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Your next chapter

Find your place.
Study in the UK.

Find the course and university that fit your next step. Explore your options with practical support, whether you’re applying from overseas or already in the UK.

Need a starting point? Get a free assessment
A garden path leading to a historic Oxford college building
Space to learn.
Room to grow.
Oxford, United Kingdom
685,565

International students in UK higher education

2024/25 · HESA / Jisc
Checked 2026-10-04
2.86m

Students enrolled in UK higher education

2024/25 · HESA / Jisc
Checked 2026-10-04
69.5m

Approximate UK population

Mid-2025 estimate · Office for National Statistics
Checked 2026-10-04

Get to know the UK

The UK at a glance

From lively cities to quieter university towns, think about where you’ll feel at home as well as what you’ll study.

Capital city
London
Currency
Pound sterling GBP (£)
Main language
English
Local time zone
BST (UTC+1) nowGMT in winter · BST in summer
Climate
Four distinct seasonsChangeable weather; pack layers
Choose your setting
City or campus lifeCompare locations in the course search

Beyond the classroom

Life in the UK, explained.

The practical details that help you plan with confidence.

Know the conditions of your permission.

Your course, sponsor and circumstances determine which immigration rules apply. Start with the official guidance before making commitments.

Read official guidance

Student route & CAS

A Student visa application requires a CAS from a licensed student sponsor, alongside the other eligibility requirements. Successful applicants receive an eVisa, a digital record of their immigration status and conditions.

GOV.UK — Student visa and eVisa · eVisa guidance · Checked 2026-10-04

Work during your studies

Eligible full-time degree-level students at qualifying sponsors can usually work up to 20 hours a week in term time. Other courses may allow fewer hours or no work. Check your own visa conditions.

GOV.UK — Appendix Student, ST 26 · Checked 2026-10-04

After graduation

The Graduate visa lasts two years for eligible non-doctoral applications made by 31 December 2026, or 18 months from 1 January 2027. Eligible doctoral graduates can receive three years. Eligibility must be checked separately.

GOV.UK — Graduate visa · Checked 2026-10-04

Build a budget around your city and course.

Tuition is only one part of the plan. Compare accommodation, transport and everyday spending before choosing where to study.

Read official guidance

Student visa maintenance

Where financial evidence is required, the living-cost amount is £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months. Course fees are additional. Funds normally need to be held for 28 consecutive days; exemptions can apply.

GOV.UK — Money you need · Checked 2026-10-04

Your actual spending

The visa evidence amount is not a personal spending estimate. Ask your university about current accommodation prices, deposits and local travel, then allow for utilities, food and a contingency.

British Council — Moving to the UK · Checked 2026-10-04

Work back from your course start date.

Keep the admission deadline, funding deadline and visa preparation timeline together. Each institution sets its own requirements.

Read official guidance

Start dates vary

September and October are common starts, with January and other dates available for some programmes. Confirm the exact intake and application deadline on the university website. Our catalogue does not currently publish intake dates.

UCAS — Dates and deadlines · Checked 2026-10-04

Make a practical shortlist

Compare the course content, entry requirements, qualification and location. Save the official programme links and check which documents each university expects before you apply.

British Council — Study in the UK · Checked 2026-10-04

Give yourself time to settle in.

A little preparation makes the first few weeks easier, from finding your way around campus to building a local support network.

Read official guidance

Find your support network

Locate your university’s international student team, wellbeing services and students’ union. Ask about orientation, local healthcare registration and emergency contacts before arrival.

British Council — Moving to the UK · Checked 2026-10-04

Everyday life

Join a society, explore your new city and plan for changeable weather. The UK has four seasons; comfortable layers and waterproof clothing are useful throughout the year.

Met Office — Our seasons · Checked 2026-10-04

Plan your funding

Scholarships for UK study

Start with the major schemes, then explore the awards offered by your shortlisted universities.

2027/28

Chevening

Fully funded master’s scholarships

For eligible applicants from participating countries pursuing a one-year UK master’s. Nationality, experience and other criteria apply.

Closed for this cycle

Check official eligibility Source · Checked 2026-10-04
2027/28

Commonwealth Master’s

Funded taught master’s study

For eligible applicants from qualifying Commonwealth countries. Financial need and the scheme’s academic and development criteria apply.

Applications open

Check official eligibility Source · Checked 2026-10-04
2026/27

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000 towards tuition

For eligible one-year taught postgraduate study at participating universities. Availability depends on your country and institution.

Check university deadlines

Check official eligibility Source · Checked 2026-10-04
Institution-specific

University scholarships

Awards vary by institution

Check your shortlisted university’s official funding pages for current awards, eligibility, deadlines and application steps.

Check individual providers

Check official eligibility Source · Checked 2026-10-04

Scholarship terms, availability and deadlines change. Confirm the current criteria with the official provider before applying.

From possibility to a plan

Your journey with Vortex Ease

One clear step at a time, with support throughout your university application.

  1. Free study assessment

    Talk through your background, study goals, budget and preferred start date.

  2. Course & university shortlist

    Compare relevant options from the current UK course catalogue.

  3. Application preparation

    Organise the information and deadlines for your chosen institutions.

  4. Statements & documents

    Understand the personal statement, references and evidence each course needs.

  5. Scholarship check

    Review published funding opportunities and their official eligibility criteria.

  6. Offer review

    Compare conditions, tuition, start dates and the next steps in your offers.

  7. CAS & Student visa stage

    Understand the CAS process and current official visa requirements for your circumstances.

  8. Pre-departure & enrolment

    Plan your accommodation, travel and the practical steps before your course begins.

Start your free assessment

A little clarity

Your questions,
answered.

Start here, then check the official guidance for your own circumstances.

Start with your subject, academic background and budget. Use the course search to compare qualifications and locations, then confirm modules, entry criteria and tuition directly with each university.

September and October are common starts. Some programmes also start in January or at other times. Intake dates are not held in this catalogue, so check the university’s current programme page before planning an application.

UCAS · Checked 2026-10-04

Work permission depends on your course and sponsor. Qualifying full-time degree-level students may usually work up to 20 hours a week in term time. Other limits can apply. Always follow the conditions attached to your own permission.

GOV.UK — Appendix Student · Checked 2026-10-04

Eligible graduates may apply for the Graduate visa. Non-doctoral applications made by 31 December 2026 receive two years; applications from 1 January 2027 receive 18 months. Eligible doctoral graduates receive three years. Check the current requirements before deciding.

GOV.UK — Graduate visa · Checked 2026-10-04

Where required, Student visa maintenance is £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months, in addition to course fees. The usual holding period is 28 consecutive days. Exemptions and evidence requirements depend on your circumstances.

GOV.UK — Money you need · Checked 2026-10-04

There are government schemes and university awards, but funding is competitive and eligibility varies. Check the current academic cycle, country criteria and deadline with the official provider. A course offer does not guarantee a scholarship.

British Council · Checked 2026-10-04

You can use our course discovery and university application support while in the UK. Any proposed visa extension or switch needs an individual eligibility check against the current official rules before you proceed.

GOV.UK — Extend your visa · Checked 2026-10-04

Take the next step

Useful reading for your plans

Practical guides to help you turn your ideas into a considered shortlist.

Make your next move

Your UK journey starts
with a clear next step.

Explore the courses. Talk through your plans. Find your way forward.