Masters Study in the UK – A Guide for 2025

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:

• World-class universities – Universities in the UK are frequently ranked among the very best in the world.
• Cultural institutions – Wherever you choose to study in the UK, you’ll likely be within reach of outstanding museums, galleries and libraries. From the V&A in London to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow and the National Railway Museum in York, there’s no shortage of cultural attractions in the UK.
• Funding opportunities – There are a number of funding opportunities for international students in the UK, including Chevening Scholarships, GREAT Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships.
• Internationally-recognised degrees – UK Masters degrees are recognised and respected across the world.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Master of Research (MRes)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Master of Letters (MLitt)

Professional Masters degrees

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:

• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Engineering Masters (MEng)
• Psychology Masters
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

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.