A practical UK study planner brings three things together: your available budget, your academic eligibility and your intended intake. For a Student visa, you may need to show unpaid course fees plus maintenance funds for up to nine months. As of 21 October 2026, the published maintenance figures are £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 outside London, subject to the applicable rules on your application date. Add the visa application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), travel, testing and other costs. University entry requirements vary, so check the exact course before deciding where to apply.
A UK study planner is a practical check of your expected costs, academic profile and course start date before you commit to a university or pay a deposit. It is not a confirmed university offer, a loan sanction or a Student visa. Its budget section helps you estimate costs and prepare acceptable financial evidence; its academic section compares your qualifications with the requirements published by each course.
Last updated: 21 October 2026 Breadcrumb: Home → Study in UK → Study in UK planner
Before choosing a university, Indian students and families should compare three things: the total cost, the entry requirements and whether the intended intake is available. Global Edge provides counselling from Green Park, New Delhi, including SPEC9 profile evaluation. Start with the Study in UK hub. For a more detailed breakdown of living expenses and visa-related funds, see Cost of Studying in UK. Parents can also review UK Study Budget for Parents.
How much does it cost to study in the UK?
What should I include in my total UK study budget?
Start with your unpaid first-year tuition fees, then estimate living expenses, the Student visa application fee, IHS, travel, any required TB test, English testing and an emergency buffer. As of 21 October 2026, the published Student visa maintenance figures are £1,529 per month in London and £1,171 outside London for up to nine months. These are immigration financial requirements, not a guarantee that your actual living costs will be this low. Check the current GOV.UK figures before applying, particularly for applications made on or after 30 November 2026.
| Budget item | What to include | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid tuition fees | The amount shown as payable for the relevant period on your CAS | Tuition fees vary by university and course |
| Student visa maintenance | Published monthly amount for the course location, for up to nine months | This is the visa financial requirement, not necessarily your real living budget |
| Student visa application | £558 for a standard Student visa application as of 21 October 2026 | Separate from the IHS |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Calculate using the applicable rate and visa duration | The total depends on the period of permission and current rules |
| University deposit | The amount required by your university, if applicable | Check how the payment is reflected in the tuition amount still due |
| Other costs | Flights, accommodation deposits, travel, test fees and an emergency buffer | These may not all count towards the visa financial requirement |
GOV.UK states that applicants generally need enough money to cover the unpaid course fees for the relevant academic year, up to nine months, and maintenance of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month for courses outside London, for up to nine months. The applicable requirements depend on the rules in force for the application.
Source: UKVI — Student visa: money | https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money
As of 21 October 2026, the standard Student visa application fee is £558. The IHS is charged separately and depends on the visa period and the applicable rate. Do not calculate it simply as one year of study: the amount payable is based on the immigration permission and the rules used to assess the application.
The published HC 584 changes specify that the relevant Student-route maintenance changes take effect on 30 November 2026. If you are preparing to apply around or after that date, check the current GOV.UK money requirements and the linked HC 584 explanatory memorandum before finalising your budget. citeturn933264search3turn933264search8turn933264search11
For a family budget, also estimate the actual rent, bills, food, local transport and course-related expenses. Convert your estimate into rupees using a current exchange rate and allow a buffer for currency fluctuations. A visa maintenance figure is a minimum financial requirement, not a promise that your whole year will cost that amount.
How should you assess your academic profile?
What marks do I need to get into a UK university?
There is no single UK-wide percentage cut-off for Indian students. Universities assess qualifications according to their own country guidance, and individual courses may have higher requirements than the general country page. Some postgraduate programmes publish requirements linked to a UK 2:1 or 2:2 equivalent, but you should not assume that the same Indian percentage guarantees the same degree classification at every institution.
Use each university’s India-specific entry requirements as the starting point. Then check the course page for any additional requirements, such as a particular undergraduate subject, relevant work experience, prerequisite modules, a portfolio or a higher academic threshold.
| What to compare | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Indian qualification | Your board, university, degree duration and awarding institution | Universities may assess qualifications differently |
| Percentage or CGPA | The university’s published conversion or entry guidance for India | Do not rely on a generic percentage converter |
| Course-specific grade | The required classification or minimum marks for your exact course | Popular or selective programmes may set higher requirements |
| Subject background | Required degree subject, modules or prerequisites | Meeting the overall percentage may not be enough |
| English language | Accepted tests, required scores and validity rules | English requirements are separate from academic eligibility |
The University of Sheffield publishes India-specific entry requirements and explains how Indian qualifications may be considered for postgraduate study. Treat its guidance as an example of that university’s assessment, not as a national rule for all UK universities.
Source: University of Sheffield — Entry requirements for students from India | https://sheffield.ac.uk/international/entry-requirements/india
Other universities may publish different percentage or CGPA thresholds, including differences by the awarding institution. Check the relevant guidance directly, such as the University of Edinburgh’s India postgraduate entry requirements. You can also read UK Masters Eligibility for an overview and UK Eligibility After 12th for undergraduate pathways.
Do not assume that every Indian bachelor’s degree, including every three-year degree, is accepted for every master’s programme. Course level, subject relevance, institution and academic performance can all matter. Review the course’s own requirements and see 3-Year Degree Masters UK for further context.
When should you start planning for your chosen intake?
When should I begin the UK university application process?
