Are you planning to study a masters in UK in 2026 and looking for the right guidance?
The UK is one of the top study abroad destinations for Indian students for its high-quality education, top universities, scholarships, great career opportunities and a diverse culture.
Studying for a master’s degree can open doors to better career opportunities, global recognition, and personal growth. However, with so many options and requirements, it can feel confusing to know where to start.
In this blog, we will explain everything in simple steps: entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, courses, and how to study in the UK for free, so you can confidently prepare.
Why to study Masters in UK in 2026?
Here are some of the reasons to study a Master’s in the UK in 2026:
- 1-year Master’s programs in the UK for international students: This is one of the biggest advantages of studying in the UK, as it saves your time and money on your tuition and living expenses.
- Top & Prestigious universities: The UK is home to the Russell Group, comprising 24 universities such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Birmingham, Imperial College London, the University of Oxford, and many more. Graduating from such universities will give you an edge in the job market.
- Employability Rate: Postgraduates from UK universities have a higher employability rate than those with only a bachelor’s degree.
As per UK Labour Market Statistics, in May to July 2025, the employability rate for people aged 16-64 years is 75.2%. The employability rate has increased over the last year.
- Graduate visa: With the Graduate Visa or Post-study work visa, you can stay in the UK for at least 2 years after completing a course in the UK. Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.
Top universities to study Masters in UK
Here are some of the top universities to study a masters in UK:
University of Oxford
It is one of the oldest universities in the UK and is also part of the top 24 Russell Group universities in the UK.
It ranks #4 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 with over 323 undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
This university offers many of the Master’s programmes with a duration of up to one year, with taught, research, and combined courses.
You can check out your favourite program here.
The average tuition fee or cost to study masters in UK at this university (excluding MBA) is roughly £29,350 to £59,360 per year.
Professional courses like MBA are much more expensive (e.g. around £80,000+ per year for Oxford’s Saïd Business School MBA).
Imperial College London
It is one of the top universities in the UK, its campus is in South Kensington in London, focusing solely on Science, Engineering, Medicine and Business.
This university ranks #2 in the QS World University Rankings 2025, with over 234 undergraduate and postgraduate programs and 45% international students.
It offers master’s programs in areas like Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management.
It also offers Executive MBA, Full-time MBA, Online/Distance MBA, and Part-time MBA.
According to QS Top Universities, the average tuition fee for international students is around 35000 GBP.
According to Shiksha, the average tuition fee or cost to study a masters in the UK for master’s programs such as:
- For MSc programs, it’s up to INR 56.8 Lakhs.
- For MBA/PGDM programs, it’s up to INR 86.18 lakhs.
- The cost for the Executive MBA/PGDM programs is INR 95.04 lakhs.
- For other PG programs, its upto INR 27.15 Lakhs.
University College London
It is also one of the best universities to study a master’s in the UK. It is located in the heart of London, and you can take advantage of a wide range of cultural, professional, and academic opportunities.
This university ranks #9 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 with over 1009 undergraduate and postgraduate programs and 57% international students from all over the world.
There are various University College London Master’s programs in various fields, such as
- IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society,
- UCL Bartlett, the Faculty of the Built Environment,
- UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences,
- UCL Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
The average tuition fee for pursuing a master’s program at this university in the UK is around £18,400 to £65,500 per year.
University of Cambridge
It is one of the oldest universities in the world and one of the largest universities in the UK.
This university ranks #6 in the QS World University Rankings 2025, with over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate programs and 38% international students.
This university offers 183 master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Natural Sciences.
Besides these, it also offers Executive MBA and Full-time MBA programs to international students.
According to Shiksha, the average tuition fee for pursuing the master’s programs at this top Russell Group university in the UK is around INR 29.27 Lakhs to INR 94.45 Lakhs.
If you want to check the tuition fee or cost of studying a master’s in the UK at this university for any particular course, you can check it here.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
A world leader in social sciences, with highly regarded one-year master’s degrees in Economics, Finance, and International Relations.
This university ranks #56 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 with 233 undergraduate and postgraduate programs and 71% international students.
This university offers 155 master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Natural Sciences.
It also offers an Executive MBA program for working professionals who want to pursue an MBA overseas.
