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It’s no secret that studying a Masters in the UK is a popular choice for people from across the globe. Universities in the UK are world-famous, with a long and proud history of academic excellence. International postgraduates are drawn by the UK’s renowned universities, bustling cities and picturesque countryside.
If you’re thinking about studying a Masters in the UK, then we’ve covered all the essential information including fees and funding, the application process, student life in the UK, visas, working and more.
We're celebrating international students in the UK by supporting the #WeAreInternational campaign and sharing some of their inspirational stories.
The United Kingdom is second only to the USA as the most popular study abroad destination in the world, welcoming over 600,500 international students each year. Its higher education system is as diverse as the country itself, ranging from ancient universities in Oxford and Cambridge to modern, innovative institutions. The UK is also unique in that it consists of four nations with their own distinct university systems: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We’ve listed a handful of the best reasons why should you consider a Masters the UK this year:
Postgraduate education in the UK follows a common European format set out by the Bologna Process.
UK Masters degrees are 'second cycle' qualifications. They usually follow a Bachelors degree (first cycle) and may prepare a student for a PhD (third cycle).
Most Masters degrees in the UK are taught courses (postgraduate research is undertaken at PhD level), however Masters of Research (MRes) are also available. You will complete a series of academic modules, followed by an independent dissertation or project.
Masters Study in the United Kingdom - Key Details | |
---|---|
Universities | 164 |
Oldest University | University of Oxford (1096) |
International Students | 550,000 |
Course Length | 1-2 years |
Average Fees (International) | £17,109 |
Academic Year | September to June |
Want to know more about life for international students in the United Kingdom? Our guide to Masters study in the UK covers everything from accommodation and living costs to culture and entertainment.
In the UK, a degree-level qualification can only be awarded with permission from the Secretary of State, a Royal Charter or an Act of Parliament. This helps you to identify the list of recognised institutions. Universities and some colleges can award degree-level qualifications, but if you are looking to pursue a Masters or a PhD you are more likely to study at a university. There are exceptions, such as arts colleges and business schools – some of which are autonomous, while others are constituents of universities.
There are two types of 'accreditations' – institution-level and qualification-level – often dealt with by completely different organisations. For example, for a recognised university to be able to award a medical degree or a teacher’s qualification, it will need the appropriate professional body accreditation. In any case, all bodies that award UK degrees are subject to a regular reviews by the Quality Assurance Agency UK (QAA).
You can see a full list of accredited British universities on the UK Government’s website.
UK Masters and PhD degrees are compatible with the Bologna Process, which means that there is recognition and equivalence between UK degrees and those of other countries within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Find out more about the Bologna Process.
The term “Masters degree” in the UK can refer to many different kinds of qualification, ranging from academic courses to more practical, vocational postgraduate courses. Most courses require one year of full-time study (90 ECTS), although research-based Masters are usually two years long.
UK universities use the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) to measure the workload for Masters programmes, with most degrees worth 180 CATS points. It’s easy to convert CATS points into ECTS points: one ECTS point is worth two CATS points. Find out more about the European Credit and Transfer System.
Academic Masters degrees in the UK involve advanced study of a subject that you may have had experience of at undergraduate level, allowing you to specialise in a certain topic within the discipline.
They can be divided into two broad types: taught programmes, which are generally more structured, and research Masters, which require a greater amount of independent research. Find out more about the difference between taught and research Masters.
These are the main kinds of academic Masters qualifications:
Professional Masters degrees in the UK are a great way of preparing yourself for a specific job or sector. More vocational in nature than the academic Masters listed above, these programmes often involve a work placement of some kind.
Popular types of professional Masters include:
Universities in the UK also offer Business Masters degrees, with many international students choosing to study a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Masters in Management (MiM).
Find out more about what makes the UK such a great place to study as an international student as well as our guides on everything you need to know about choosing to study your Masters in the UK.
Search our database of Masters courses in the UK.
Will studying a Masters degree help you earn a higher salary? And will postgraduate qualifications get you a better job? We've looked at the facts and figures.
Read moreThis page uses official data to find out which Masters subjects are most in demand by employers, as well as Masters graduate salaries for several disciplines.
Read moreThe average cost of a UK Masters degree is £8,740, but fees vary by course and university, with some programmes costing more than others.
Read moreOur guide explains the different postgraduate scholarships available for international students in the UK, as well as overseas eligibility for Masters loans.
Read more