tier 4 visa) - A student above the age of 16 years can apply for a student visa to study at higher educational institutions in UK.

  • Short-term Student Route- Short Term Student Route is a short-term visa meant for students who study language programmes for up to 11 months or other programmes of six months.

Student Visa UK Requirements

The requirements for a student visa in UK are given below:

  • Must be admitted to a course by a licensed student sponsor

  • Can speak, read, write and understand the English language

  • Must be economically independent to support their education and pay for the tuition fees

How to Apply for UK Student Visa?

The step-by-step UK student visa application process is given below:

  • Step 1: Check your eligibility for a UK student visa

  • Step 2: Apply online by filling out the UK student visa application form

  • Step 3: Pay the student visa application fee which is GBP 348 if the student is applying for it from the outside of UK.

UK student visa processing time is around three weeks. However, it might take around six weeks also in a few cases.

Related Reads:

Part-Time Jobs in the UK for International Students

Life in Canada as an International Student

Life in the USA as an International Student

Life in Australia as an International Student

Top UK Scholarships for Indian Students

Studying in the UK is an investment in the future that a student makes and there are numerous ways to finance the education in UK. It may be in the form of scholarships, grants, bursaries, fellowships, financial awards and even loans. The UK government provides several scholarships to students to aid them financially in their educational journey. Apart from that, UK universities also offer scholarships through fees reduction to students. The most popular scholarships to study in UK are:

Scholarship Name

Amount/Expenses Covered

Chevening Scholarship

Tuition fees, a living allowance, an economy class return airfare to the UK, and grants for extra expenditure

Commonwealth Masters Scholarship

airfare to and from the United Kingdom, tuition and examination fees and personal maintenance allowance

GREAT Scholarship

GBP 10,000 is given to cover a part of the tuition fees

Indian Student Accommodation in UK

Indian student accommodation in UK impacts the settling down of students to a huge extent. It is essential that they choose accommodation based on their budget and lifestyle.

Types of Student Accommodation in UK

To make the experience smooth in the country, it is essential that Indian students have an idea of the types of student accommodation for international students in the UK. Their decision will be mostly directed to finding the cheapest accommodations in the UK for Indian students.

Here are a few types of student accommodations that the students can live in:

  • On-campus Accommodation (Halls of Residence)

Halls of Residence in UK are generally large blocks of flats with individually furnished bedrooms with a shared kitchen. In some halls, students might also need to share bathrooms. Many UK universities guarantee accommodation to full-time first-year students and international postgraduates. UK universities' online booking system often allows students to book their rooms virtually. The halls of residence in UK are generally located near the campus making life in UK as an Indian student easy.

  • Private Student Accommodation

From the second year, international students might rent a private room off campus to live on their own terms. This often means that students are far from campus but they can be close to the other activities that occupy a substantial portion of life. The university accommodation office often helps in finding private rooms. The students must consider the extra money they will have to shell out in utilities, WiFiaccess and content insurance.

Cost of Living in UK for Indian Students

The living expenses in UK for Indian students depend on which city in the UK they are residing in, and how much they want to spare in living costs in UK. The students will need to book their accommodation and arrange for financial support before arriving in the UK. The funding needs to cover the tuition fees, accommodation, food, stationery, books and other social costs.

Below is given an estimate of the living cost in the UK for Indian students.

Expenses

Monthly Cost Est. (in GBP)

Accommodation (on campus or off campus mostly including utility bills)

400-600

Bills (electric, gas and water)

40-50

Food

150-200

TV License

12.56

Leisure and Socialising

100-120

Books and Stationeries

20-25

Travel

30-35

Transportation in UK for Indian Students

Transport is an essential part that determines the life of Indian students in the UK primarily because the journey of an international student in UK will mostly be restricted between apartments and university and occasional tours to the city centre and markets. The daily commutation options in the UK include cycle, bus, cab and train. If a student prefers to live near the campus then they can opt for a bicycle that is cost-effective.

The students dwelling far from the university campus can get a bus pass issued which is a cheap option. Full-time students and those between the ages of 16 and 25 can apply for a 16-25 railcard that allows them to save one-third on rail travel throughout the UK. There are underground railway systems too.

Can Indian Students Work While Studying in UK?

Well yes, international students can work while studying in UK. The UK student visa allows international students including Indian students to work part-time which is they can work 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. Students studying pre-sessional or foundational English can work up to 10 hours a week. However, international students engaging in part-time work in UK must maintain a work-study balance, with greater priority given to the course.

  • International students who hold short-term visas cannot work in UK.
  • The part-time job salary in UK for international students ranges between GBP 6 and GBP 15 per hour.
  • The UK's new Graduate Route also known as the post-study work visa, allows international students to work in the UK for up to two years after completing their degrees. This will increase the potential of international students to get jobs after graduation.

Part-Time Jobs in UK for Indian Students

There are several part-time jobs available in the UK for Indian or international students who want to earn money while studying. The list of some of the famous part-time jobs that students pursue while studying in the UK are enlisted below along with their average estimated salary:

Jobs

Hourly Salary Est. (in GBP)

Hotel Receptionist

8.97

Barista

8.72

Server or Waiter

9

Retail Worker 

9.34

Prep Cook

9.75

Teaching Assistant

9.85

Tutor

24.50

Dog Walker

11.03

Translator

12.58

Research Assistant

14.49

Tutor

24.50

Health and Insurance in the UK

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK provides safe and modern medical support to everyone including international students. The life of international students in the UK is made easy as they are eligible for full healthcare services under NHS. They do not need to purchase private insurance if they are planning to study in the UK for more than six months. An Immigration Health Surcharge of GBP 470 per year has to be paid to access NHS.

