MS in UK Cost : Requirements, Best Courses & Top Universities

Thinking about MS in the UK cost? Masters’ courses in the country are usually one or two-year full-time degrees and three-year part-time degrees. They are course or research-based or even a combination of the two. Universities in the UK offer varied specializations and courses to choose from. The approximate MS fees in the UK can be anywhere between 15,000 GBP to 35,000 GBP. This makes the cost of MS in the UK for Indian students to be roughly around INR 15-30 lakh. There are numerous scholarship options for international students which may waive off up to 100% of tuition fees for selected applicants.

Read More: How to settle in UK

MS in UK Cost – Key Requirements & Master’s Program Types

While looking at the cost of MS in the UK, you should also keep an eye on the additional requirements that must be met. These include the following:

1. International students should have proficiency in English.

2. GMAT/GRE scores are needed to get admission into some MS courses from the UK.

3. Three or four-year bachelor’s degrees in related fields with at least 60%-75% marks are required. 

Some popular courses/degrees available as MS (Master of Science) in the UK include M.Sc., M. Phil or Master’s in Philosophy, MBA or Master’s in Business Administration, Master’s in Law, and many others. Maximum applications are obtained for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and management-based courses. More than 35% of international students make up the overall student population for MS in the country. Coursework of 160 credits will be needed to complete the program.

Read More: Job Opportunities after masters in UK

Types of Master’s Programs

1. Taught masters in UK

Four degrees in the UK are offered in the form of master’s taught programs. These include MSc, MA, MEng, and MBA. The assessments for courses may be done via examinations, dissertations, or specific projects.

2. Research masters in  UK

MPhil, MRes and specific MSc degrees in the UK are majorly research-based courses. Academic supervisors are sometimes allocated for students who are pursuing these courses. They are like PhDs, although they are less academically stringent and cover a smaller time.

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MS Fees in the UK – Why Study in UK

Along with considering MS fees in the UK, it is important to consider why it is worth studying in the United Kingdom (UK). The UK is one of the most popular destinations for studying abroad after the US. As per reports, 8.6% of the total international students select the UK as their preferred study abroad destination after the USA where 19.4% choose it as their preferred destination. Some reasons for studying in the UK include the following:

1. Leading global universities

Some of the leading global universities for MS programs are in the United Kingdom including Oxford University and University of Cambridge. QS News and THE rankings have featured numerous UK institutions in their rankings.

2. Livability

The QS News Ranking of 2019 for the Best Student Cities featured 14 cities from the UK in the list of top 120 cities from across the globe. Seven cities found a place in the top 50 list with London coming in at number one.

3. Program tenure

Masters in the USA, Canada and most other countries require anywhere between 1.5-2 years for completion. In the UK however, the duration is 1 year in many cases. Some programs like MRes and MEng need 2-4 years for completion.

4. Grants and scholarships

Studying abroad is an expensive affair and many students can benefit from several scholarships and grants available for pursuing MS in the UK. Awards offered may cover up to 100% of tuition fees and living expenditure, thereby lowering the cost of MS in UK for Indian students. These scholarships/grants are offered by private organizations, institutions, and the government alike.

5. Futuristic approach

MS graduates in the UK may earn up to a handsome 35,000 GBP annually. This is 29% more than what graduates of bachelor’s degrees earn in other countries. With experience of 5-10 years, the salary will go up by roughly 40%. Some leading MS recruiters include global corporations like JP Morgan Chase & Co, Amazon, NHS, and many others.

Read More: Cost of studying in UK

University-Wise Cost of Studying MS in UK for Indian Students

The university-wise cost of studying MS in the UK for Indian students is given below in a brief table. This will help aspirants work out the average cost of doing MS in the UK along with the popular courses offered at numerous universities. They will also get an idea of the position occupied by these leading institutions in accepted global rankings.

