[UK Study 2026] Learn about UK university tuition fees and the student visa application process!

Preparing to study in the UK but unsure about the student visa application process? Planning to study in the UK but unclear about the pathways for further education? This time, 10Life has put together a detailed UK study guide for everyone, covering tuition budget, application routes and visa application procedures, to answer your questions one by one and help you plan your path to further studies smoothly.

Home to many of the world’s top 100 universities

The UK has a long history of higher education and is home to many leading universities, such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and Imperial College London. It also offers a diverse range of courses, giving students more options than in Hong Kong.

Qualifications are highly recognised internationally

UK universities enjoy a global academic reputation, and UK degrees are highly recognised in the international employment market, which can enhance students’ competitiveness when seeking employment.

Up to 20 hours of legal work per week

A UK student visa offers considerable flexibility for employment. During term time, students may legally work part-time for 20 hours per week; during holidays, there is no limit on working hours, making it easier for students to earn an income.

British National (Overseas) visa route to citizenship

Students holding a British National (Overseas) passport (BNO) may apply for indefinite leave to remain after studying in the UK for five years, provided they do not leave the UK for more than 180 days each year. During the period of residence, as long as they do not spend more than 90 days outside the UK, they may further apply for naturalisation as a British citizen (British Citizenship).

UK University Degrees

In general, the duration of a degree course at a UK university is three years, but certain disciplines, such as medicine or courses offering internship opportunities, may require a longer period of study. Completing a university degree in Scotland usually takes four years. UK universities offer different types of degrees, such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Education (BEd), Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), etc. International students can choose a suitable course according to their own interests.

UK Master's Courses

Master's programmes last for one year. Master's degrees typically include Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Architecture (MArch), etc. Generally speaking, master's programmes can be divided into two types: taught master's and research master's. The former usually lasts one year, while the latter lasts two years. The learning format of a taught master's is similar to that of a traditional undergraduate course, with students attending lectures by professors, taking part in group discussions, submitting assignments and reports, and sitting subject examinations. However, a research master's focuses mainly on writing a research dissertation, with no strict course requirements or subject examinations; students only need to submit reports and a dissertation.
 

Here is the world ranking table of UK universities for 2026²:

Applying to universities in the UK usually requires submitting an application through the UCAS system, along with academic results, a personal statement and a reference, while grades are converted into a unified points system. The basic entry requirements for UK universities are as follows³:

Universities will assess students’ academic ability and English proficiency, usually with reference to public examination results or foundation programme grades. For highly regarded institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge, applicants are generally required to achieve at least 555 in the DSE, with extracurricular activities and interview performance also taken into account. For the top 30 universities, applicants generally need 544 in three elective DSE subjects, while lower-ranked universities usually require “all 4s” or above. As for language proficiency, all UK universities require an IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5 or above, while Oxford and Cambridge require 7.0 or above. If the required grades are not met, students may choose to take a one-year university foundation programme, for which the usual entry requirement is 322. Please note that DSE grade requirements generally do not include Chinese and Liberal Studies, and UK university entry requirements vary depending on factors such as the university, programme and subject.

Hong Kong students who want to study in the UK have a range of progression pathways to choose from. Students can select the most suitable route based on their DSE results and goals⁴.

University Foundation Programme (Foundation)

Suitable for students who have completed Secondary 5 or whose Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) results do not meet the required standard. This programme lasts from 8 months to one year. If their results meet university requirements, they may progress to Year 1 of a bachelor's degree programme.

International Year 1

Suitable for students with relatively strong DSE results, but who have not yet met university requirements, and who also have strong English proficiency. Students may choose to enrol in International Year 1. Upon completion, they can progress directly to Year 2 of a bachelor's degree programme.

Bachelor's Degree

Suitable for students with outstanding DSE results, who can apply directly through UCAS and obtain a bachelor's degree within three years.

In addition, students may also enter a UK university through GCSE, GCE A-Level or the International Baccalaureate (IB).

International undergraduate tuition fees are approximately £11,400 to £38,000 per year (HK$120,318–HK$401,059). Some specialist subjects such as veterinary medicine, medicine, or courses at highly ranked UK universities may have higher tuition fees. In general, degree programmes can usually be completed in 3 years, while degree programmes in Scotland require 4 years. Tuition fees for master’s programmes range from £9,000 to £30,000 (HK$94,987–HK$316,625), and they can usually be completed within one year.

