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UK Student Visa for Indian Students

India is the largest source country for UK international students. This guide covers everything Indian students need to know about the Student visa, from financial evidence in INR to the TB test requirement and popular universities.

Checked 14 March 202610 min readWritten by the Rowan Editorial Team
Section
Student & Graduate
Reading time
10 min
Last checked
14 March 2026
Source
The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
Rowan does not
Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.

In short

  • India is the UK's largest source of international students.
  • TB test is mandatory — get it from an approved clinic before applying.
  • Financial evidence: approximately ₹14.7 lakh (London) or ₹11.3 lakh (outside London) for maintenance alone.
  • Processing takes 3 weeks standard, with priority available at 5 working days.
  • Many universities accept English assessment without a separate SELT.

Indian students make up the largest group of international students in the UK. This guide covers the specific requirements for Indian applicants, including financial evidence amounts in Indian Rupees, the mandatory TB test, English language options, popular university choices, and processing times from Indian VFS centres.

Popular Universities for Indian Students

Indian students study across the UK, with particularly strong representation at:

  • London universities: UCL, King's College London, Imperial College London, London School of Economics, and many others
  • Russell Group universities: University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, and University of Leeds
  • Popular for business and engineering: University of Warwick, University of Bath, Cranfield University, and University of Sheffield

The most popular course types for Indian students are master's degrees in business, engineering, computer science, and data science. One-year master's programmes are particularly attractive as they are shorter and more cost-effective than in many other countries.

Financial Evidence in INR

Indian students need to show evidence of funds for tuition fees plus living costs. At approximately 107 INR to £1 (rates fluctuate — check the current rate):

  • London maintenance (9 months): £13,761 = approximately ₹14.7 lakh
  • Outside London maintenance (9 months): £10,539 = approximately ₹11.3 lakh
  • Plus outstanding tuition fees (varies by university and course)

The funds must be held for 28 consecutive days in your or your parent's account. Indian banks issue official bank statements suitable for visa applications. See our financial requirements guide for detailed rules.

Many Indian students use education loans from banks such as SBI, HDFC Credila, or ICICI. A sanctioned loan letter is accepted as financial evidence.

TB Test Requirement

India is on the UK's TB-testing list. You must get a tuberculosis test at an approved IOM (International Organization for Migration) panel clinic before applying. Approved clinics are located in major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and others.

The test involves a chest X-ray and costs approximately ₹3,500-5,000. Results are usually available within 2-3 days. The certificate is valid for 6 months. Book your appointment early during peak season as clinics get busy.

English Language Requirements

Indian students have several options for meeting the English language requirement:

  • IELTS for UKVI: The most commonly used test in India. Available at many test centres across the country.
  • PTE Academic (UKVI): Popular for faster results (typically 2-5 days).
  • University assessment: Many UK universities can assess your English themselves if you studied in an English-medium school or college, and confirm it on your CAS.

India is not on the list of majority English-speaking countries, so you cannot claim an automatic exemption. However, if you have completed a degree taught entirely in English, this may count.

Applying from India

Student visa applications from India are processed through VFS Global centres. The process:

  1. Complete the online application on GOV.UK.
  2. Pay the visa fee (£558) and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
  3. Book a biometric appointment at a VFS centre (available in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Cochin, Jaipur, Jalandhar, and other cities).
  4. Attend your appointment and submit documents.
  5. Collect your passport with the visa vignette.

Processing Times from India

  • Standard: 3 weeks (15 working days). During peak season (June-September), expect 4-6 weeks.
  • Priority: 5 working days. Available at most VFS centres in India.
  • Super priority: Next working day. Limited availability.

For more on timing your application, see our processing times guide.

After Your Studies

Indian students have several options after completing their degree:

  • Graduate route — 2 years (3 for PhD) to work without a sponsor. For applications made on or after 1 January 2027 it lasts 18 months, and PhD graduates keep 3 years.
  • Skilled Worker visa — with a sponsored job offer
  • India Young Professionals Scheme — a separate scheme from the Youth Mobility Scheme, which does not cover India. Places are limited and allocated by ballot

Next Steps

Related guides:

Questions and answers

How much money do Indian students need for a UK Student visa?

Indian students need to show tuition fees plus living costs of £1,529 per month (London) or £1,171 per month (outside London) for up to 9 months. At approximately 107 INR to £1, the maintenance alone is around ₹14.7 lakh (London) or ₹11.3 lakh (outside London), plus outstanding tuition fees.

Do Indian students need a TB test for a UK Student visa?

Yes. India is on the TB-testing list. You must get a TB test at an approved clinic in India before applying. The test costs approximately ₹3,500-5,000 and results are usually available within a few days. You cannot apply without the TB certificate.

How long does a UK Student visa take from India?

Standard processing from India takes approximately 3 weeks (15 working days) from your biometric appointment. During peak season (June-September), it can take 4-6 weeks. Priority service (5 working days) is available at VFS centres in India.

Which English tests do UK universities accept from Indian students?

For the visa, you need a SELT such as IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI. However, many UK universities can assess your English themselves (especially if you studied in English-medium schools) and confirm it on your CAS, which removes the need for a separate SELT.

This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.

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