Sara Tendulkar Education: What You Can Learn from Her Journey
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
When people think of Sara Tendulkar, the first association is usually her father, the legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. But look beyond the famous last name and you find something genuinely impressive: a young woman who moved to London at 17, earned two degrees from one of the world’s top universities, and built a career grounded in science, nutrition, and public health. Sara’s educational journey is not just a celebrity curiosity. For Indian students thinking about studying abroad in the UK, it is a real-world example of what is possible.
This post covers Sara Tendulkar’s complete education background, a closer look at University College London (UCL) where she studied, the courses available there, admission requirements for Indian students, and realistic scholarship opportunities you can explore.
Table of contents
- School: IB Diploma at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai
- Bachelor’s Degree at UCL: BSc Biomedical Sciences (2015 to 2018)
- Master’s Degree at UCL: MSc Clinical and Public Health Nutrition (2022 to 2023)
- About UCL: Why It Is a Top Choice for Indian Students
- Popular Courses at UCL for Indian Students
- UCL Admission Requirements for Indian Students
- Realistic Scholarship Opportunities at UCL for Indian Students
- What Indian Students Can Take Away from Sara Tendulkar’s Story
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Thinking About Studying in the UK?
School: IB Diploma at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai
Sara completed her schooling at Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS) in Mumbai, one of India’s most prominent IB World Schools. She completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme there between 2013 and 2015. The IB Diploma is widely recognized by top universities worldwide, particularly in the UK, US, and Canada. For students aspiring to study at a Russell Group university like UCL, the IB Diploma is one of the strongest qualifications you can hold.
It is worth noting that if you are not studying at an IB school, UCL also accepts CBSE and CISCE Class 12 results for undergraduate admissions, as well as a few specific state boards including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal from 2025 onwards.
Bachelor’s Degree at UCL: BSc Biomedical Sciences (2015 to 2018)
At 17, Sara moved to London to study at University College London. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences between 2015 and 2018. Biomedical Sciences at UCL covers human biology, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, and pharmacology, forming a rigorous foundation for careers in healthcare, research, and life sciences.
UCL’s Faculty of Life Sciences is consistently ranked among the best in the world. Studying Biomedical Sciences there gave Sara access to state-of-the-art labs, world-class faculty, and a research-intensive academic culture that London is known for.
Master’s Degree at UCL: MSc Clinical and Public Health Nutrition (2022 to 2023)
After her undergraduate degree, Sara took a few years to explore the working world before returning to UCL in 2022 for a Master’s in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition, which she completed in 2023. This one-year postgraduate course sits within UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care and focuses on the science of nutrition as it relates to both individual clinical care and population-level public health.
Upon completing her MSc, Sara became a registered Associate Nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition (AfN) in the UK. She now works as Director of the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, where she leads health, education, and sports empowerment initiatives for underprivileged communities across India.
The gap between her BSc (2018) and her MSc (2022) is worth noting. Sara used that time for work experience, internships, and to clarify what she wanted to specialise in. Many students feel pressure to rush into a postgraduate course immediately. Sara’s path shows that taking time to gain clarity and experience before a Master’s can actually strengthen your application and your career outcomes.
About UCL: Why It Is a Top Choice for Indian Students
University College London was founded in 1826 and is one of the founding colleges of the University of London. It is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, which represents the UK’s 24 leading research universities. UCL consistently ranks in the global top 10, coming in at number 9 in the QS World University Rankings 2025. It has a strong employer reputation score and is located in central London, giving students access to one of the world’s most important financial, medical, and technology hubs.
A few reasons why UCL stands out for Indian students specifically:
- Over 900 Indian students are currently enrolled at UCL, making it one of the more India-friendly campuses in the UK.
- 48% of UCL’s student body is international, so Indian students do not feel out of place.
- UCL offers over 400 undergraduate programmes and 650 postgraduate programmes across virtually every academic discipline.
- The university has a dedicated India page and admissions team that understands Indian board qualifications.
Popular Courses at UCL for Indian Students
UCL covers nearly every academic area. The most popular courses among Indian applicants tend to fall into a few broad categories:
Science and Health
- BSc Biomedical Sciences (what Sara studied for her undergraduate degree)
- MSc Clinical and Public Health Nutrition (Sara’s postgraduate course)
- MBBS Medicine and Surgery
- MSc Global Health and Development
Technology and Engineering
- MSc Data Science (highly competitive, offer rate below 8%)
- MSc Artificial Intelligence
- BEng and MEng Computer Science
- MSc Robotics and Computation
Business and Management
- MSc Management
- MSc Business Analytics
- MSc Finance
- MBA (full-time or part-time, AMBA-accredited)
UCL Admission Requirements for Indian Students
UCL is competitive, but the requirements are clear and well-documented for Indian applicants. Here is what you need to know based on whether you are applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course.
Undergraduate (UG) Requirements
- Accepted Indian qualifications: CBSE and CISCE Class 12, plus select state boards (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal) from 2025 onwards.
- Marks required: Generally 85% to 95% in your top subjects, depending on the course. Competitive courses like Computer Science, Law, and Medicine require scores at the higher end.
- Subject requirements: Subject-specific prerequisites apply. For example, Engineering requires strong marks in Physics and Mathematics.
