The United Kingdom is one of the most-preferred study-abroad destinations for Indian students. The UK Home Office noted 54% growth in the number of sponsored study visas granted in 2022 to Indian students. There were 142,848 Indians who got these visas while 20% with visas expiring in 2022 switched to the Graduate Route as well. If you were thinking of pursuing PG courses in UK, then here is a brief guide on some important things worth knowing.
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Why Pursue Postgraduation in UK
Here are a few reasons why you should consider pursuing postgraduate courses in UK.
- Access to Top-notch Facilities - There are several widespread advantages of doing your PG in UK. These include access to the top faculty, facilities, and resources along with boosting your global career potential.
- Cost Savings- Most master’s courses have one-year durations, which mean that you can save money on tuition and living costs.
- Personalized Course Options - You will find several postgraduate courses that focus on specific areas. However, most of them come with modular structures, enabling greater flexibility. You can create a more personalized program catering to your interests. You can select study units or modules from varying subject segments/areas for a well-rounded academic experience.
- Leading Universities - The UK is home to some of the top universities in the world. In the list of the top-50 universities as per the QS World University Rankings for 2024, the country has eight institutions. The University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford are at numbers 2 and 3 respectively, with other leading institutions like Imperial College (number 6) and UCL (number 9) in the top-10.
Types of Postgraduate Qualifications in UK
There are several kinds of postgraduate qualifications in the UK. These include the following.
- Postgraduate certificates- They usually cover 9-12 months and may be vocational/academic in nature. Some courses may be covered in one term (15 weeks) as well.
- PG diploma courses in UK- They may last for about 30 weeks and may be studied both part-time and full-time.
- Master’s programs- They may be taught/research-based and will require at least a year for completion. Some course types in this category include MSc, MA, LLM, MBA, MEd, MRes, and MPhil.
- Doctorates- These courses take a minimum of three years for completion and are offered by universities providing research exposure and opportunities. They may lead to qualifications like DPhil or PhD.
Top Postgraduate Courses in UK
Some of the top PG courses in UK include the following:
Discipline |
Course Types |
MBA |
MBA, Executive MBA, Global Online MBA, MSc in Management/Master in Management |
Economics |
MSc Economics, MA Economics, MSc in Economics for Development, MPhil in Economics, MSc Applied Economics, Economics and Policy MSc |
Engineering |
MEng Civil Engineering, MEng Mechanical Engineering, MEng Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, MSt Construction Engineering, MSc Mechanical Engineering, MSc Aerospace Engineering, MSc Computer Systems Engineering, MSc Electronics and Electrical Engineering and Management, MSc Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Design MSc, MSc Engineering Management |
Medicine and Dentistry |
MSc Primary Care, MD Medicine, MRes Clinical Health Research, Endodontics MSc, MSc Dental Materials Science, MSc Nursing, Graduate Entry Medicine |
Mathematical Sciences |
MSc Mathematical Sciences, MSc Pure Mathematics, Mathematical Science MRes, MSc Applied Mathematical Sciences, MSc Mathematics |
Computing |
MSc Computing, MSc Predictive Modeling, MSc Computer Science, MSc Advanced Computing, MS in Computing, MSc Advanced Computer Science |
Business and Management |
MSc International Business and Management, MSc Business Management, Masters (MA) in Business Management, Masters in Management |
Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy |
MSc Pharmacology and Toxicology, MSc in Molecular Medicine, MSc Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology, MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development, MSc Drug Discovery, MSc in Pharmacology, MSc Advanced Pharmacology, MSc Clinical Pharmacy, MPharm |
Architecture, Building, and Planning |
MA Architecture and Urbanism, MSc Transport Planning and the Environment, MA Landscape Architecture, MSc City Planning, MArch Architecture, MA Architectural Design, MA Architecture |
Politics |
MA Politics, MSc Political Science, MA Political Science, MSc in Politics Research, MSc International Business and Politics, Public Management and Leadership (MPA) |
Some other common master’s programs include Nursing, Healthcare and allied subjects along with Law, Psychology, Education and Teaching, Creative Arts and Design, and more.
Popular Read: Best Universities in UK for MBA
Top PG Diploma Courses in UK
Some of the PG diploma courses in the country include the following:
Discipline |
Available Courses |
Fashion |
PGDip Creative Arts and Design, Graduate Diploma Fashion, PgD Fashion Marketing Management, PGDip International Fashion Marketing |
Accounting |
Accounting PGDip, Postgraduate Diploma- Accounting and Finance |
Art and Design |
Graduate Diploma-Art and Design, PGDip Design for Visual Communication, Graduate Diploma in Art, PGDip Advanced Architectural Design, PGDip Interior Design |
Adult Nursing |
PGDip Nursing (Adult), Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Adult) |
Journalism |
PGDip Journalism, PGDip Media and Broadcast Production, PGDip in Media and Communications, PGDip Digital Journalism |
Sales and Marketing |
Postgraduate diploma in sales and marketing, PGDip Global Digital Marketing, PGDip Marketing, PGDip Digital Marketing |
Engineering |
PGDip Civil Engineering, PGDip Mechanical Engineering with Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering, PGDip Design Engineering, PGDip Advanced Mechanical Engineering |
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements may vary for PG courses in the UK, depending on the program and institution. International students may have to furnish proof of English language proficiency while possessing a 2:1 undergraduate degree/equivalent. Some courses may also require specific experience and degrees. It is always advisable to check the university website and do your research.
Cost of Studying
The average cost of postgraduate study can be around £11,000 annually. Tuition costs usually range between £4,900 and £30,000 per year.
Read More: Cost of Study in UK
Jobs and Salaries
Here are some job roles and their average annual salaries according to Payscale.
Job Role |
Average Annual Salary |
Software Engineer |
£27-61,000 |
Data Analyst |
£22-44,000 |
Data Scientist |
£27-56,000 |
Software Developer |
£22-47,000 |
Marketing Manager |
£23-55,000 |
Project Manager |
£27-59,000 |
Marketing Executive |
£20-41,000 |
Conclusion
As you can see, doing your PG in UK will give you valuable global exposure while opening up a world of new career opportunities with lucrative salaries. At the same time, you can study at the world’s best institutions while enjoying staying in a welcoming and cosmopolitan community.
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FAQs
What are the most popular courses in the UK?
Some of the top courses in the UK, according to The Complete University Guide, include engineering and technology, law, biological and sports sciences, medicine and dentistry, computer science, psychology, subjects allied to medicine, and business and management studies.
Can I settle in the UK after studying?
Yes, you can stay in the UK after your studies by opting for the Graduate Route. You may stay for up to two years after completing your master’s degree, while PhD graduates may stay for up to three years to find employment.
Which city in the UK has the highest-paying jobs?
Leeds is the city which has the highest-paying jobs outside London. It is followed by Cambridge, Bristol, and Manchester. East central London, which houses the financial district, is the highest-paid zone throughout the country.
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