Study abroad7 min read
Applying to UK and US universities from India: CBSE, ISC, tests and visas
The Draimo team
Short answer
India sends more students to US universities than any other country: 363,019 in 2024/25. Many UK universities admit CBSE and ISC Class XII students directly; Edinburgh, for example, asks for around 80% overall, depending on the course. Some accept a high Class XII English mark instead of IELTS. India is on the UK's list for the visa TB test. Draimo checks each university's rules for Indian applicants on its own pages, and answers in Hindi if you ask in Hindi.
Try it in Draimo
Ask what a university asks of CBSE and ISC students
- What Class XII percentage does the University of Edinburgh ask for its science and engineering degrees?
- Does the University of Bristol accept CBSE English instead of IELTS?
- यूके के विश्वविद्यालयों में आवेदन के लिए मुझे क्या चाहिए?
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Class XII and direct entry
Unlike many other school systems, CBSE and ISC Class XII are accepted for direct entry to the first year of a degree at many UK universities. The percentage needed depends on the university and the course. Edinburgh asks for 80% overall for its science and engineering degrees, with 80% in the required subjects, and 85% for medicine. Students below a university's threshold can often take a foundation year first.
Pick the university in Draimo and ask what it asks of Indian applicants for your course; it answers from the university's own page for India and shows you the page.
English tests, or your Class XII mark
Several UK universities accept a high Class XII English mark instead of IELTS or TOEFL. Edinburgh, for example, waives the test for medicine applicants with 85% in CBSE or CISCE English. Thresholds differ, so ask Draimo each university's policy before you book a test.
Applying
UK undergraduate applications go through UCAS: 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, and 13 January 2027 for most other courses. Most US universities use the Common App, with early deadlines around 1 November 2026. Read the full guides for the UK and the US.
Visas
UK: if you have lived in India for six months or more, you need a tuberculosis test from an approved clinic before applying for a Student visa, and you must show tuition plus living costs held for 28 days.
US: after an offer, the university issues a Form I-20, and you attend a visa interview at the US Embassy in New Delhi or a US consulate in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata or Hyderabad. With Agent Mode, Draimo reads the current government pages and turns them into a checklist.
In your language
Draimo answers in Hindi when you ask in Hindi, so a parent can ask about fees, funding or the visa in the language they are most comfortable with, and get the same sourced answer.
Questions people ask
- Do UK universities accept CBSE for direct entry?
- Many do. The percentage needed depends on the university and course; Edinburgh asks for 80% overall for science and engineering.
- Can I skip IELTS with my Class XII English mark?
- At some universities, yes. Edinburgh waives it for medicine applicants with 85% in CBSE or CISCE English. Check each university's policy.
- How many Indian students study in the US?
- 363,019 in 2024/25, more than from any other country, according to Open Doors 2025.
Sources we checked
- University of Edinburgh: entry requirements for India
- GOV.UK: countries where you need a TB test
- IIE Open Doors 2025
Checked 30 September 2026. Dates and amounts change every year. Draimo reads the current pages when you ask.
Ask what the university you want asks of Indian applicants, in English or Hindi.
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