Cost of Master's in UK for International Students in 2024

International students look forward to achieving a master’s degree in the UK, owing to its top-ranked universities and a high standard of education. In terms of nationality, there were 55,465 Indians on study visas in the UK as per reports for 2022, highlighting the country’s popularity among Indian students. 

With 706,995 postgraduate taught course enrollments in the country (per Higher Education Student Statistic 2021-22 report), the UK is a great choice if you want to study a master’s program abroad. 

The cost of studying a master's in the UK for international students can differ greatly depending on the university, the course specifically and even the city of study. Before applying for a master’s in the UK, it is important to understand the overall studying cost in the UK. 

Read on to know how much pursuing a master’s degree will cost you in the UK.

Why Study Master's in UK

• World-class Education: UK education system is recognized worldwide and valued for their academic excellence & research output. In 2021-22, there were 2,182,560 students pursuing higher education in the country, with 444,760 postgraduate students and 285 providers of higher education. 
• Multiple Programs: With hundreds of universities in the UK offering master's programs in different disciplines, students have abundant options to fit their academic and future career plans. 
• Focus on Research: There is a strong focus on research at UK universities, with 54% of research conducted by universities in Britain being classified as internationally excellent or world-leading per the Research Assessment Exercise.
• International Recognition: A master's degree from a UK university is globally recognized and respected by employers worldwide, enhancing career prospects.
• Choice of Universities: There are over 90 globally ranked institutions in the UK, including some of the oldest and most prestigious universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London.

Now that we have discussed the benefits of pursuing higher education in the UK, let us look at an important aspect affecting this decision, i.e., the cost of pursuing master’s in the UK for international students.

What are Pre-Application Expenditures

There are certain costs involved before you start studying. These are known as pre-arrival expenditures. Prospective students should also consider these expenses when calculating total cost of studying in the UK.

I have listed below a few important pre-application expenses associated with studying in the UK in 2024.

• Application Fees: Most universities charge an application fee, typically ranging from £25 to £160 per application.

• Standardized Tests: Depending on your chosen course, you may need to take standardized tests, such as the IELTS or TOEFL for English proficiency or GRE/GMAT for specific graduate programs. These tests also incur a fee. For example,

  IELTS registration fee in India is INR 17,000, while TOEFL will cost you INR 16,900.

  GRE is INR 22,500 and the GMAT registration amounts to $275, which is approximately INR 22,967.

• Visa Application Fees: There are costs associated with applying for a student visa (Tier 4 visa) to study in the UK. A student visa application fee is £490 for international aspirants.

What Are Post-Admission Expenditures in UK

Post-admission expenses include costs incurred after your admission to a particular university. This includes tuition fees and additional costs like books supplies, lab charges, field trips, etc.

Tuition Fees: 

The tuition fees for various top universities in the UK  for a master’s degree are given below:

University	Annual Tuition Fees
Oxford University	£33,050 - £48,620
University of Cambridge	£29,826 - £55,080
Imperial College London	£12,600 - £67,500
University College London	£21,000 - £41,000
University of Edinburgh	£28,800 - £40,900
University of Manchester	£26,000 - £48,000
University of Warwick	£22,560 - £40,700
University of Bristol	£22,640 -£55,500

Source: university website

Additional Fee

Apart from tuition fees, some universities may also charge additional fees to cover your lab costs, etc. These may go up to £1,000 per term and the costs of any extra consumables. Field trip costs may vary, going up to around £90 per trip. 

Application Expenses in UK

Once you are prepared with all the necessary documents, GMAT or GRE scores, and your English test scores (TOEFL or IELTS), you can proceed to apply to universities in the UK.

Submitting your application requires you to pay an amount to pay an application fee without which your application submission will not be successful. This is the second MS in the UK cost that you’ll have to budget for.

Application cost varies from university to university. However, the cost ranges £25 to £160, depending on the course you are applying for. Once the university accepts your fees, students must make additional payments such as tuition fees, lab charges, student visa charges, health insurance costs, and others as a part of their degree fees to complete their admission formalities.

Read More: Requirements for Studying in the UK

MS Cost and Fees in UK 

According to a Times Higher Education report, international students can expect to pay anywhere between £10,000-£26,000 on an average annually for their studies. 

Here are the MS fees for different courses across some of the UK’s top universities. 

