Universities in UK for Masters

The United Kingdom is home to some of the high-ranking universities in the world. Attracted by the endless academic courses and the best student cities, lakhs of international students flock to the UK. And, the UK education system is counted among the best education systems in the world. Due to increasing competition and a high volume of applicants planning to study abroad, it is challenging for students to grab a seat in one of the top universities in the world. Let’s explore the best schools and universities in UK for Masters.

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Why Study Masters in the UK?

The UK has etched its name in providing quality education through experienced faculty, a research-led curriculum, a multicultural environment and world-class infrastructure. Because of this studying master’s in the UK can help you build a global career. Here’s why a master’s in the UK is the top choice for Nigerian students:

• With international and national accreditations, universities that offer master’s in the UK are highly regarded around the globe. With a degree from the UK, you can expect some great job opportunities to come your way. Universities like Oxford and Cambridge are testimonials of the quality of education in the UK. 
• A lot of Universities in the UK also exempt Nigerian students from taking an English Proficiency Test to prove their fluency in English.
• Once you have graduated with a Master’s Degree in the UK, career opportunities open up in every part of the world. Graduates are even offered better salaries and positions after their masters. 
• Most of the cities in the UK are student-friendly and welcoming towards international students and offer moral support. UK’s student cities of London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, etc are bustling with a multi-cultural lifestyle that makes the UK a home away from home for Nigerian students.

Types of Masters in UK

Masters in the UK for Nigerian students are of 2 major types namely, Taught Masters and Research Masters. Let’s know about the two in detail and which of the two is relevant for you!

Taught Masters 

Under the taught courses of masters in the UK, there are 4 main types of programs namely, Master in Arts (MA), Master in Science (MSc), Master of Engineering (MEng), and Master of Business Administration (MBA). The students who have opted for a taught master’s program are required to attend weekly lectures, tutorials, and seminars. The assessment is done through projects or dissertations. The full-time taught masters generally last for 1 to 2 years.

Research Masters

The most prevalent research degrees in the UK include Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Master of Science (MSc), and Master of Research (MRes) to name a few. These types of masters in the UK generally last 3 to 4 years. At the end of the course, the students prepare a thesis of around 60,000 to 1,00,000 words under the supervision of senior academicians which is then presented in oral examinations. 

Duration of Master in UK

Masters in the UK for Nigerian students are 1 to 2 years long depending upon the curriculum and scope of the subject. The master’s degree may also be extended to 3 to 4 years if you are a researcher or a medical student. 

Popular Courses for Masters in UK

Masters in the UK come with a profusion of specialization courses that broaden the knowledge of students in their respective fields. Here are some of the most preferred specializations that are popular amongst international students: 

• Architecture
• Theater
• Fine Arts
• Finance And Investments
• Data Analytics 
• Human Resource Management
• Global MBA
• Cyber Security
• Graphic Designing
• Information Technology
• Nuclear Science
• Engineering Management
• Software Engineering
• Construction Project Management
• Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Data Science
• Statistics
• Actuarial Science
• Economics
• Global Politics
• Criminology
• Law 

School and Universities in UK for Masters

With international exposure and practical education, the universities in the UK are famous for producing world leaders that are today icons of change. Holding a masters degree from any university is a matter of utmost pride. Given below are some of the top universities for pursuing masters in UK:

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• Imperial College London
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• University of Edinburgh
• King’s College London
• University of Warwick
• University of Manchester
• University of Bristol
• University of Glasgow
• University of Birmingham
• University of Southampton

University of Oxford

Oxford University is a unique and historic institution as the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Although there is no precise date of establishment, teaching began in some form at Oxford in 1096. Medical Sciences; Mathematics, Physical, and Life Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences are the four academic divisions that oversee the roughly 100 major academic departments. Six months after graduation, over 91% of Oxford graduates are employed or enrolled in further education

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is the world’s fourth-oldest university, having been founded in 1209. The university is a self-governing community of scholars and one of the world’s leading academic centres. The university got its name from a bridge that crossed the River Cam or Granta. It had been there since at least 875. Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Technology, are the six schools at Cambridge and the university offers more than 300 postgraduate courses.

Imperial College London

Founded in 1845, with the support of Prince Albert and the Parliament, Imperial College London is one of the premier institutions in the UK. It was established by the Royal College of Chemistry which merged in 1853 to be known as the Royal School of Mines. Some of the top courses offered by Imperial College London are Medicine, Computer Science, Electronics & Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering, and Civil Engineering. The most popular master’s programs offered at the college are MSc, MEng and MBBS.

London School of Economics and Political Science

London School of Economics and Political Science began in three rooms at 9 John Adam Street, near the Strand in downtown London, in 1895 to train students in the “scientific methods of investigation and research.” The school offers over 140 taught-masters courses

University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh was established in 1583 as “the town’s college” by the Edinburgh town council under the charter granted by King James IV in 1582. It remained under the control of the town council until 1858, after which it was granted autonomy under the Universities act. The University offers a multitude of courses in a plethora of fields, ranging from philosophical courses to high technical courses. The university also has a Business School, a Biomedical Research facility, a Clinical Research facility, and an Institute for Genetics and Cancer.

Cheapest/Affordable Universities 

Studying in the UK is an expensive affair especially when you are a Nigerian student. Apart from daily living expenses, the tuition fee itself can take a toll on your financial status. But we are here to bring to you the cheapest or more affordable universities that offer Masters in the UK.

• Anglia Ruskin University
• Birmingham City University
• University of Buckingham
• University of Derby
• University of Gloucestershire
• University of Greenwich
• University of Hertfordshire
• Northumbria University
• University of Law
• Leeds Trinity University
• London School of Commerce
• London Metropolitan University
• Middlesex University
• University of Northampton
• Plymouth University
• Staffordshire University

Fees to Study Masters in UK

The cost of studying will obviously vary for different universities and courses but the average cost of pursuing masters in the UK for Nigerian students is GBP 11,000 – GBP 16,000 (Nigerian Naira 61,89,690 – 90,03,180). Other costs include living as an international student which depends highly upon your personal choices and management. However, an average amount can definitely help you manage expenses and plan accordingly. The average cost of living per year in the UK as a Nigerian Student is GBP 6,000 – GBP 8,000 (Nigerian Naira 33,49,881 – 44,66,508).

Eligibility Criteria

To get admission to a university, you must first be able to meet the eligibility requirements set by the selected University. Eligibility requirements vary for different universities and specific courses but the following are the general criteria for Nigerian students who want to study master in the UK:

1. You must hold a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution.
2. Majority of Master’s courses require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0.
3. WAEC West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE), English Grade C or above can be accepted in place of IELTS or equivalent tests. 

Intakes in UK 

UK universities in the UK follow an academic calendar that commences in September and ends in July. There are two primary intakes in the UK in which students are accepted:  

• September/October (Fall Intake)
• January/February (Winter Intake)
• Some UK universities have additional intake in May for the selected courses. 

Following are the deadlines for UK Intakes: 

Intake	Deadline
January/February Intake	June and September
September Intake	February and May

FAQs 

If you have decided to study in the UK, feel free to call our Leverage Edu experts at 1800572000 to find out about the application process!