Top 10 Universities in UK for Masters - Ranking, fees & Requirements

The UK is home to some of the most high-profile renowned institutions in the world. The universities rank high on various ranking platforms. Wherever your interests lie, UK universities have something to offer you. Studying at these universities opens various opportunities to help you succeed. Let us look at some of the top-ranked universities in UK for master’s.

The University of Cambridge is one of the finest universities in the world. Ranked second in the world, it was established in 1209, but it was in 1231 that it received its Royal Charter from King Henry III. It is a collegiate public research university. It is the third oldest institution which is in continuous operation. The university offers around 130 postgraduate programs to domestic and international students. It has over 150 academic departments, veteran faculties, and six other schools. For anyone looking to study in UK at the best institute for a master’s, Cambridge is the perfect choice. The university not only offers excellent state-of-the-art facilities but also offers many different scholarships. You can find them on the university website.

QS World University Ranking 2024: 2nd

Top Courses: Architecture and Urban Design, Executive MBA, Finance and Economics, Engineering, Scientific Computing, Biotechnology, Computational Biology, Environmental Policy, etc.

Requirements: IELTS/TOEFL, SAT, Good GPA, etc.

Average Fees: 25,000 GBP - 60,000 GBP

The University of Oxford is one of the top universities in the world, ranking high on many platforms. Established in 1096, it is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. The institute is made up of thirty-nine semi-autonomous constituent colleges. It has a reputation for world-class research, teaching, and resources, all within the constraints of a breathtakingly beautiful city. Graduate programmes at Oxford are shorter than in many other countries, often lasting only one year for a master's degree, intended to promote rapid career progression. The university is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 13 - 17%. It is the perfect choice amongst all the UK universities for masters. What are you waiting for? Find that perfect course and apply now.

QS World University Ranking 2024: 3rd

Top Courses: Philosophy, English Studies, Creative Writing, Executive MBA, Finance Economics, Computer Science, Energy Systems, Clinical Neuroscience, Natural Sciences, etc.

Requirements: GRE, SAT, IELTS/TOEFL, Good GPA, etc.

Average Fees: 27,000 GBP - 40,000 GBP

Established by the Royal Charter in 1907, Imperial College London is a top public research university in London, England. It extensively focuses on study areas of business, engineering and medicine. Students can choose from over 160 postgraduate courses at the Imperial College London. The institute offers state-of-the-art facilities and was previously a member of the University of London and became independent in 2007. With 59% of its students being international, the university hosts students from over 140 countries worldwide. It is one of the best choices to study at UK universities for masters. Additionally, the university has an academic reputation of 98.3, along with a stellar reputation in academic outcomes.

QS World University Ranking 2024: 6th

Top Courses: Aeronautical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, etc.

Requirements: GRE, IELTS/TOEFL, GMAT, International Baccalaureate, good GPA, etc.

Average Fees: 25,000 GBP - 40,000 GBP

The UCL is an institute in the UK where novel thinking is encouraged and nurtured. Placed 9th on the QS World University Ranking, the university has produced 30 Nobel Laureates. It consists of a diverse community of students with the freedom to question and think differently is stimulated. It was rated the top university in the UK in Research Excellence, Framework (REF) for research strength. Students from across the globe study at UCL with the choice of over 600 postgraduate disciplines. It has been ranked in the top 20 universities in the world regarding graduate employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.

Moreover, it is located in the heart of one of the world's most dynamic cities, putting you in a prime position to take advantage of everything London offers. The university boasts 18,000 international students from over 150 countries, giving it a truly global viewpoint. It is an ideal choice if you are considering UK universities for masters.

QS World University Ranking 2024: 9th

Top Courses: Linguistics, Digital Media, Psychology, Architecture, Construction Economics and Management, Landscape Architecture, Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare, Life Sciences, etc.

Requirements: Academics, SAT, IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Academic, GMAT, etc.

Average Fees: 24,000 GBP

One of the top universities in the world, the University of Edinburgh consistently ranked in the top 50. It came in at number 22 in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. Students and employees come to Edinburgh from around the world because of the university’s entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary culture, making the city special. Whatever thrills you, drives you, or defines you as "you," the university makes sure of one thing, nothing ordinary emerges from this extraordinary place. It is home to over 45,000 students from around 156 countries. It has produced 19 Nobel Prize winners and other students excelling in various fields. It is one of the finest options to study at one of the UK universities for masters and offers a unique opportunity to study alongside some of the brightest minds in the world. While the university’s postgraduate fees might be high, there are many scholarships that you can benefit from. You can find them on the university’s website.

QS World University Ranking 2024: 22nd

Top Courses: Finance, Business Analytics, Management, Architecture, Marketing, Life Sciences, Engineering, Law, etc.

Requirements: IELTS/TOEFL, Academics, Portfolio (if required), Recommendation letters, etc.

Average Fees: 25,000 GBP - 40,000 GBP

The University of Manchester is a prominent red-brick university that is currently ranked 32nd in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2024. With a diverse student body and many study areas, it offers students over 500 postgraduate courses. Sounds amazing, right? It is also a member of the Russell Group, a select group of top UK universities known for their emphasis on research. In order to maintain its remarkable history of innovation, 25 Nobel Prize winners have been among the university's present and former students and staff. Manchester graduates have seen high employability rates, with the institute boasting over 90% employability rate. It has the highest percentage of international students.

QS World University Ranking 2024: 32

Top Courses: Financial Management, Architecture, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Management, Engineering and Technology, Medicine, Life Sciences, etc.

Requirements: IELTS/TOEFL, Academics, Portfolio (if required), Recommendation letters, etc.

