A one-year Master’s program in UK is demanding in the UK because of its smart and flexible design, which is ideal for a fast-paced career. It is an advanced qualification with global prospects.
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As per UK government data, after China, India is the second non-EU country for most international students in the UK.
This blog is a complete guide to exploring one-year programs in the UK. Let’s start.
Overview of One-Year Master Programs in the UK
| Eligibility | Bachelors, GMAT, LNAT, UKCAT, IELTS, work experience |
| Average Tuition Fee | 13 lakhs INR |
| Career Prospects | Mechanical engineer, data scientist, lawyer, programmer, IT manager |
| Specialisations | Arts, Research, Science, Engineering, MBA, Biotechnology, Law |
| Average Salary | 48 lakhs INR |
| Scholarships / Internships | Offered by university |
| Monthly Living Cost | 1 lakh INR |
Why Study 1 Year Masters Program in UK?
- Faster Study Curriculum: In recent times, 1-year programs provide the perfect design for securing jobs earlier or starting a new course of study. This is an accelerated program to complete an advanced course of study in 12 months. Most international students prefer the 1-year program for a fast-track career and earning opportunities.
- Cost Effective: As international study destinations are expensive and top schools cost around 50 lakhs to 1 Crore INR over two years, the one-year program is sustainable for cost management.
- High-Quality Universities: The academic quality of these courses is high and provides an opportunity to receive qualifications from high-ranking universities.
- Global Career Scope: The one-year program provides multicultural and multinational exposure both during and after the course of study. Students are employed in multinational companies.
Popular One-Year Masters Programs in the UK
The UK offers a wide range of popular one-year master’s programs across various fields. Here are some of the most demanding options:
- Masters of Arts: MA in the UK has vast options for subjects, not just humanities but also Human Resources, Management, Education, Political Science, and Music.
- Master of Science: The United Kingdom is famous for its science, technology, and business education. One-year technology offers programs in applied Biotechnology, Project Management, Cyber Security, Engineering, Operations Management, Banking Finance, and more.
- Master of Research: An MRes degree in the UK is a quality doctoral program, as prestigious UK schools provide the best research opportunities. The various research programs in the UK are History, Philosophy, Science and Health, Business Economics, etc.
- Masters in Business Analytics: UK 1-year business analytics degrees are globally accepted, have career scope, and prepare students for the real-world business environment.
- Specialized Master’s Degree: Many popular 1-year master’s programs in the UK are 1 year Computer Science, Management, International Business, 1 year Marketing degree, Business Administration, Biotechnology, and 1 year online masters in education programs UK.
Eligibility Criteria for the One Year Masters Course in the UK
While specific requirements may vary slightly between universities and courses, here are the general criteria for admission to a one-year Master’s program in the UK:
- A bachelor’s degree or relevant qualification from a well-known university with 60 to 70% marks.
- Standardised Test Scores like GMAT
- English Language Proficiency like IELTS (6-7), TOEFL (90-100) and the Oxford Test of English for some colleges
- Work experience of 2 to 5 years for some professional courses.
- Personal Interview or essay questions are required in some UK universities
- Resume or CV
- Letters of Recommendation and Statement of Purpose
- Academic Transcripts
Application Process for Study in UK
The steps for the application process for your chosen intake are as follows:
- Select a course and shortlist universities of your interest.
- Research carefully for program details, semester dates, universities, and facilities in official websites.
- Prepare the required documents and test results according to the eligibility criteria of your chosen institution.
- When the applications are open, complete your application form with application fees and full details as soon as you can.
- Wait for notifications after the processing time and respond to offer letters by mail, by paying the deposit.
Cost of Study for 1 Year Masters Program in the UK
The below data is variable and depends on individual courses of study, living accommodation, university, expenses, etc.
Tuition Fee
The average tuition fee for a 1 year Master’s program in the United Kingdom is 7000 to 36000 pounds (7 lakhs INR to 39 lakhs INR).
Cost of Living
The cost of living in the UK for Indian students can vary significantly depending on the city you choose to live in, your lifestyle, and your accommodation preferences. However, the total cost of living in the UK for Indian students can range from 15 lakhs INR to 18 lakhs INR per year.
Here’s a breakdown of the average costs to give you an idea:
| Cost | Annual Amount in INR |
| Rent Off Campus | 7 to 9 Lakhs INR |
| Rent On Campus | 4 lakhs to 7 lakhs INR |
| Food | 2 lakhs INR |
| Transport | 1 lakh INR |
| Utilities | 71000 to 87000 INR |
Read more in detail: How Much Money Is Required to Study in UK?
