Study in India | Prospects.ac.uk

India has one of the largest higher education systems in the world, with over 43 million students enrolled across more than 1,200 universities. It combines ancient traditions with modern innovation, offering students the chance to study at historic institutions like Nalanda University, University of Calcutta, and Banaras Hindu University, alongside cutting-edge research at institutes like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

Studying in India is more than academics, it's a cultural experience. Trek the Himalayas, explore Rajasthan's deserts, or dive into bustling cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi. Taste regional cuisines, watch Bollywood films, and participate in local festivals - all while gaining skills to advance your career.

Before you plan your studies check the latest travel advice from your government, for example GOV.UK, for guidance on visas, health, and safety.

Indian universities

Central universities - funded and managed by the national government, there are about 56 central universities. These institutions are often considered some of the most prestigious in the country.
Deemed-to-be universities - India has 128 deemed-to-be universities, which enjoy the same autonomy as full universities. While they are distinct from central or state universities, they operate independently in academic and administrative matters.
Institutes of National Importance (INIs) - around 156 elite institutions hold this status, recognised for their high standards both nationally and internationally.
Private universities - with over 500 institutions, private universities are growing rapidly and increasing access to higher education for more students.
State universities - managed by individual state governments, these make up the majority of India's public universities, totaling roughly 460.

For more information, see the Department of Higher Education - University and Higher Educations.

India is actively reforming its higher education system, with government initiatives aiming to improve quality and curb unrecognised or 'bogus' institutions. Students should always check a university's accreditation before applying.

Despite its size, only a few Indian universities regularly appear among the world's top institutions. According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, India has 54 universities ranked, making it the fourth most represented country globally.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and IIT Bombay lead the pack at 123rd and 129th respectively, while six other IITs also appear in the top 500. Notably, IIT Kanpur has achieved its highest-ever position, climbing 41 places to reach rank 222.

Indian universities are also gaining recognition in business, management, and medicine, with the University of Delhi at 328th and Anna University ranked at 465th globally.

Degree courses in India

The Indian academic year typically follows a two-semester system, with the autumn semester running from July to December and the spring semester from January to April or May.

Bachelors programmes in India are similar to those in the UK, focusing on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Many universities now use a credit-based system, giving you more flexibility in choosing courses and managing your workload.

Most programmes last three years, but professional degrees can take four to six years, depending on the specialisation.

Popular Bachelors programmes include:

Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) - a five-year course combining design, construction, and urban planning.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - a three-year programme covering management, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Bachelor of Engineering (BE) and Bachelor of Technology (BTech) - generally last four years with specialisations in mechanical, civil, electrical, computer science, and electronics.
Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC) - a three-year programme focusing on media and content creation.
LLB - law students can choose either a three-year LLB course after completing a Bachelors degree, or a five-year integrated LLB straight after high school.
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) - a highly competitive five-and-a-half year programme, including a mandatory internship, preparing students for a career in medicine.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) - usually last three years and covers physics, chemistry, biology, maths, and computer science.

For a list of available courses, see Bachelorsportal - Bachelors degrees in India.

Masters degrees

With 5.1 million postgraduate students and over 1,500 courses, India offers a variety of Masters degrees. Programmes are mostly taught in English and last one or two years for taught courses, and three years for research-focused degrees. Popular fields include:

business
information technology (IT)
medicine.

All Masters programmes in India are taught in English, which is not only one of the country's official languages but also the main language of higher education.

The structure of Indian Masters degrees is very similar to the UK, with assessments usually involving a mix of:

end-of-semester exams
essays
internships.

To find the Masters programme that best fits your career goals, see studyportals - Masters degrees in India.

PhDs

Doctorate programmes in India usually take three to five years to complete - like in the UK.

With around 216,000 doctoral candidates nationwide, it's a hub for STEM research at the highest level. Top institutions, like the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in Hyderabad, offer PhDs in evolving fields such as:

disease modelling
genome editing
RNA therapeutics.

At this level of study, international students can benefit from funding opportunities in cutting-edge research. For example, the Short-Term Collaborative Research Fellowship for International PhD Students at IIT Indore allows you work alongside Indian researchers for one to three months on advanced projects, and covers your:

basic medical care
living expenses of INR 35,000 (£292) per month
round trip economy class travel.