International students must register with a General Practitioner (GP) as soon as they reach the UK and know more about health insurance in UK.

The services offered by NHS include:

  • Consultation with a doctor on physical or mental health issues,

  • Emergency services and accidents,

  • Diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease, and

  • Access to Covid-19 vaccination.

International Student Bank Account in the UK

Managing finances is of utmost importance to every international student. The UK allows international students to open a current or savings bank account although most banks do not provide facilities to open student accounts. However, international students in the UK can get access to debit cards and credit cards from banks.

Why Open an International Student Bank Account in the UK?

It is important to open a bank account to carry out financial transactions while studying in the UK.

  • It ensures the safety and security of the finances,

  • For extending or renewing a visa you will need to show bank details,

  • If you work part-time your salary can be credited to your bank account.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Opening a Bank Account in UK

International students should be mindful of a few pointers before opening a bank account in the UK.

  • Make sure the bank branch is near the accommodation and campus,

  • They should check the international transfer fees for sending or receiving money from abroad,

  • They should find out if the bank provides overdraft facilities.

Documents Required to Open a Bank Account in UK for International Students

The documents that international students need to open a bank account in UK vary from bank to bank but generally, they will need to provide:

  • Passport,

  • Student visa,

  • Letter from the university confirming your place,

  • Bank statements,

  • Local or utility bills with your present name and address,

Note: Due to tight security measures, it may take four to five weeks for the account to be functional.

Culture in the UK

Life in the UK for Indian students is often also determined by the culture of the city and the country as a whole. Besides academics, international students in the UK have to navigate through the cultural terrains of the country. Although students may confront cultural shock in the beginning as they have to leave their familiar culture and move to another country, UK universities have dedicated student support teams to help students in all the aspects they need. The welcome week programme of universities familiarises each Indian student with each other and the life they can expect in the UK starting from accommodation to registering for health care.

Politeness, punctuality and queuing are some of the features of British life that all international students must inculcate within themselves. They should try making friends with other students so as to minimise the impact of the culture shock.

Weather in the UK

The weather in the UK is a favourite topic of conversation among the Brits and the international students studying there. UK weather is subject to continuous change and it is difficult to predict it. During the beginning of semester one, that is, in September, the weather is sunny and pleasant whereas it starts getting colder in October. Mist, cold, frost and snow govern the weather in November and December.

Students can expect cold and snow in January and February and towards the beginning of March, the weather starts to clear up but it can be chilly and warm on the same day. The months of April and May in the UK provide warmth to the people while spring is in the air. There are chances of rainfall throughout the year so it is advisable to carry an umbrella.

From allowing Indian students to work while studying to providing them with free medical treatment, the UK is known to offer the most promising and rewarding student life to Indian students. Also, given that the UK is connected to all major European countries like the Netherlands and France, Indian students can get the best opportunities to travel to different places while studying in the country.

If you want to know more about your study and stay in the UK, we strongly recommend you consult our study abroad experts by writing to them at abroad@collegedekho.com.

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FAQs

Are there any cultural shocks while living as an international student in the UK?

It is unavoidable to have culture shock. Almost all students who study outside of their home country confront this challenge, and this is especially true for Indians who move to the UK. This is because the two cultures, conventions, behaviours, and so on are vastly different. In addition, there is a language barrier to overcome. Even if you are fluent in English, you will struggle to grasp the various slang, colloquialisms, accents, and variants from Scotland and Ireland.

How to avoid culture shocks in the UK?

Examine your environment, how people act, and the local culture. This is the greatest method to start slowly and acquire the confidence to reach out to others. Be willing to try new things in order to better understand the culture. Communicate with the locals in a courteous and polite manner. Be open and chat with them to obtain a better understanding of the culture. If you are having difficulty, you can always seek assistance. Speak with a friend or the university counsellor to gain a better understanding of the situation.

What are the various languages that are spoken in the UK?

The United Kingdom is home to a wide range of languages, communities, and nationalities. Though English is the most widely spoken language in the UK, there are thousands of people who speak numerous languages and come from all over the world. As an international student in the UK, you will encounter students who speak a variety of languages; therefore, it is recommended that you practise speaking and hearing British English in order to survive in the UK.

How can international students prepare themselves for student life in UK?

Culturally, the United Kingdom is varied and hospitable to people from all over the world. All universities have a large number of international students, and most have organisations to assist you to meet others who share your interests and come from comparable backgrounds. We also recommend looking for university-related Facebook groups. They frequently have groups exclusively for international students in the UK, where you may ask questions and make friends before you come. 

Is it important to have health insurance as an international student to begin your student life in UK?

International students must show proof of health insurance that covers any healthcare they require while in the UK. You must pay the health surcharge as part of your visa application if you are a student from a country other than the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. This provides you access to the NHS as an international student while studying in the UK.

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