Masters in UK is a 1 to 2-years full-time degree (3 years part-time degree) available research-based, course-based, or a combination of both programs. UK Universities offering masters have an abundance of specializations, fields, and courses to choose from, allowing international aspirants to find a degree program of their preference. Pursuing Masters or MS in UK can cost you anywhere between 15,000 GBP to 35,00 GBP a year. This majorly is the tuition fees for these courses.
The cost of pursuing MS in UK for Indian students equals to around 15 lakhs – 30 lakhs INR. The cost may seem too high for an international student on a budget. In such a case, there is a pool of scholarships for international students in UK to choose from. These awards may waive-off up to 100% of your tuition fees, making MS in the UK not only a great but extensively feasible choice.
Over 35% of international students form the total student population pursuing MS in UK. International students need to demonstrate proficiency in English language for pursuing masters program in UK. GRE/GMAT scores are also required for getting admissions to some of the select Masters courses in UK. A three to four year bachelor's degree in a related field with a minimum of 60% to 75% is required to apply for MS in the UK universities. With a master's degree in the UK, you can earn up to 35,000 GBP (33 lakhs INR) per annum.
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Universities in UK for Masters
According to THE Ranking of 2022 for world universities, the following are the top UK universities for MS along with their popular programs:
| University Name | Popular course | Fees per Annum |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | MSc Advanced Computer Science | 25.4 Lakhs INR |
| University of Cambridge | Master of Finance | 41.1 Lakhs INR |
| Imperial College London | MSc Advanced Computer Science | 30.5 Lakhs INR |
| University College London | MSc Business Analytics | 29.3 Lakhs INR |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | MSc Data Science | 26.7 Lakhs INR |
| University of Edinburgh | MSc Accounting and Finance | 29.1 Lakhs INR |
| King’s College London | MSc Cyber Security | 24.5 Lakhs INR |
| University of Manchester | MSc Finance | 26.7 Lakhs INR |
| University of Warwick | MSc Business and Finance | 28.1 Lakhs INR |
| University of Bristol | MSc Management | 23.2 Lakhs INR |
| University of Bedfordshire | MSc Computer Science | 13.6 Lakhs INR |
| University of Liverpool | MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | 29.9 Lakhs INR |
| University of Nottingham | MSc Business and Management | 20.5 Lakhs INR |
| Nottingham Trent University | MSc International Business | 15.1 Lakhs INR |
| Durham University | MSc Management | 22.6 Lakhs INR |
Why Study Masters in UK?
- Top Universities of the World: Some of the top universities of the world offering MS programs, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, are located in the UK. 4 universities, according to QS News, and 3 universities, according to THE, were in the top 10 in the ranking of 2022.
- Home to Best Student Cities: QS News Ranking of 2022 for Best Student Cities included 14 cities of the UK in the list of 120 from countries across the world. Seven of them were in the top 50 with London ranking at 1st position.
- Duration of the Programs: Masters in Canada, USA, or any other country takes on an average of 1.5 to 2 years to complete. However, if you are studying in the UK, the duration is 1 year in most cases. Only some of the programs such as MEng, MRes require 2 to 4 years for completion.
- Scholarships & Grants: Studying abroad is a cumbersome process and can burn a hole in your pocket. The advantage of choosing to study Masters in UK is the enormous student grants and scholarships to choose from. Awards offered can cover up as much as your complete tuition fees as well as living expenses. UK has got you covered with such scholarships being offered by the government, institutions and private organizations.
- Future Scope: Graduates of MS in UK can earn up to 35,000 GBP per annum. This is 29% higher than what bachelor's degree graduates earn in this country. Also, with 5 to 10 years of experience, the salary increases by approximately 40%. Some of the top recruiters for graduates of MS in the UK are NHS, Aecom Corporation, Amazon, JP Morgan Chase & Co, etc.
Types of Masters in UK
There are majorly two types of MS degrees in UK- Research and Taught.
- Taught Masters in UK: Four degrees in UK are offered in the form of Master's taught programs. These are MA, MSc, MBA, and MEng. The assessments for these courses can be made through dissertations, exams, or projects.
- Research Masters in UK: MRes, MPhil, and certain MSc degrees in the UK are research-based MS courses. These are an integral part of these degrees and academic supervisors are often allocated to students pursuing any of these courses. These are similar to PhDs but are less academically demanding and last for a shorter duration.
Popular Masters Courses in UK
Apart from MS in UK, other available degrees are MBA, Master of Arts (MA), Master of Research (MRes). Coursework equivalent to 160 credits is required for completion of the program. Following are some of the popular programs available as a MS degree in UK universities, along with top universities offering them:
| Program | University | Estimated Total Fees (in GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| MS in Computer Science in UK | University of Oxford | Imperial College London | University College London | University of Edinburgh |
30,000 - 34,000 |
| Masters in Architecture (M.Arch) in UK | University College London | University of Cambridge | University of Sheffield | Manchester School of Architecture |
21,000 - 40,000 |
| MS in Management in UK | Imperial College Business School | London School of Economics and Political Science | Warwick Business School | Alliance Manchester Business School |
23,000 - 30,000 |
| MS in Marketing in UK | University of Edinburgh | University of Bath | University of Bristol | University of Exeter |
20,000 - 26,000 |
| MS in Psychology in UK | University of Oxford | University College London | King’s College London | University of Edinburgh |
23,000 - 53,000 |
Admissions to Masters in UK
Students can apply for universities in the UK via a common application portal known as UCAS. However, not all universities, and in some cases few programs of a university do not accept applications via this portal. Instead, they have their application portal through which students can apply.