- English language: IELTS Academic with an overall score between 6.5 and 7.5, with no individual band below 6.0. TOEFL iBT scores between 92 and 109 are also accepted.
- Application route: Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. The equal consideration deadline for most courses is 14 January 2026 for the 2026 intake.
Postgraduate (PG) Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree: A three to five year bachelor’s degree from an institution recognised by the Government of India.
- Minimum grades: Most Master’s programmes require a GPA equivalent to a UK Upper Second Class (2:1) or First Class degree. In Indian terms, this typically translates to 55% to 70%, depending on your institution’s grading scale.
- English language: IELTS Academic with a minimum of 6.5 to 7.0 overall is standard, though some programmes require 7.5. TOEFL and PTE are also accepted.
- Application: Postgraduate students apply directly through UCL’s online portal. Deadlines vary by course, generally between March and June for the September 2026 intake.
Important note: Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. UCL receives around 89,000 undergraduate applications per year. A strong personal statement, consistent academic performance, and relevant extracurriculars significantly improve your chances.
Realistic Scholarship Opportunities at UCL for Indian Students
Studying at UCL is expensive. Tuition fees for international students range from approximately Rs 32 lakh to Rs 65 lakh per year depending on the course, and living costs in London add another Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh annually. However, there are genuine scholarship opportunities worth exploring.
1. UCL India Excellence Scholarship
This is UCL’s own scholarship specifically for Indian postgraduate students. It offers 33 awards of Rs 5,000 (approximately Rs 6.3 lakh) each year toward tuition fees. To qualify, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution ranked in the NIRF Top 100, have a GPA equivalent to a UK first-class degree, and have submitted a complete Master’s application to UCL by the deadline (typically late February each year). There is no separate application form. You are automatically considered based on your admission application. Successful candidates are notified between April and June.
2. UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship
This scholarship supports international undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds. It offers 10 fully funded awards (full tuition plus a maintenance allowance) and 23 tuition-only awards. To be eligible, you must be an international student paying overseas fees, demonstrate financial need, and have applied for a full-time undergraduate degree at UCL. The deadline for the 2026/27 academic year is 27 April 2026.
3. Chevening/UCL Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is funded by the UK Government and is among the most prestigious awards for international students. UCL is a partner institution. Chevening covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance, return flights, and other study-related expenses for a one-year Master’s degree. It is highly competitive and is awarded based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and a clear vision for how you will contribute to your home country after graduating. Indian applicants typically apply through the Chevening portal in August to November each year for the following intake.
4. J.N. Tata Endowment Scholarship
This is an Indian scholarship, not a UCL one, but it is frequently used by Indian students to fund postgraduate study abroad, including at UCL. It provides a loan-scholarship (partially or fully converted to a grant based on academic performance) of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. It is merit-based and open to Indian nationals pursuing postgraduate or doctoral studies outside India.
5. Inlaks Scholarship
The Inlaks Scholarship supports outstanding Indian students for postgraduate study at leading universities worldwide, including UCL. Awards can go up to USD 100,000 over the course of a programme. It is very competitive but worth applying for if you have an exceptional academic record.
What Indian Students Can Take Away from Sara Tendulkar’s Story
Sara Tendulkar’s educational path from an IB school in Mumbai to two degrees at one of the world’s top ten universities offers a few genuine takeaways for students planning to study abroad.
- IB is a strong foundation for UK universities. If your school offers IB and you are planning to study in the UK, it is worth taking seriously. UCL, Imperial, and most Russell Group universities respond well to IB scores.
- A gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study is not a weakness. Sara took four years between her BSc and MSc. Using that time to work and gain clarity often leads to a stronger, more focused postgraduate application.
- A science degree from UCL opens more doors than one track. Sara has used her academic background for work in nutrition, modelling, brand collaborations, and now foundation leadership. A UCL degree is not a single-path qualification.
- Start planning your application early. UCL’s key undergraduate deadline is mid-January. Postgraduate deadlines run from March to June. Scholarship deadlines are often earlier still. Starting the process 12 to 18 months in advance gives you the best shot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sara completed her schooling at Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai, where she studied the IB Diploma Programme from 2013 to 2015.
Sara studied at University College London (UCL) for both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
She holds a BSc in Biomedical Sciences (2015 to 2018) and an MSc in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition (2022 to 2023), both from UCL.
No. She studied Biomedical Sciences for her undergraduate degree, which is a science degree related to medicine but is not a medical (MBBS) qualification. Her postgraduate degree was in Clinical Nutrition.
Sara is not a medical doctor. She is a registered Associate Nutritionist (ANutr) with the Association for Nutrition in the UK, which is a professional accreditation in nutrition science.
Yes. UCL offers the India Excellence Scholarship (33 awards of Rs 5,000 each for postgraduate students), the Global Undergraduate Scholarship for financially need students, and partners with Chevening for fully funded Master’s awards. External scholarships like J.N. Tata and Inlaks are also commonly used for UCL-bound Indian students.
Thinking About Studying in the UK?
Sara Tendulkar’s path from Mumbai to UCL and back to India is a compelling example of what a UK education can do for your career, your perspective, and your opportunities. If you are an Indian student considering UK universities and want guidance on course selection, IELTS preparation, application strategy, or scholarships, Bluehawks Edu has helped students navigate this journey since 2016. Reach out to our team for a free counselling session.
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