Short Term Courses in UK for International Students 2025

The United Kingdom stands out as a leading nation in providing excellent education, featuring a wide array of innovative courses than other countries including short term courses. Numerous Indian students opt for short-term courses or summer schools to study in UK, seeking a firsthand experience of the UK's renowned education system. The most popular short-term courses in the UK are Business and Management, Health and Medicine, Law, Marketing, and Journalism and Media.

Short-term courses are advanced educational programs that offer quick instruction on a specific subject. Typically lasting between 1 to 6 months, these courses are more cost-effective compared to year-long degrees. Read the article below to learn about the short term courses in the UK available for various streams, their eligibility requirement, admission procedure, and so on.

Table of Contents

• Why do you need to study short term courses in UK?
• Features of short term courses in UK for Indian students
• Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Business and Management
• Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Health and Medicine
• Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Law
• Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Marketing
• Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Languages
• Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Journalism and Media
• Online 6-month Courses in UK
• Eligibility Requirements for Short Term Courses in UK
• Admission Procedure for Short Term Courses in UK
• Cost of Studying in UK
• Cost of Living in UK
• Visa Requirements for Studying in UK
• FAQs

Why do you need to study short term courses in UK?

You should enroll in short-term courses in the UK for the reasons listed below:

• Personality development - Through summer school experiences, you build self-assurance by engaging with like-minded international peers. Embracing independence in a foreign environment and connecting with a variety of people helps you develop as a whole and as a person, which in turn increases your self-confidence.
• Insight into Boarding Life - Short-term courses, that lasts not more than 6 months, offer an ideal opportunity to experience living independently in the UK.
• Explore the UK - A hidden advantage of short-term courses is the opportunity to learn about the UK and its culture while only being in class for part of the day.
• Boosts Career Opportunities - Irrespective of your prior education in India, completing a short-term course adds significant value to your resume, leading to improved job prospects and appeal to potential investors for your entrepreneurial pursuits.
• Communication Skills - Opting for a short-term course in the UK ensures thorough development of communication skills, fluency in English, and targeted skill acquisition.
• Supportive Social Network - You can meet peers who have the same goals by enrolling in short-term courses that are in line with your desire to turn your hobby into a career. This network fosters inspiration and strengthens your capacity for creativity.
• Entrepreneurial Avenues - Short-term courses pave a path toward entrepreneurship, offering a practical foundation and preparing you to navigate real-world scenarios right after completing your studies.
• Develop Practical Knowledge - Despite being shorter than the typical three-year bachelor's degree, short-term courses have a significant impact in connecting students to the actual world of work. They quickly open up a variety of job options and dramatically improve practical knowledge.

Features of short term courses in UK for Indian students

Here are some details on the short-term courses available to Indian students in the UK:

Program	Duration	Eligibility	Tuition fees	Tuition fees in INR
Furniture Design for Beginners	6 Weeks	12th	465 EUR	37,984
Footwear Design Short Course	2 Weeks	12th	950 EUR	77,602
Animation and Illustration Portfolio Preparation Short Course	1 Week	12th	775 EUR	63,307
Branding & Identity Design Short Course	5 Weeks	12th	580 EUR	47,378
Graphic Design Short Course	1 Week	12th	665 EUR	54,321
Fashion Buying and Merchandising Intensive Short Course	1 Week	12th	695 EUR	56,772
Business Analytics	3 Weeks	12th	2817 EUR	2,30,112
Sustainable Finance & Climate Change	2 Weeks	12th	1918 EUR	1,56,675
Pre-University – Humanities Short Course	2 Weeks	12th	4788 EUR	3,91,117

Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Business and Management

The UK is renowned for its exceptional and technologically advanced management and business programs. Below is a compilation of common short term courses in business and management available in the UK, along with the educational institutions that offer them:

Short-term course	University
Entrepreneurship- 14 days	Coventry University
Leadership, Communication and Innovation- 21 days	University of Warwick
Principals of Business and Management- 19 days	University of Sussex
Managing Global Supply Chains- 19 days	University of Sussex
Developing Negotiating Skills- 19 days	University of Sussex
Global Leadership Development- 21 days	Coventry University
Introduction to Fashion Business- 2 months	University of Arts London
Hospitality Management- 3 months	European School of Economics
Film industry Management- 3 months	European School of Economics
Fashion and Luxury Goods Management- 3 months	European School of Economics

Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Health and Medicine

The UK has become one of the top nations with regard to medical competence as a result of exponential development in the fields of health and medicine. A list of popular short-term courses in the UK for studying an overview of medical and health-related studies is provided below: 

