How to Apply for a Masters Degree in the UK

Are you thinking about studying your Masters in the UK? Second only to the USA in popularity as a study abroad destination, the UK offers a world-class learning environment, a rich history and internationally recognised degrees across its four nations.

We take a look at what qualifications you need to apply for a Masters in the UK, what the process will be and what the organisation of the country is, starting with the universities and locations on offer.

Most universities in the UK are public universities, which means that they receive a proportion of their funding from central government. Universities must demonstrate the quality of their research and teaching activities to receive public funds. However, public universities enjoy a great deal of institutional autonomy, being free to invest and generate income as they see fit.

Even among public universities, there is great variation – not necessarily in quality, but in terms of the number of courses offered, expertise available and connections to industry. Universities can range in size from just a few hundred students to over 30,000. Some have their own campus while others are based in the heart of a city.

Private institutions awarding postgraduate degrees also exist in the UK. They tend to focus on specific areas such as Business, Management and Law. These institutions may not always have the power to award their own degrees, instead using an affiliated accredited university.

As you probably already know, the UK is made up of four nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These countries have their own distinct higher education systems and varying levels of control over policy, fees and funding. Although universities across the UK don’t differ wildly in quality, it’s worth getting to grips with those other aspects of the university experience – particularly the availability of postgraduate finance

Universities in England

England is the largest country in the UK and is home to most of its universities (as well as the oldest: the University of Oxford, established in 1096).The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, collectively referred to as Oxbridge, hold international reputations as two of most presitgious universities in the world.

Universities in Scotland

Scotland has a long and proud history of higher education, with several ancient universities dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries (the University of St Andrews was founded in 1413). These institutions – which also include the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen – often award an MLitt (Master of Letters) instead of the MA (Master of Arts) usually offered at universities elsewhere in the UK (MAs at these Scottish institutions are typically awarded as integrated four-year undergraduate degrees, rather than separate postgraduate qualifications)’.

Universities in Wales

There are around 26,000 international students at Wales’ diverse range of universities, from city centre institutions like Cardiff University to campus-based Swansea University and Aberystwyth University.

Universities in Northern Ireland

There are two universities in Northern Ireland – Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University – as well as several colleges offering higher education programmes.

Whether you’re looking to attend a university in a bustling metropolis like Manchester or a quaint seaside town like St Andrews, there’s plenty to choose from in the UK. Chances are you’ll be able to find the perfect place to study your Masters!

These are some of the most popular destinations for Masters in the UK:

• Study in London
• Study in Edinburgh
• Study in Cardiff
• Study in Belfast
• Study in Birmingham
• Study in Leeds
• Study in Sheffield
• Study in Oxford
• Study in Cambridge
• Study in Bristol

The application process for a Masters in the UK depends on the course and institution. Most of the time, you’ll apply directly to the academic department in question (although some universities use UCAS Postgraduate, a centralised system).

In general, a postgraduate application will involve completing and supplying the following documents:

• Application form
• Academic cover letter
• Personal statement
• Academic / professional references
• Certified copies of your degree and academic transcripts
• Research proposal (if you’re applying for a research Masters like an MPhil or MRes)
• English language test results (if applicable)

In some cases, you may have to attend a postgraduate interview, either in person or via Skype. You might also have to complete a graduate entry test, although these aren’t as common in the UK as they are elsewhere in the anglosphere.

You will usually need the equivalent of a 2:1 UK Bachelors degree to be accepted onto a Masters programme. Each university will calculate international equivalences differently, so make sure to check the entry requirements for your country on your chosen institution's website.

As of July 2022, Indian undergraduate and postgraduate degrees will be formally recognised in the UK. This means that if you studied your Bachelors degree in India, it will be automatically recognised as the equivalent of a UK degree (and vice-versa!).

English language requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you’ll normally have to supply proof of your proficiency in English when making a Masters application. This might not be the case if you studied your undergraduate degree in an English-speaking country.

You can usually find out exactly what score you need by checking the course description (if in doubt, ask the admissions team at your chosen university).

These are the four main types of English language test:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• Cambridge Assessment English's C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)

Some institutions are now accepting the Duolingo English Test (DET) as proof of English proficiency, but it's not very common so always best to check!

Our guide to English language tests has more information on typical scores and how to prepare for your exam.