Tuition fees
- The average tuition fee for full-time postgraduate taught programs is between £28,900 and £48,500, and for part-time postgraduate taught programs is from £14,450 to £19,000.
- The average tuition fee for double Master’s programs for starters is between £28,900 and £37,300.
The tuition fee for two-year master’s programs for starters is as follows:
- Global MSc in Management: £39,000
- MSc in Economics: £34,000
The tuition fees for executive master’s programs are from £15,800 to £42,500.
You can also check the tuition fee of individual programs from the official PDF on the university website here.
Other Highly-Ranked Universities
Here are some other great universities in the UK that offer 1-year Master’s programs in UK for international students:
- University of Edinburgh: A historic Scottish university known for its research and popular one-year master’s programs in fields like Data Science and Architectural Design.
- University of Manchester: One of the largest universities in the UK, it offers a huge selection of one-year master’s programs across multiple disciplines, from business to engineering.
- King’s College London: A major London-based university offering one-year degrees in fields like Economics and Finance, Robotics, and International Relations.
- University of Warwick: A top-tier university with a strong reputation, especially for its one-year programs in Business, Management, and Computer Science.
- University of Bristol: Known for its high graduate employment rates and strong master’s programs in subjects like Data Science and Economics.
Cheapest universities to study a master’s in the UK
Some of the cheapest universities in the UK for master’s programs for international students are Leeds Beckett University, Teesside University, the University of Cumbria, and Staffordshire University.
The average tuition fee for a master’s at these universities typically ranges from £11,000 to £16,000 per year. However, fees can vary significantly depending on the specific program.
Teeside University
Located in Middlesbrough, it’s frequently cited as one of the most affordable options. Master’s fees for international students can be around £13,000 to £15,000 for the 2025-26 academic year.
This university offers 155 master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Natural Sciences and 7 MBA programs.
University of Bedfordshire
It is an internationally recognised university for modern and transformative higher education.
It has campuses in Luton, Bedford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury with many partner colleges across the UK, including the London School of Commerce in London and Birmingham.
This university offers 121 master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Natural Sciences.
This university offers master’s degrees with competitive tuition fees, often around £13,000.
Staffordshire University
This university offers 58 master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Natural Sciences and 1 MBA program.
Known for its focus on employability and strong courses, it has master’s program fees in the range of £12,000 to £14,500.
Leeds Beckett University
This university offers 102 master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Natural Sciences.
Located in Leeds, it’s known for its business and engineering programs, with some master’s courses starting around £14,000.
There are other universities, such as Cardiff Metropolitan University, University of Hertfordshire, and University of East London, with an average tuition fee of INR 18 lakhs for a one-year postgraduate course.
Choosing a course and university
Once you’ve decided the UK is the place for you, the next big step is choosing your specific course and the university that’s the best fit.
This is a crucial decision, so let’s break down the key things you need to think about.
What Kind of Master’s Degree Is Right for You?
Before you pick a subject, you need to understand the two main types of Master’s degrees in the UK.
- Taught Master’s (MA, MSc, MBA): This is the most common type. It’s similar to your undergraduate degree, where you attend lectures, seminars, and complete assignments.
A taught master’s is perfect if you want to deepen your knowledge in a specific field and gain professional skills for a career.
- Research Master’s (MRes, MPhil): This type of degree is all about research. You will work closely with a supervisor on your own project. It’s ideal if you want to pursue a career in academia or if you’re planning to get a PhD later on.
Popular Subject Areas
The UK offers a huge variety of courses, but some fields are particularly popular and in high demand. These include:
- Business and Management: Degrees like the MBA are highly sought after by those looking to advance their careers.
- Computer Science: With the UK’s growing tech sector, degrees in areas like AI, data science, and cybersecurity are extremely popular.
- Engineering: From civil to mechanical, UK universities are known for their top-tier engineering programs.
- Arts and Humanities: For those interested in creative or cultural fields, the UK has world-renowned programs in subjects like literature, history, and film.
How to Choose Your University
Don’t just look at the overall university ranking. You need to find the best fit for you. Here’s what to consider:
- University Reputation: Look at the reputation of the specific department or faculty that offers your course, not just the university as a whole.
- Campus Life and Location: Do you want to study in a bustling city like London, a historic town like Edinburgh, or a smaller campus environment? The location will heavily influence your student experience.
