Study, Work & Settle in the United Kingdom

The UK Graduate Route Visa allows international students to live and work in the UK for 2 years after completing their degree (3 years for PhD graduates). All students who complete an eligible UK degree at a licensed sponsor institution are eligible. The scheme applies to courses starting on or before 31 December 2026, making this an urgent window for Indian students.

Typical UK tuition ranges from £11,000 to £38,000 per year. One-year Master's programs (total cost ₹18–30 lakhs including living expenses) are the most cost-effective pathway. Charms helps Indian students access scholarships up to ₹30 lakhs to offset costs.

Most UK universities require an overall IELTS score of 6.0–7.0 with no band below 5.5–6.5. Russell Group and top-ranked universities typically require 6.5–7.5 overall. PTE, TOEFL, and Duolingo are accepted as alternatives at many universities.

Yes. On a UK Student Visa, Indian students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. Hourly wages typically range from £12–£16 (UK minimum wage is £12.21/hr for 21+ as of April 2025), helping students support living expenses.

Charms maintains a 98% UK student visa success rate across 20+ years of consulting practice — 25,000+ students placed globally, with a specialized team handling UK refusal re-applications (92% success on re-files).

UK universities offer three main intakes: September 2026 (main — widest selection), January 2027 (secondary), and May 2027 (limited to select programs). Application timelines begin 9–12 months in advance.

You need to show maintenance funds covering first-year tuition plus living costs (£1,529/month Inner London, £1,171/month Outside London) held for 28 consecutive days. Funds can be in your name, your parents', or from an approved education loan. Charms guides you on document formatting to prevent refusals.

Charms has a specialized refusal-case team. We analyse the refusal letter, identify the exact refusal ground (Part 9 rules — credibility interview, ATAS, financial evidence, deception, etc.), rebuild the application with corrected documentation, and re-file. Success rate on re-applications: 92%.

Yes — the UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is £776/year for students (approximately ₹82,000/year) and gives you access to the NHS during your stay. This is paid alongside your visa application. Other costs include the visa application fee (£524) and CAS letter processing. Factor these into your total UK study budget along with tuition and living costs.

ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance is required for certain STEM postgraduate courses — advanced engineering, physics, nuclear, biological sciences, and some medical research programs. Missing ATAS adds 4–6 weeks to your application. Charms identifies ATAS-requiring courses at the shortlisting stage and handles the clearance application on your behalf.

Most UK universities accept PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Duolingo English Test as alternatives to IELTS. Score requirements differ per test but broadly equivalent: e.g., IELTS 6.5 ≈ PTE 58 ≈ TOEFL 88 ≈ Duolingo 120. Charms runs dedicated IELTS and PTE coaching at our offices across India — speak to our counsellor to pick the best test for your timeline and target score.

Most UK universities offer pre-sessional English courses (typically 4, 8, 10, or 12 weeks) that run before your main degree starts. These bring your English up to the required level, and your visa can be approved based on the pre-sessional course placement. Charms handles the combined application so you receive one CAS letter covering both the pre-sessional course and your main degree.

Most Indian students fund UK study through a combination of family funds and education loans. Popular loan providers for UK studies include HDFC Credila, Avanse, InCred, Axis Bank, and ICICI — typical loans cover tuition plus living costs with flexible collateral options. Charms guides you on the required documentation (admission letter, cost estimate, co-applicant proof, collateral documents) to maximise loan approval chances. We also advise on the timing so loan disbursement aligns with visa filing deadlines.