Which are the best universities in Oxford for international students?

Universities in Oxford on our Top 50 UK list include University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University. Compare their rankings, fees and intakes in the table on this page.

How much does it cost to live in Oxford as a student?

For the Student visa you must show £1,171 per month for living costs (up to nine months) because Oxford is outside London. Actual costs depend on your accommodation and lifestyle.

What are the intakes for universities in Oxford?

September/October is the main intake. Many universities also offer January intakes for selected postgraduate courses.

What IELTS score do I need to study in Oxford?

Most universities ask for IELTS Academic 6.0–7.0 overall depending on the course, and top universities can ask for 7.0 or more. PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are widely accepted.

How can GIEC Global help me study in Oxford?

GIEC Global offers free counselling, university shortlisting, SOP help, application support and Student visa guidance for universities in Oxford.

Top Universities in Oxford for International Students

Q: Can international students work while studying in Oxford?

Yes. Degree-level Student visa holders can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official holidays.

Q: Can I stay and work in the UK after my degree?

Yes. The Graduate Route visa lets eligible graduates stay and work — currently two years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates (reducing to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027) and three years for PhD graduates.

Why study in Oxford?

Oxford, the “city of dreaming spires”, is a compact and historic student city about an hour from London by train, with libraries, museums and a busy cultural life.

Oxford is home to 2 of the universities in our Top 50 UK list for international students, so you can choose between different teaching styles, campus types and fee levels in the same city.

Top universities in Oxford for international students

University of Oxford — QS 2026: #4. Teaching at Oxford existed by 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
Oxford Brookes University — QS 2026: #374. Oxford Brookes traces its history to 1865 and became a university in 1992.

Compare universities in Oxford

This table compares the universities on this page by ranking, approximate international tuition fee, intakes and typical English requirement. Fees and requirements change every year and vary by course, so confirm the latest figures on each official website.

University	Ranking	Tuition fee (international)	Intakes	English requirement
University of Oxford	—	—	—	—
Oxford Brookes University	—	—	—	—

Entry requirements to study in Oxford

Undergraduate: good Class 12 / high-school results (top universities expect very high grades), or an international foundation year. Applications go through UCAS.
Postgraduate: a relevant bachelor’s degree — leading universities usually expect the equivalent of a UK 2:1, while many others consider around 55–60% from recognised Indian universities.
English: usually IELTS Academic 6.0–7.0 overall depending on the university and course; PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and English waivers are accepted by many universities.
Documents: passport, transcripts, statement of purpose, references, CV, and a portfolio for creative courses.

Cost of studying and living in Oxford

International tuition at the universities listed here ranges from about £16,000 to £50,000+ per year, depending on the university and course. Business and humanities courses are usually cheaper than laboratory, engineering, MBA and medical courses.

Cost	Estimate
Living costs for the Student visa (outside London rate)	£1,171 per month · £10,539 for 9 months
Tuition fee	See the comparison table above
Visa fee + Immigration Health Surcharge	Paid with the visa application (check GOV.UK)

Oxford is outside London, but private rents here can be relatively high, so apply for university accommodation early.

Intakes and application deadlines

September/October is the main intake. Several universities on this page also offer a January intake for selected postgraduate courses. Oxford and Cambridge have a single October intake, and their undergraduate UCAS deadline is 15 October of the year before entry. For most other undergraduate courses the UCAS equal-consideration deadline is in late January, while postgraduate applications are usually open on a rolling basis. Apply 8–12 months ahead for the best chance of offers and scholarships.

Work while you study and after graduation

Degree-level Student visa holders can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time in official vacations, and Oxford offers part-time jobs in retail, hospitality, campus roles and internships. After graduation, the Graduate Route visa lets you stay and work in the UK — currently two years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates (reducing to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027) and three years for PhD graduates.

Student life in Oxford

You will find Indian groceries, restaurants and cultural events, plus easy rail links to the rest of the UK. England’s excellent rail network makes weekend trips easy.

How GIEC Global helps you study in Oxford

GIEC Global’s UK counsellors help you shortlist the right universities in Oxford, check eligibility, write a strong SOP, apply for scholarships, prepare for credibility interviews and complete your Student visa application — free of cost.