Study in the UK: Requirements, CAS, Costs & Deadlines

Numerous internationally recognized universities, famous for their superior instruction and innovative research, are in the United Kingdom. These establishments offer a welcoming and diverse environment.

International students will have access to renowned academic programs and a wealth of cultural experiences when they study in the UK. Yet, it has its own set of obstacles and requirements students have to face.

So, let’s explore all the study in UK requirements and deadlines to be fulfilled.

1. Admission Requirements to Study in UK for International Students

Various factors, such as your chosen course, university pick, degree level, etc., might affect your eligibility to study in UK. Nonetheless, there are still common fundamental standards that all international students must meet for each degree level at UK universities, including:

• Qualifications and Grades
• Entrance Tests
• Language Proficiency Criteria
• Mandatory Documents

1.1. Qualification/Grades Requirements 

This is one of the most crucial requirements to study in UK for international students. Depending on the university and degree level, the required qualifications may change. However, it is best that you submit a good grade of 3.75 out of 4 and an overall percentage of 70% or more because most UK colleges are quite competitive.

These are the prerequisites and eligibility to study in UK requirements for admission to different course levels.

Level of Study	Qualification requirements
Bachelor’s degree	Humanities: Minimum 65% in 12th grade Science and Commerce: Minimum 70-80% or above in 12th grade
Master’s degree	Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 60% and above
PhD	Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with 60% and above

1.2. Entrance Tests Requirements 

Depending on the course you have selected, you may be required to take an entrance exam if you are an overseas student and your degree is not from the UK. These exams will assess your knowledge in the field of study you want to pursue or topics that are closely related.

Such examinations are conducted with the goal of determining if a foreign student is a good fit for the UK educational system. Moreover, these exams will help universities choose the most qualified applicant for their UK study intakes.

The different kinds of admission exams that you might need to take to fulfill one of the study in UK requirements are as below:

• GMAT (if you are applying for an MBA or some business-related course in the UK.)
• GRE (if you are applying for a master’s degree. Note: While some UK colleges do demand a GRE, the majority do not. However, some courses require the GRE, while others do not. For further information, contact your university.)
• LNAT  (Used by universities to select students for their undergraduate law courses and does not require prior knowledge of the law.)
• BMAT (if you are applying for medicine, biomedical science, and dentistry-related undergraduate and postgraduate programs.)

1.3. English Language Proficiency Criteria  

As one of the study in UK requirements, you must pass a language competency exam and demonstrate that you are fluent in English if you are from a country where English is not the primary language.

1.3.1. IELTS Academic Requirement

You must take the IELTS UKVI test particularly while opting for the IELTS Academic exam. 

IELTS and IELTS UKVI are identical in terms of format, content, scoring, and difficulty. The only difference is that the UK Home Office has approved a UKVI IELTS for employment, education, and immigration.

Level Of Study	Minimum IELTS Score Required
Bachelor’s degree	6.0 – 6.5
Master’s degree	7.0
PhD	6.5 – 7.0

1.3.2. PTE Academic Requirement 

Since 98% of UK universities accept PTE Academic, you can use it to satisfy academic eligibility to study in UK for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. 

It is advised that you take the PTE Academic UKVI, which has been authorized by the UK Home Office for visa applications, similar to the IELTS exam.

Level Of Study	Minimum PTE Score Required
Bachelor’s degree	50 – 60
Master’s degree	60 – 70
PhD	Around 62 – 75 or more

1.4. Other Document Requirements 

The entire application procedure for a university in the United Kingdom involves a significant amount of paperwork. It is obligatory for all international students to possess certain documentation. Please be aware that these materials requirements to study in UK for international students might change, subject to the course and university you select.

Beside the papers mentioned in the previous parts, the following documents are needed for the study in UK requirements to be met:

• Application form
• ID proof
• A valid passport
• Passport size photographs
• Birth certificate
• Reference letters (if required)
• Statement of Purpose
• CV/ Resume
• Proof of funds and other bank statements 

2. What is CAS?

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an electronic document with a unique reference number. It is issued by UK educational institutions to prove that they have accepted you for a course and will serve as your immigration sponsor.

It typically includes all of your personal information, including your university name, course of study, length of study, and CAS number, which is exclusive to you. Although the CAS letter is good for six months, you can use it up to three months before the start of your course of study.

