MA in the UK is a one-year full-time program available as course-based, research-based, or as a combination of both. A number of specializations are offered for Master of Arts from economics, political science, history, philosophy, education, and International relations. The program can cost international students around 16,000-28,000 euros.

Though the cost may seem intimidating but can be compensated well with scholarships for international students in the UK. For an Indian student, the cost incurred can be from 15-25 Lakhs per annum. The average remuneration offered to a MA in UK graduate is 33,441 euros annually which varies as per the specialization opted.

Some of the best universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, are located in the UK. 4 universities, according to QS News, and 3 universities, according to THE, are ranked in the top 10 in 2021. This makes the UK one of the leading destinations to study abroad for students who wish to pursue humanities and social science programs.

Top Universities for MA in UK

Here are some best universities in the UK offering Master of Arts program along with their average tuition fees:

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

Why Study MA in UK?

  • QS News Ranking of 2020 for Best Student Cities included 14 cities from the UK in the list of 120 countries across the world. 7 of them were in the top 50 with London ranking at 1st position.
  • Universities in the UK accept applications from students who have finished their 12 + 3 years Bachelors in India. Thus, you can directly study for an MA in UK as soon as you finish your Bachelors in India.
  • Masters programs are of 1 Year duration in general including ‘Taught Masters’ or ‘Masters by Research’. MPhil programs are of two years in duration in the UK.
  • GMAT or GRE is not required for studying MA or MS in UK. However, some Universities like LSE may ask for them.
  • One of the popular courses opted for MA in the UK is economics, graduates from the LSE earn an average salary of 55,200 euros five years after graduating, with the top 25% earning more than 120,000 euros. However, economics graduates from the University of Cambridge earn a higher average salary five years after graduating from 61,000 euros.
  • MA in Law is quite a different program offered by the University of Bristol
  • The graduate job market for creative arts is no less appealing. A typical starting salary for a curatorial position (e.g. Assistant Curator) is around 18,000 euros, with the potential to earn progress later in your career.
  • Going for a career in the digital arts has the potential to offer you a higher salary. Graphic and digital designers' salary could start between 15,000–19,000 euros, it can rise to 27,000 euros once you've got a bit of experience.

MA in UK Course Highlights

Duration 1-2 Years
Average Fees 16,000-28,000 euros
Exams Required IELTS, TOEFL
Average Salary 33,441 euros
Popular Recruiters HSBC, Amazon.com Inc, Oxford University Press, BBC
Work-Study Program Upto 20 Hours a week

Popular Specialization for MA in UK

The choice of specialization could depend upon interests, whether it is sociology, anthropology, economics or political science. However, it is also important to consider the popularity of courses to establish a prosperous career.

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 for MA in UK

All the top universities and institutes offering a MA in UK accept applications through their own application portals. Some colleges also do accept applications through the UCAS portal. The required application fee has to be paid for successfully completing the application process which varies as per each 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 to Study MA in UK

  • International students should submit the marks of 10+2+4 educational marks before they apply for the full-time Masters in Education course in the UK.
  • A bachelor’s degree (4 years) from a recognized institution with an overall grade of 70% or a cumulative GPA 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
  • The applicants should submit the result of the relevant English proficiency test:

Documents Required to Study MA in UK

Before you take admission to UK universities, you should submit the following documents to the university authority:

  • Completed application form of the respective UK university, in which you are going to pursue an MA.
  • Certificates from previous study institutions are an important part of your application package.
  • Statement of Purpose to study in the UK in order to provide the reason for choosing that particular University. Your research proposal or personal statement is not considered to be a piece of written work.
  • Letter of your previous work experience (Not mandate, if you have any)
  • Letter of reference to study in the UK
  • Attach your English language test scores (IELTS or TOEFL score)
  • If you have relevant certificates of extracurricular activities, you should attach it.
  • Submit a copy of your passport.
  • All graduate applicants must submit a CV. This is in addition to your application form and other supporting documents to provide a summary of your recent achievements.
  • Scholarship supporting documents are required by certain universities.
  • A number of courses require applicants to submit a portfolio as part of an application.
  • Some universities in the UK require you to submit answers to an admissions exercise, along with a signed statement of authenticity. The exercises are generally available to download from the relevant course pages of the universities.
  • Written work sample which is a piece of your writing, usually an essay on an academic subject, that helps the academic department assess your suitability for the course.

Student Visa for UK

UK student visas are awarded on a points-based system. The current fee for the Tier 4 (General) student visa is 348 euros, with an additional 348 euros fee per person for any dependents. In order to meet all the UK student visa requirements, you’ll need to provide:

  • Details of your passport
  • A recent photograph
  • An unconditional offer of a place on a course offered by a licensed Tier 4 Sponsor, evidenced by a 'Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ (CAS) form from your course provider.
  • Proof of adequate English language skills, demonstrated by one of the secure English language tests.
  • Proof you have financial support throughout your stay in the UK: You must prove that you have 1,015 euros per month for living costs if studying in the UK outside of London, and 1,265 euros a month for living costs if studying in London.
  • You may also be required to produce documents showing your academic qualifications, and to attend an interview or biometric test, which includes a digital scan of your fingerprints.
  • If you’re 16 or 17 years old and applying for the Tier 4 (General) student visa, you must have written consent from your parents/guardians that you can live and travel independently.

Cost to Study MA in UK

The total cost of studying for the Master of Arts in the UK is not only dependent upon the program fees and the accommodation cost or survival cost but also the students need to spend a certain amount of money before flying to the country. The cost of studying in UK can be divided into three main categories: Pre-arrival Cost, Tuition Fees, and Cost of Living.

