Is the UK the best place to do a Masters?
Is the UK the best place to do a Masters?
The UK is one of the most popular destinations, in the world, for students wishing to study at postgraduate level and here we explore why that is and the benefits of doing a postgraduate degree in the UK.
What makes the UK a good choice for postgraduate study?
The UK is home to some of the world’s top-ranking universities that attract the best students from around the world. This along with the fact that it is cheaper to complete a postgraduate degree, compared to the USA as an example, and some of the most pioneering research and academic studies are done in the UK make it a highly desirable place for students, whether they are home of international. In fact, 45% of international students come to study at postgrad level.
What type of postgraduate study is available in the UK?
There are several different options for postgrad study in the UK, including:
Master’s degree: these typically last 12 months and learning is often done through lectures and seminars, sometimes with a research focus, too.
Postgraduate research: this is an intense period of research into your chosen field, where you’ll be working alongside a team of specialists.
Postgraduate diploma (PGDip): these usually lasts two terms (30 weeks) and can contribute to a Master’s degree as the study is at the same level.
Postgraduate certificate (PGCert): similar to a diploma but only lasting for 15 weeks, PGCerts can also contribute to a master’s degree as the study is at the same level.
Postgraduate Professional Development: this can be completed at your own pace over a two-year period and is worth 50 credits towards a PGCert PGDip or a Masters (To compare, a master’s is worth 180 credits.)
What subjects are available at postgraduate level in the UK?
UK universities offer a large variety of postgraduate-level courses, from the arts to sciences. Head to the UCAS website for a comprehensive list of all the courses available across the UK.
If you’re looking to get into a regulated field of work and need to undertake a professional training course, many of these are also classified as postgraduate diplomas and certificates. The Legal Practice Course (LPC) for aspiring solicitors, the PGDip in Social Work, and the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching (PGCE) or Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) for those seeking a career in the classroom are just some of the options available.
How do I apply for a postgraduate course in the UK?
You submit your application directly to the university of your choice and not through UCAS, as you would do if you were applying for an undergraduate degree. There is no limit to how many courses or universities you can apply to, but popular courses get full quickly so applying well before the deadline is advisable.
Different universities have different application processes, which can involve you completing an application form, submitting examples of your work, sitting an exam, or attending an interview.
If you are an international student, you will need to complete the IELTS exam if you come from a non-English speaking country to demonstrate your English is at a high enough level for academic studies and you will need to apply for a Student visa once you have been offered a place.
How much do postgraduate degrees cost?
One of the biggest advantages of studying for a Postgraduate degree in the UK is that it takes less time and is therefore cheaper compared to other countries, such as the USA. However, they do remain expensive and on average a one-year master’s degree costs in the region of £16,000. However, there are scholarship and funding opportunities available, but they are hard to secure and many students work in between doing an undergraduate degree and a PG qualification to either save up or secure sponsorship from their employer.
