M.A. in UK for Indian Students - Universities, Colleges, Fees 2026, Deadlines

An MA in the UK is a postgraduate-level degree focusing on Humanities, Social Science, Arts, and other fields. The Master of Arts degree usually lasts up to 1 to 2 years, depending on the mode of study (part-time or full-time). The degree is ideal for students from backgrounds such as Arts, Humanities, or Social Science, and seeking in-depth knowledge and a career in Policy, Media, Culture, and Education roles.

The MA courses are available in diverse specializations in the UK. Some of the popular specializations are International Relations, English Literature, History and Cultural Studies, Media and Communication, Economics and Development Studies, and Fine Arts and Design Management.

Some popular universities providing an MA in the UK are the University of Oxford, King’s College London,  University of Edinburgh, University of Bath, University College London, University of Manchester, and more. The tuition cost of these universities is quite expensive for international students with a limited budget. Students can check some of the top universities offering an MA in the UK, along with the tuition cost, courses offered, and scholarships, below:

Read more: Study in the UK for Indian Students

MA in the UK Highlights

Students interested in pursuing an MA in the UK must hold a bachelor’s degree 2:1 or equivalent to fulfill the basic eligibility. They must submit certain mandatory documents along with the English language requirements. Students can opt for any specialization, including International Relations, English Literature, History and Cultural Studies, Media and Communication, Economics and Development Studies, and more. Students can check the MA in the UK highlights below:

Category	Statistics
Total Universities offering MA in UK	150+
MA Fees in the UK	Tuition Fees: INR 19 L - INR 50L Living Expenses: INR 10 L –INR 15 L (varies based on cities)
Top MA Specializations in the UK	International Relations, English Literature, History and Cultural Studies, Media and Communication, Economics and Development Studies, and Fine Arts and Design Management
Admission Eligibility for MA in the UK	Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with 2:1 or equivalent, English language requirements, academic reference, personal statement/portfolio
Admission Requirements for the MA in the UK	Academic transcripts, CV/Resume, Letter of recommendation, valid passport, English language requirements, Statement of Purpose

Also check: Cost of study in the UK

Why study an MA in the UK?

An MA in the UK is one of the best options for international students interested in fields like English Literature, History and Cultural Studies, Media and Communication, Economics and Development Studies, and Fine Arts. Along with the subject choice, there are various reasons discussed below why one must study an MA in the UK:

• Reputed Universities: The UK is renowned for various popular universities, including the University of Oxford, which is ranked #1 among the top universities in the UK. These universities provide high-quality education and make it easier for students to pursue careers.
• Affordability & scholarship: UK universities offer affordable MA programs to international students. The tuition fees are between INR 19L and INR 50L. In addition, the universities in the UK offer several scholarships, including merit-based and need-based, when the tuition cost is too high.
• Career and Internship opportunities: Universities in the UK have a strong industry connection globally, especially in Europe. Students can also grab opportunities in industries such as Education, Media, Government Policy, Business, Arts, and more.
• Diverse specializations: The universities in the UK offer diverse specializations through their public and private universities. Some popular specializations are International Relations, English Literature, History and Cultural Studies, Media and Communication, Economics and Development Studies, and more.

MA in the UK: Course Curriculum

Those who wish to study an MA in the UK must be aware of the basic course curriculum; however, the curriculum may vary based on the university and the specializations. Students can check the core modules and practical elements to study the MA in the UK below:

Term 1- Basic curriculum

International students must deal with core theory subjects and get to know about frameworks, methodologies, concepts, and more. They will be introduced to academic writing, referencing, qualitative, and quantitative methods.

Term 2: Advanced Modules

In term 2, students will get advanced subject modules chosen by them, and may cover workshops and seminars. They will gain practical skills through policy drafting, media production, and archival research.

Term 3: Final Projects

Here, students need to submit their independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. It may include fieldwork, interviews, and creative projects.

Top Universities in UK for MA

As per the Shiksha ranking 2025, the best university to pursue an MA in the UK is the University of Oxford. Along with this, universities such as the LSE and University College London are also popular. Students willing to complete their MA degree in the UK must choose or aim for these top options for a better reputation and scope. Students can check the top universities in the UK for the MA below:

UK Universities Offering MA	Shiksha Ranking 2025
University of Oxford	#1
London School of Economics and Political Science	#2
University College London	#3
University of Cambridge	#5
The University of Edinburgh	#6
University of Manchester	#7
King's College London	#8
University of Leeds	#9

Also Check: Top Public Universities in the UK

Top MA Specializations in the UK

There are many specializations available for an MA in the UK for international students, including International Relations, English Literature, History and Cultural Studies, Media and Communication, Economics and Development Studies, and Fine Arts and Design Management, and more. Following is a list of the top MA specializations in the UK offered to students, along with the university offering, which are popularly opted for by international students:

Top MA Specializations in UK	Offered at
International Development & Social Sciences	University of Edinburgh
Media, Communication & Journalism	Newcastle University
Art, Design & Visual Arts	Royal College of Art
Data Science & AI	University of Edinburgh
Architecture & Design	University of Edinburgh
Archives, Library & Publishing	University College London

MA Fees in the UK

The MA fees in the UK for Indian students may differ for different universities and institutions. Students must do deep research regarding the course, tuition fees, and living costs while applying for admission. This will help in choosing the universities based on the budget. The average first-year tuition cost of studying an MA in the UK is between INR 19L and INR 50L, and the average living cost can be between INR 10L and INR 15L per annum. Students must also make a budget for expenses like accommodation, personal expenditure, casual traveling, etc. Students can check the MA tuition fees in the UK for popular universities below:

UK Universities Offering MA	First-year tuition fees 2025
University of Oxford	INR 29L-INR 50L
London School of Economics and Political Science	INR 24L-INR 44L
University College London	INR 26L-INR 47L
University of Cambridge	INR 30L-INR 44L
The University of Edinburgh	INR 28L-INR 37L
University of Manchester	INR 22L-INR 38L
King's College London	INR 19L-INR 39L
University of Leeds	INR 23L-INR 37L

Read more: Cost of Living in the UK

Student Visa Requirements for an MA in the UK

International students willing to pursue an MA must apply for a visa to enter the UK. Once they get an acceptance letter from their desired university, they must fill out the visa application form to enter the university on time. Students must submit certain mandatory documents while applying for a visa. Those documents are listed below:

• Visa application form
• Valid Passport
• Admission letter
• Academic proof: degree certificates, transcripts, English test scores
• Proof of financial stability
• Proof of accommodation
• Health insurance
• Supporting documents: SOP, CV, LOR, Passport-size photograph

Read more: How to get a student visa in the UK?

MA in the UK Admission Requirements

International students willing to pursue an MA in the UK must hold proof of a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a 2:1 or equivalent, and English language requirements to fulfill the basic eligibility. Also, they must submit certain mandatory documents to take admission in the university. The MA in UK admission requirements for international students are listed below:

• GMAT/GRE score
• Academic Transcripts
• Copy of a valid passport
• English proficiency exam scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic)
• Proof of funds
• Portfolio
• CV/Resume
• Two Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Visa application

Work Permit after an MA in the UK

International students looking for a work permit after completing an MA in the UK must fulfill certain admission requirements. Students must submit a valid passport, application form, visa fee, immigration health surcharge, photograph, and more. Students must apply 6 to 12 months after graduation. Students can avail themselves of permit types such as a work visa, start-up visa, or a self-employment visa.

Read more: UK New Immigration Rules 2025

MA Scholarships in the UK

Settling in a new country and managing your overall expenses is the key concern for each international applicant shifting abroad for studies. Here is when scholarship comes into play. There are various scholarships available for students planning to study an MA in the UK. Some of the popular scholarships for international applicants are given below:

• Chevening scholarship
• Commonwealth shared scholarship
• GREAT scholarship
• Gates Cambridge scholarship
• Rhodes scholarship
• Clarendon fund scholarship

Salary in Top-Ranked MA Universities in the UK

Return on Investment or ROI is the most crucial aspect considered while pursuing education in the UK. Following is a list of universities that can yield better returns on their investments for international students who would graduate with an MA in UK:

UK Universities Offering MA	First-year tuition fees 2025	Estimated Salary
University of Oxford	INR 29L-INR 50L	INR 35L-INR 42L
London School of Economics and Political Science	INR 24L-INR 44L	INR 43L
University College London	INR 26L-INR 47L	INR 35L-INR 36L
University of Cambridge	INR 30L-INR 44L	INR 40L-INR 48L
The University of Edinburgh	INR 28L-INR 37L	INR 44L
University of Manchester	INR 22L-INR 38L	INR 25L
King's College London	INR 19L-INR 39L	INR 25L-INR 54L
University of Leeds	INR 23L-INR 37L	INR 30L

Top Companies Recruiting MA in UK

Check out the following companies that have hired MA graduates from top UK universities across their headquarters in the UK and other countries:

Company	Sector	Roles Hired
Deloitte	Professional Services	Audit & Assurance, Consulting, Risk Advisory
Teach First	Education	Leadership Development Program
Google	Technology	Software Engineering, Product Management
Accenture, Capgemini	IT / Consulting	Tech Consulting, Digital Engineering, Analytics
Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Siemens	Engineering / Infrastructure	Engineering and Technical roles

Akansha Katariya03-25-2022 00:00