Study in the UK
Studying in the UK: how the system works
The UK's higher education system is compact but not uniform. Understanding qualification levels, how universities set their own requirements and how the visa system connects to your course makes every later decision easier.
- Written by
- Devanka Pathak
- Reviewed by
- Devanka Pathak
- Published
- Last reviewed
Quick answer
How does UK higher education work for international students?
UK degrees are awarded by universities with their own degree-awarding powers and are described by national qualifications frameworks: bachelor's degrees at FHEQ Level 6, Master's at Level 7 and doctorates at Level 8 (with equivalent SCQF levels in Scotland). International students usually need a Student visa sponsored by a licensed university, and eligible graduates can then apply for the Graduate visa.
Last reviewed: 11 September 2026. Fees, visa rules and deadlines change. Check the official sources listed below before making decisions.
Key facts
- Bachelor's (honours)
- FHEQ Level 6 / SCQF Level 10
- Master's
- FHEQ Level 7 / SCQF Level 11
- Doctorate
- FHEQ Level 8 / SCQF Level 12
- Visa sponsor
- Your university must be a licensed student sponsor
Qualification levels
The Quality Assurance Agency's qualifications frameworks describe what each level of UK degree represents. England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ); Scotland uses the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), which numbers its levels differently.
| Qualification | FHEQ level | SCQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree with honours (BA, BSc) | 6 | 10 |
| Master's degree (MSc, MA, MRes, MPhil) | 7 | 11 |
| Integrated master's (for example MEng) | 7 | 11 |
| Doctorate (PhD) | 8 | 12 |
Universities set their own requirements
There is no national admissions test for postgraduate study. Each university decides its entry requirements, how it reads international qualifications and how it assesses English. This is why the same Indian degree can meet one university's requirements and not another's, and why country-specific entry pages are essential reading.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Higher education is a devolved matter, so the four nations have different funding bodies and, in Scotland, a different qualifications framework and a traditionally four-year undergraduate degree. For international postgraduate students, the practical differences are smaller: taught Master's courses are commonly one year across the UK, and the Student visa rules are UK-wide.
Visas: from Student visa to Graduate visa
- To study a course longer than six months you usually need a Student visa, with an offer from a licensed student sponsor. GOV.UK publishes the register of licensed sponsors.
- You must show sufficient funds and English at the required level, and pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
- After completing an eligible course, the Graduate visa lets you stay and work: 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months on or after 1 January 2027, and 3 years for PhD graduates.
Where to go next
If you are planning postgraduate study, continue with what a UK Master's degree involves and our guide for Indian students. If you are ready to understand your own options, start a free profile check.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know a university can sponsor my visa?
Check the official register of licensed student sponsors on GOV.UK, and confirm that the specific course is eligible for a Student visa.
Are Scottish Master's degrees different?
Scotland uses the SCQF, where Master's degrees are Level 11, but taught Master's courses are broadly comparable in length and level to those elsewhere in the UK.
Sources
- The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (2024) — Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), checked 11 September 2026
- Register of licensed sponsors: students — GOV.UK, checked 11 September 2026
- Student visa — GOV.UK, checked 11 September 2026
- Graduate visa — GOV.UK, checked 11 September 2026
How this guidance was written
Written by Devanka Pathak. Devanka holds a PhD in Creative Computing from Bath Spa University, an MPhil in Gravitational Physics from Cardiff University and an MSc in Physics from Tezpur University, and has taught in UK higher education. Facts are checked against the official sources listed above and reviewed before publication. This page is general guidance, not immigration or legal advice, and does not guarantee any admission or visa outcome. Read our editorial standards.
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