Please refer to the university websites for the exact fees above, calculated at an exchange rate of £1.00 to HK$10.55; the data is for reference only.

For international students studying in the UK, monthly living expenses vary by city. Taking students without dependants as an example, if they choose to live in London, average monthly expenses are around £1,300 to £1,400 (HK$13,720–HK$14,776), including accommodation, utilities, transport, meals and so on. If they choose to live in other cities, monthly expenses are around £900 to £1,300 (HK$9,499–HK$13,720). The following lists various costs in the UK by item for reference, to help everyone prepare thoroughly for overseas study. (Calculated on a monthly basis):

•    Student accommodation: London: about £848 (HK$8,950); other regions: about £664 (HK$7,008);
•    Shared accommodation (excluding utilities): London: about £750 (HK$7,916); other regions: about £554 (HK$5,847);
•    Miscellaneous (utilities, internet and TV charges): London: about £140 (HK$1,478); other regions: about £80 (HK$844)
•    Daily essentials: London: about £155 (HK$1,636); other regions: about £116 (HK$1,224)
•    Transport: London: about £103 (HK$1,087); other regions: about £80 (HK$844)  (Full-time students holding a National Railcard may apply for a Student Oyster card and enjoy a 30% discount on standard Tube and bus fares, applicable to Zones 1 to 2 in London, with a monthly cost of £103.)
•    Social and leisure expenses (such as dining out and coffee): London: about £150 (HK$1,583); other regions: about £80 (HK$844)
•    Mobile phone monthly fee: London: about £18 (HK$190); other regions: about £18 (HK$190)

Calculated at an exchange rate of £1.00 to HK$10.55; data is for reference only.

All students studying in the UK must apply for a UK Student Visa. Even Hong Kong students holding British National (Overseas) (BNO) status will need to apply for and obtain a student visa if they plan to study in the UK for more than six months, to ensure lawful residence there.

Application process:

The first step is to prepare the following documents:
•    Identity card
•    Passport
•    Identity card or passport of parents
•    IELTS transcript
•    Tuberculosis test report
•    Proof of funds
•    Parental consent letter
•    Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies issued by the school (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, abbreviated as CAS)

Next, the applicant needs to complete the online application form on the UK government website and make an appointment at the visa centre to have fingerprints taken and photographs taken, as well as to submit the application form and all relevant supporting documents. Once the application has been processed, the applicant may choose to collect the visa in person from the centre by bringing the payment receipt and appointment confirmation email, authorise someone else to collect it on their behalf, or opt for courier delivery of the visa.

Application fees

•    Visa fee: £150   (HK$1,583)
•    Healthcare surcharge: £470 (HK$4,960)
•    Priority visa processing: additional £250 (HK$2,638)
Calculated at an exchange rate of £1.00 = HK$10.55; figures are for reference only.  

Studying in the UK is appealing, but tuition fees are far higher than those for studying locally. Planning ahead for an education fund through a savings plan can help ease future financial pressure. 10Life previously compared the potential returns and risks of common insurance plans used to establish an education fund. Parents who are interested may read the article for a preliminary understanding, or contact 10Life’s insurance advisers via WhatsApp on 3705 1599.

Further reading:
【Overseas Study Insurance 2026】Compare the coverage and premiums of 12 products — essential reading for studying abroad!
【Study in Australia Guide 2026】A complete look at tuition fees, process and living costs for studying in Australia!
【Study in Canada 2026】A complete look at the education system, costs and student visa process
【IB International Baccalaureate】Why is it so popular? Breaking down the features and benefits of the IB curriculum (with a comparison to IGCSE and the Canadian system)

Notes:
1.    Great Study Abroad, UK Education system 英國學制圖
2.    QS World University Rankings 2026: Top global universities
3.    EF. Study in the UK
4.    Hong Kong 01.Studying in the UK | A clear guide to pathways, costs and visas — can studying lead to migration? 
5.    British Council. Cost of studying and living in the UK

Last updated: 15 July 2025. 

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.