How long does it take to complete an MA in the UK?

The duration varies, but most MA programs in the UK typically take one year of full-time study. Some programs may offer part-time options with extended durations.

What are the entry requirements for MA programs in the UK?

Entry requirements vary by university and program. Generally, a bachelor's degree in a related field is required. Some programs may also have specific GPA and language proficiency requirements.

Are scholarships available for international students pursuing an MA in the UK?

Yes, many universities offer scholarships and financial aid options for international students. It's advisable to check with the specific university and explore external scholarship opportunities.

2022-05-18 |

Countries

Cost of a Master’s Degree in the UK Explained

How much does an MA cost in the UK?

By Grad-Dreams

MS and ME and Masters

Study MA in the UK

The MA program in the United Kingdom is a one-year full-time program that can be completed by coursework, research, or a mix of the two. Several specializations are available for Master of Arts degrees in economics, political science, history, philosophy, education, and international relations among other fields of study. International students should expect to pay between 16,000 and 28,000 euros for the program.

Although the cost may appear to be prohibitive, scholarships for overseas students in the United Kingdom can help to offset some of the expenses. The expense of education for an Indian student might range between 15 and 25 lakh rupees per year. The average yearly salary granted to MA graduates in the United Kingdom is 33,441 euros, with the amount varying depending on the specialty chosen.

The United Kingdom is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. According to QS News, four institutions will be listed in the top ten in 2021, while three universities will be ranked in the top ten in 2022. As a result, the United Kingdom is one of the most popular study-abroad locations for students wishing to pursue studies in the arts and social sciences.

Get started to take guidance from an expert counselor for FREE

#Why study MA in the UK?

In the QS News Ranking of Best Student Cities for 2020, 14 cities from the United Kingdom were included in a list of 120 cities from around the world. Seven of them were ranked in the top 50, with London taking first place overall.
Applications are accepted by universities in the United Kingdom from students who have completed their 12 + 3 year bachelor's degree in India. As a result, if you complete your Bachelor's degree in India, you can immediately enroll in an MA program in the United Kingdom.
Masters programs, whether they are 'Taught Masters' or 'Masters by Research,' are generally one year in length. In the United Kingdom, MPhil programs are two years in duration.
The GMAT or GRE is not required for MA or MS studies in the United Kingdom. Some universities, such as the London School of Economics, may, however, require them.
Economic studies is one of the most popular MA programs in the United Kingdom, with graduates from the London School of Economics earning an average salary of 55,200 euros five years after graduation and earning more than 120,000 euros in the top quarter of the class. Graduates in economics at the University of Cambridge, on the other hand, earn a higher average wage five years after graduation, starting at 61,000 euros.
The University of Bristol offers an MA in Law, which is a completely separate degree.
In addition, the graduate job market in the creative arts is equally desirable. An entry-level curatorial post (for example, Assistant Curator) typically pays roughly 18,000 euros, with the possibility of earning more as your career progresses.
Making the decision to pursue a profession in the digital arts has the potential to result in a higher wage. The starting wage for graphic and digital designers can range between 15,000 and 19,000 euros, with the potential to climb to 27,000 euros after a few years of experience.

#Top Universities

Here are some of the greatest universities in the United Kingdom that offer a Master of Arts program, as well as the typical tuition prices they charge:

Universities	QS World Ranking 2021	Fees Per Annum (euros)
University of Oxford	5	27,460
University of Cambridge	7	26,033
University College London	10	25,800
The University of Edinburgh	20	22,000
The University of Manchester	27	21,500
King’s College London	31	16,800
The London School of Economics and Political Science	49	23,520
University of Bristol	58	18,600
University of Glasgow	77	19,350

Popular specializations

The choice of specialty could be influenced by personal interests, which could include sociology, anthropology, economics, or political science, among other things. However, in order to build a successful profession, it is also vital to take into account the popularity of various courses.

Universities	Popular Specializations	International Student Percentage
University of Oxford	MA in English, Education, International Relations	45%
University of Cambridge	MA in Economics, Psychology	-
University College London	MA in Philosophy, Education, Human Rights	53%
The University of Edinburgh	MA in Psychology, History, Economics	18.4%
The University of Manchester	MA in International Education, Intercultural Communication	19.1%
King’s College London	MA in International Political Economy, Conflict Studies, IR	26.9%
The London School of Economics and Political Science	MA in Political theory, International relations, economics	69.7%
University of Bristol	MA in Law	11.7%
University of Glasgow	MA in Education, Public Health	19.7%

Admission Process

Almost all of the leading colleges and institutes in the United Kingdom that offer an MA in English accept applicants through their online application websites. Some colleges also accept applications through the UCAS platform, which can be found here. To complete the application procedure, it is necessary to pay the required application cost, which varies from university to university.

