UK Master’s: Apply by Nov 30, 2026, for lower maintenance costs

Indian students considering Master’s programmes in the United Kingdom for the 2027 academic year will navigate updated visa regulations and increased financial requirements, according to information from the Home Office and GOV.UK. These changes, effective from late 2026 and early 2027, impact post-study work opportunities, living cost evidence, and dependant eligibility.

Over 150,000 Indian students currently study in the UK annually, making it a significant destination for higher education. The UK’s admissions process, which often relies on predicted grades for conditional offers, differs from India’s system where applications typically follow final exam results.

Changes to Graduate Route Visa and Financial Requirements

A notable change for Indian students is the shortening of the UK Graduate Route visa. For applications submitted from 1 January 2027, the duration of this post-study work visa will be reduced from two years to 18 months. PhD graduates, however, will continue to receive a three-year Graduate visa, irrespective of their application date.

Alongside this, the Student visa maintenance requirement is set to increase from 30 November 2026. Students planning to study in London will need to demonstrate £1,570 per month, up from the current £1,529. For those studying outside London, the requirement will rise from £1,171 to £1,203 per month. The maximum living cost evidence required for a nine-month period will be £14,130 for London and £10,827 for outside London. Funds generally need to be held for a consecutive 28-day period, ending within 31 days of the application, and India is not currently exempt from providing evidence of maintenance funds.

Eligibility for Dependants and Work Conditions

Rules regarding dependants for postgraduate students have also been updated. For postgraduate courses commencing from 1 January 2024, dependants are generally permitted only for students pursuing a PhD, another doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree. This means most Master’s students will not be able to bring dependants.

Eligible degree-level students are generally permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time. Full-time employment is typically allowed outside of term time for these students. The UK visa brake, which affects nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, does not currently apply to Indian nationals.

Admission Requirements and English Proficiency

While some top universities might require an 85% average in Class 12 exams for admission to Master’s programmes, the general requirement for UK Master’s admission is often a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5. The Home Office, for visa purposes, requires an IELTS score of 5.5. Some universities also accept TOEFL iBT, usually with scores between 90-100. The required standard for a UK degree level Student visa is CEFR B2. Very few UK universities require the GRE for a Master’s degree.

Universities in London typically ask for English proficiency scores, academic transcripts, a Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), a valid passport, and proof of funds as part of the application process. The average annual tuition for Indian students ranges from £10,000 to £38,000, with a Master’s degree often completed in around one year. The average graduate salary in the UK is reported to be over £30,000 per year.

Visa Application Costs

The current Student visa application fee is £558. In addition, students are required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776 per year. These fees are separate from university tuition and living costs, which vary significantly based on the institution and location. For instance, tuition fees for international Master’s programmes often range from £15,000 to over £40,000.

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Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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