Masters degree - Postgraduate in English in London 2025

According to British system of higher education, Master programs are divided into two types: general education (in-depth study of the specialty) and research, with an emphasis on scientific work.  

• A large choice of specialties and a diploma that is highly appreciated all over the world
• Relatively short course: in just a year you get a master's degree and can start working.
• The Master degree in English includes only necessary disciplines and lots of practice
• A lot of freedom: Master degree programs in London imply more independent work than, for example, in the USA. The students are responsible for the result.
• Career prospects: London has three times more European headquarters of multinational corporations than any other city in Europe. All these companies are hiring new employees, and future graduates of London universities have every chance to get an internship or a permanent job there.

The foreign students must provide the following documents:

• Diploma of higher education in the relevant or related specialty
• Language certificate
• Motivation letter
• Resume with work experience
• Employer's recommendation.

The average diploma score should be at least 4.5. When applying for creative specialties, it is also necessary to provide a portfolio, and in technical, mathematical or economic areas the international students will also have to take the GRE or GMAT test.

The tuition fee of Master degree in London depends on the following factors:

• The demand of the specialty. As a rule, it is cheaper to study in such areas as the humanities and the arts. Doctors traditionally have the most expensive master's programs.
• The status of the university. The studying in the prestigious university (for example, Oxford) will cost many times more than studying at a similar program at a less well-known university.

The tuition fee for a master's degree program in London starts from 15 thousand pounds. Unlike bachelor's degree programs, which are not free for the foreign students, future masters have the opportunity to receive a scholarship covering the cost of studying.

• Imperial College London

A university surpasses all major universities in the UK in the number of highly effective studies. This educational institution specializes in natural sciences, engineering, medicine and business, has its own business school.

• University College London

The university includes 10 faculties, among the most popular areas are architecture, art and design, and law. UCL is also a leading biomedical research centre.

• London School of Economics and Political Science

The university specializes in the study of social sciences. Most of the LSE disciplines are among the world's top in terms of teaching: political science, economics, journalism, social policy, geography and sociology. The university has a great influence in the field of business, politics and law, and its graduates can count on a higher salary level compared to other British universities.

• King's College London

It claims to be the third oldest university in England (after Oxford and Cambridge), is included in the list of the best research universities. The university includes nine faculties, among which the Faculty of Management and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities have achieved particularly high positions. King's College London courses in history, law, politics, medicine and dentistry are also highly appreciated.

• Queen Mary University of London

The university includes the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Engineering, the Barts Cancer Institute and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. In addition to the medical field, the university specializes in humanities, social, legal and technical disciplines. Leading positions in England are occupied by its programs in acting, geography, linguistics, English language and literature.

A number of scholarship programs allow the international students to save money and even to get a master's degree in one of the universities of London for free. At the same time, in most cases, the students are provided with full compensation of all student costs: the cost of studying at a university, a monthly stipend for accommodation and meals, transportation and visa costs.

The most popular of the British scholarships with full funding is Chevening. This program from the UK government covers tuition at any of the universities of the Foggy Albion, even if we are talking about iconic universities like Imperial College London or Oxford. The scholarship is allocated for 1 year.

Also in the UK there are Hill Foundation Scholarships and Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Program (Master's degree at Oxford University), Gates Cambridge Scholarship (study at Cambridge University).

Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. In order to qualify for them, it is important to have good grades in a bachelor's degree, as well as to speak English confidently. Depending on the program, the language requirements range from IELTS 6.5 to 7.5. The competition for full scholarships is extremely high: from 20 people per place or more.

The Need for Long-Term Planning  
To enter a master's program, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree in a related field, as it is uncommon in British universities to switch fields of study — this is a rare occurrence. Most students choose their profession while still in school, or at the latest, during preparatory programs.

Challenges of Immigration and Employment  
It is quite difficult to stay and work in the UK. In some jurisdictions, switching from a student visa to a work visa is relatively easy, but in the UK, you first need to find a job in a company that meets specific employment conditions and holds the required licenses. Moreover, British nationals will have an advantage in employment under equal conditions. However, since 2021, the country has implemented a two-year post-study work visa, which allows recent graduates to stay in the UK for up to 2 years to search for a job.

A master's degree at universities in London is an academic program or practice-oriented postgraduate course. Typically, these programs last 1 year, equivalent to 90 ECTS credits.

Academic Master's
Generally, students of these programs focus on studying the same specialized discipline they previously studied at the bachelor's level. Such programs are ideal for those pursuing a career in academia or a professional environment.

Professional Master's  
These programs differ from academic ones by being more narrowly focused. Students acquire skills necessary for subsequent professional and career growth. Very often, these programs lead to employment or paid internships. Retraining (conversion) courses also fall under this category, allowing students to change their field of study.

Academic master's degrees can be divided into two types:

• Taught Degrees  

  These programs involve study following a clear and detailed curriculum of lectures, seminars, practical classes and independent work culminating in a dissertation. The plan is monitored by a team of professional teachers through final and intermediate assessments.

• Research Degrees  

  These programs generally do not have a strict timetable. Students engage in research under the guidance and support of a supervising professor. This option is ideal for those who plan to continue their studies at the PhD level.

You can apply for master's programs in the UK in one of two ways:

- Directly, through the university's website or via email;
- Through the UCAS Postgraduate Education system.

More than half of the universities in the capital and surrounding areas have year-round application acceptance, but some have deadlines, usually in June and January (for example, the London School of Economics and Imperial College close applications on January 26, King's College on March 26, and University College in September). Typically, admissions are paused only when a program is fully enrolled.