Universities	Average Duration for MA	Application Fee (euros)
University of Oxford	1-2 Years	75
University of Cambridge	10 months - 1 year	70
University College London	1 Year	90
The University of Edinburgh	1 Year	Nil
The University of Manchester	1 Year	60
King’s College London	1 Year	40
The London School of Economics and Political Science	1 Year	80
University of Bristol	1 Year	50
University of Glasgow	1 Year	25

#Eligibility

Before applying for a full-time Masters in Education study in the United Kingdom, international students must submit their 10+2+4 educational marks from their home country.

A bachelor's degree (4 years) from a nationally recognized institution with an overall grade point average of 70 percent or a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 out of 4.0, 5.0 out of 7.0, 6.0 out of 8.0, or 8.0 out of 10.0 is required.

The following results of the applicable English proficiency test should be submitted by the applicants:

IELTS score: 7.5 or higher.

TOEFL iBT score range: 109-120.

PTE Academic: 74 or higher.

CAE or CPE: 191-230

#Documents required

Before applying for admission to institutions in the United Kingdom, you must provide the following documents to the university's admissions office: A completed application form for the specific UK university where you intend to study for your MA degree.

You must include certificates from previous educational institutions in your application package.

It is necessary to give a Statement of Purpose for students who wish to study in the United Kingdom to explain why they have chosen that particular university. Your research proposal or personal statement will not be regarded to be a piece of written work by the committee members.

a letter describing your past employment experience (Not mandate, if you have any).

A letter of recommendation for study in the United Kingdom.

Please provide your results from the English language test (IELTS or TOEFL score).

If you have any relevant certificates from extracurricular activities, you should include them with your application.

Please include a photocopy of your passport.

All graduate applicants are required to provide a curriculum vitae. This is in addition to your application form and other supporting materials, and it is intended to serve as a recap of your recent achievements in addition to your application form.

Certain colleges require supporting documentation to provide scholarships.

A portfolio is required for a variety of courses, and applicants must submit it as part of their application.

Some institutions in the United Kingdom require you to submit your answers to an admissions exercise together with a signed statement of authenticity before you can be considered for admission. The exercises are normally available for download on the course pages of the universities that offer the relevant courses.

a piece of your writing, usually an essay on a topic of academic interest, that is submitted to the academic department to help them determine your fitness for the course.

#Student visa

Student visas to the United Kingdom are granted on the basis of a points system. Tier 4 (General) student visas are currently available for 348 euros, with an additional 348 euros per person for any dependents. Tier 4 (General) student visas are currently available for 348 euros. The following documents will be required in order to meet all of the requirements for a student visa in the United Kingdom:

The specifics of your passport.

A photograph was taken recently.

You have received an unconditional offer of a place on a program given by a licensed Tier 4 Sponsor, which is evidenced by the receipt of a "Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies" (CAS) form from your course provider.

Demonstration of adequate English language abilities, as evidenced by one of the reliable English language examinations.

Proof that you will have financial support for your entire stay in the United Kingdom: If you are studying in the United Kingdom outside of London, you must demonstrate that you have 1,015 euros per month to cover living expenses, and 1,265 euros per month if you are studying in London.

As part of the application process, you may be needed to provide documentation demonstrating your academic qualifications as well as to participate in an interview or biometric exam, which may include a digital scan of your fingerprints.

To be eligible for the Tier 4 (General) student visa if you are 16 or 17 years old, you must have written approval from your parents/guardians stating that you are able to live and travel independently.

#Cost of studying

Taking a Master of Arts degree in the United Kingdom is not only expensive because of the program fees and the expense of living in the nation, but also because students must spend some money before flying to the country to begin their studies. The cost of studying in the United Kingdom can be broken down into three categories: pre-arrival expenses, tuition fees, and living expenses.

Pre-arrival costs

Pre-arrival expenses include any expenses incurred before traveling to the United Kingdom, such as examination fees, Tier 4 visa application fees, and university application fees, among other things. According to the information in the table below, the expected pre-arrival expenses from all major UK colleges are as follows:

Type of Expense	Cost (euros)
Visa application fee	348
IELTS fee	180
TOEFL fee	163
Airfare	425 - 638
Health Insurance	150

#Cost of living

To study in London, the UK Visa and Immigration department asks that you have a monthly budget of 1,265 euros. This sum is in addition to the tuition fees that students must pay. There will be a smaller amount for other parts of the United Kingdom. If you plan to study at a college outside of London, you will need a monthly budget of at least 1,015 euros to meet the requirements of the United Kingdom Visa and Immigration.

