Religious & Cultural Support for Indian Students in the UK

10-Jun-2025

Pollstereducation

Study Abroad

Religious & Cultural Support for Indian Students in the UK

For Indian students, moving to the UK for higher education is not just about academics—it’s about adapting to a new way of life while staying connected to your roots. Fortunately, the UK offers a multicultural and inclusive environment that supports students from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.

This blog explores the various religious and cultural support systems available for Indian students in the UK, so you feel more at home while studying abroad.

Why Cultural Support Matters

Indian students often come from close-knit communities where culture, tradition, and religion play a significant role in daily life. Moving to the UK can be a big adjustment—culturally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Cultural and religious support helps in:

Reducing homesickness
Finding a sense of belonging
Building new communities
Maintaining mental and emotional well-being

1. Indian Student Associations and Societies

Most UK universities have Indian Student Societies (ISS) or South Asian student groups that:

Organise festivals like Diwali, Holi, Navratri, and Mahavir Jayanti
Host Bollywood nights, cultural food events, and networking sessions
Support students during fresher’s week and academic transitions

Examples:

Oxford India Society
Imperial College Indian Society
University of Manchester Indian Society

Tip: Join these societies during university orientation to build friendships from day one.

2. Religious Facilities on Campus

Almost every UK university has a multi-faith chaplaincy or prayer space, with many catering specifically to:

Hindu prayer rooms
Muslim prayer spaces (with wudu facilities)
Sikh student support and access to local Gurdwaras
Jain prayer groups or connections with local Jain centres
Christian groups with Indian language services in select areas

Chaplaincy centres also offer spiritual counselling, interfaith events, and cultural workshops.

3. Temples, Mosques, Gurdwaras, Jain Centres & Churches Nearby

No matter where you study, you’re likely to find places of worship nearby:

Hindu Temples

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Neasden, London
Shree Sanatan Hindu Mandir – Wembley, London
Vishnu Mandir – Leicester

Jain Centres

Oshwal Centre (Shri Mahavir Swami Jain Temple) – Potters Bar, near London
Shree Mahavir Foundation – Harrow, London
Jain Centre – Leicester

These centres often host religious discourses, Paryushan celebrations, and Jain food events for students.

Sikh Gurdwaras

Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha – Southall, London
Guru Nanak Gurdwara – Smethwick, Birmingham

Mosques

London Central Mosque – Regent’s Park
Birmingham Central Mosque
Most university towns have local mosques with Friday prayers and youth groups

Churches with Indian Congregations

Marthoma Church and Syro-Malabar Catholic Church congregations are active in cities like London, Reading, and Leicester

4. Cultural Festivals & Celebrations

Indian festivals are widely celebrated across UK campuses and cities:

Diwali: Light shows, cultural dance, and Indian food stalls
Holi: Colour-throwing events and music festivals
Navratri: Garba and Dandiya nights hosted by student groups
Mahavir Jayanti: Celebrated by Jain communities with processions and spiritual talks
Independence Day & Republic Day: Flag hoisting and cultural shows

Many universities collaborate with local Indian communities to organise these events.

5. Indian Food and Groceries

Missing home-cooked food? You’ll find:

Indian supermarkets: Sell lentils, spices, ghee, pickles, paneer, and Jain-friendly snacks
Online Indian grocery stores: Patel Brothers, Red Rickshaw, Spices of India
Indian restaurants & tiffin services in almost every major city

Jain students can often find pure vegetarian or Jain meal options, especially in cities like London, Leicester, and Wembley.

6. Support From the Indian Community

The UK has a large, well-settled Indian diaspora. You can find:

Local Indian community centres
Jain samaj groups and youth associations
Indian cultural groups (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, classical music, etc.)
Cricket clubs, yoga sessions, and Bollywood dance classes

Jain students can connect with organisations like Young Jains UK, which regularly holds spiritual events, volunteering opportunities, and socials.

7. Student Support Services at Universities

Indian students can also access university-provided support:

Mental health counselling: Sometimes in native languages or with cultural sensitivity
Wellbeing services: For homesickness, culture shock, stress
Mentorship programs: Senior Indian students guiding freshers

Some unis even offer Indian food options, including Jain or vegetarian meals in their dining halls or weekly cultural nights.

8. Embassy and Indian Government Initiatives

The High Commission of India in London and its regional consulates often:

Organise community events and flag-hoisting ceremonies
Help with documentation issues
Provide support during emergencies
Connect students with legal and welfare advisors

Stay updated by registering with the Indian Student Registration System (ISRS) when you arrive.

How Pollster Education Supports Indian Students in the UK

At Pollster Education, we understand how important it is for Indian students to feel supported—not just academically, but culturally and spiritually too. That’s why we:

Help you choose student-friendly cities with Indian and Jain communities
Guide you on cultural adjustments and support networks
Provide pre-departure counselling on lifestyle, festivals, and religious services
Offer post-arrival guidance and connect you with alumni networks

Our team ensures that you’re never alone, no matter how far you are from home.

Studying in the UK doesn’t mean leaving your culture behind. With the right resources, you can easily stay connected to your religious beliefs and cultural identity. From vibrant festivals to spiritual support, Indian and Jain students will find plenty of comfort and community throughout their journey.

Let Pollster Education help you make this journey smoother—from application to arrival and beyond.