Intake Month for MS in the UK: Most UK universities accept applications throughout the year with no specific deadlines. However, the major intake months are September or October and January or February. Hence, international students are advised to apply accordingly.
- 2:1 or 2:2 bachelor's degree in a field related to the program to which you are applying
- 2:1 (upper second class) is equivalent to 75%
- 2:2 (lower second class) is equivalent to 60%
- GRE or GMAT score (varies with the program)
- Work experience (mainly required for management programs)
- Research Proposal (for postgraduate research programs)
- Interview (depends upon program)
Masters in UK:GRE Requirement
Most UK universities require 90th percentile in the quantitative and verbal section and 50th percentile in the analytical section of GRE for admission. The average score for some of the top universities are provided as follows:
| University | Average GRE Requirement |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 325 |
| University of Cambridge | 315 |
| Imperial College London | 319 |
| University College London | 314 |
| London School of Economics and Politics | 320 |
| University of Edinburgh | 315 |
| King’s College London | 310 |
| University of Manchester | 325 |
| University of Warwick | 320 |
| University of Bristol | 310 |
Documents Required for Masters in UK
- Scanned copy of transcripts from all the institutes previously attended
- English translation of non-English transcripts
- Statement of Purpose for UK
- Personal Statement
- Two to three professional or academic recommendation letters
- Updated Resume
English Language Requirements for Masters in UK
International students from non-EU countries are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores. Minimum score requirements for admission in top universities of UK are as follows:
| Test | Minimum Score Requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| TOEFL IBT | 90 – 100 |
| PTE | 60 |
Student Visa to UK
Tier-4 (General) visa is the student visa in UK required for pursuing a full-time degree. It is valid for the entire duration of the study with additional six months. International students should apply for this visa at least 3 months prior to the commencement of studies. Documents required are:
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Sponsorship from the university
- Proof of financial stability
- Copy of passport
Masters in UK: Cost of Study
Cost of studying from a foreign destination has three types of expenses associated with it: Pre-arrival Cost; Tuition Fees and Cost of Living. These are discussed in the detail below.
Masters in UK: Tuition Fees for Indian Students
The annual fees required to study master’s in UK for Indian students are listed below according to some of the top universities:
Mentioned below are other colleges for MS in UK along with their tuition fees:
| University | Average Tuition Fees in INR | Average Tuition Fees in GBP |
|---|---|---|
| University of Sheffield | 22,33,332 INR | 22,600 GBP |
| Lancaster University | 25,59,438 INR | 25900 GBP |
| University of Southampton | 21,24,630 INR | 21500 GBP |
| University of Leeds | 20,38,656 INR | 20,630 GBP |
| University of Nottingham | 27,66,960 INR | 28,000 GBP |
| Newcastle University | 21,74,040 INR | 22,000 GBP |
| University of Sussex | 18,97,344 INR | 19,200 GBP |
| University of East Anglia | 24,11,208 INR | 24,400 GBP |
| University of York | 29,59,659 INR | 29,950 GBP |
| University of Leicester | 11,80,899 INR | 11,950 GBP |
ROI of Popular Masters Courses in UK
Among all the popular masters in the UK, MBA has the highest annual ROI. The average fee of the program is 50,000 GBP per annum. However, the salary offered to graduates is 88,000 GBP per year.
Scholarships for Masters in UK
Studying masters in the UK is costly for international students due to various expenses associated with it. However, many external funding agencies, the government of UK and universities offer scholarships to ease this financial burden. Some of the scholarships for international students in the UK offered by top universities are tabulated below:
| University | Scholarship | Award (in GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies | Tuition fees and living expenses |
| University of Cambridge | Trinity Hall - Mann Studentship for Sciences | 10,000 to 40,000 |
| Imperial College London | Stevenson Funds | 7,500 |
| University College London | Alumni Scholarship | 10,000 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | Hilde Himmelweit Scholarship | 2,000 |
| University of Edinburgh | John Fisher High-Performance Scholarship | 50% of tuition fees |
| King’s College London | Norman Spink Scholarship | 10,000 |
| University of Manchester | GREAT Scholarship | Tuition fees |
| University of Warwick | WMG School Scholarship | Tuition fees |
| University of Bristol | Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship | 5000, 10000 & 20000 |
Jobs after Masters in UK
After completion of the MS in the UK, you can either look for a job or pursue higher studies. The average salary of a student with a doctorate degree is 64,000 GBP per annum which is approximately 23% higher than what a master's graduate earns.
