How to Study in London for International Students
London, one of the beautiful cities in United Kingdom, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.
When it comes to the choices that are available, London, England currently has 38 universities, from which 33 universities are a part of the public sector and 5 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in London you should definitely check out are Imperial College London, University of College London, and King’s College London.
Being able to study in London as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in London, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in London
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in London, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 12,000 GBP to 38,600 GBP, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 6,875 GBP and 131,200 GBP.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in London
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in London, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| London Institute of Banking and Finance | 13,000 GBP | 15,000 GBP |
| Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London | 22,400 GBP - 24,600 GBP | 16,600 GBP - 26,200 GBP |
| Ravensbourne University London | 16,500 GBP | 9,750 GBP - 17,000 GBP |
| University of West London | 13,300 GBP | 6,875 GBP - 16,800 GBP |
| Guildhall School of Music and Drama | 21,800 GBP - 23,200 GBP | 15,500 GBP - 23,200 GBP |
| Royal Academy of Music | 25,300 GBP | 15,300 GBP - 31,500 GBP |
| St George’s, University of London | 17,300 GBP - 19,300 GBP | 17,300 GBP - 23,000 GBP |
| Royal Veterinary College University of London | 15,200 GBP - 38,600 GBP | 23,900 GBP - 27,100 GBP |
| Courtauld Institute of Art | 23,500 GBP | 22,900 GBP - 25,800 GBP |
| Royal College of Music | 26,000 GBP | 18,100 GBP - 33,400 GBP |
| School of Advanced Study | 15,300 GBP - 17,700 GBP | |
| Brunel University London | 16,900 GBP - 20,500 GBP | 16,900 GBP - 20,500 GBP |
| University of Roehampton | 13,800 GBP - 17,200 GBP | 14,800 GBP - 16,000 GBP |
| Royal College of Art | 32,000 GBP - 72,800 GBP | |
| University of East London | 13,800 GBP | 14,300 GBP - 15,800 GBP |
| London South Bank University | 15,400 GBP - 18,500 GBP | 15,400 GBP - 25,400 GBP |
| University of London | 12,000 GBP - 14,000 GBP | 9,180 GBP - 16,000 GBP |
| University of Westminster | 14,400 GBP - 14,800 GBP | 13,000 GBP - 19,000 GBP |
| City, University of London | 15,500 GBP - 20,500 GBP | 14,100 GBP - 21,200 GBP |
| SOAS, University of London | 20,400 GBP | 23,400 GBP - 24,700 GBP |
| University of Greenwich | 15,100 GBP | 7,550 GBP - 18,500 GBP |
| London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine | 23,900 GBP - 33,000 GBP | |
| London Business School | 39,200 GBP - 131,200 GBP | |
| London Metropolitan University | 13,200 GBP - 17,200 GBP | 16,300 GBP - 16,900 GBP |
| Birkbeck, University of London | 14,600 GBP | 16,400 GBP - 18,100 GBP |
| Goldsmiths, University of London | 17,100 GBP - 23,900 GBP | 15,400 GBP - 24,900 GBP |
| University of the Arts London | 23,700 GBP | 20,800 GBP - 26,700 GBP |
| Imperial College London | 35,100 GBP - 36,200 GBP | 31,800 GBP - 39,000 GBP |
| University of College London | 24,000 GBP - 32,100 GBP | 26,600 GBP - 45,000 GBP |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | 23,400 GBP | 24,500 GBP - 36,600 GBP |
| Middlesex University | 14,700 GBP | 14,800 GBP - 15,300 GBP |
| Queen Mary University of London | 20,000 GBP - 25,200 GBP | 20,800 GBP - 27,300 GBP |
| King’s College London | 21,900 GBP - 29,500 GBP | 27,900 GBP - 33,000 GBP |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in London
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Bruford College | 18,900 GBP - 20,000 GBP | 20,000 GBP - 24,900 GBP |
| Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance | 14,500 GBP - 23,400 GBP | 12,900 GBP - 23,300 GBP |
| Richmond, The American International University in London | 14,800 GBP - 38,000 GBP | 13,300 GBP - 21,800 GBP |
| Regent’s University London | 18,500 GBP - 21,500 GBP | 9,750 GBP - 24,500 GBP |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in London, check out the Cheap Universities in London!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in London for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in London, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In London, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in London may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in London are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in London and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Rose Bruford College
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
European School of Economics
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL: 87
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 90
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
London Institute of Banking and Finance
Bachelor’s degree
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in London
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in London have online applications available on their websites, like Imperial College London and University of College London. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in London.
Imperial College London
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
University of College London
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
King’s College London
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in London differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in London.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in London
If you’re going to study in London, you will need to apply for a student visa in United Kingdom
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in United Kingdom. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Tier 4 (General) student visa
To start your student visa application in London, you will need to present the following:
- Valid passport
- Evidence of financial means to fund studies
- Colored passport-sized photos
- Tuberculosis screening, if required
- CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) reference number
- An ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in United Kingdom is 363 GBP.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Prepare all your visa requirements.
- Prove your identity prior to starting your application. Depending on your nationality, you will either need to provide your biometric information to a visa application center in your country or log into your UK Visas and Immigration account and scan your proof of identity there.
- You will be given further instructions after providing your proof of identity.
- Complete the rest of the application
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in London. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!