- Program Curriculum: Go deep into the course details. Make sure the modules and teaching methods are what you’re looking for. Check if there are opportunities for internships or industry projects that align with your career goals.
What are the requirements to study a Master’s in UK?
Here are some of the common entry requirements to study a master’s in the UK:
- Academic Qualifications: Most universities require a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of a 2:2 (Lower Second-Class Honours) or an equivalent.
Some top-ranked or highly competitive programs may require a 2:1 or even a First-Class Honours degree.
- English Language Proficiency: Since classes are taught in English, you’ll need to prove your language skills.
This is typically done by taking a standardised test like the IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT. Each university will have a minimum score requirement, so be sure to check the specific course page.
1. Supporting Documents: This is your chance to tell the admissions committee who you are beyond your grades. You’ll typically need:
- Academic Transcripts: A record of your grades from your bachelor’s degree.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): This is a crucial essay where you explain your motivation for choosing the course, your relevant academic and professional experience, and your future career goals.
It should be a personal, compelling story that shows why you are the perfect fit for the program.
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs): You’ll need two letters, usually from a university professor and/or a supervisor from your workplace.
These letters should be written by someone who knows you well and can speak to your skills, work ethic, and potential for success.
Scholarships to study a masters in UK
As you have come to know about the top universities in the UK for master’s, you might be thinking about the scholarships for indian students to study master’s in UK, Here are some of them:
Chevening Scholarship
It is a fully-funded scholarship in the UK for International students who are pursuing their postgraduate studies in the UK.
This scholarship in the UK is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and Partner Organisations.
“Applications are still open for students going to the UK in the 2026-2027 academic year. You can apply for this scholarship from here.
Here is a checklist to apply for this fully-funded scholarship in the UK:
- To meet their eligibility criteria
- Feel confident that you can write a compelling application
- Have an email address and phone number
- Make a note of your unique access code for the online application system – you will need this at each stage of the application process
- Bookmark their application timeline to keep up to date with each stage of the application process.
Commonwealth Scholarship
It is a fully-funded scholarship in the UK for International students who are pursuing their postgraduate studies in the UK.
Here are some criteria to apply for this scholarship:
- You must be a citizen or permanent resident of a commonwealth country.
- You need to have an undergraduate honours degree of at least upper second class (2:1). If you wish to study a PhD, you will need an appropriate master’s degree too.
- Finally, you must be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
You can find more about this scholarship from here.
GREAT Scholarship
If you have an undergraduate degree and wish to pursue a masters in the UK, this scholarship can help you out financially.
This scholarship is worth a minimum of £10,000 towards your tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course.
You can find more information related to participating universities here.
Rhodes Scholarship At Oxford University
This fully-funded scholarship in the UK covers your course fees as well as provides an annual stipend.
The annual stipend for the 2024-25 academic year was £19,800 per annum (£1,650 per month), from which you can pay your living expenses, including accommodation.
Applications for the Rhodes Scholarship 2026 are open! Apply fast. Contact Strive Abroad today.
UCL Global Masters Scholarship
If you have an undergraduate degree and wish to pursue a masters in the UK, this scholarship can help you out financially.
This scholarship is worth a minimum of £15,000 towards your tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course.
You can find more information related to participating universities here.
Other Scholarships to study a Master’s in the UK
Here they are:
- Cardiff Metropolitan University – 4000 GBP
- University of Hertfordshire – 2000 GBP
- University of East London – 3000 GBP
- Leeds Beckett University – 3000 GBP
We have prepared a full-fledged PDF on the UK that can help you to achieve your goal of studying in the UK and building your dream career.
Sign up for that PDF from here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing to study masters in UK in 2026 can be one of the best decisions for your future.
With world-class universities, one-year master’s programs, high employability rates, and a wide range of scholarships, the UK offers unmatched opportunities for international students.
Whether you are aiming for top-ranked institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, or Imperial, or looking for affordable options with quality education, the UK has something for every student.
By preparing early, understanding the requirements, and applying for the right scholarships, you can make your dream of studying abroad both achievable and rewarding.
Ready to take the next step? Contact our study abroad experts today and get personalised guidance to plan your journey to the UK with confidence.
