Study in UK for Indian Students after 12th: Course Options

International students wishing to study in UK after 12th have abundant course options like Arts, Commerce etc. The United Kingdom is a popular study destination for Indian students and renowned for its quality education and conducting world-class research. Being Home to world best universities such as Cambridge, Oxford university, London School of Economics, university of Durham and Imperial College of London, students can get globally recognized degrees that help in shaping their future. In 2022, India ranked second among non-EU countries in terms of students enrolment in the UK, with 84,555 student population. If you are planning to study in UK after 12th, there are many undergraduate programs available in almost every field of study and this blog brings you detailed information about the same. 

Table of Content

• Popular Courses to Study in UK after 12th
• Arts Courses to study in UK after 12th
• Commerce Courses to Study in UK after 12th
• Study in UK after 12th Science Courses
• Study MBBS in UK after 12th for Indian Students
• Diploma Courses to study in UK after 12th
• Study Law in UK after 12th
• Top 10 UK Universities to Study after 12th
• Eligibility Criteria for Studies in the UK after 12th
• Documents Required for Studying in UK
• Application Process for admission to UK Universities
• UK Admissions Timeline
• Cost of Studying in UK
• UK Student Visa Requirements
• Scholarships to study in UK for Indian Students after 12th
• FAQs

Popular Courses to Study in UK after 12th

The best courses to study in UK universities after 12th are Business & Management, Engineering, Computer science & IT, Health & Science, Law, Education & Training. UK universities offer around 50,000 courses across various domains. You can pick a course that suits your interest and based on the stream you studied in Class 12. Here we have listed out undergraduate programs available to study in UK after 12th grade based on the streams

Arts Courses to study in UK after 12th

Most popular courses to study in Arts & Humanity stream are,

• Music
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Mass Communication
• Psychology
• Architecture
• Sociology
• English Literature
• Photography
• Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Commerce Courses to Study in UK after 12th

Out of many programs available in Commerce stream, the best courses you can study after 12th are

• Management
• Marketing
• Entrepreneurship
• International Relations
• Economics
• Finance
• Business
• Law
• Accountancy

Study in UK after 12th Science Courses

Course options to study in UK after 12th for Indian students in Science Stream can be divided into two parts: Medical courses and Non Medical Courses. Some of the popular choices are given below

Science Courses to study in UK after 12th Medical Stream

• Biotechnology
• Biology
• Medicine and Pharmacy
• Animal Sciences
• Horticulture
• Molecular Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Energy Management

Science Courses to study in UK after 12th  Non-Medical Stream

• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Civil Engineering
• Automotive Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering

Quick Read: High Salary Courses After 12th Science

Study MBBS in UK after 12th for Indian Students

MBBS is one of the prominent and coveted programs to study in the UK after 12th for Indian students. MBBS in the United Kingdom is referred to as Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery commonly called MBChB or MB BCh at some UK Universities. The course duration of MBBS in the UK is 5-6 years. To pursue MBBS in UK, Indian students need a minimum 50% score in NEET or any good score in UKCAT, BMAT, GAMSAT, etc.

The cost of Studying MBBS in UK for Indian Students after 12th ranges between £1,33,000 - £3,12,000. The top medical colleges to pursue MBBS in UK after 12th are given below

• University of Cambridge
• University of Oxford
• Imperial College London
• King’s College London
• University of Edinburgh
• University College London
• University of Glasgow
• University of Manchester
• University of Newcastle
• Queen Mary University of London

After completing the course and acquiring the elite British degree, you will have an opportunity to earn a decent salary irrespective of your place of work (UK or other country). Medical Graduates from the UK typically earn around £21,000-£47,000.

Diploma Courses to study in UK after 12th

Here is the list of popular Diploma Courses to study in the UK for international students.

Diploma Courses	University Name
Diploma in Business Management	London School of Planning and Management
Diploma in Accounting and Finance	University of Bolton
Diploma in Maritime Shipping	Shipping College
Screenwriting Diploma	London Film Academy
HND in Accounting and Finance	Regent College London
HND in Business Management, Entrepreneurship	Regent College London
Foundation Diploma in Arts & Design	Cambridge School of visual arts & Performing arts
Executive Diploma in Meditation	International Career Institute
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Diploma	Harley Oxford
Diploma in Health and Social Care	London School of International Business

Study Law in UK after 12th

UK’s prestigious law schools offer 1676 law programs to help applicants gain necessary skills and confidence in the field of study. The primary requirement to study Law in the UK after 12th is that the applicant must have completed senior secondary education and a Bachelor's degree is also preferred but not mandatory. If Indian Students want to study Law in the UK after 12th, they must either pursue a bachelor's degree like BA/BBA- LLB in India and then study LLB in the UK or can also take up a foundation program alongside LLB in UK. Here are top Law Schools in UK:

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University of Edinburgh
• University College London
• University of Manchester
• King’s College London
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• Queen Mary University London
• University of Nottingham
• University of Warwick

Download the best courses to study in UK after 12th for your reference

Top 10 UK Universities to Study after 12th

Many Indian students plan to study abroad every year and choose the UK as their dream destination. Students join private or public universities in the UK to pursue their undergraduate degree. The UK is home to many top-ranked universities that offer courses in varied specialisation fields. To help you in your research further, we have given you list of top universities in UK based on QS World University Rankings 2025

S.No.	University Name	QS World Ranking 2025
1	University of Cambridge	5
2	University of Oxford	3
3	Imperial College London	2
4	UCL	9
5	The University of Edinburgh	27
6	The University of Manchester	34
7	King’s College London	40
8	The London School of Economics and Political Science	50
9	University of Bristol	54
10	University of Warwick	69

