Top 10 Universities in the UK for Master’s in 2025

The UK’s top-ranking universities, their academic standing, and the career opportunities they offer make it a popular study destination for international students pursuing postgraduate studies. If you are looking to start your postgraduate studies with a master’s programme in the UK, the first step towards your best-fit programme is to do your research, but with so many programmes and universities to choose from, it can be challenging to narrow down your options.

To help you with this process, we’ve listed down the top 10 universities in the UK for master’s, covering the benefits of studying for your master’s in the UK, university rankings—both UK and global—and detailed information on each university. We’ve included focus subjects and popular master’s programmes offered by each university along with acceptance rates, average annual tuition, available scholarships, admission requirements, and required standardised tests. If you are aiming for a 2025 intake to begin your postgraduate studies, you can start your master’s programme research right here.

Why Study Master’s in the UK

Studying master’s in the UK can help equip you for success in multiple career pathways, supported by strong academic credentials and a global network of peers, faculty, and alumni. Let’s explore how pursuing a master’s programme in the UK can prepare you for success in your future career.

• Universities in the UK are among the world’s top-ranking universities.
  • Internationally recognised degrees: With their high academic reputation and research expertise, UK universities offer master’s programmes that are internationally recognised and sought after.
  • One-year master’s degrees: The UK’s most popular type of master’s programme, the one-year master’s degree, allows you to gain academic credentials quickly and enter the workforce as a qualified professional.
  • High-quality education: The UK’s universities follow strict standards of quality, making sure the students benefit from experienced faculty, effective teaching methods, and modern facilities.
• Master’s degrees in the UK pave the way to many exciting career opportunities.
  • High employability: Master’s degree holders from UK universities are highly employable in many different fields, including business and management, medicine and health, law, mathematical sciences, performing arts, forensic sciences, environmental studies, and more.
  • Salary potential: Earning a master’s degree in the UK can lead you to careers with high earning potential. Here’s a look at the median salary of graduates five years after graduation, in a few in-demand fields:

    Subject	In GBP	In INR
    Architecture, Building and Planning	£34,300	₹37,94,840
    Business and Management	£40,900	₹45,25,043
    Computing	£41,900	₹46,35,680
    Economics	£45,600	₹50,45,036
    Engineering	£39,700	₹43,92,279
    Law	£35,600	₹39,38,668
    Mathematical Sciences	£39,300	₹43,48,024
    Nursing and Midwifery	£33,400	₹36,95,267
    Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy	£38,400	₹42,48,451
    Physics and Astronomy	£35,900	₹39,71,859

  • Industry reputation: UK universities, and by extension their master’s programmes, are highly valued in many industries. This is because of high-performing alumni, strong research capabilities, and industry experts who serve as faculty in most master’s programmes.
  • Work placement opportunities: UK universities provide in-depth career support, including career counselling and work placement opportunities across the duration of your programme.
  • Two-year post-study work visa: With this visa, you can work in the UK for two years after the completion of your programme. This allows you to gain work experience in internationally recognised workplaces, build a global professional network, and gain key technical and personal skills.
• The UK master’s degrees offer excellent student support.
  • Scholarship opportunities: A number of scholarship opportunities are available to fund your education and life in the UK as you apply to your master’s programme.
  • Diverse community and vibrant campus life: With a diverse international community and many student-led activities to take part in, UK universities offer many ways to help you feel right at home.
  • Networking opportunities: You can build and benefit from a strong professional network by connecting with your peers, faculty, and alumni.

Deciding on the UK as a study destination can seem like an easy choice when you consider these factors, but choosing your master’s degree may still be a challenge as you have many options to choose from. To begin your research, let’s look at the top 10 universities in the UK for master’s and their global and UK rankings.

Top 10 Universities in the UK for Master’s: Ranking

The top 10 universities in the UK for master’s degrees have been chosen based on their standing in the academic community and industry. We’ve also considered the master’s courses they offer and the support available for international students within the university. Let’s see how they rank.

These universities offer diverse master’s degree programmes and many scholarship opportunities to support your postgraduate studies. Let’s have a detailed look at each university, exploring why they might be a great fit for you to pursue your master’s education.

