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Master’s Degrees in the UK

A master's degree in the UK offers advanced expertise, valuable industry connections, and global recognition to boost your career prospects both locally in the UK and globally. UK universities offer a wide range of specialised postgraduate taught and research programmes to help you deepen your knowledge and excel in your chosen field. Additionally, doing your master’s degree in the UK gives you the following advantages:
 
Short course duration
Unlike two-year master's programmes in many countries, a UK master's degree typically lasts just one year, providing better value for money and a quicker path to employment.

Part-time study availability
Since postgraduate study requires significant time and dedication, many UK universities offer part-time master's programmes lasting two to three years, allowing students to balance their study and career commitments.

Types of master’s degrees in the UK

Prospective students can enrol for both taught and research postgraduate programmes in UK universities. Taught degrees follow a structured curriculum while research degrees focus on independent study and original research.

When following a postgraduate taught programme, students need to attend lectures, seminars, and tutorials, with assessments through exams, dissertations, or projects.

There are four main postgraduate programmes, each lasting between one and two years. These are:

  • Master of Arts (MA)
  • Master of Science (MSc)
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Master of Engineering (MEng)

A master’s research degree offers more independence, allowing students to focus on a thesis under academic supervision. These degrees involve similar research work as in PhDs but with shorter papers and fewer academic requirements. Some popular postgraduate research degrees offered by UK universities include:

Completing a research master’s degree can make it easier for students to transition into a PhD if they wish to do so. MPhil degrees in particular are considered a stepping stone for a PhD.

Computer Science UK Entry Requirements

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Eligibility criteria for a UK master’s degree

Understanding the eligibility criteria of their chosen programme can help students evaluate their preparedness to take on the rigour of postgraduate studies.
Criteria Requirement
Academic qualifications A relevant undergraduate degree with second class upper division honours
English language test scores
  • 6.5 for IELTS
  • 58.5 for PTE Academic
Letters of recommendation At least two academic references
Statement of Purpose (SoP) An essay highlighting the student's motivation, career goals, and reasons for selecting the particular institution
Work experience Specific courses such as MBAs might require relevant work experience, generally ranging between one to three years
Eligibility criteria can vary for each UK university.

Where can I pursue a master's degree in the UK?

Learn about the top universities in the UK offering master's programmes below.
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University of Oxford
University of St Andrews
University of Cambridge
London School of Economics and Political Science
Imperial College London
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Durham University
University of Bath
University of Warwick
University College London
Loughborough University

FAQs

The best master’s course for you will depend on your individual interests, skills, and career goals along with the prospective university’s rankings, faculty expertise, industry links, and employability. The most popular master’s courses in the UK include Master of Business Administration (MBA), MSc in Computer Science, Master of Laws (LLM), and MSc in Finance or Economics due to their high level of employability.

Courses with a high employability rate often align with industries with a strong presence in the UK. Some master’s programmes with high job prospects include:

  • MSc in Computer Science/Data Science: High demand in the UK’s growing tech sector
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA): Strong job prospects in finance and consultancy, especially in London
  • MSc in Renewable Energy/Sustainability: Sought after due to the UK’s green initiatives
  • Master of Laws (LLM): Valuable for careers in international, corporate, and intellectual property law

A master's course in the UK generally lasts just one year compared to the two-year degree programmes in many countries. A one-year programme saves students time and money and helps them start their careers more quickly.

Yes. The Graduate visa route allows international students to work or search for work for two years after completing their postgraduate degree programme at a university in the UK. If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, the Graduate visa is valid for three years.

Most UK universities require students to have a relevant undergraduate degree with second class upper division honours, proof of English language proficiency, letters of recommendation, and a strong statement of purpose to enter a postgraduate programme. Some degrees may also require relevant work experience from prospective students.
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