Popular courses among NRI students in UK 

Education in the United Kingdom is highly adaptable and follows a credit framework that will allow students to distribute their course load depending on their choice of programs. As a result, the UK offers an all-rounded education for all categories of learners from the university under part, masters, vocational training and professional certificates which includes both, theoretical and applied knowledge. This makes sure that the students are well equipped for the job market, with all the relevant skills to enable them to practice their chosen careers.

Factors to Consider While Selecting a Course in the UK

When choosing a course to study in the UK, it’s essential to consider several specific factors to ensure that you make the right choice for your academic and career goals:

  • Career Goals and Industry Demand: The UK provides a wide choice of subjects, so follow your choice of course with your vision of the future profession. For instance, there is Accounting, Financial Management, or Economics to pursue a career in finance-related areas, because they are recognized and have good employability rates in the UK.
  • University Reputation and Ranking: Investigate and understand the reputation of the university and of a specific sector that deals with the course of your interest. Famous universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London are well recognized for their quality in different disciplines. However, certain universities may provide excellent courses on specific courses in engineering or art.
  • Course Accreditation and Professional Recognition: Make sure that the course is accredited by bodies that are relevant to your discipline. For instance, if you are learning Business ensure you seek courses that have been approved by bodies such as the Association of MBAs (AMBA) or the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Accreditation can be of added advantage and help course the program with industry standards.
  • Course Content and Structure: The course modules and structure should be analysed. Standard UK courses consist of a combination of lectures, seminars and practical assignments. Check that the areas that the curriculum encompasses fall under your area of interest and interest and that it encompasses internship or work placement where you need it.
  • Duration and Study Options: The pace of delivery of UK courses also differs Cross Cutting General features of UK courses indicate that many courses take three years if offered at undergraduate level and one year for postgraduate levels. You could also decide what type of studying fits you the best – full-time, part-time or distance learning types are rather good if you need to combine your work or family with studying.
  • Cost and Financial Aid: Assess the costs of tuition fees and living expenses for learners across the United Kingdom. There are scholarships, grants, and student loans for international students, or students in specific study programs or fields of study. Most universities in the UK provide bursaries based on academic standings and or finance.

There are lots of universities in UK that offer numerous types of courses for both undergraduate as well as postgraduate programs. Every course has its uniqueness. It has the oldest education system and highly recognized by world. Many students want to match their passion with opportunities, so before enrolling in the universities students want to understand the courses in UK.

Most courses have English Language Entry requirements, with the main intake period being in September and October. However, some courses have intakes in January, February, April and May. Students can work 20 hours per week and full-time during vacation.

Courses in UK are shorter than the other countries making it one of the popular countries for higher education.

Trending Courses in the UK in 2025

Business Analytics

The UK business analytics market is experiencing significant growth. According to a report, the market is projected to reach US$16.97 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 22.9% from 2024 to 2030.Business analytics is a field that uses past business performance to gain insight and drive business planning.

  • Popular courses
Popular Programmes Top Universities Average Annual Fee
BSc. Data Science and Business Analytics Imperial College London £18,000 – £29,500
MSc. Business Analytics University of Manchester
MSc. Business Analytics and Management Science University of Warwick
MSc. Business Analytics and Big Data University of Edinburgh
  • Career Prospects and Salaries
Job Role Average Annual Salary
Machine learning engineer £56,044
Data analyst £38,241
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) £89,469
Chief Data Officer (CDO) £1,36,638
Project Manager £48,666

Data Science

Data science is a rapidly growing field in the UK expected to grow to £801.6 billion by 2035. The course focuses on understanding large data sets, programming, machine learning, and statistical analysis. It is one of the top courses in UK for international students.

Students pursuing a degree in this field in the UK will benefit from state-of-the-art labs and resources, ensuring you’re ready for the tech-driven job market. With over 200 data science courses in the UK, you’ll have plenty of options to find a program that fits your career aspirations.

  • Popular courses
Popular Programmes Top Universities Average Annual Fee
MSc. Health Data Analytics & Machine Learning King’s College London  £19,000 – £40,000 (INR )
MA Big Data in Culture & Society University of Southampton
MSc. Health Data Analytics          MSc. Data Science & Analytics University of Edinburgh
MSc. Data Science London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Career Prospects and Salaries
Job Role Average Annual Salary
Data Scientist £54,119
Machine Learning Engineer £58,787
Applications Architect £70,000
Data Architect £82,415

Computer Science & Information Technology

Computer science and information technology is one of the popular and competitive fields for Indian students in the UK. Did you know the UK has the largest ICT market in Europe, with an annual turnover of approximately $170 billion?

This field includes programming languages, network security, and data management, preparing you for a career in tech, which is booming globally. It is one of the best courses in UK for Indian students.