Top 10 Universities in the UK for Master’s: Details

The top 10 universities in the UK for master’s are known for their prestige, high quality of education, industry reputation, and competitive entry. You have a high chance of acceptance with an impressive academic record from your undergraduate degree or you can combine work experience with an unrelated bachelor’s degree to apply for a master’s in the UK.

As we take a look at each university, we’ll be covering key information you should look at when you are considering applying to these universities in the UK for your master’s, including entry requirements, scholarship opportunities, annual tuition fees, and more.

University of Oxford

Why choose University of Oxford

One of the oldest universities in the world, University of Oxford combines old-world sophistication with an evolving focus on academic and research excellence. It ranked as the world’s topmost university for eight years from 2017 to 2024 according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

A total of 44 colleges belonging to the university offer over 240 master’s programmes, among which medical sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and the arts and humanities subjects contribute the most to Oxford’s academic reputation

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

University of Cambridge

Why choose University of Cambridge

University of Cambridge is a collegiate public research institution with an 800-year history. Its six schools—Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Technology—offer over 170 master’s programmes across 150 departments. Cambridge has a vibrant international community of students, representing over 120 countries among the 18,000+ student body.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

Imperial College London

Why choose Imperial College London

Imperial College London is the best-ranking university in the UK’s capital, focusing its academic efforts on science-based research. It offers 179 master’s programmes across its key focus areas, science, engineering, medicine, and business. Over 3,000 academic and research staff provide expertise and guidance to master’s students joining the institution.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

University College London

Why choose University College London (UCL)

University College London—or UCL—has a strong reputation of inclusivity, being the first university in England to admit female students on the same entry criteria as male students. UCL offers many diverse master’s degree programmes across 11 faculties: arts and humanities, built environment, brain sciences, engineering, the institute of education, laws, life sciences, mathematical and physical sciences, medical sciences, population health sciences, and social and historical sciences, with nearly 52 per cent of students engaged in graduate studies.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

King’s College London

Why choose King’s College London

King’s College London (KCL) is the largest healthcare learning institution in Europe, with three teaching hospitals and more than 27,000 students, including nearly 10,500 postgraduates from 150 countries. KCL also offers 225 master’s programmes in law, the humanities, and social sciences with a major focus on research, making it a great choice for students who want to further their studies. Students can also benefit from the university’s connections and proximity to a wide range of partners across business and industry, government and charities, arts, sports and culture.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

University of Edinburgh

Why choose University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh offers 433 master’s programmes across its three colleges for arts, humanities, and social sciences; science and engineering; and medicine and veterinary medicine. Its College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine is considered to be a world leader in its field, reflecting the university’s cross-disciplinary culture. The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from all over the world, spending over £26 million on prizes, scholarships, studentships, and bursaries to support its student body.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

University of Glasgow

Why choose University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow focuses heavily on industry research, offering 336 master’s programmes to a body of nearly 30,000 students. The university nurtures entrepreneurship and enables cutting-edge research that addresses global challenges. Their research environment is collaborative and empowering, delivering award-winning researcher development programmes for postgraduate students.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

University of Manchester

Why choose University of Manchester

The University of Manchester offers 361 master’s programmes across its five key research areas—advanced materials, cancer, energy, global inequalities, and biotechnology—with a specific commitment to social responsibility. The university ranks consistently in the world’s top ten universities for social and environmental impact, empowering students with a history of discovery, social change, and a pioneering spirit.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

Queen Mary University of London

Why choose Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is home to more than 20,000 students representing 155 nationalities. It offers 299 master’s programmes across its three faculties: humanities and social sciences, science and engineering, and medicine and dentistry. The international student community makes up around 30 per cent of the total student population and the university fosters a diverse community with language and career support programmes in place to support international students.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

London School of Economics and Political Science

Why choose London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is known for its education and research across the full range of the social science disciplines including economics, politics, sociology, law, and anthropology. Offering students a selection of over 169 master’s programmes and access to over 250 scholarships, LSE fosters academic excellence in social sciences and builds on its outstanding reputation in the fields.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

If any of these universities sound like a fit for your academic goals and career aspirations, counsellors at SI-UK can help you continue your research and identify a master’s in the UK for you to apply—you can reserve a free consultation to learn more about your options, eligibility, and the application process.