The required documents include:

- A motivational letter or essay;
- Bachelor's degree diploma and transcript;
- CV;
- Letters of recommendation from teachers or professors;
- GMAT/GRE test results;
- A plan for future research work.

Additionally, the applicant must have an English proficiency level of at least IELTS 6.5.

Finally, a bachelor's degree in a related field with a GPA of at least 4.5 or 60% is a mandatory requirement for admission to a master's program.

Some universities may also require their own entrance exams or an interview.

Students whose language skills are insufficient can enroll in Pre-Master’s preparatory programs.

In the English part of the United Kingdom, there is a wide variety of specific academic profiles that can be difficult for newcomers to distinguish. Alongside standard Master's programs, there are:

Integrated Master's Programs (MAI)
This format offers continuous, unified master's training over five years, with students awarded an intermediate bachelor's degree (BAI) after completing the fourth year. The program can be either classical or interdisciplinary.

Integrated programs have higher entry requirements. Selection occurs after two years of study and requires students to demonstrate a higher level of knowledge and preparation compared to an honors bachelor's degree.

The goal of such programs is to prepare students for subsequent careers, whether in academia, applied research, or professional employment.

PhD 1+3 Program 
An alternative version of the integrated master's, this program combines a one-year master's course with a three-year doctoral program, sequentially awarding graduates both degrees. The first year is dedicated to professional skills and soft skills necessary for further successful studies.

MPhil, or Master of Philosophy 
A progressive research course lasting 24 months, highly valued by employers as a standalone degree. It is available after the first year of study and is often mistakenly considered an unfinished PhD (which is not the case).

Joint/Dual Master's Degrees
These programs involve studying at two universities, one in the UK and one abroad, leading to the award of a master's degree after two years of study. They are implemented under the patronage of Erasmus Plus.

Undergraduate Master’s  
Another option combining a bachelor's and master's program. Entry is possible after completing a preparatory program. The course lasts 4 years, and graduates earn a master's degree.

Depending on the type of program, full-time, part-time, blended and distance learning programs are possible.

Over 70% of Master's programs are full-time, with students entering immediately after completing their Bachelor's degree. Part-time programs tend to be the choice of more mature degree seekers who combine their studies with academic or professional careers, marriage or child rearing; this allows them to acquire valuable practical skills without interrupting their careers, which is highly valued by employers.

The program usually includes core and optional elective modules. Alongside lectures, seminars and workshops, students can undertake an internship or take a year abroad as part of an academic exchange program.

Studies begin in September or early October, or after the Christmas holidays. Class density is generally low at 10-12 hours per week. In addition, the student is expected to engage in 30 to 40 hours of self-study each week.

Similar to bachelor's degrees, upon completing a master’s program, students are awarded a specific passing grade. Typically, a score of 50% is required for a standard diploma (Pass), 60% or higher for merit diplomas (Merit), and 70% for distinction diplomas (Distinction), although the criteria can vary between universities (and may differ slightly even within different programs).

The level of a master's degree depends on how well the student has mastered the program, their weighted average grades, and their results in core subjects. The average grade is calculated using a complex algorithm, as the weight of different subjects varies. For example, in integrated Master's programs, grades for the 3rd and 4th courses have more weight than grades for the 1st and 2nd courses. In other programs, the grade weighting may correlate with the proportion of classroom versus research activities in the evaluated module.

If a student's average score over the course of their studies is below 40%, they will not be awarded a master's degree. However, in London universities, as well as in other UK institutions, there are intermediate qualifications for students who either did not want to or were unable to complete the full master’s program. These are called Postgraduate Diplomas or Postgraduate Certificates in Education (PGCE).

It is also possible to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert). Master's diplomas, certificates, and qualifications issued by accredited universities allow graduates to find employment corresponding to their level of education.

Full-time international students are allowed to work no more than 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours during holidays. Students under the age of 18 can work no more than 10 hours per week, regardless of the time of year or additional conditions. Full-time employment is possible if it is an internship or paid placement that is part of the academic program and assessed for credits (in such cases, working hours cannot exceed 50%, and sometimes 30%, of the total study time).

Not all industries are open to students: restrictions apply to business, entrepreneurship, professional sports, as well as artistic, medical, and coaching roles.

After gaining employment, students must obtain a National Insurance Number.

The sources of grants and scholarships in England in general and in London in particular are the government, universities and private commercial and non-profit organizations.

On average, the amount of scholarships in London universities varies from 10 to 30% of the full tuition fee without meals, accommodation and transportation costs. Only one state scholarship - Chevening - covers the costs in full.

Universities may award a scholarship based on one (or more) of the following criteria:

• Academic achievement;
• difficult financial situation
• personal circumstances;
• special honors to the university;
• athletic and creative scholarship programs.

Successful admission should be considered a natural prerequisite for the award of a scholarship. The most important criteria are grade point average and A-level or IB grades. If approved, scholarships are awarded for 12 months with the right to renew.

Some universities offer scholarships for bachelor's graduates who decide to pursue a master's degree at the same university; the discount can be up to 50%.

To obtain a visa, you must submit a set of documents in English. If they are translated from other languages, a certified translation from a licensed interpreter is required. Documents must be submitted no earlier than 3 months and no later than 4 weeks before the start of your studies.

The required documents include:

- A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining;
- A recent 3x4 cm photo;
- Proof of enrollment;
- A bank statement confirming payment;
- Proof of accommodation;
- The consular fee in the specified amount;
- A certificate confirming sufficient English language proficiency;
- A letter from one parent’s workplace on company letterhead, indicating their salary, position, and date of employment;
- A bank statement (either personal or from a relative sponsoring the education) with a sufficient balance.

The funds must be deposited at least 28 days before the bank statement is issued and no later than one month before the visa application is submitted.