MBA and Executive MBA are the top-paying master's degrees in the UK with an average per annum salary of 88,000 GBP and 100,000 GBP per annum respectively. Financial services and executive management are the highest paying sectors for a graduate.
Salaries after Masters from UK Universities
The average salaries of the UK graduates across various professional fields are tabulated below:
| University | Salaries (GBP/yr) |
|---|---|
| Coventry University | 39,000 |
| Dundee University | 53,000 |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | 40,000 |
| Imperial College of London | 100,000 |
| Kings College London | 53,000 |
| Leicester University | 63,000 |
| Middlesex University | 50,000 |
| LSE | 80,000 |
| Manchester University | 86,000 |
| University of Nottingham | 70,000 |
| University College London | 69,000 |
Post-Study Work Visa after Masters in UK
Post-Study Work Visa, also known as Graduate Route, allows students to stay-back for 2 years in UK after completion of the degree, as per the new policy of UK government launched in 2019. This applies to everyone graduating in 2021 or later. Also, the upper limit on acceptance of visa applications was eliminated. International students are required to look for a job in UK within 6 months of their Tier-4 visa stay-back period to be eligible for Post-Study Work Visa in UK.
Masters in UK vs the USA vs Canada vs Australia
| Criteria | Average Tuition Fees (in GBP) | Average Annual Salary (in GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| MS in UK | 15,000 – 35,000 | 35,000 |
| MS in USA | 18,500 – 46,500 | 58,122 |
| MS in Canada | 17,500 – 32,104 | 40,500 |
| MS in Australia | 11,000 – 28,000 | 46,000 |
Masters (MS) in UK: Course Summary
| Duration | 1 – 3 years |
| No. of Universities in Top 50 | 18 |
| Annual Tuition Fees | 15,000 GBP – 35,000 GBP |
| Popular Specializations | Computer Science, Architecture, Management, Marketing, Psychology |
| Admission Eligibility | 60% – 75% in Bachelors |
| Average Salary Offered | 35,000 GBP |
| Highest Paying Degrees | Masters in Finance, MSc in Computer Science, MSc Business Analytics, MSc Data Science |
| Highest Paying Sectors | Finance, Executive Management, Airlines, Legal, etc. |
Over a million international students come to the UK every year for a master's degree because of its high-quality education, top-ranking universities, and friendly culture. Although the cost of education is higher than some of the other countries, the salary offered after completion of the study is more than what you pay for your education. Thus, pursuing MS in the UK is worth the time and money for an international student.
FAQ
Ques. How much does MS in UK cost?
Ans. Tuition fees of MS in UK costs around 20,000 to 30,000 GBP. MBA programs have slightly higher fees of 40,000 to 80,000 GBP. For Indian students, these costs round of to 19.21 lakhs 28.81 lakhs for masters courses, while for MBA it equals around 38.42 to 76.84 lakhs INR.
Ques. Is it good to study MS in UK?
Ans. According to QS News Ranking of 2022, 4 universities of the UK offering an MS degree rank among the top 10 universities of the world including University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. Also, the program duration is only 1 year as compared to other countries like Canada and USA. Hence, the UK is a fairly good destination for pursuing MS.
Ques. What is the duration for MS in UK?
Ans. MS in UK takes approximately 1 to 1.5 years to complete. The duration of MRes and MEng degrees is 2 to 3 years.
Ques. Which MS course is best in UK?
Ans. It largely depends upon the interest of the student that which masters degree he/she may want to pursue. However, the MBA offers the highest annual ROI with average fees of 50,000 GBP and an average salary of 88,000 GBP. Other popular MS degrees are computer science, architecture, marketing, management, etc.
Ques. Can I get a job after MS in UK?
Ans. Yes, you can work after MS in UK. The average salary offered to graduates is 35,000 GBP per annum (33.62 lakhs INR). Major paying sectors are financial services, airlines, legal departments, etc.
Ques. Can I pursue MS in UK without IELTS?
Ans. If you are from a non-EU nation, you will probably be required to demonstrate proficiency in English language by submitting IELTS scores. However, you can also submit TOEFL or PTE scores as a substitute of IELTS. International students not having any of the mentioned scores must undertake an additional English language program if selected for admission in the university.
Ques. Are there scholarships available for pursuing masters in UK?
Ans. Yes, various scholarships are offered to students who wish to pursue Masters/MS in UK. Awards covering up to complete tuition fees and cost of living are offered to international students who plan on studying masters in UK.
Ques. Is GRE required for MS in UK?
Ans. No, though GRE scores are required for pursuing some programs at certain universities in UK, but it is not mandatory to have GRE to pursue masters in UK.
Ques. What are the top colleges for pursuing masters in UK?
Ans. Some of the top colleges for pursuing MS/Masters in UK are Imperial College London, Manchester University, Oxford University, King’s College London, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of Warwick, University of Nottingham, etc.
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