Short-term course	University
Introduction to Psychology- 21 days	University of Warwick
Immunology of Tropical Diseases- 1 month	Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Health Promotion- 14 days	Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Revolutions in Biomedicine- 1 month	Imperial College London
Human Anatomy- 5 months	University of Glasgow
Clinical Psychology and Mental Health- 19 days	University of Sussex
Return to Practice (Nursing)- 2 months	City, University of London
Principles of Respiratory and Thoracic Care- 3 months	Anglia Ruskin University
Child Nutrition- 14 days	Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Pain Management- 3 months	Anglia Ruskin University

Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Law

It is interesting to note that some of the greatest law schools in the UK provide short-term courses to interested students in the legal field. Thus, you can study field-specific expertise in these short-term legal courses in the UK rather than spending years on general knowledge and practice:

Short term course	University
Pre-University Summer School for Law- 14 days	King’s College London
Human Rights Law- 19 days	University of Sussex
Legal English- 14 days	Torquay International School
International Economics Law- 21 days	University of Warwick
Global Migration Law- 19 days	University of Sussex
Global Antitrust in a Digital World- 19 days	University of Sussex
Gender Equality and the Law- 19 days	University of Sussex
International Law- 1 month	University of Edinburgh
International Development- 21 days	University of Warwick

Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Marketing

The only way to learn marketing is through practice. Here is a selection of the best short-term marketing courses available in the UK, which will instruct you in marketing methods for real-world situations while utilising modern technology:

Short term course	University
Marketing- 3 months	European School of Economics
Future of Branding- 5 days	Future London Academy
Communication for PR and Advertising- 21 days	University of Arts London
Business Communication and Social Media- 1 month	University of Edinburgh
Digital Landscapes- 19 days	University of Sussex
Digital Media Concepts and Applications- 19 days	University of Sussex
Digital Marketing Introduction- 2 months	Bournemouth University

Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Languages

The UK serves as a diverse hub for cultures and languages, offering the opportunity to master some of the world's most challenging languages. You can achieve fluency and proficiency in both spoken and written forms while studying in the UK.

Short term course	University
Beginners in Specific Language (popular languages) - 2 months	University of Westminster
IELTS Preparation- 1 month	Europa School of English
English for Academic Purposes- 2 months	University of Manchester
Focus on Writing- 2 months	International House
Cambridge English- 3 months	Capital School of English
TOEFL Preparation- 14 days	Oxford English Centre
Focus on Pronunciation- 2 months	International House

Popular Short Term Courses in UK for Journalism and Media

Actors and directors from all over the world attend short filmmaking courses to hone their abilities at the top film schools in the UK because of the famed theatrical and film industries in the country. Some of the short-term courses are given below:

Short term course	University
Part-time Foundation in Screenwriting- 3 months	MetFilm School
Part-time Foundation in Documentary- 3 months	MetFilm School
Mixed Media- 2 months	Arts University Bournemouth
Graphic Media Design- 21 days	University of Arts London
Journalism- 21 days	University of Arts London
Acting for Film (Level 1)- 1 month	MetFilm School
Post Production- 6 months	MetFilm School
Cinematography- 1 month	MetFilm School
Public Relations- 4 days	Birmingham City University
Fashion Journalism	London College of Fashion

Online 6-month Courses in UK

Many of the short-term courses described above are available for online study. Over 1500 short-term online courses are offered in the UK.

A few of the most popular short-term online courses available in the UK are listed below:

• Global Digital Marketing
• Business and Management- Business Analytics
• Business of Architecture
• Managing Public Money
• Computing and IT
• Paediatrics 
• Food Coaching
• Law with Psychology
• Fundamentals of Data Science

Also read: 1 Year Courses in UK for International Students

Eligibility Requirements for Short Term Courses in UK

Universities offer a variety of courses across disciplines. When applying for short-term courses, you must meet specific eligibility criteria and requirements, which can vary for each course.

Here are the fundamental eligibility and requirements for admission in the UK:

1. Completion of 12th grade is necessary for short-term course applications.
2. Prior to applying, clearing English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc., is mandatory.
3. Letter of Recommendation (LOR) and Statement of Purpose (SOP) are also essential for admission to various courses.
4. To secure admission in the UK, follow the eligibility criteria outlined by the university. After receiving an acceptance letter, you can proceed to apply for either a student visa or a visitor's visa.

Admission Procedure for Short Term Courses in UK

Here's a simplified guide to the admission process for short-term courses in the UK:

• Select your desired short-term course for studying in the UK.
• Review the eligibility criteria and application deadlines.
• You might need to provide evidence of your English Proficiency (such as IELTS/TOEFL).
• Gather and attach all the necessary admission documents for the UK.
• Await the announcement of results to determine your acceptance status.
• Apply for the short-term study visa or opt for the visitor’s route if applicable.