UK Scholarships for 1 Year Master’s Program for Indian Students
| Scholarship | Value | Selection Criteria |
| Rhodes Scholarship | Tuition fee at Oxford, annual stipend of 20 lakhs INR | Academic Excellence, active participation, Courage, Kindness |
| Cambridge Trust Scholarship | Annual stipend of 13 lakhs INR | Financial need, academic excellence |
| LSE Masters Awards | 5 lakhs INR to full award | Financial need, work experience, interview |
| Manchester International Excellence Scholarships | 3.8 lakhs INR annually | Academic Excellence |
| WMG Excellence Scholarship | 10 to 50% tuition fee discount | Academic excellence, work experience |
Read more in detail: UK Scholarships for Indian Students
Top UK Universities for 1 Year Masters Programs
The UK one-year programs are offered by prestigious colleges at affordable fees. The top UK universities offering one-year master’s programs are:
- University of Cambridge
- Oxford University
- Imperial College London
- University College London
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics
- University of Bristol
- University of Warwick
1. University of Cambridge
Cambridge has a recruiter reputation and the students come from diverse regions of the world. Cambridge has 121 Nobel Laureates and 210 Olympic Medallists.
| Address | The old school, Trinity ln, Cambridge, UK |
| Year Founded | 1209 |
| 1-Year Tuition Fees | 63 lakhs INR |
| QS Global Ranking | 2 |
| 1-year Programs offered | Biotechnology, MRes, MPhil, Finance |
| Phone number | +441223337733 |
| Official Site | https://www.cam.ac.uk/ |
2. Oxford University
Teaching practices in Oxford are the oldest in the world, back to 1096. It has 22,000 students and quality research.
| Address | Wellington Square, Oxford, United Kingdom |
| Year Founded | 1096 |
| Tuition Fees for 1 year | 39 lakhs INR |
| QS Global Ranking | 3 |
| Programs offered | MSc, Criminal Justice, Social History |
| Phone number | +441865270000 |
| Official Site | https://www.ox.ac.uk/ |
3. Imperial College London
The college ranks first in London and specialises in subjects like science, engineering, medicine, and research. The college is awarded for working towards the careers of women.
| Address | Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom |
| Year Founded | 1907 |
| Tuition Fees | 44 lakh INR |
| QS Global Ranking | 6 |
| Programs offered | Biotechnology, Advanced Computing, Mechanical Engineering |
| Phone number | +442075895111 |
| Official Site | https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ |
4. University College, London
It is one of the UK colleges with excellent research facilities. The college has produced 28 Nobel Laureates. The admission and degrees at UCL are very competitive.
| Address | Gower St, London, United Kingdom |
| Year Founded | 1826 |
| Year Tuition Fees | 16 lakh INR |
| QS Global Ranking | 9 |
| 1-year Programs offered | MRes, MA archaeology, MSc Economics |
| Phone number | +442076792000 |
| Official Site | https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ |
5. University of Edinburgh
The college is known for its international network and academic reputation. The university specialises in science, medicine, and discoveries, and the department of English literature.
| Address | Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
| Year Founded | 1583 |
| Tuition Fees | 30 lakhs |
| QS Global Ranking | 27 |
| Programs offered | MSc in Mathematical economics, Mathematical Physics |
| Phone number | +441316501000 |
| Official Site | https://www.ed.ac.uk/ |
Job Opportunities after Completing One Year Master’s Degree in the UK
1 year Master’s programs in the UK for international students have excellent job prospects. The professional careers in one-year programs are diverse.
| Position | Average MBA salary | Job Description |
| Software Developer | 45 lakhs INR | Managing, building, designing, and researching computer application software |
| Finance Analyst | 39 lakhs INR | Finance Analysts study profit-gaining methods, stocks, and bonds. They work in banks or insurance companies. |
| Civil engineer | 49 lakhs INR | Designing public works projects of infrastructure like buildings, roads, and airports. |
| Biomedical engineer | 38 lakhs INR | Solves healthcare problems and applies engineering principles to healthcare and medical applications. |
| Mechanical Engineer | 40 lakhs INR | Manufacturing and designing different mechanical items using principles of physics and mathematics |
| Lawyer | 58 lakhs INR | A lawyer handles legal jurisdictions and client court cases. |
Conclusion
One-year programs are most popular among international students due to their flexibility and design. One-year programs are advantageous for international students as they can cover the costs in one year instead of two years. These are advanced courses that have professional as well as academic excellence. The job opportunities and one-year master’s programs are diverse and sought after.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is more valuable, two-year or one year master’s programs in the UK?
The value of a two-year or one-year master’s program in the UK depends on your individual goals and circumstances. There’s no definitive answer as to which is “more valuable.”
Two-year programs offer:
- Depth exploration in the chosen field.
- Opportunities to contribute to academic knowledge.
- Ability to focus on specific areas within your field.
- More time is needed for networking opportunities.
- Potential for higher starting salaries:
One-year programs offer:
- Faster completion of a master’s degree.
- Reduced tuition fees and living expenses.
- Emphasis on applied skills and industry relevance.
2. Is one year masters recognized in India?
Yes, one-year UK master’s degrees are generally recognized in India.
There was a time when there were some concerns about the recognition of one-year UK master’s degrees in India. However, due to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and the UK, these concerns have been largely addressed(2).
3. What are the Part-time work options for international students in the UK?
Students can work online, off-campus, and on-campus in libraries, as office assistants, as accountants, in healthcare, administration, customer service, tutor, receptionist, event planner, etc. International students can expect to earn 8 to 12 pounds (800 to 1300 rupees) per hour in part-time jobs.