Start with the actual course start date and work backwards. For a September master’s, beginning your research 10–14 months ahead is a useful planning buffer, not a universal application deadline. January entry is available only for courses that list it. Undergraduate applicants using UCAS must also check the relevant cycle deadlines; the equal-consideration date for most 2027-entry undergraduate courses is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time.
Your plan should match the intake and programme rather than assuming that all UK universities follow the same calendar.
- September: a common start month for many undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Check the course page for application, scholarship and document deadlines.
- January: offered by some universities and programmes, particularly selected taught master’s courses. Confirm that your exact course accepts January applications in the UK Intakes guide and on the university’s website.
- Other start months: some institutions offer additional intakes, but availability varies. Do not assume February or another start month is available nationwide.
For a month-by-month approach, see the study in UK timeline. For undergraduate application dates, consult UK University Application Deadlines 2027 and confirm the latest dates with UCAS.
If you need help comparing your budget, marks and intended intake, Global Edge can help you organise the details in Delhi. You can book a SPEC9 profile evaluation to discuss your options.
- Write down the course name, university, start month and official course-page URL.
- Estimate unpaid tuition, realistic living expenses, visa fee, IHS and other expected costs.
- Check the university’s India-specific academic requirements and the exact course prerequisites.
- Confirm the English-language requirements and when the result must be valid.
- Work backwards from the university deadline to plan documents, applications, offer conditions and any deposit.
- Prepare the Student visa financial evidence under the rules that apply to your application date, then obtain the CAS before applying.
Myth: A UK study plan only needs tuition fees and a university ranking.
Reality: You need to consider unpaid tuition, living expenses, visa-related costs, academic eligibility and the actual course start date. A ranking does not establish that you meet the entry requirements or have the funds needed for a visa.
Under the Student route rules, an eligible accommodation payment made to the student sponsor may be taken into account against the required living-cost funds, subject to the applicable conditions and limit. This does not reduce the tuition fees you still owe. Check the current rule before relying on an accommodation payment to meet the financial requirement.
Source: Immigration Rules — Appendix Student | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-student
A useful shortlist starts with the student’s actual academic record and the family’s realistic budget. If a course’s published entry requirements do not match the student’s qualifications, or the estimated funds do not cover the likely costs, identify that gap before paying a deposit. A clear comparison makes it easier to decide which options deserve further research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a UK study planner the same as a cost-of-studying guide?
No. A cost guide focuses on tuition, accommodation and other expenses. A study planner brings costs together with academic eligibility and intake availability. You should still use the official Student visa money guidance to understand the separate financial evidence requirements.
What should I enter in my budget if I have an education loan?
List the amount you expect to have available, the expected disbursement date and the tuition fees still due. Do not assume that a future loan payment or an informal promise automatically meets UKVI’s financial evidence requirements. Check the accepted evidence and loan-document conditions on the current official guidance, and leave enough time to arrange the required funds.
Can I use a UK study planner if I am applying after Class 12?
Yes. Use the university’s entry requirements for your board and Class 12 qualifications, and add the relevant undergraduate application deadlines. Foundation courses and direct-entry undergraduate courses can have different eligibility rules, so confirm which pathway the university offers for your profile.
Does the UK university admission checklist include the visa?
They are connected but separate processes. The university application may involve academic documents, English requirements, references and offer conditions. The Student visa process includes the CAS and the applicable immigration, financial and document requirements. You need to follow both sets of instructions.
Should I use the same living-cost estimate for London and other UK cities?
No. Your actual costs can vary considerably by city, accommodation and lifestyle. The official Student visa maintenance requirement also differs between London and locations outside London. Check the location stated for your course and use the current GOV.UK figures that apply to your application date.
When should I update my UK study budget?
Review it whenever your course, university, city, intake or funding plan changes. Check the exchange rate again before arranging funds, and recheck official visa fees, IHS and maintenance requirements immediately before applying. The relevant Student-route maintenance changes are scheduled to take effect on 30 November 2026, so applications around that date need particular attention.
The Bottom Line
- Takeaway 1: Build your budget around unpaid tuition, realistic living costs, visa charges and a contingency amount.
- Takeaway 2: Check academic eligibility against the exact university and course; percentage conversions are not universal.
- Takeaway 3: Choose an intake that the course actually offers and work backwards from its published deadlines.
- Takeaway 4: Verify the current Student visa financial rules and fees before arranging funds or submitting an application.
Global Edge can help you compare these three areas in Green Park, New Delhi. Universities set their academic entry requirements; UKVI sets the applicable immigration requirements.
Interested to Study Abroad?
Book a free counselling / SPEC9 profile evaluation with Global Edge — study abroad consultants in Delhi. Our team has counselled 57,000+ students across 21+ countries and assists with university shortlisting, applications, SOP & LOR, scholarships, education loans, visa file preparation, and pre-departure briefing.
- Phone: +91-11-48475000
- Email: office@globaledge.net.in
- Head Office: S-6, 2nd Floor, Green Park Extension Market, New Delhi – 110016
- Enquire / talk to us: https://globaledge.net.in/contact-us/
Am I ready to plan my UK studies?
Check your budget, academic eligibility and intake together.
You are better prepared when:
- You have estimated unpaid tuition, living expenses and visa-related charges
- Your academic profile has been checked against the university’s own requirements
- The course page confirms your intended start month
Before committing, confirm:
- Your budget relies on outdated visa figures or an unverified exchange rate
- Your eligibility is based only on a generic percentage conversion
- Your intended intake or course deadline has not been verified