New Delhi: The number of Indian students applying for undergraduate (UG) admissions in the United Kingdom (UK) has increased by 1.5% for the 2026 admission cycle, according to the latest data released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the UK's central undergraduate admissions body. 

The report shows that 8,870 Indian students applied for undergraduate admissions through UCAS in 2026, up from 8,740 applicants recorded in 2025. With this increase, India remains the second-largest source of international undergraduate applicants to the UK after China.

Overall, international undergraduate applications to UK universities have increased by 5.1%, reflecting continued global demand for higher education in the UK. 

UCAS Introduces New Scholarship Support

UCAS Chief Executive Jo Saxton CBE said the organisation is taking steps to make higher education more accessible by improving financial support for students.

She highlighted the launch of a new scholarships and bursaries tool to help applicants easily identify available financial assistance. UCAS also announced that its application fee waiver will be expanded to include care leavers from the 2027 admission cycle, a move aimed at reducing financial barriers and encouraging wider participation in higher education. 

Growing Interest in UK Higher Education

According to the UCAS report, the application rate among 18-year-olds in the UK has increased to 40.77%, slightly higher than 40.6% recorded last year. The data also indicates a rise in applications from students belonging to disadvantaged backgrounds across all UK nations.

The latest UCAS figures underline the growing interest among Indian students in pursuing undergraduate education in the UK. The increase in applications, along with new scholarship initiatives and financial support measures, is expected to further strengthen the UK's position as one of the preferred destinations for Indian students seeking higher education abroad.