MS in UK Cost: Tuition Fees, Best Courses & Top Universities

The UK is the home of the top universities in the world which offers MS courses in different specializations. Master’s in UK are globally recognised due to their high-quality education, exposure to practical learning, research options, and career opportunities. 

The average cost of studying MS in UK ranges between GBP 21,180 – GBP 45,180. This includes the tuition fees and living expenses in the UK. The average MS study expense may vary depending on the university ranking, location of the university, field of study, and other significant aspects. 

The cost of studying Master’s in UK is very expensive for Indian students. As an international student, you need to cover numerous additional expenses, such as visa fees, study materials, application fees, and miscellaneous costs to complete your studies in the country. Meanwhile, you can apply for various scholarships and funding assistance to manage your MS costs in the UK. 

This article covers the numerous cost of studying MS in UK for international students. Read the article till the end to discover different expenses, scholarship opportunities, and tips to manage them. 

Tuition Fees for Master's in UK

The cost of studying MS in UK mainly depends on the tuition fees of the university and the program. The United Kingdom is well-known for offering top-notch education and research opportunities to international students. Meanwhile, the MS universities in UK and colleges charge a hefty amount from international students for the complete course duration. Approximately, the average tuition fees at top UK universities range between GBP 9,000 - GBP 30,000 for master’s courses. 

Moreover, the average tuition cost at UK universities varies depending on your study level and the mode of education. Here is a guide for the cost of pursuing a master’s in the UK for Indian students in different programs:

• MA (Arts / Social Sciences): GBP 9,000 - GBP 14,000
• MSc (Science / Engineering): GBP 9,500 - GBP 22,000
• MRes / MPhil: GBP 12,000 - GBP 33,000
• MBA: GBP 9,500 - more than GBP 34,000

Also Read: Exams for MS in the UK: Eligibility, Validity & Deadline

Top Universities for Master’s in the UK 

The United Kingdom has been among the top study abroad destinations for Indian and international students. The country has numerous universities and colleges that are ranked among the QS World University Ranking 2025. 

The cost of studying MS in top universities in UK is considerably high for Indian students. You can check the latest tuition fee structure in UK universities below, with their respective world ranking in 2025.

University	QS World Ranking 2025	Average Tuition Fees/Year (GBP )
University of Cambridge	5	GBP 22,657 - GBP 39,406
Oxford University	3	GBP 24,450 - GBP 29,160
Imperial College London	2	GBP 22,668 - GBP 40,386
University College London	-	GBP 11,570 - GBP 25,000
University of Edinburgh	27	GBP 22,000 - GBP 34,000
University of Manchester	=34	GBP 19,000 - GBP 46,000
King’s College London	=40	GBP 23,000 - GBP 40,407
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	=50	GBP 18,000 - GBP 23,088
University of Bristol	54	GBP 21,000 - GBP 28,000
University of Warwick	=69	GBP 18,790 - GBP 43,950

Factors Influencing Tuition Fees in UK

The tuition fees in UK universities depend on numerous factors. Here are some common factors that can influence the fee structure of the MS in UK:

• University Ranking and Reputation: The university ranking and its worldwide recognition are among the major factors that can determine the fee structure. Typically, UK universities with a high world ranking, such as the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London, charge higher tuition fees for international students. 
• Type of Program: The subject you choose to study in UK affects the overall cost of studying. Generally, programs in Business, Engineering, Law, and Medicine have higher tuition fees than other programs. Humanities and social sciences tend to be more affordable for Indian students.
• Course Duration: The duration of your course can impact the average cost of studying in UK. Programs like research-based degrees or integrated programs often last 18 months or two years. Therefore, the average cost may increase. 
• Mode of Study: The cost of full-time master’s in UK is generally more expensive than the part-time or online Master’s degrees.

Also Read: Top Universities in the UK for Masters in Data Science

Living Expenses in the UK

The cost of living in UK is a key factor that can increase your average expenses of studying. On average, an Indian student needs around GBP 1,265 per month to manage their living expenses in UK. If you are living outside London, the average may reduce up to GBP 1,015 per month. 

The total monthly expense is calculated based on your accommodation, bills, groceries, and a range of other personal expenses. But the average range may vary depending on the spending habits of students. Here’s a list of average monthly expenses in UK for Indian students. 

