Entry Requirements at UK Universities for Indian Students
Indian students preparing for study abroad programs in UK universities may need to prepare themselves with A-levels or University Foundation courses. Find out more about the higher education system in the UK and UK university requirements for international students.
UK universities offer prestigious degrees and qualifications that are highly regarded back home in India. Students seeking to study abroad in the UK can navigate the application process better by understanding the entry requirements for UK universities, and their options when it comes to choosing types of programs to study at undergrad and postgraduate levels. The Entry Requirements for UK Universities
Students who have completed their 12 years of study at an Indian school may find that their school-leaving certificate is enough to gain them entry into many undergraduate UK university programs. It is always a good idea to contact the university you are considering, for finding out if this is the case for the program you are interested in.
If you are applying for an academic course in the UK, you will need a school leaving certificate with two or three British A levels. Now an A-level is equivalent to the 2 years of the standard HSC (12th standard or higher secondary course) level in Indian schools. But British pre-university studies go on for 13 years, when compared with the 12 years of pre-university study in India. This places some conditions on Indian students who want to study in the UK right after the 12th standard.
If you are applying to a vocational school or technical career-based program, the school may also look at related work experience or other professional qualifications that you have earned in India or elsewhere on the subject.
You will need to provide proof of English language proficiency in the form of IELTS score (a minimum of 6.0) or a Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) certificate is mandatory for entry to UK universities. About A Levels
The A-levels are public exams that British students take after year 12. The A-level course is comprised of two components – the AS levels (Advanced Subsidiary) which is earned in the first year, and the A-levels earned in the second year. The A-levels are recognized by all British universities and are mandatory if you want to get into Oxford, Cambridge or London universities. Some international schools in India that follow the British system of education allow students to prepare themselves to take the A-levels via the British Council and smooth their transition into British universities later on.
Students from Indian education boards who want to enter a UK university after the standard 12 years of education either must show outstanding results in their 12th standard for direct entry into a UK university, or take the intensive 1-year to 18-month courses that many universities offer to fill the gap between the two systems. About University Foundation Courses
University Foundation courses or the International Foundation Years are available to international students to prepare them for university. They are courses that can be completed in less than a year, and some programs ensure that you are guaranteed entry into a British university after completion. In these programs, you will study skills related to your chosen subject at the university, whether engineering, business, computing etc. Note that not all universities recognize all foundation courses, so only choose a foundation course that is recognized by your preferred university.
Foundation courses are less intensive than A-levels, in which subjects are studied at great depth. So if Indian students are preparing for higher UK education in competitive subjects like medicine, they should ideally choose an education course that allows them to take the A-levels.