5 Things American Grad Students Need to Know About Studying a Masters in the UK

Thinking of heading across the pond to do your Masters? You’re not alone! According to 2022 student mobility figures from UNESCO, just over 19,762 Americans recently attended British universities, making the UK by far the most popular study abroad destination among US citizens.

But what do you need to know about Masters study in the UK? And how does it differ from graduate programmes offered by American universities? This blog aims to answer those questions, as well as providing useful information on applications and funding opportunities.

#1 Masters programmes in the UK are a little different to those in the USA

Okay, one of the first things to mention is that here in the UK, we use the term ‘postgraduate’ to refer to any qualifications taken after your Bachelors degree, such as a Masters or PhD.

And, while Masters degrees in the USA tend to form part of broader ‘graduate’ programmes, UK Masters are much more specialised, focusing (usually) on a particular discipline, subject or research area. This also means that Masters in the UK are normally standalone qualifications, not specifically leading to a PhD (although, of course, they can be great preparation for that pathway).

Most Masters in the UK involve one year of full-time study, culminating in an extended research project or dissertation.

Masters tuition fees in the UK

Tuition fees in the UK are higher for international students than they are for domestic students. The prices vary according to the programme and the university, but these are some averages according to a 2022 survey of postgrad fees:

Master of Arts (MA – classroom-based) – £16,082 (USD $22,125)
Master of Science (MSc – laboratory-based) – £18,813 (USD $25,880)
Master of Research/Philosophy (MRes/MPhil – research) – £10,000+ (USD $13,755+)
MBA – £21,754 (USD $29,925)

#2 You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to universities

Outside of the USA, the UK is the country with the most universities ranked among the top 100 in the world. This impressive strength in depth can make it pretty difficult to decide on somewhere to study – after all, there’s far more to the UK than Oxbridge and London!

To make things a bit easier for you, we’ve listed a selection of the top student towns and cities in each of the nations that make up the UK. Of course, this list is far from exhaustive and we’d encourage you to do plenty of your own research – there are lots of hidden gems to be found.

These are some of the most popular destinations in England:

If you head north of the border to Scotland, you’ll find an excellent mix of ancient universities and newer institutions in places such as:

Wales, meanwhile, is known for its stunning countryside, passionate sports fans and fantastic universities. These are some of the main education hubs:

Finally, Northern Ireland is the smallest nation in the UK. Its capital, Belfast, is home to Queen’s University Belfast and two university colleges, while Ulster University is based in the town of Coleraine.

#3 The application process is pretty simple

If you’re intending to apply for a Fulbright Postgraduate Award or Marshall Scholarship (more on those below), you’ll apply through the relevant organisation for funding at the same time as your Masters.

In most other cases, you’ll apply directly to the university themselves, providing the following documents:

You may find that some universities charge an application fee of around £100 (USD $138) for their courses.

If you studied your undergraduate degree in the United States (or most other English-majority countries), you won’t have to provide proof of your English language proficiency.

The application process for most Masters programmes doesn’t involve an interview, but particularly competitive courses may require candidates to attend a video interview.

#4 There are several funding options for American students

There are several viable options for funding a Masters in the UK, from scholarship schemes to federal loans. We’ve covered a few of the main ones below.

Fulbright Scholarships

The Fulbright Commission aims to foster cultural and scholarly connections between the UK and the USA, funding student exchanges between the two countries.

Fulbright Postgraduate Awards are one element of this, providing a full tuition fee waiver for outstanding US students to undertake a year of Masters study at a UK university, as well as a generous living cost stipend and healthcare coverage.

All UK Masters programmes are eligible for this funding (as well as PhDs).

You can find out more about how to apply on the Fulbright Commission website.

Marshall Scholarships

Marshall Scholarships also provide funding for talented American students to do a wide range of postgraduate programmes at selected UK universities.

This financial support comprises a tuition fee waiver, an allowance for living costs, a return ticket from the USA and educational expenses.

You can apply for either a one-year or two-year Marshall Scholarship (not both). If you receive the two-year scholarship, it’s possible to do two one-year Masters or one two-year Masters.

Federal student aid

It’s possible to secure federal student aid for a Masters in the UK. First of all you should check that your prospective university participates in a federal student aid programme.

There are two options available to graduate students:

Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct PLUS Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are non-means-tested and can provide up to $20,500 per year as of 2022 (this amount depends on your cost of attendance and other financial support you have, such as university scholarships). The total amount of unsubsidized loans you can claim is $138,500. Compared to subsidized loans, the US government does not contribute towards the interest on these loans while you’re studying and for the first six months after you’ve finished the course.

Find out more about Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Direct PLUS Loans are intended to contribute towards any other study costs not already covered by loans or financial support. This means they can make up for a shortfall from a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

Find out more about Direct PLUS Loans for grad students.

You’ll need to pass a credit check in order to apply for federal student aid. You can find out more about repayment plans on the US Department of Education website.

#5 Applying for a student visa is straightforward

After you’ve chosen your Masters programme and sorted out your funding, you can start thinking about applying for a student visa.

We’ve written a comprehensive guide to how student visas in the UK work, but these are the basics:

You can begin your visa application online six months before the start of your Masters
You’ll need to provide proof of your confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) – this is a statement that your prospective university will supply
The application process is mostly online although you’ll have to submit fingerprints and a passport photo at a visa application centre in the States

You’ll need to provide evidence of your financial support. As of 2022, you'll need:

£1,334 per month (USD $1,835) for up to nine months for courses in London
£1,023 per month (USD $1,405) for up to nine months for courses outside of London

There’s also an application fee of £348 (USD $480) if you’re applying for your visa from outside the UK, and £475 (USD $655) if you’re applying from within.

The UK student visa allows you to work 20 hours a week part-time during term time and full-time during academic breaks.

If you decide to stay in the UK after your Masters, the Graduate Route visa offers international postgraduates the opportunity to live and work in the UK for up to two years after their course finishes.