Average Fees: 15,000 GBP - 30,000 GBP

Ranked 40th in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2024, King’s College London is one of the top-tier universities in the UK. Established in 1829, King’s College London is a public research university in London. It is one of the founding members of the University of London. The university has five campuses and offers over 346 postgraduate course options to its cohorts. With a staff of over 6,000, the university is home to over 25,000 students from over 150 countries worldwide. The university is especially known for its outstanding reputation in the humanities, law, sciences (including various health fields like psychiatry, medicine, nursing, and dentistry), and social sciences, including international affairs. Depending on your course, it is an ideal choice to study at one of the UK universities for masters. The university also offers good scholarship options for students in need.

QS World University Ranking 2024: 40th

Top Courses: War & Psychiatry, Finance, Digital Marketing, Executive Management, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine and Life Sciences, etc.

Requirements: IELTS/TOEFL, LORs, Academics, etc.

Average Fees: 25,000 GBP - 40,000 GBP

Established in 1895, LSE is a public research university and also a member institution of the Federal University of London. It joined the University of London in 1900 and started awarding degrees under its name in 2008. It is a place where cutting-edge research takes place with genuine excitement and learning purpose. With students from over 140 different nations enrolling each year, LSE's student body is one of the most multicultural in the entire globe. Because of this mix, LSE can take a truly worldwide approach to academic life and intellectual inquiry that is unmatched elsewhere. If you are searching for some of the perfect UK universities for masters with a strong emphasis on research, The London School of Economics and Political Science deserves good consideration.

QS World University Ranking 2024: 45th

Top Courses: LLM, Accounting, Economics, Gender Studies, Global Media and Communications, Sociology, etc.

Requirements: Academics, SAT, IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Academic, GMAT, etc.

Average Fees: 25,000 GBP - 30,000 GBP

Located at the heart of Bristol and established in 1876, the University of Bristol offers academic excellence with a forward-thinking spirit and a world-class learning environment. It offers over 200 postgraduate courses to international and domestic students alike. Bristol is on the cutting edge of world research since it is a part of the Russell Group of UK institutions with a strong focus on research. According to THE's study of the REF 2021, 94% of the university's research is "world-leading" or "internationally excellent," placing it among the top five UK institutions for research. It welcomes students from all backgrounds and accepts a wide range of applications. It is considered one of the best UK universities for masters.

QS World University Ranking 2024: 55th

Top Courses: Accounting and Finance, Periodontology, Oral Medicine, Philosophy, Engineering, Management, etc.

Requirements: Academics, SAT, IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Academic, GMAT, etc.

Average Fees: 23,000 GBP - 33,000 GBP

One of the top universities in UK for masters is the University of Warwick, which is situated in Coventry. It is renowned for its high standards in education and research. The University of Warwick is one of the top 10 universities in the UK as of 2023. After 92% of the university's research was judged to be either internationally excellent or world-leading in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), the university has solidified its place as one of the intellectual powerhouses in the UK.

QS World University Ranking 2024: 67th

Top Courses: Finance, Global MBA, Management, Economics, Engineering and Technology, etc.

Requirements: Academics, SAT, IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Academic, GMAT, etc.

Average Fees: 15,000 GBP - 40,000 GBP 

The UK is a global business hub which is an attractive feature of the country, attracting several international students to study there and later navigate through work opportunities. There are many high-paying jobs in UK, and the requirement for skilled personnel is increasing now more than ever. The average entry-level pay ranges between 25,000 GBP - 35,000 GBP and can increase depending on skills and course done.

Even while studying, international students are permitted to work part-time during their course for 20 hours a week, which can help alleviate their financial concerns. The UK government has also recently unveiled a new post-study visa that will enable international students to remain and work in the country for an additional two years. Last but not least, UK universities provide a multicultural learning environment, and students can interact with people worldwide and learn much more than academics.

Q. Which university is best in the UK for a master's?

A. The University of Cambridge is ranked 2nd in the world and first in the UK and is considered one of the best universities to pursue your higher education.

Q. Is the UK better than the US for a master’s?

A. Both countries are home to the best-ranked universities in the world. The choice completely depends on your academic goal. If you have decided on a major, then the UK is the right choice for you given the shorter length of the programs and much more. Whereas, if you wish to experiment with your subjects for a while, we suggest you for the US.

Q. Which university is the cheapest in the UK?

A. There are many options if you wish to study in UK on a low budget. These options are:

• Leeds Beckett University

• University of Chester

• Teesside University

• The University of Cumbria

• University of Chester

• Staffordshire University

Q. How much percentage is required to study in UK?

A. If you aim to study at the top universities in UK for masters, then an average of 80-90% in high school is required. A minimum of 60% - 70% is the basic requirement for other universities. Few universities in UK even accept students with a 12th-grade point average of 50% to 55%.

Q. How much does a UK master cost?

A. The exact cost of completing a master's degree UK depends on your choice of university and course. On average, it might cost you somewhere between 25,000 GBP to 40,000 GBP.  

To conclude, it is an excellent choice to choose UK universities for masters given the academic excellence of the institutions, global rankings, veteran faculties, state-of-the-art facilities and excellent career prospects. It is advised that you choose a course and then look for universities. You can check the ranking of that institution in a particular subject on QS rankings by subject. Research thoroughly and choose the one that aligns with your aims and perspectives. We wish you all the luck!

We hope you had an insightful read about the top 10 universities in UK for masters and got useful insights on the top courses, fees, etc. If you would like to get a deeper insight into how to study in UK, we encourage you to have a word with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Our counsellors will provide you with guidance throughout your study abroad journey. Get help with the application process, SOPs and filing for a visa. Visit us and get one-to-one counselling or avail yourself of free video counselling via our website. We will be happy to help you, so please do not hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.