  • Popular courses
Popular Programmes Top Universities Average Annual Fee
MSc. Computing Science King’s College London £19,000 – £43,000
MSc. Human-Computer Interaction University of Oxford
MSc. Artificial Intelligence The University of Cambridge
MSc. IT Security Management Imperial College London
MSc. Data Science University College London ( UCL)
  • Career Prospects and Salaries
Job Role Average Annual Salary
Software Developer £48,670
Computer Hardware Engineer £41,345
Computer Systems Analyst £34,424
Computer Network Architect £68,320

Management (MBA and MIM)

According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, 15 UK universities are ranked among the world’s top 100 for Business & Management Studies. A degree in management, whether an MBA or MIM, broadly focuses on the planning and running of an organisation.

There are countless business colleges and universities in UK because business-related courses are very popular here.

The common popular course is Accounting, Business Analytics, Business Administration, Finance and Management, Marketing, Banking and Finance, International Management, Entrepreneurship, Economics, International Business.

  • Popular courses
Popular Programmes Top Universities Average Annual Fee
Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) London Business School £40,000 – £1,00,000
Master’s in Management (MIM) Oxford University
Global Executive MBA Cambridge University
Master’s in Financial Analysis Imperial College London
MSc. Management University of Manchester
  • Career Prospects and Salaries
Job Role Average Annual Salary
HR officer $78,617
Business development representative £37,608
Finance Analyst £44,210
Investment banker £48,011
Management Consultant £47,589

Medicine

The UK is renowned for its medical research investments and highly qualified faculty and infrastructure.Did you know that the UK’s pharmaceutical market is the sixth largest globally and is expected to grow 7.6% from 2024 to 2030? A degree in healthcare in the UK, regardless of the specialisation chosen, ensures excellent prospects for the future. Medicine is one of the best courses in UK for Indian students.

Biotechnology, Food industries, Forensic science, Ecology, Environmental Science, Academic and hospital Research are the courses in UK that lie in Biological Science. It is basically about studying life and living organism, their life span and life cycle, adaption and environment.

There is a range of medicine-related subjects in the UK. Subjects related to medicine depend on the type of course. From nursing to clinical medicine to medical technology, the UK has a lot to offer. Students can get into healthcare roles immediately after their study in UK. Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Bio-medical Science, Nutrition, Physiology is some of the medical professions.

  • Popular courses
Popular Programmes Top Universities Average Annual Fee
MB BChir University of Oxford £22,000 – £52,000
MBChB University of Cambridge
BSc Medicine Imperial College London
MBBS Medicine King’s College London
  • Career Prospects and Salaries
Job Role Average Annual Salary
Anaesthetist £11,2873
Obstetrician £93,764
Dentist £78,503
Cardiologist £83,841

Nursing

Nursing studies principles and techniques for promoting health, preventing illness, and caring for ill, disabled and dying people.All four areas of nursing are equally important, and it is not surprising to learn that nursing is one of the most popular subjects to study in the UK. As of 2024, approximately 743,000 nursing professionals are employed in various capacities across the UK.

  • Popular courses
Popular Programmes Top Universities Average Annual Fee
Master in Advanced Practice in Health Care University of Liverpool £16,000 – £30,000 (INR 17L -  INR 32L)
BSc. Clinical Nursing Practice University of Edinburgh
BSc. Nursing (Adult/Child/Mental Health) University of Glasgow
BSc. Learning Disability Nursing Practice University of Bradford
  • Career Prospects and Salaries
Job Role Average Annual Salary
Nurse £35,667
Learning disability nurse £33,581
Mental health nurse £34,581
Midwife £42,275

Law

The UK legal sector is the second largest in the world, with over 200 foreign law firms operating in the UK. It contributes around £60 billion to the UK economy each year.A degree in law in England provides the skills required to practice law in the country.Most UK law degrees offer you a chance to take a professional placement at a firm for at least a year.

The UK is one of the oldest countries to offer a law degree but recently the degree of law has become very popular here. They provide mock courtrooms to help the students in gaining experience in the real world. They also allow students to take a year’s placement at a firm while studying. Students are also allowed to choose two combined subjects. The popular course in Law in International Human Rights Law, Masters of Law, Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Law, Criminology and Law, Civil Law.

  • Popular courses
Popular Programmes Top Universities Average Annual Fee
LLB University of Cambridge £19,500 – £44,000
LLM University of Oxford
LLM Corporate Law The London School of
LLM University College London
  • Career Prospects and Salaries
Job Role Average Annual Salary
Barrister £59,798
Solicitor £58,968
Lawyer £69,474
Legal Writer £24,919
Legal Consultant £46,777

Architecture & Construction Management

Architecture is a high-paying profession that integrates science, technology, art, design, and culture. A degree in architecture not only teaches design aspects to the students but also allows them to explore their creative side.