Notably, the application procedure is less complex compared to undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Cost of Studying in UK

Short-term courses have lower tuition costs because of their shorter length. The typical tuition fee is between Rs. 43,570 to Rs. 5.10 lakhs.

In addition to cost of studying in UK, Indian students must also pay a high living expense in the UK. Once again, the city you choose to attend your short-term course in the UK will determine the cost of living. For instance, the difference between the rents between Oxford and London is 51.22%. If taking short-term courses in the UK, the average Indian student would spend Rs.1.03 lakh per month.

Cost of Living in UK

It is important to be aware that colleges and universities do not offer accommodations to students seeking short-term courses in the UK. The students must therefore hire a place to reside in. You will pay about 600 EUR per month in rent for a one-bedroom flat.

Therefore, you should be well-informed on cost of living in UK. Find the table below for the costs.

Expenses	Cost (Per Month)	Cost (Per Month) INR
Rent	600 EUR	INR 54,239
Council Tax	100 EUR	INR 9040
Utility	155 EUR	INR 14,011
Mobile Phone	50 EUR	INR 4520
Bills (Gas, Electricity, Water)	100 EUR	INR 9040
Food	200 EUR	INR 18,079
Transport	32 EUR	INR 2,892
Stationery	21 EUR	INR 1,898

Visa Requirements for Studying in UK

There are two categories of UK Student Visa which you need to consider based on the nature of your short-term course:

• For those enrolling in short-term English courses, the appropriate choice is the short-term study visa. This visa covers English programs spanning 6 to 11 months. Although a short-term study visa is granted for six months, it's essential to exit the UK upon course completion as it cannot be renewed or extended.
• If your visa is issued on or after 11 September, your departure from the UK should not exceed 30 days after your course ends (and even earlier if the visa expiration is within 30 days of the course conclusion).
• Alternatively, if your course duration is less than 6 months, applying for the UK Visitor Visa is necessary. This visa permits a 6-month stay in the UK.
• In both scenarios, your UK visa application mandates the inclusion of the letter of acceptance, a pivotal document.

Documents for your visa application

You must submit proof of the following:

• Sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in the UK (bank statements or payslips).
• Enrollment in a UK course at an institution that satisfies the Short Term Study Visa Requirements.
• This supporting documents includes a letter of acceptance from your educational institution, a list of your previous accomplishments, and proof of your English language ability.

The application fee according to the type of visa

• The application fee for a short-term visa is Rs. 19,369/-
• The application fee for a student visa is Rs. 36,238.

Steps to follow to apply for visa:

The Visa Application involves the following steps:

• Initiate the application process by visiting the Visa Application Centre.
• Assemble all the necessary documents for the visa application, including:
• A valid Passport
• Proof of Adequate Funds
• Language Proficiency Certificate (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL)
• CAS Letter (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
• Settle the application fee.
• Retrieve the BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) from a nearby UK post office.

Related Resources

• UK Visa Interview Questions and Answers
• Study in UK for Indian Students after 12th: Course Options
• Cheapest Universities in UK for International Students
• How is Student Life in UK ? | Universities, Costs, Lifestyle and More

FAQs

1. Are there any short courses in the UK?

There are more than 1500 short-term online courses offered in the UK. The popular short-term courses in the UK are Business and Management, Health and Medicine, Law, Marketing, and Journalism and Media.

2. Can international students do short courses in UK?

Yes. You only need to apply for a short term study visa in advance if you are a visa national. Visit the UK Government website to see if this applies to you. If you are not a visa national, you can obtain a stamp for a short-term study visa, when you arrive in the UK.

3. Which short course is best for UK?

Many short-term courses are available for online study having 6-month duration. Some of them are :

• Business and Management- Business Analytics
• Business of Architecture
• Managing Public Money
• Computing and IT
• Paediatrics
• Food Coaching
• Law with Psychology
• Fundamentals of Data Science

4. Do I need a visa for a short course in the UK?

Yes. You can apply for a short-term study visa if the course duration is between 6 to 11 months. If the course duration is less than 6 months you can opt for UK Visitor visa.

5. Do universities provide accommodation for short term courses?

No, not many UK institutions offer accommodation for short-term courses.

6. How long is a short term course in UK?

Short-term courses in the UK typically last no longer than 6 months. But International students can also enrol in three-month certificate programmes in the UK.

7. Are short courses worth it?

The cost of short courses is typically lower than that of higher education. If you want to learn something new but don't want to spend the money on a degree plan, short courses are an excellent option. They are also great if you just want to learn more about a subject before deciding to invest more time in it.