This amount will vary depending on your lifestyle and will be determined by how much socializing you engage in.

Particulars	Monthly Costs (euros)
Rent	547
Food	200
Gas and electricity	60
Internet	40
Mobile phone	30
Laundry	25
Stationery and textbooks	40
Clothing	75
Travel (buses, trams, and trains	90

Overall, the cost of living in the United States is 12.21 percent more than the cost of living in the United Kingdom. The average rent in the United Kingdom is around 25% lower than in the United States. To maintain a modest lifestyle in London, you would require $6,215.20 per month, however, in New York City, you would need $8,200 per month to maintain the same lifestyle.

#Tuition fees

The tuition prices for premier colleges in the United Kingdom that provide Master of Arts degrees range between 15 lakhs and 25 lakhs each year. The degree is available at a variety of universities, and you have the option to look into less expensive options for pursuing the course.

Universities	Fees Per Annum (INR)
University of Oxford	24,50,228
University of Cambridge	23,29,144
University College London	23,08,297
The University of Edinburgh	19,68,194
The University of Manchester	19,23,307
King’s College London	15,02,863
The London School of Economics and Political Science	21,04,009
University of Bristol	16,63,884
University of Glasgow	17,30,920

#Scholarships

Students from a variety of nations can benefit from scholarships, bursaries, and other financial assistance provided by the United Kingdom government. Aside from receiving scholarships to study abroad, international students might choose to pay for their studies through loans or by working while enrolled in a university program in their home country. International students having a student visa for the United Kingdom are permitted to work for up to 20 hours per week while enrolled in classes.

University	Scholarships	Amount Granted (euros)
University of Oxford	Felix Scholarships	100% Tuition Fee Waiver 15,840 towards the living cost
University of Oxford	Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship	13,048/year
University of Cambridge	Cambridge Masters Studentship	12,000/year
London School of Economics and Political Science	Hilde Himmelweit Scholarship	Three awards 2,000
University of Edinburgh	David Vowles Postgraduate Scholarship	2,000
University College London	Great Scholarship	11,000 for one year only
Bristol University	Think Big Scholarship	5,000-20,000 Tuition fee rewards

#External scholarships to study in the UK:

Chevening scholarships: Chevening Scholarships, the United Kingdom government's global scholarship program, are offered to excellent scholars from Chevening-eligible nations all over the world who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. The majority of awards are for a one-year Master's degree program. Typically, a Chevening Scholarship will cover tuition costs, a living stipend at a fixed rate (for one individual), an economy-class return flight to the United Kingdom, and other financial assistance to meet necessary expenses.

Commonwealth Masters scholarships: Applicants for the Commonwealth Masters Scholarships must be students from developing Commonwealth nations who wish to undertake Master's level studies in the United Kingdom. The Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom provides funding for these scholarships (DFID). Each Scholarship covers a variety of expenses, including airfare to and from the United Kingdom, tuition and examination fees, a personal maintenance allowance, a thesis award (if available), and an initial arrival allowance.

#Career prospects

With a 2-year stay-back policy for overseas students in the United Kingdom, it has emerged as a desirable education destination for international students. In the United Kingdom, the average wage awarded to an MA graduate is 33,441 euros. Given that a Master of Arts degree encompasses the entire spectrum of social sciences courses, including Economics, Politics, Social Work, and Anthropology, pay expectations vary depending on the area of specialty chosen. The following is a list of the same:

Popular MA Programs in the UK	Job Roles Offered	Average Salary (euros)
MA in Economics	Research Analyst, Economist, Policy Advisor	34,991
MA in Politics	Research Associate, Teaching Assistant	32,250
MA in Public Policy	Public Affairs Officer, Policy Analyst	31,358
MA in English	Editor, Content Strategist,	28,394
MA in History	Archivist, Curator, Heritage specialist	29,101
MA in International Relations	Intelligence Analyst, Research Associate	36,031
Masters in Education	Learning and Development Specialist, Teacher	30,228

Companies such as Oxford University Press, HSBC, the BBC, Amazon.com Inc., and John Wiley and Sons, Inc. regularly hire graduates who studied MA in the United Kingdom, with salaries ranging from 23,000 euros to 80,000 euros a year on average. Traditional Master of Arts degrees are available in places like Cambridge and Oxford, which are known for their educational pedigree. These degrees can lead to lucrative positions and salaries.

Graduates of the MA program in the United Kingdom are equipped with the ability to examine complicated concepts, acquire independence of judgment, and think creatively. The curriculum serves as an excellent foundation for further academic study, and many alumni go on to pursue research degrees in the United Kingdom and overseas.