To apply for your letter of CAS, you must:

• Fulfill all the prerequisites outlined in your conditional offer letter. 
• Provide all of your academic records and other relevant files on the university’s website.
• Confirm your admission once the initial money has been paid

Prior to submitting your application for a student visa, international students must get a CAS letter from an academic institution located in the United Kingdom. This is due to the fact that a student can only be given a student visa after accepting an offer and paying the required payment.

3. Costs of Studying in UK for International Students 

It is essential to carefully calculate and track your spending as one of your study in UK requirements to be fulfilled. Generally, the approximate annual cost of attending private and public institutions in the United Kingdom is affected by different factors.

Costs	Average Cost in GBP
Entrance Exam	£220 – £275
University Application	£25 – £150
Student Visa	£300 to £735
Healthcare (Immigration Health Surcharge)	£776/year
Flight Tickets (One way)	£130 – £1,000
University Tuition	£9,000 – £38,000/ year
Living Expenses	£13,000 – £16,000/ year
Others	£500+
TOTAL EXPENSES = £25,00 – £56,000

Let’s now go into more detail about how much it costs for international students to study in the UK. The expense of studying in the UK is broken down into three main sections:

• Cost of Education 
• Living Expenses 
• Other Essential Expenses 

3.1. Tuition Fees for International Students

The largest expense associated with residing in the UK for overseas students is tuition. The course you select, the location, and the university can all have a significant impact on this matter.

Type of Degree	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Bachelor’s degree	£10,000 – £38,000
Master’s degree	£9,000 – £30,000
PhD	Up to £18,000

For students’ sake, there are several options for paying for your tuition at UK institutions, including student loans, financial help, and scholarships. This can greatly improve your ability to control your tuition costs.

3.2. Living Expenses in the UK

Living expenses include housing, food, transportation, household bills, shopping, and other recreational activities. In the UK, the average monthly cost of living is between around £1,750 to £2,873.

Similar to tuition at UK colleges, living costs might differ based on the lifestyle, housing location, and other factors of overseas students.  

Type of Expenses	Average Amount
Accomodation	£500 – £700
Food & Groceries	£100 – £200
Transportation	£25 – £40
Household Bills	£40 – £60
Others	£200

3.3. Other Essential Expenses 

Aside from the above main expenses, international students studying in the UK must pay for various kinds of expenses, even before they arrive in the country.  Let’s break them down!

• Entrance Exams: Before enrolling to institutions in the UK, international students must take various entrance exams, such as the GRE and GMAT, or language competence tests, such as the PTE and IELTS.

• University Application Fee: Students must pay the university’s registration fees as part of the application procedure to study in the UK. You should budget between £20 and £90 to apply to different UK institutions. However, students might also qualify for waivers of the application price.

• • Flight Tickets: The flight ticket costs vary depending on your city, destination and airline.  
  • Student Visa Fees: The cost of your UK student visa may change based on the kind of visa you’re applying for. It can range from £300 to £735.

• Immigration Health Surcharge: You must pay a health insurance extra in addition to your visa fee. The annual cost for international students to access the NHS is approximately £776. NHS health centers will provide free medical care and discounted dental care to students.

4. Deadlines for Meeting the Study in UK Requirements 

Your university’s UK study intakes are the most crucial date because it sets other important deadlines you must meet to complete your enrollment smoothly. So, note the application deadline for your intake and then gird your loins for the admission process. 

Below are 3 deadlines that you must pay close attention during the process:

• Deposit Payment Deadline: For their universities to issue a CAS number, international students must pay a deposit. After that, you can choose to pay the remaining tuition in full at the beginning of your course or in two installments.
• CAS Request Deadline: Once you’ve paid your deposit and accepted your offer, universities set due dates for CAS requests. Applications for CAS letters are typically reviewed within 90 working days of the study program’s official start date. First come, first served is often how the UK CAS letter is distributed. So, apply for your CAS letter as soon as possible!
• Visa Application Deadline: After receiving your CAS, you have a deadline to apply for your visa before it expires and before your course starts. Obtaining your visa may still take several weeks or months, even if your course application is finalized and your CAS is provided promptly. You should thus submit your application at least three months prior to the start of your university’s UK study intakes.

Example: The University of Brighton makes a table of deadlines below to support the timely issue of their students’ CAS for the September 2025 intake.

5. Conclusion

Fulfilling academic and financial conditions are the first essential study in UK requirements you need to meet. Besides, you need to demonstrate your English language skills by taking exams (such as the PTE or IELTS) and obtain important documents. 

Importantly, every university has different criteria. So, be sure to check with them directly to ensure your plan for how to study in UK go smoothly. Good luck!