Master's in the UK

Take your education to the next level with a Master’s in the UK

Pursuing a postgraduate degree abroad is quite a popular choice for further study, and the UK ranks on top of the list for international students. Being easily accessible with globally acclaimed degrees, it offers endless opportunities for higher education. 

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Why pursue masters in the UK?

Some of the most common reasons why students prefer to pursue their masters in the UK include:

• Career growth:  As per the Higher Education Academy’s Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2018, career advancement and upskilling are the most important factors, which are constantly evolving in the workplace. Basically, a master’s degree is important to employers since it demonstrates your ability to understand complex material and undertake challenging assessment tasks in a short span of time.

• Pathway to PhD: If you plan to grow in an academic role, then a master’s programme is your perfect springboard to a research or PhD degree. A master’s degree will improve your subject knowledge and help you gain the fundamental skills for independent research and further to pursue a PhD program.

• Academic flexibility: Masters programmes normally span 9 to 12 months. Besides, some programs are flexible in case you plan to study with your current role.

• Establish a global network: As an international student studying Master’s in the UK can help you secure the opportunity to work with students from different parts of the world. Thereby, expand your network, while learning about different cultures. This is essential for an invaluable international perspective.

• Switch to a new career: You don’t need to begin a masters course right after your undergraduate degree. In fact, you can enrol yourself after working for a few years if you plan to enhance your skills or switch your career field. Some courses are purely designed for conversion and aim to equip you with relevant skills in another chosen field without prior training.

• Time and money-saving option: In the UK, a master’s degree is designed as a one-year program instead of a two-year program taught in other countries. This means this can save your time and money thereby helping you to launch your career much quicker with a globally recognised postgraduate degree.

Basics	Taught Master’s	Research Master’s
Concept	Taught Master’s Programs are taught through seminars and lectures, while assessed via dissertations, exams, and projects.	Research Master’s Programs focus their learning on a particular thesis under the supervision of an academic guide.
Example	Master of Science (MSc), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Engineering and Master of Business Administration.	Master of Research (MRes), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or PhD

Popular fields of master’s study

• Computer Science & Data Sciences

• Engineering & Technology

• Mass Communication 

• Architecture, Building & Planning

• Subjects allied to Medicine

• Dentistry & Veterinary Science

• Education

Cost of studying a master’s program in the UK

The cost of pursuing a master’s in the UK highly depends upon the type of course and the mode of its delivery. Here’s your guide to understanding the same:

Mode of delivery	Type of study program	Average cost*
Classroom	MA (Arts / Social Sciences)	£9,000 - £14,000
Laboratory	MSc (Science / Engineering)	£9,500 - £22,000
Clinical	MRes / MPhil	£12,000 - £33,000
Business	MBA	£9,500 - more than £34,000

*Indicative

Eligibility criteria for master’s programs

Indeed, the admission requirements for a master’s program depends upon the type of institution and course, however, the basic criteria remain constant:

• Academic credentials: An undergraduate degree of 3 years in the relevant discipline

• Standardised test scores: A couple of universities might ask for your GRE/GMAT scores

• English-language proficiency: Tests such as IELTS are necessary to prove your English-language proficiency and on average, most UK universities require an overall score of 6.5. This might vary as per the course and institution. In fact, there are some universities that also offer an IELTS scores waiver 

Career prospects

According to the government's Graduate labour market statistics, 2019 graduates and postgraduates had higher employment rates as compared to the non-graduates. Besides, for some roles like a clinical psychologist, librarian, lawyer, or teacher, a master’s degree is crucial, while for others it’s beneficial. 

Based on the Graduate labour market statistics 2022, With a master’s degree, you can earn more than the graduates with a bachelor’s degree, since full-time employed postgraduates have a median salary of £42,000 in contrast to £32,000 for undergraduates*.

If you are an expert in the field, you are likely to find work in line with your interests. So don’t wait to start with your application and feel free to approach our IDP education specialists who’ll be happy to guide you through the entire admission process. 

* Source: https://www.highfliers.co.uk/download/2022/graduate_market/GM22-report.pdf

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Updated on June 15, 2022

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