Eligibility Criteria for Studies after 12th in the UK

The eligibility requirements for higher studies after 12th in UK depends on the choice of program and university you are applying to. The basic eligibility criteria for international students to get undergraduate admission in UK universities is given below

• The student should have 18 years of age and must have completed 10+2 from a recognised Educational Board.
• To pursue Humanities, 12th-grade marks should be a minimum of 65%.
• For Science and Commerce, 12th-grade marks must be 70 to 80% or above.
• Students scored under 60% are eligible to study Foundation and Diploma Programs.
• Scores of English language proficiency i.e IELTS, TOEFL or PTE need to be submitted. Scores of SAT or ACT might be required if necessary
• Statement of Purpose and Letter of Recommendation (if applicable)

Documents Required for Studying in UK

List of major documents required for studying in UK universities after 12th are:

• Academic transcripts of 10th and 12th class
• Proof of funds
• Proof of English language Proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• A suitable portfolio for applicants to join in arts, design and architecture courses
• 2 academic reference letters (optional)

Application Process for admission to UK Universities

The application process for admission to UK universities is simple and is managed by the University College Admissions System (UCAS). UCAS is tasked with collecting the student’s applications and fees that are transferred to the respective universities/colleges. The steps to finish the application process are as follows

• Visit UCAS portal and select the university
• Refer eligibility requirements and course curriculum
• Click and open the application form of your selected university
• Firstly, you have to create an account by using your mobile number or email ID
• After that, soon you will receive an email or SMS to your registered contact details with login credentials and verification
• Use the login credentials provided, open the page and enter your personal details (name, date of birth, gender etc.)
• Mention your academic qualifications and upload supporting documents
• Finally, Select the course you want to study and pay the applicable fee through a debit or credit card/ internet banking.
• Cross check all the details and click submit. Once the application is submitted, you can track through your account.
• Students who were selected need to attend the virtual interview conducted by the respective universities.

UK Admissions Timeline

Though universities set their own application deadlines and admission process for various programs, it is important for you to know about the major student admission intakes in UK to study after 12th. They are Fall intake, Spring intake, Winter intake in UK.

Winter intake takes January admissions but only to specific programs and universities. The majority of admissions for undergraduate courses after 12th or post graduate courses in UK universities takes place in Fall and Spring semesters. Students can choose winter intake if they are awaiting for a degree or any academic transcripts, attempting for language proficiency tests.

Cost of Studying in UK

Cost of studying in the UK majorly depends on the course tuition fee and its duration for sorting accommodation and living expenses for international students. The average tuition cost for undergraduate courses roughly ranges between 6000-9000 EUR but mainly depends on the type of course you are choosing. UK universities tuition fee for medical and business courses are high compared to other courses.

The United Kingdom is one of the most expensive countries in the world that has a high standard of living. Students can opt either on-campus or private accommodation and price depends on the chosen type. A one-bedroom apartment might cost you 550-650 Euros. To know more about UK study and living costs, check the blog Cost of Studying in UK.

UK Student Visa Requirements

The Tier-4 student visa is necessary for undergraduate courses in the UK and the application fee costs  £348. While a short term student visa is required to study short term courses in the UK, the application fee is £97 for 6 months visa and £186 for 11 month visa.

After securing admission in UK universities, you must apply for a student visa. The student visa requirements that need to be fulfilled by international students are

• Applicant age should be 16 years & above
• Student should have secured course admission in any UK university
• Must have adequate funds to manage tuition fee, living expenses etc.
• Must adhere to government rules and regulations
• Health insurance is mandatory. Surcharges of healthcare will be payable in the application process.
• Should score a minimum IELTS band score ranging 5.5-6.5 for studying in the UK.

Related Resources

• UK visa Interview Questions and Answers
• How to study in UK without IELTS

Scholarships to study in UK for Indian Students after 12th

The United Kingdom offers scholarships for International students based on their merit in academics. Since the study cost is expensive, both the UK government and universities offer a wide range of scholarships for Indian students to pursue their higher studies. Some of the top UK scholarships for Indian students are as follows

• Chevening scholarships
• Felix Scholarships
• Rhodes scholarships
• Erasmus Mundus
• Commonwealth scholarship and fellowships
• Cambridge trust scholarship
• Axol Science Scholarships
• OCSI (Oxford and Cambridge Society of India) scholarships

Other than scholarships, students can also take up part-time jobs to manage their financial needs in UK. Students can work 20 hours a week during regular classes and full-time in holiday seasons.The UK Government has recently disclosed a new 2 year post-study work visa which further strengthened the country as a global study destination. 

The UK is one of the popular study destinations for Indian students. So, If you wish to move to UK for higher studies, make sure you do research on courses, colleges to pick the right choice. Hope through this article you got clarity on what to study in UK after 12th. 

Also Check out: MBA in UK for Indian Students

FAQs of Study in UK after 12th

1. Which courses is best to study in UK after 12th?

The best courses to study in UK after 12th are Law, Business Management, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Architecture and Modern Languages & Linguistics. Other than these international students may also opt for different diploma courses in UK after 12th.

2. How much does it cost to study in UK after 12th?

There has been a substantial rise in the cost of studying in UK for the past few years. Indian students who wish to enrol for UK universities for undergraduate courses need to pay around 10,000 GBP to 54,000 GBP per year, depending on the type of course.

3. What is the eligibility criteria for studies after 12th in UK?

International students 12th grade marks should be a minimum of 65% to study Humanities in UK. For Science and Commerce, 12th grade marks must be 70 to 80% or above. Students who have scored below 60% are eligible to pursue Foundation and Diploma Programs.

4. How much study gap is accepted for study in UK after 12th?

Most of the UK universities will accept international students with two years of study gap. However, if your study gap is three years, you can apply for a bachelor's degree at only quite a few universities.