Architecture and construction management courses in the UK provide international exposure and a modern-day curriculum with great career opportunities. The demand for construction managers is expected to increase 11% faster than average until 2030. It is one of the top courses in UK for international students.

  • Popular courses
Popular Programmes Top Universities Average Annual Fee
Master’s in Architecture University of Cambridge £17,000 – £40,000
BSc. Construction Management University of Edinburgh
MSc. Construction Project Management Lancaster University
MSc. Construction Cost Management University of Manchester
MSc. Construction Management and International Development University of Reading
  • Career Prospects and Salaries
Job Role Average Annual Salary
Architect £45,296
Landscape architect £40,064
Urban planner £38,199
Construction manager £57,496
Site engineer £34,564

Engineering

The engineering sector is a cornerstone of the UK economy, directly employing over 5 million people and contributing about 40% of its GDP, forming a major chunk of its national economy.

The engineering program offered by the universities in UK are highly research-based and that aims to get their students enough knowledge and skills required for the job. So, if one wants to study engineering, then universities in UK are the best. The UK also offers many job opportunities, and some may get a chance to run an internship in some engineering companies. The Trending Courses in the UK in the field of Engineering are Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautics, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemical engineering, Electronic Engineering.A UK engineering degree enables you to gain practical skills and work on real-world problems, from designing bridges to developing new technologies.

Let’s look at popular programs, top universities and average annual fees for Engineering:

  • Popular courses
Popular Programmes Top Universities Average Annual Fee
MEng Chemical Engineering University of Cambridge £14,000 – £50,000 (INR 15L – 53L)
MEng Civil and Structural University of Oxford
MEng Civil Engineering Imperial College London
MSc. Mechanical Engineering University of Manchester
  • Career Prospects and Salaries
Job Role Average Annual Salary
Chemical Engineer £28,600
Civil Engineer £36,906
Mechanical Engineer £38,235
Software Engineer £57,972
Petroleum Engineers £55,141

Fashion & Interior Design

Studying fashion and interior design in the UK offers a lively blend of creativity, technical skills, and industry connections.

The UK is home to some of the world’s best fashion and design schools, and with events like London Fashion Week, you’ll be part of a buzzing, innovative industry.Art and design are becoming more popular around the world especially in the UK. The UK offer numerous attractive jobs like working in the fashion industry, animation, theatre, computer games, illustration as well as in textiles based on Art and Design degree. The most popular courses in Art and Design field are Fine Art, Graphic design and Fashion Paintings.

  • Popular courses
Popular Programmes Top Universities Average Annual Fee
MDes Interior Design Central Saint Martins £10,000 – £30,000
MA Interior Design College of Art and Design
BSc. (Hons) Fashion Management London College of Fashion
MA Fashion Marketing Conde Nast College of Fashion Design
MSc. Strategic Fashion Management University of Arts London
MA Fashion Royal College of Art
  • Career Prospects and Salaries
Job Role Average Annual Salary
Interior designer £33,709
Architectural designer £43,503
Design manager £55,782
Fashion designer £29,985
Stylist £21,088

Best Courses to Study in UK: High Salary for Indian Students

With its world-renowned universities and vibrant job market, the UK has long been a coveted destination for Indian students seeking high-paying careers. For instance, graduates in Data Science can expect average salaries of around £52,000 (INR 56L) annually, while those in Medicine often earn even more due to the high demand for healthcare professionals.

So, whether you’re an aspiring engineer, a future business leader, or someone passionate about healthcare, let’s dive into the top courses in UK for international students!

Technology and IT

Job Role Average Annual Salary
Network Engineering £30,000 – £45,000
Data Science £40,000 – £65,000
Computer Science £44,143 – £50,000
Cybersecurity £48,316 – £60,000
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) £50,000 – £80,000
Blockchain Technology £50,000 – £75,000
Software Engineering £55,000 – £72,938
Cloud Computing £60,000 – £190,204

Business and Management

Job Role Average Annual Salary
International Business Management (MSc) £40,000 – £65,000
Business Analytics and Data Science £40,000 – £70,000
Project Management (MSc) £40,000 – £70,000
Marketing Management (MBA) £45,000 – £75,000
Finance and Investment £45,200 – £105,000
Human Resource Management (MBA) £50,000 – £80,000
Master of Business Administration (MBA) £85,000 – £110,000

Healthcare and Medicine

Job Role Average Annual Salary
Occupational Therapy £30,000 – £50,000
Nursing £30,000 – £65,000
Physiotherapy £38,000 – £42,000
Pharmacy £40,000 – £50,000
Clinical Research £40,000 – £70,000
Mental Health £40,000 – £90,000
Medicine £60,000 – £100,000