If you need to explore more scholarships in the UK to support your postgraduate studies, our extensive list of UK Scholarships can help.

How to Choose a Master’s Degree at a UK University

Identifying the universities you wish to apply for your postgraduate studies is the first step—you need to consider a few factors to shortlist your options. Let’s go through each.

• Academic standing: The university you select for your master’s degree has to have a strong academic reputation. Look for overall university rankings, subject-specific university rankings, and the recognition it has received for research to gauge the academic excellence of your preferred university.
• Career potential: Your master’s degree qualification should make you employable, so look for employability scores for your preferred programme in the selected universities. Check whether the university offers career counselling and work placements during the degree programme so you can gain professional experience even before you enter the workforce.
• Industry connections: Check your university’s ties to the industry in terms of research, faculty expertise, and collaborations. They can help you fast-track your professional career if you invest effort in leveraging these connections.
• Faculty and alumni: Look up the academic achievements, research contributions, and career standing of the faculty staff, professors, and the alumni network. Their credentials and experience speak volumes about the quality of education and employability of the programmes offered by your preferred university
• Campus facilities: Your university should be able to complement your education with state-of-the-art campus facilities and more often than not, residential facilities. Look up infrastructure and campus on the university website and student forums to get an understanding of campus facilities before you decide to apply.

If you want to learn more about how to choose a master’s programme in the UK, our study guide covers the above areas at length. If you are ready for the next steps to identify the university and master’s programmes you need to apply, experts at SI-UK can help.

If you are thinking of applying to the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College, UCL, or LSE, you can get the support of our Oxbridge Service to help you prepare for the application and interview process.

Choosing the best-fit programme for your master’s degree in the UK puts you on a fast track towards a successful career, bolstering your professional profile with an internationally recognised qualification. So take time with your research and seek support when you need it—your master’s degree in the UK is within your reach. Good luck!

FAQs

Is 3.2 a good GPA for a Master’s?

Most master’s programmes accept a 3.3 GPA or higher, however, some master’s programmes consider work experience if the GPA requirement is not met.

Is IELTS required for the UK?

Yes. Most master’s programmes require language proficiency and they indicate the tests they accept like IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, and more.

Which Master’s degree is most in demand?

Master of Business Administration, Master’s in Information Technology, and Master in Science in Nursing degrees are popular and highly demanded among Master’s degree programmes.

Which master’s has the highest salary?

Computer and information sciences-related degrees generally lead to careers with the highest salaries. Keep in mind that salaries can vary based on the profession in the field and they are also subject to changes in the industry over time.

What are the most useful Master’s degrees?

The most useful and employable master’s degrees in the UK are nursing and midwifery, health and social care, pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy, allied health, and sports and exercise sciences.

Which MSc course is best in the UK?

Popular master’s courses considered the best in the UK are MSc Health Data Analytics & Machine Learning, MA Big Data in Culture & Society, MSc Health Data Analytics, and MSc Data Science & Analytics.

How do I choose a Master’s course in the UK?

You need to first decide on a field to follow based on your interest and relevance to your undergraduate degree. Once you’ve decided, you can start researching master’s degree programmes in the UK related to your field of study. Look at the employability and the potential earnings from your preferred programmes and check the offering university for its academic reputation, industry standing, faculty, and student support. You can also look into available scholarship opportunities as well. Check programme-specific requirements like Bachelor’s GPA, work experience, and language proficiency. You should also research the university town to see if it’s affordable to you, and then make a decision.

What is the number 1 college in London?

Imperial College London is the top-ranked university in London.

What are the best student cities in the UK for international students?

Best student cities in the UK for international students include Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, Birmingham, Nottingham, Coventry, and Bristol.

Is London expensive for Indian students?

The average cost of living for rent, bills, groceries and other living expenses in London can be around ₹1,49,430 per month.

What are the best and most affordable MBA colleges in the UK?

The most affordable universities offering reputed MBA programmes in the UK are Imperial College London, Durham University, Warwick University, and Leeds Beckett University.

What is the best job sector to work in the UK?

The best and highest-paying job sectors to work in the UK are information technology and computer science, medicine, and allied health.