Study in UK for Indian Students: Graduate Route Guide

By Sumit Manwal, Founder, Hospitality Vacancy | Updated: 9 November 2026

In short: To study in UK universities, Indian students need a CAS from a licensed sponsor, funds held for 28 days, English proof and usually a TB test. After the course, the Graduate visa gives two years if you apply by 31 December 2026, or 18 months from 1 January 2027.

Plenty of Indian families still see the decision to study in UK universities as the smart middle path: many master’s degrees last one year, teaching is in English, and the Graduate visa lets successful students stay on to work for a period after their course. The rules, though, changed again for 2027, and choosing the wrong course or applying late can cost you months of post-study time.

This guide walks through the official Student visa requirements, the new Graduate visa duration, and how to choose a course that keeps your options open. Everything here is drawn from the UK Government’s gov.uk pages as checked on 9 November 2026.

This is general information, not immigration advice. UK immigration rules, fees and financial requirements change. Always check the current gov.uk guidance, speak to your university’s international office, and use a regulated adviser if your case is complex. No one can guarantee a visa or a job.

Student visa basics for Indian applicants

According to the official gov.uk Student visa page, you can apply if you are 16 or over and you have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor, have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course, and can speak, read, write and understand English. The Student visa replaced the older Tier 4 (General) route.

CAS: your university issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, a reference number you need for the application. It also states the course fee you must show.
When to apply: from outside the UK, the earliest is six months before your course starts. Decisions usually take about three weeks from outside the UK.
Application fee: gov.uk listed £558 for a Student visa application from outside the UK when checked on 9 November 2026, plus the immigration health surcharge, which depends on visa length.
Tuberculosis test: applicants from some countries, including India, need a TB test from an approved clinic; check the gov.uk list before booking.
ATAS: some master’s and research courses in sensitive subjects need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate before you apply.

Money you must show: the financial requirement

The gov.uk “money you need” page sets out two parts. First, you need the course fee for one academic year (up to nine months), as shown on your CAS. Second, you must show money to support yourself.

Where you study	Monthly amount shown on gov.uk (checked 9 Nov 2026)	Maximum months counted
London (City of London and the 32 boroughs)	£1,529	Up to 9 months
Outside London	£1,171	Up to 9 months

The money must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, and the end of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply. You need extra funds for each family member who joins you. India is not on the list of countries that benefit from the differential evidence requirement, so Indian applicants should expect to prove funds with documents. If an education loan covers you, you will need a letter from the lender.

A tip from watching students in my own hospitality network: open the bank account you will use for proof well before the 28-day window, and avoid big unexplained deposits during it. Visa officers look at the history, not only the final balance.

The Graduate Route and the 2027 change

The Graduate visa lets you stay in the UK after successfully completing an eligible course. The gov.uk Graduate visa page currently states that it lasts:

2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026;
18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027;
3 years if you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification.

You must be in the UK when you apply, and you must apply before your Student visa expires, after your university has told the Home Office you have successfully completed your course. You do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony or certificate. The Graduate visa cannot be extended, but you may be able to switch to another route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if you find an eligible job with a licensed sponsor.

For Indian students starting a course in 2026 or 2027, the practical effect is simple: most will finish after 1 January 2027, so plan around 18 months of post-study time rather than two years. Do not let an agent persuade you otherwise.

What you can and cannot do on a Graduate visa

Gov.uk says you can work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed, travel abroad and return, and do eligible voluntary work. You cannot claim most benefits or the State Pension, and you cannot work as a professional sportsperson.

Choosing a course: study in UK tips for Indian students

Because post-study time is shorter, the course decision matters more. Use these checks before you accept an offer.

Confirm the sponsor licence. Your university or college must be a licensed student sponsor. Check the official register rather than an agent’s brochure.
Check Graduate visa eligibility. Gov.uk lists which courses qualify and the minimum time you must study in the UK. Some short or distance-learning courses do not qualify.
Match the course to UK hiring demand. Look at real job advertisements and the Skilled Worker eligible occupations before you choose a niche subject.
Look at work placements. A placement year or industry project helps you build UK experience before the Graduate visa clock starts.
Budget beyond tuition. Add rent, travel and the health surcharge, not only the financial requirement minimum.
Check family rules early. Gov.uk sets limits on bringing dependants, which generally apply only to certain postgraduate research or government-sponsored students. Read the family members page before planning.

If you are a hospitality student, a UK master’s in hotel or tourism management can be valuable, but compare it with options elsewhere. Our guide on how to study hospitality management abroad compares countries, and the companion piece on study in Canada for Indians shows how the Canadian route differs after recent changes.

Working while you study

Under Appendix Student of the UK Immigration Rules, students on a full-time course at degree level or above with a sponsor that has a track record of compliance can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during official vacations. Below degree level the weekly limit is lower. Your exact limit is shown on your visa record, so check it before accepting shifts.

Part-time hotel, café and retail work is common among Indian students, and hospitality experience from India counts for a lot with UK employers. Treat the money as help with living costs, not as a way to fund tuition. Visa officers expect you to show the full required funds before you travel, and you cannot be self-employed or work as a professional sportsperson on a Student visa.

Keep timesheets and payslips. Breaching your work conditions can lead to your visa being cancelled and can damage any future application, including a later switch to a work route.

English language proof

You must prove your knowledge of English. For degree-level study, universities can often assess this themselves, while other courses may require a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. Ask your university which test and score it accepts before you book. Our IELTS preparation online guide covers study plans and free practice resources. You will also need a dependable computer for coursework; our sister site’s guide to the best laptop for students explains what is enough for a UK master’s.

Red flags when using an education agent

Promises of a “guaranteed visa” or “guaranteed UK job” after the course.
Advice to show borrowed money in your account just for the 28-day window.
Pressure to pay large deposits to the agent rather than directly to the university.
Claims that the Graduate visa still lasts two years for everyone, regardless of application date.

FAQ: studying in the UK

How long is the UK Graduate visa for Indian students?

Gov.uk states two years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, and three years after a PhD. The same rules apply to all nationalities.

How much money must I show for a UK Student visa?

Your first-year course fee as shown on your CAS, plus the living-cost amount for up to nine months. When checked on 9 November 2026, gov.uk listed £1,529 a month for London and £1,171 a month elsewhere.

Can I bring my spouse on a UK Student visa?

Only in limited cases. Gov.uk restricts dependants mainly to students on certain postgraduate research courses or government-sponsored courses, so most taught master’s students cannot bring family.

Can I switch from a Graduate visa to a work visa?

You cannot extend a Graduate visa, but gov.uk says you may be able to switch to another route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if you meet its requirements, including a job with a licensed sponsor.

When should I apply for my Student visa?

From outside the UK you can apply up to six months before your course starts. Apply as soon as you have your CAS and your funds have been held for 28 days.

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