Course Name	University	Course Fee	QS University  Ranking 2025	QS Subject Ranking 2024
MSc in Social Data Science	University of Oxford	£33,970	#3	#4
MSc by Research in Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics	University of Oxford	£31,480	#3	#1
MSc in Law and Finance	University of Oxford	£49,990	#3	#2
Advanced MSc Mechanical Engineering	Imperial College London	£40,900	#2	#7
MRes in Biological and Physical Chemistry	Imperial College London	£40,500	#2	#11
MSc Finance and Accounting	Imperial College London	£45,400	#2	#20
MPhil in Advanced Computer Science	University of Cambridge	£55,663	#5	#8
MPhil in Biological Science (Psychology) by thesis	University of Cambridge	£56,083	#5	#3
MPhil in Advanced Computer Science	University of Cambridge	£55,663	#5	#8

Source: university website

Fees in Different Locations in UK 

Location	Average Tuition Fees
England	£9,250
Wales	£9,250
Scotland	£9,250
Northern Ireland	£9,250

Source: BBC July 2024 article

MS in UK Scholarships for International Students

Scholarship	Offered By	Awarded Amount	Who Is It For?
Chevening Scholarship	Government	Full tuition + living expenses	Those from eligible countries with an undergraduate degree, two years of work experience, and an unconditional offer from one out of three eligible courses.
Commonwealth Scholarship	Various	Full tuition + travel + living expenses	Citizens or permanent residents of Commonwealth countries with demonstrated financial need and an undergraduate honors degree of a minimum of upper second class (2:1).
GREAT Scholarships	Various	£10,000	Indian citizens with undergraduate degrees, meeting English language requirements, and willing to work as ambassadors, attend networking events, and speak to potential scholars.
Rhodes Scholarship	University of Oxford	Full tuition + living expenses	Citizens of India completing school-leaving/undergraduate programs and between 18-23 years of age. A first-class honors degree and academic achievements are necessary.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	University of Cambridge	Full tuition + living expenses	Citizens of any country outside the UK, applying for PhD, one-year postgraduate courses, or MLitt programs. The course should be eligible for the scholarship.

Source: official scholarship websites

UK Visa Application Cost

The UK student visa fee is £490 for those applying from outside the country. 

Student Visa Process & Requirements for UK

The UK student visa process generally involves the following steps:

• Acceptance to a Course: Receive an unconditional offer from a licensed Tier 4 sponsor (university).
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS): Obtain a CAS from the university, which includes details of the course, fees, and other relevant information.
• Financial Requirements: Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living costs.
• Healthcare Surcharge: Pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) to access the UK's National Health Service (NHS).
• Visa Application: Complete the online visa application form, pay the visa fee, and provide biometric information.
• Interview: Attend an interview (if required) at a visa application center.

Read More: Student Visa for UK

Post Study Work Permit after MS in UK 

As of 2024, international students completing a recognized UK master’s, or PhD program can apply for the Graduate visa, which allows them to stay in the UK and work at any skill level for up to two years. This provides valuable work experience and opportunities to secure employment in the UK after completing studies.

Cost of Living in UK

The living cost in the United Kingdom is much higher than in India. However, internship and scholarship programs can help manage the cost of living. Apart from general factors like food, transport, and utilities, living costs also depend on the location. 

For example, if you are taking admission to the London School of Economics, you need to stay in London itself, and the cost of living there is very high.

Factors	Average Cost Per Month
Accommodation	£554 - £848
Food & Groceries	£116 - £155
Transportation	£54 - £103
Household Bills	£80 - £140
Mobile Phone Bill	£18

Read More: Cost of Living in UK

4 Effective Ways to Manage Your Master’s  Cost in UK 

1. Scholarships: 

   Students can apply for various university and government-offered scholarships to help them reduce the burden of living costs.   

2. UK student discount hacks:  

   In the UK, several student discounts and other international student cards are available. Apart from this, special discounts on travel and other lifestyle hacks are also available, and you can save a ton of money by just showing them your student card.

3. Part-time jobs: 

   International students can apply for a part-time job as this would allow them to survive without overspending from their own pocket. They can earn approximately £15,000-£26,000 annually (per Glassdoor, July 2024), depending on the nature of the job and other factors. 

4. On-campus jobs: 

   Many universities offer on campus jobs to students.

Check Eligibility to Study in UK

MS Jobs & Salaries in UK

Job/Profession	Average Annual Salary
Finance Analyst	£34,777
Software Engineer	£40,176
Data Scientist	£41,481
Civil Engineer	£33,319
Healthcare Consultant	£78,369
IT Project Manager	£48,297
Marketing Manager	£35,762
Management Consultant	£51,257

Source: Payscale, July 2024

Read More About Study in UK
Jobs in UK	IELTS Score in UK	Cost of Study in UK	Top 50 Universities in UK	Top Business Schools in UK
Best Cities in UK for Students	Benefits of Studying in UK as Compared to India	Scholarships in UK for Indian Students	Study in UK after 12th for Indian Students	Fully Funded Scholarships in UK for International Students

Conclusion

If the UK is your dream destination to study abroad, you must be aware of the costs involved so that it is easy to manage the expenses once you start living in the country. It is home to some of the top-ranked and prestigious universities and colleges for master’s specializations and degrees. 

For more queries related to the cost of master’s in the UK, get in touch with upGrad Abroad counselors.