Pre-Arrival Cost

Pre-arrival expenses refer to all the examination costs, Tier 4 visa application fee and university application fee, etc. that occur before leaving for the UK. The table below lists the estimated pre-arrival expenses from all top UK universities:

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

Cost of Living in UK

UK Visa and Immigration requires you to have a budget of 1,265 euros per month to study in London. This amount is in addition to the tuition fees. For other places in the UK, the amount will be lesser. If you study at colleges outside London, you will require a minimum amount of 1,015 euros per month as requested by UK Visa and Immigration.

This amount will differ according to your lifestyle and will depend on how much you socialize.

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 US. is 12.21% more than in the UK. Rent overall is about 25% lower in the U.K. You would need $6,215.20 per month to finance a modest lifestyle in London, compared to $8,200 for the equivalent lifestyle in New York City.

Tuition Fees for MA in UK

The tuition fees for top universities offering Master of Arts in UK range between 15 lakhs to 25 lakhs per annum. You get to choose from a variety of universities and can explore cheaper universities 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 to Study MA in UK

The UK government offers scholarships, bursaries, and additional financial support to students from several countries. Apart from scholarships to study abroad, international students can choose to fund themselves through loans or they can earn while studying at a university. International students with a UK Student visa can work while studying for up to 20 hours a week.

University Scholarships Amount Granted (euros)
University of Oxford Felix Scholarships 100% Tuition Fee Waiver
15,840 towards living cost
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 MA in UK

Chevening Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships, the UK government’s global scholarship program, are awarded to outstanding scholars from Chevening-eligible countries around the world. Awards are typically for a one-year Master’s degree. Most Chevening Scholarships cover tuition fees, a living allowance at a set rate (for one individual), an economy class return airfare to the UK, and additional grants to cover essential expenditure.

Commonwealth Masters Scholarships

The Commonwealth Masters Scholarships are intended for students from developing Commonwealth countries who want to pursue Master’s study in the UK. These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Each Scholarship provides airfare to and from the UK, tuition and examination fees, personal maintenance allowance, thesis grant (if applicable), an initial arrival allowance, among others.

Career Prospects after MA in UK

With a 2-year stay back policy for international students in the UK, it has become an attractive education hub for international students. The average salary granted to a MA graduate in the UK is 33,441 euros. As Master of Arts encompass the full suite of social sciences subjects including Economics, Politics, Social Work and Anthropology, the salary prop[ects vary as per specialization opted. Tabulated below is the same:

Popular MA Programs in 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

Popular companies hiring graduates who studied MA in UK include HSBC, Amazon.com Inc, Oxford University Press, BBC, John Wiley and Sons, Inc offering an average pay of 23,000 euros-80,000 euros annually. Home to institutions that carry educational legacy like Cambridge and Oxford, traditional Master of Arts qualification can land you lucrative jobs and salaries.

Mentioned below are the average salary offered to alumni from some top universities in the UK as per emolument:

Average Salary for MA in UK (Euros)

A 2020 report by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) suggests that postgraduates in the UK earn on average 18% more than first degree holders, six months after graduation. Thus MA in UK is a beneficial option.

MA in UK vs Other Countries

Parameter UK USA Canada Australia
Duration 1-2 years 2 years 1-2 years 1-2 Years
Fees 22,280 euros 28,497-44,781 euros 17,601 euros 17,912-40,709 euros
Salary 30,073 euros 51,293 euros 38,918 euros 45,923 euros
Exams Required IELTS: 6.5-7
TOEFL iBT: 80-90		 IELTS: 7
TOEFL iBT: 80-100
GRE: 300+		 IELTS: 6.5
TOEFL iBT: 90-100		 IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL: 90
Work-Study Program 20 hours per week with a tier 4 Visa F-1 and M-1 can work on campus under CPT 20 hours per week Up to 2 Years

MA in UK equips graduates with the skills to analyze complex ideas, develop independence of judgment and originality of thought. The program provides an ideal basis for future academic study and many graduates proceed to research degrees in the UK and abroad.

FAQs

Ques: What are some popular universities to study MA in UK?

Ans: Masters in the UK can be pursued from popular universities like Oxford University, University College London, LSE, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester.

Ques: What is the average duration of studying for an MA in UK?

Ans: The average duration to pursue MA in UK is 1-2 years depending upon the university chosen. If opted in continuation with a Ph.D. degree it can take upto 4-5 years.

Ques: Are English Language Proficiency scores required to study MA in UK?

Ans: Students who hail from non-English speaking countries are required to provide a minimum TOEFL score of 109-120 or an IELTS score of 7.5+. The requirements can vary as per the university.

Ques: What is the average cost of pursuing MA in UK?

Ans: The average tuition fees levied from an international student to pursue MA in UK range from 16,000 euros to 28,000 euros.

Ques: What additional costs are to be incurred to study for a Master of Arts in UK?

Ans: UK Visa and Immigration requires you to have a budget of 1,265 euros per month to study in London. For other places in the UK, the amount will be lesser. If you study at colleges outside London, you will require a minimum amount of 1,015 euros per month.

Ques. What is the average accommodation cost to study in UK?

Ans. The average accommodation rents are 150 euros per week. The UK Visa and Immigration also estimates that in addition to your rent, you will need approximately 104 euros every week for living costs.

Ques: What is the average salary post MA in UK?

Ans: Depending upon the specialization opted in MA career aspects may change. Though the average salary of a MA graduate in UK is 33,441 euros annually.

Ques: Is ATAS certification required to study MA in UK?

Ans: ATAS certification in UK is usually required for programs that deal with sensitive issues especially at the Master of research or doctorate level.

Ques: Is London an expensive city to study if I wish to pursue an MA?

Ans: UK though seems to be expensive for study abroad aspirants, it is cheaper than the US. For instance, you would need 5,062 per month to finance a modest lifestyle in London, compared to 6678 euros for the equivalent lifestyle in New York City.