The UK is one of the most coveted study destinations, home to some of the world’s top universities like the University of Oxford, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Cambridge and Imperial College of London.

Masters in the UK is a full-time programme usually for 1-2 years. Part-time programmes can last anytime between 2-4 years. Students can choose from a wide range of fields and courses including traditional courses such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and various specialisations.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to apply for a Masters/MS degree in the UK, students must fulfil certain mandatory requirements. Each course has its eligibility criteria depending on the university. Here are some of the most common prerequisites:

• Undergraduate degree in related discipline

• English proficiency tests such as PTE/TOEFL 

• GRE scores in some case if you are applying for postgraduate degrees in Science, Technology and Engineering

• Work experience preferred

TYPES OF MASTER’S DEGREES

The UK has mainly two categories of masters degree programmes – Taught Master’s (PGT) and Research Master’s (PGR). 

• TAUGHT MS DEGREE: A Taught Master’s degree is similar to undergraduate programmes wherein the students are required to attend seminars, complete modules, attend lectures and do other activities. Most taught courses consist of Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) subjects. 

• RESEARCH MS DEGREE: A Research Master’s degree needs students to focus on specific research projects. This kind of a Master’s degree is more independent and for a longer duration. Masters research courses include MRes and MPhil degrees.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

A UK student visa is required to study a full-time masters programme in the UK. The visa needs to be applied three months in advance to avoid any delays. The cost of a Tier-4 student visa is around 348 GBP with additional costs for any dependants.

TOP UNIVERSITIES IN THE UK

According to the QS World Rankings 2022, 4 UK universities rank in the world top 10. Listed below are the top 3 UK universities offering MS courses:

• UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD #2 

The University of Oxford is one of the oldest institutions in the World. It is ranked 2nd by QS World Rankings and 1st by Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The application fees for the University of Oxford ranges from 7,700 – 15,400 INR depending on the course programme selected. This university has notable alumni such as Oscar Wilde, Indira Gandhi, Boris Johnson, David Cameron etc.

• UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE #3 

As per the Graduate Market 2020, the University of Cambridge is one of the top five universities most often targeted by Britain’s leading employers. The University of Cambridge accepts applications from over 140 countries across the globe. This University offers over 300 postgraduate courses with both taught and research opportunities. The application fee for the University of Cambridge is around 7,000 INR. 

• IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF LONDON #7

Imperial College of London has consistently ranked in the top five in Europe. As per the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, Imperial College London ranks 3rd in Europe and 11th across the world. Famous ICL alumni include Geoffrey Wilkinson and William Crookes. 

COST OF MASTERS IN THE UK:

The cost factor while studying in the UK is of utmost importance. Tuition fees vary depending on the university you choose. Many universities offer scholarships for MS students who excel in their academic fields. 

Studying for a Master’s degree in the UK opens up a wide array of career prospects which help boost the learning process as well as the earning capabilities.