You can search for a PhD fellowship in India using the Ministry of Science and Technology's Common Fellowship Portal.

Your PhD assessment will depend on your university and discipline, but generally involves:

submitting a thesis
publishing research papers,
completing exams or essays.

It's worth noting that only about 3% of higher education institutions in India offer PhD programmes, so entry can be competitive. Typically, you'll need a relevant Masters degree, though exceptional candidates with a first-class undergraduate degree and strong professional experience may also be considered.

To start exploring your options, search for courses at PhDportal - PhDs in India.

Student exchanges

If you're looking to expand your horizons and gain real-world international experience by studying India, there are some exciting options to consider.

The Turing Scheme, funded by the UK government, supports placements and study opportunities at overseas universities if your university has a formal partnership with an Indian institution.

The programme is designed to broaden your perspective, enhance your CV, and allow you to experience education in a new country.

Another opportunity is the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI). With over one million pounds in grant funding, UKIERI enables your university to offer short-term programmes in India to collaborate with international experts and contribute to research with global impact.

It's worth checking if your home university already offers student exchanges to India. For example, on Manchester Metropolitan University's undergraduate exchanges, students can study at either Pearl Academy in Jaipur or Christ University in Bangalore.

Pearl Academy focuses on design, fashion, business, and media, while Christ University offers programmes across:

architecture
commerce
education
engineering
humanities
law
management
sciences education.

You can choose any course you meet the entry requirements for, and both exchanges include orientation and support to help you settle in as an international student.

To see whether your university partners with an Indian institution, and to explore funding and application options, speak with your university's international office.

Course fees

One of the biggest draws of studying in India is the cost. Tuition fees are significantly lower than in the UK and many other popular study-abroad destinations.

While each Indian university sets its own fees, arts and humanities courses tend to be more affordable, while programmes in engineering, medicine, or MBAs can cost more.

For public universities, international students typically pay between ₹254,000 and ₹609,000 (£2,500 and £6,000) per year. Private universities may charge higher fees, and additional costs like lab fees, library charges, or exam fees can also apply.

Funding to study in India

The cost of living is another significant advantage to studying in India. On average, students can live comfortably on around ₹264,000 (£2,200) per year. Typical monthly expenses include:

Food - ₹8,000 to ₹15,000 (£70 to £250)
Rent - ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 (£125 to £250)
Transport - ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 (£9 to 25).

Larger cities like Mumbai or Delhi tend to be more expensive, while smaller cities provide a more affordable lifestyle.

Unlike some countries, international students in India are generally not permitted to work alongside their studies. However, India makes up for this with a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities, helping to keep education affordable and accessible.

The Study in India programme is an initiative by the Government of India to attract international students and provide access to high-quality education across over 600 institutions.

It offers a range of courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, Doctoral, and certification levels in fields like:

arts
engineering
management
sciences.

High-achieving students can receive a scholarship of £2,656 based on their performance in the PRAGATII Exam, which assesses:

logical reasoning
verbal reasoning
quantative reasoning.

Even if students do not qualify for the scholarship, they can still benefit from a fee waiver, ensuring that studying in India remains accessible and affordable.

If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for funding through the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), which provides two opportunities:

Ocean Country Partnership Programme Scholarships - support for a Masters degree in marine science at Berhampur University or Cochin University of Science and Technology. Funding includes tuition fees, a living allowance, and research support.
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships - the chance to pursue a two-year Masters degree in a Commonwealth country, with comprehensive funding covering tuition fees, living expenses, flights, and additional costs.

Beyond ACU, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers scholarships for international students. The Atal Bihari Vajpyee General Scholarship Scheme is one of the most popular, open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. It typically covers tuition fees and, in some cases, living expenses.

If you're interested in exploring India's cultural heritage, the AYUSH Scholarship Scheme is available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes in:

Ayurveda
homeopathy
Unani
Siddha
yoga (including degrees such as BSc, BA, and MSc in Yoga).

The ICCR also funds the Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme, which supports international students wishing to study Indian culture at universities and specialist institutes.

Areas of study include:

cuisine
dance
Indian languages
music
performing arts
sculpture
theatre.

Applications for these cultural scholarships can be made directly through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations - Scholarship portal.

