Study in the United Kingdom from Bangladesh

One-year Master's, Graduate Route work visa

In short

Studying in the UK from Bangladesh typically costs £12,000–£25,000 a year in tuition plus living costs, with most Master's degrees finishing in a single year. You apply for a Student visa after an offer and CAS. IELTS is the usual English test, though many universities accept PTE, TOEFL or a Medium of Instruction letter instead.

Tuition

£12,000–£25,000 per year for most taught programmes; medicine, dentistry and some MBAs run higher

Living costs

£1,171 per month outside London and £1,529 inside it is the figure the Home Office uses for maintenance, capped at nine months - £10,539 and £13,761 respectively. Real spending is often close to this. These rates were last raised in January 2025 and are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current figure on GOV.UK before you transfer money.

Intakes

September (main), January (widely available), some universities add a May intake

After graduating

Graduate Route - 2 years after a Bachelor's or Master's, 3 years after a PhD

Why Bangladeshi students choose UK

The UK remains the most familiar destination for Bangladeshi students, and the reason is structural rather than sentimental: a taught Master's runs one year instead of two, so a student pays one year of tuition and one year of living costs, then moves to the Graduate Route and starts earning. That compresses the whole investment in a way most countries cannot match.

›A taught Master's takes 12 months - roughly half the total cost of a two-year degree elsewhere
›The Graduate Route lets you stay and work for two years after finishing (three after a PhD), with no job offer needed first
›Degrees are recognised without question by employers in Bangladesh and across the Gulf
›January and September intakes both run widely, so a missed deadline costs months rather than a year

Cost of studying in UK

Tuition	£12,000–£25,000 per year for most taught programmes; medicine, dentistry and some MBAs run higher
Living costs	£1,171 per month outside London and £1,529 inside it is the figure the Home Office uses for maintenance, capped at nine months - £10,539 and £13,761 respectively. Real spending is often close to this. These rates were last raised in January 2025 and are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current figure on GOV.UK before you transfer money.
Currency	GBP (£)
Work while studying	20 hours per week during term time, full time during vacations

Figures are indicative and move with exchange rates and policy. Confirm current amounts on UK Government - Student visa before you budget or transfer funds.

Entry requirements

Academic

A recognised Bachelor's degree for a Master's; HSC or A-Levels for an undergraduate course. Most universities want a 2.5–3.0 CGPA equivalent, though this varies by programme.

English language

IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall is typical for a Master's. Many universities accept PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or an MOI letter if your previous degree was taught in English.

No IELTS score yet? There are recognised alternatives - see which ones count, and where they don't.

Student visa (formerly Tier 4): step by step

1 Accept your offer and receive a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from the university
2 Hold the required maintenance funds in an acceptable account for 28 consecutive days
3 Complete the online application and pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge
4 Book and attend biometrics at the visa application centre in Dhaka or Sylhet
5 Submit academic documents, financial evidence, TB test certificate and passport

Official guidance: UK Government - Student visa

Hoping to bring your husband or wife with you? Dependant rules differ by country, by course level and by year, so this is worth checking before you apply rather than after. See our spouse & dependant visa support.

Scholarships

›Chevening Scholarships - fully funded Master's, UK government
›Commonwealth Scholarships - for students from Commonwealth countries including Bangladesh
›University-specific international scholarships, commonly £2,000–£10,000 off tuition

Universities we work with in UK

Aston University Birmingham City University Bangor University De Montfort University Arden University Abertay University

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to study in the UK from Bangladesh?

Budget roughly £12,000–£25,000 a year for tuition on most taught programmes, plus living costs. The Home Office maintenance requirement - £1,171 a month outside London, £1,529 in London - is a reasonable guide to what you will actually spend. A one-year Master's therefore usually lands between £24,000 and £40,000 all in, which is why it often works out cheaper than a two-year degree in another country.

Can I study in the UK without IELTS?

Often yes. Many UK universities accept PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, or a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter confirming your previous degree was taught in English. It depends entirely on the university and sometimes on the individual programme, so it needs checking case by case rather than assuming.

How much bank balance is needed for a UK student visa?

You must show your first year of tuition (or the balance still owed) plus living costs of £1,171 per month outside London or £1,529 in London, for up to nine months. The money has to sit in an acceptable account for 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before you apply. Check the current figures on gov.uk before you lock funds in, as they are reviewed periodically.

Can I work while studying in the UK?

Yes - 20 hours a week during term time and full time during vacations, on a Student visa at degree level. Treat it as help with living costs rather than a way to fund tuition; the maths does not work otherwise, and universities expect study to come first.

What happens after I finish my degree?

The Graduate Route lets you stay and work, or look for work, for two years after a Bachelor's or Master's and three years after a PhD. You do not need a job offer to apply, and you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa later if an employer sponsors you.