Study MA in UK: Top Universities, Admissions, Fees, Scholarships, Jobs

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:

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

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.

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.

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:
  • IELTS score: 7.5+
  • TOEFL iBT: 109-120
  • PTE Academic: 74+
  • CAE or CPE: 191-230

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:

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.

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.

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.

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 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:

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

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.

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