Many Indian universities also run their own merit-based or need-based scholarships, with awards available across STEM, the arts, and research. Most institutions accept online applications and payments, making it easier than ever to apply for scholarships and manage your tuition fees from abroad.

For more information on scholarships and funding opportunities, see Study in India - ICCR Scholarships.

Student visas

If you're planning to study in India, you'll need a Student Visa, also called an S-visa. This is mandatory for all international students enrolling in an Indian institution. It is usually issued for the full duration of your course, or for up to five years - whichever is shorter.

You must apply for this visa at the Indian embassy or high commission in your country before travelling. Once you arrive in India, if your visa is valid for more than 180 days, you will also need to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days.

To get your S-visa, you must first have a formal, unconditional offer from a recognised university or college in India. Make sure the institution is approved, which you can check through the International Accreditation Organisation. You'll also need:

your admission letter
a valid passport with at least six months' validity
recent passport-size photographs
proof that you have enough funds to cover your tuition and living costs
proof of your residential address.

If your course is in medicine or paramedical studies, you may also need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from India's from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare or the Indian embassy or high commission in your home country. You can see a detailed list of guidelines from the Ministry of External Affairs.

The process starts with registering on the Study in India portal, where you'll get a unique SII-ID. You must include this ID in your visa application. Then:

complete the online application form on India Visa Online
attach your documents
submit your application to your nearest Indian embassy or high commission.

Visa processing times can vary, so it's a good idea to apply well before your course begins.

Keep in mind that your visa is tied to the specific institution and course listed in your admission letter. If you want to change universities or programmes, you will usually need approval and sometimes a new visa.

Similarly, if you continue your studies in India after graduation, you may need to extend your current visa or apply for a new one.

Always make sure your visa and FRRO registration are valid - overstaying or missing registration can cause serious problems and may affect your future visa applications.

For more information about the student visa application process, visit the Bureau of Immigration (BoI).

How to apply

If you're an international student looking to study in India, the Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme is the main route for applying to undergraduate and postgraduate programes at central universities and other government-funded institutions.

To begin the application process, you first need to register on the official DASA online portal.

You may need a Joint Entrance Exam (Main) application number - this number is assigned when you register for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main), India's national-level entrance test, for admission to:

Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Engineering/Technology
Bachelor of Planning.

If you haven't taken the JEE, or if you are applying to programmes that do not require it, you can still register using your qualifying academic credentials from your previous studies.

Once registered, you complete the online application form, upload the required documents, and pay the non-refundable DASA enrolment fee of £222 and your first semester's tuition fee.

After this, you select your preferred universities and programmes during the choice-filling period. The allocation process happens in multiple rounds, and successful applicants are informed online of their allotted institute. You must then report to the university in person according to their schedule.

The process is entirely online, so make sure all your documents are correct and submitted in the proper format. Deadlines are strict, and missing any step can delay your admission.

The DASA scheme includes a range of universities, however, some programmes and institutions, such as certain IITs and private universities, may require separate admission processes.

For full details, see the High Commission of India.

Language requirements

India does not have a national language, but Hindi is the official language of the Union, with English serving as an additional official language.

In addition, 22 languages are officially recognised under the Constitution, including:

Bengali
Marathi
Telugu
Tamil
Urdu.

The language spoken natively will often depend on the region you are in, so it's helpful to check local resources if you are moving across states. For details, see Maps of India.

At the university level, most courses are taught in English. However, some institutions are beginning to offer programmes in regional languages to make education more accessible, especially through online courses.

If English is not your first language, you may be required to take an English proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL. The specific score requirement varies depending on the institution and programme, so it's important to check the entry requirements for the course you are interested in.

Comparison to UK qualifications

Higher education in India follows a structure similar to the UK, which means that Indian degrees are generally recognised by UK employers and universities. To make this process even smoother, India and the UK have a mutual agreement to recognise higher education qualifications.

Before applying for jobs or further study, it's still a good idea to confirm that your specific qualifications are accepted by the employer or institution.

You can check the equivalence of your Indian degree through ENIC-NARIC, the National Information Centre responsible for comparing international qualifications. This ensures that you understand exactly how your degree will be viewed in the UK and avoids any surprises during applications.

Find out more

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