On that note, here’s taking a closer look at the list:

2024 QS Rankings	University/Institution	Popular Courses	Average Annual Fees (GBP)
3	University of Oxford	MS – Law and Finance; Public Policy; MBA; Taxation	24,500
2	University of Cambridge	Masters in Corporate Law; MPhil in Economics; Master of Finance	29,290
6	Imperial College London	MS – Strategic Marketing; Global Innovation Design; Business Analytics	33,154
-	University College London	MS – Banking & Digital Finance; Clinical Neuroscience; Management	18,107
45	London School of Economics and Political Science	MS – Global Media & Communications; Economics; Human Resource & Organizations	22,705
22	The University of Edinburgh	MS – International Marketing; International Human Resource Management; Accounting & Finance	26,825
-	King’s College LondonJournalism	MS – Computer Science; Finance Analysis; International Marketing	21,238
32	The University of Manchester	MS – Commercial Project Management; Pollution & Environmental Control; Data and Knowledge Management	24,112
67	The University of Warwick	MS Engineering Business Management; Master’s in journalism; MS Data Analytics	23,614
55	University of Bristol	MS – Accounting & Finance; Data Science; Economics	16,739

 

Salaries After MS in UK 

The average salary you can earn after completing a master’s in the UK, as a fresher, is around INR 29,91,896 per annum. Note that your earnings depend on the specialization you have taken in your master's. The salaries after masters in the UK are attractive and can go up to INR 42,73,501- INR 55,00,000. Here’s a comparison of salary and the MS in the UK cost in Indian rupees for you to understand the return on investment (ROI). 

University	Average Master’s Tuition fee (per year)	Average salaries (per annum)
Oxford University	INR 23,05,902- 34,16,151	INR 94,86,265- INR 1,34,38,440
University of Cambridge	INR 18,79,065- INR 42,70,602	INR 81,39,629- INR 98,57,166
University of Edinburgh	INR 18,79,727- INR 29,05,032	INR 64,99,552- INR 1,19,53,200
King’s College London	INR 13,45,984- INR 21,98,892	INR 53,08,350- INR 80,74,674
University of Warwick	INR 14,53,072- INR 18,80,647	INR 58,31,958- INR 99,44,237

Exams to be Eligible for MS in UK 

There are various types of exams one needs to take to pursue an MS in the UK, such as GRE, GMAT, IELTS, PTE, and more. Different universities require different test scores to analyze students’ strengths. Here are different types of exams you may have to appear before applying for MS in the UK in your dream university- 

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Exams for Particular Subjects 

Course	Exam	Fees (INR)
Law	Law National Aptitude Test	20,668
Medical	University Clinical Aptitude Test	11,968
Medical	BioMedical Admissions Test	9,470
Management/Engineering/Graduation	Graduate Record Admissions (GRE)	16,007
Mathematics	Sixth Term Examination Paper	13,000
Medical	Graduate Medical School Admissions test	26,999

Exams to Prove Language Proficiency 

Exam	Validity
International English Language Testing (IELTS)	2 years
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)	2 years
Pearson Test English (PTE)	2 years

Health Insurance in UK 

In the United Kingdom, international students do not have to sign up for a private healthcare plan. The country offers the National Health Service (NHS), one of the best healthcare systems globally. To gain access to the NHS, learners will have to pay INR 40,136 per year.  

UCAS  

The University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) is the centralized service that helps learners apply at universities. Learners who are willing to apply for undergraduate courses and some of the postgraduate courses in the UK will have to apply through UCAS. For postgraduate courses, every university has a fixed fee. You will have to connect with the university to get information on the fee.  

Student Visa Fees 

To be eligible to travel to the UK, you will have to apply for a student visa. You will have to pay around INR 33,349 as UK student visa fees. You can apply for a visa after receiving acceptance from the university you have applied to.  

University Application Fees for MS in the UK 

Some UK universities charge application fees. The fees for masters and bachelors are different. Here’s the university-wise application fee for learners applying for MS in the UK- 

University	Fees (INR)
University of Warwick	4,265
Durham University	5,118
University of Cambridge	8,530
University of Oxford	8,530
University College London	6,398
University of Edinburgh	4,265
University of Surrey	2,985

Transportation Costs 

 For international students traveling from India to the UK, an economy flight ticket can be between INR 55,000 to INR 70,000 one-way. If you want to save money, you can book tickets in advance as the tickets. Please note that few scholarships pay for flight tickets, too. 

University Fees after Brexit 

Brexit has benefitted Indian students as the tuition fees are quite affordable now. The value of the pound has significantly decreased after the Brexit. Also, there are various scholarship schemes to attract Indian and EU students. 

Here are the students that won’t be affected- is 

– EEA/EU and Swiss students studying in the United Kingdom.  

– Students from Ireland who are already living in Ireland or the UK. 

-If you are not from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, all the Brexit changes will affect you if you take admission after 1st August 2021.  