Cost of Living in UK for Indian Students

Expenses	Approximate cost (monthly)
Rent	GBP 550 and GBP 650
Bills (electric/ gas/ water)	GBP 40 - GBP 50
Food and housekeeping	GBP 160 - GBP 200
TV licence (mandatory with TV or watching BBC online)	GBP 12.56 (or GBP 150.50 per year)
Mobile phone	GBP 15 - GBP 50
Clothes and shoes	GBP 25
Leisure & sports (calculated on membership for the students’ sports centre)	GBP 10 - GBP 20
Books & stationery	GBP 21
Socialising	GBP 120
Travel & transport (based on the monthly cost of a student bus pass)	GBP 32
Childcare (if needed)	GBP 656

Also Read: Cost of Living in London: Rent, Travel & Other Aspects

Additional Costs to Study in UK

Apart from the tuition fees and living costs, the cost of studying master’s in UK includes some additional variables for international students. These costs can increase your average monthly and annual budget for the duration of the study. Some of the important additional costs to study in UK include:

• Application Fees: International students need to pay the application fee while applying for any university. The typical application fees in UK for international students is GBP 50 – GBP 150 per university. 
• UK Student Visa Fees: The cost of UK study visa for international students is GBP 490. You need to pay GBP 25 to get your Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Indian students must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application to access the UK's National Health Service (NHS). As of 2025, the cost of IHS in UK for Indian students is GBP 776 per year for visa and immigration.
• Study Materials and Equipment: Apart from the tuition fees, students need money to purchase textbooks, software, lab gear, or specific tools to manage their study requirements.

Also Read: A guide to cost of living in Europe for international students

UK Visa Financial Requirements 

To obtain a UK visa, applicants must meet specific financial requirements. Every student must fulfil the financial requirements to demonstrate they can support themselves throughout the duration of their studies. The minimum financial eligibility can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. 

The UK general financial criteria are based on two components: 

• Proof of Funds: Evidence of sufficient funds held for at least 28 consecutive days.
• Currency and Conversion: Candidates need to show their funds in GBP or a currency convertible to GBP. 

Students need to have around GBP 1,265 per month to manage their living expenses in UK. If you're living outside London, the average monthly living cost may be slightly lower, around GBP 1,015.

Also Read: Student Life in UK: Academics & Cost of Living

Cost of Studying Master’s in UK vs India

The cost of pursuing a Master's degree in the UK is higher compared to India. However, it is manageable through scholarships and bursaries. 

Aspect	UK	India
Tuition Fees	GBP 9,000 - GBP 30,000	₹2 – ₹5 lakhs
Course Duration	1 year	1.5 – 2 years
Living Expenses	GBP 1,015-GBP 1,265 per month	₹1 – ₹2 lakhs/year
Total Estimated Cost	GBP 21,180 – GBP 45,180	₹3 – ₹7 lakhs

Funding and Scholarships to Study in UK

The UK offers various scholarships and funding assistance to international students to manage their cost of studying MS in UK. These scholarships are generally funded by universities, the government, and external organisations.

University Scholarships in UK

Many UK universities offer merit-based, need-based, or course-specific scholarships to cover tuition expenses and living costs of international students in the UK. Some popular UK scholarships for MS are as follows:

University	Scholarships	Amount
Leeds and Beckett University	Postgraduate Scholarship	GBP  3,000
University of East Anglia	UEA India Award	PG - GBP  4,000 - GBP  5,000 (Guaranteed)
Lancaster University	Global Scholarship for all PG courses	GBP  5,000
University of Greenwich	PG Scholarship	Up to GBP  1,500 GBP
Cardiff University	Vice-Chancellor Scholarship	GBP  2,000

Government Scholarships in UK

The UK government offers a variety of scholarships to international students pursuing MS in the country. These UK scholarships typically cover tuition fees, living costs, and other related expenses.

Here’s a list of Government Scholarships in the UK:

• Chevening Scholarships
• Commonwealth Scholarships
• UK Government GREAT Scholarships
• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Scholarships
• The Marshall Scholarships
• The Fulbright Program

External Scholarships in UK

Here’s a list of External Scholarships in the UK:

• Rhodes Scholarships
• Clarendon Fund
• British Council Scholarships
• University-Specific Scholarships (e.g., University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, UCL)
• The Gates Cambridge Scholarship
• The Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
• The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme
• The Inlaks Scholarships
• The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
• The Westminster International Scholarships

Also Read: Free Education in UK for Indian Students - upGrad

Tips to Manage Expenses in UK

Studying in the UK can be expensive for Indian students. The cost of education and living expenses in the country is considerably higher in the United Kingdom than in India. But strategic planning and budgeting can help students manage their study cost in the UK. 

Here are some tips to help you manage expenses in UK to study master’s:

• Spend mindfully. Do not use your money on luxurious items.
• Try to avoid meals from restaurants and cook for yourself.
• Use public transportation to travel across the city.
• Use your student ID card to get access to student discounts in the UK.
• Join various part-time work in UK to collect extra money to manage your daily expenses. 
• Try to live in shared apartments to cut down your cost on rent.
• Create a monthly budget to track your spending.
• Do not spend your scholarship money on your personal affairs. 

Conclusion

Pursuing a Master’s in the UK is truly a costly affair. However, the cost of studying MS is UK is truly worth it with better career opportunities and job prospects. Candidates facing any problem regarding the UK admission process, visa applications, coaching, and more can connect with the upGrad Abroad experts.