Scholarships Available for Students Pursuing MS in UK 

Various scholarship options are available for students applying for MS in the UK. Here are the scholarships for masters in the UK for Indian students-

Scholarships	Benefits
Chevening Scholarships	Complete financial support for a year PG program.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Program	Covers tuition fees, lab fees, library fees, insurance, monthly allowance, and an other costs.
A.S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship	Monthly stipend provided for the cost of living in the UK, tuition fees, visa fees, and language test fees.
Felix Scholarships	Covers tuition fees and offers extra funds worth INR 76,74,340.
Rhodes Scholarship	INR 55,73,023 (additionally consists of annual stipend covering college fees, economy air class ticket, and living costs).

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Student Expenses in UK 

The cost of living in the UK might be higher than in other countries. For example, living in London can be expensive. The average cost of living in the UK as an international student can be around INR 2,19,392 to INR 2,56,047. Here’s the list of all the necessary items along with the cost- 

Food	INR 14,883 – INR 20,594
Transportation	INR 15,445 – INR 19,844
Utilities	INR 4,266 – INR 10,241
Various social activities	INR 7,100- INR 8,900
Accommodation	INR 30,000- INR 45,000

Taxes on Part-Time Jobs 

Maximum international students apply for part-time jobs during their education in the UK. Payment for these jobs is calculated on work hours. Students can work for 20 hours/week, and visas must be valid throughout the degree to be eligible for part-time work. Students pursuing courses other than degree programs can only work 10 hours/week. Students studying part-time courses are not allowed to work part-time. Also, students working part-time can’t be self-employed or do any business. Students are liable to pay taxes in the UK. However, they are not supposed to pay taxes as long as their earned money is used to pay fees or a personal allowance.  

Tips to Save Money for International Students 

As an international student, it is important to live on a budget. Being on a budget is one of the trickiest things, though there are various ways to save money. Let us tell you a few tips on saving money in the UK as an international student. 

1. Ask for student discounts wherever you shop 

Student discounts are the best method to save money. You can get a student discount in most places in the UK. From textbooks to movies and restaurants, you are eligible to get a good discount everywhere. Just don’t forget to keep your university ID card with you. Even if you don’t have an ID card, your library card is enough to get you a discount.  

2. Try to save big on rent 

The accommodation makes up the biggest part of your monthly budget in the UK. Though rent depends on the area you choose to live in, ask for a lower price than advertised. Before finalizing your accommodation, compare the prices on different sites. If you have already rented a space, try to negotiate while renewing the lease, or you may have to pay increased prices.  

3. Always check for cashbacks 

You may ignore the cashback, but they are extremely useful. Few retailers offer cashback on their products and on bills, too. You can sign up on different websites that provide heavy cashback, but make sure to check their terms and conditions.  

4. Check whether there is a cheaper alternative 

Supermarkets in the UK also offer premium products at reasonably lower prices. From frozen to ready-to-cook items, you can get your hands on the less expensive products’ versions. 

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Colleges Offering Lower Fees for MS in the UK 

If you are looking for universities with the cheapest master’s degrees in the UK, various options are available. Though British universities are the most expensive for higher studies, some are reasonably affordable. Please note that just because these universities have lower fees, they are not less reputed.  

1. Leeds Beckett University 

The university is widely known for offering quality education at extremely affordable tuition fees. Leeds Beckett University has partnered with numerous industries to ensure that learners get excellent job opportunities upon graduating. Here’s how much the university charges-  

Postgraduate courses	INR 13,12,762 – INR 14,13,771 per annum
Research courses	INR 14,15,000 approximately per annum

2. Staffordshire University 

The science department at Staffordshire University is renowned for its programs and department as it was featured in the top 10 in the UK. The university has been ranked in the top 100 in the country for several years now. The university also offers the cheapest MBA in the UK for international students.

Master’s in Computer Science	INR 14,64,061 per annum
MBA	INR 15,65,053 per annum
Master’s in International Business Management	INR 14,64,061 per annum

Check Eligibility to Sudy in UK

 

3. Teesside University

Teesside University has been in the top 10 universities for overall international student barometer 2018-21 and international student satisfaction. The university is also the only modern university named Times Higher Education of the Year. You can also get a scholarship worth INR 1,51,432 per year as a learner there. Here’s the MS in the UK fees at Teesside University-

PG diploma course	INR 12,51,885
PhD in Health & Social Care	INR 13,12,285

Choosing innovative study programs from upGrad Abroad will help students save considerably on tuition and living costs. They can flexibly pursue their courses in the UK while saving money and getting all the necessary support with admissions, visa applications, coaching, and more.