The UK has come to be identified with world-class academic excellence through the provision of a flawless combination of innovative learning in higher education and wonderful career opportunities. For Indian students, the desire for studying a master’s degree in the UK can only be truly high. Be it the glamour of studies at world-class universities or the possibility of establishing a well-established global career, the UK has it all to offer.
The latest figures present a clear scenario of this trend as 110,006 students were issued UK student visas until the end of June 2024. But what’s actually driving this ongoing trend? Why are so many Indian students filling their suitcases and flying to the UK for postgrad studies? Well, our latest article has the answers, especially when it comes to masters in UK. Read on to learn the top 10 reasons for this trend.
The United Kingdom has been a attraction for Indian students wanting to study first-class higher education. The following are some of the prominent reasons that made the UK continue to be one of the leading destinations for Indian students, especially those looking for master’s degrees:.
UK houses some of the world’s most famous Universities and Institutions. The majority of them have never ceased to function and now bear the distinction of being the oldest and best universities in the world. For example, the University of Oxford was founded in 1096 and it is currently ranked 3rd globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. Other than this, 3 other UK Universities are among the top 10, which indicates the time-tested centuries of legacy of always being ranked as among the best in the world.
For Indian students, the chance to tread the same sacred corridors as Nobel laureates, world leaders, and business visionaries is another dream fulfilled justification for the popularity. Even outside the crème-de-la-crème category, other top universities have sterling academic reputations with programs that are internationally recognized and extremely sought after by employers.
UK universities are known to design master’s degree courses in line with the requirements of the contemporary job market. Industry practitioners collaborate to craft courses in such a way that students acquire theoretical knowledge as well as practice-based insights. The UK universities also focus on incorporating internships, case studies, and projects based on real-life scenarios, in order to foster industry-specific skills during the academic term.
Departments such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Management, Engineering, Economics, Psychology, Architecture, Construction Management, Nursing, Healthcare and Renewable Energy are more in vogue. It provides Indian students with the opportunity to specialize in domain areas of the future.
One of the major benefits of UK master’s courses is that they last one year, as opposed to two years in most other leading nations. This not only saves time for students but also saves tuition fees and living costs.
A few of the most sought-after courses are:
These programs offer holistic learning experiences within this limited period. It also allows students to join the workforce earlier without sacrificing education quality.
To the surprise of many, it is possible to study masters in UK inexpensively on the Indian student’s pocket. Most master’s programs range from about £11,300 (About INR 12 lakhs) to £20,000 (About INR 21 lakhs). This is very competitive with US or Australian universities. The UK is a favorite among Indian students because of this affordability coupled with the quality of education.
One more reason contributing to its popularity is the UK’s dedication to making education accessible is clear in the form of its huge scholarship programs. Some of the elite scholarships are only for Indian students. They are:
Most of them are fully-funded that cover fees and living cost for outstanding applicants. Many UK universities also offer merit-based scholarships to Indian applicants such as excellence awards, and vice chancellor’s awards. These also get automatically awarded and vary from GBP 1000 to GBP 5000. Other scholarships give full or partial funding for Indian students in a range of fields.
The UK is one of the leading nations in research output, so it is a good place for students to pursue higher academic studies. Russell Group Universities are ahead of the curve with pioneering research in fields like robotics, medicine, and global warming.
Indian students who wish to pursue research-based master’s degrees have access to world-class laboratories, experienced guidance, and an opportunity to be a part of globally relevant projects.
For Indian students who have a bachelor’s degree in English, most UK universities do not require IELTS or TOEFL or if you possess satisfactory marks in 12 boards.
This reduces the application process, effort, time, and cost. A few of the UK are popular for waiving language proficiency requirement on a case-by-case basis, thus they are highly sought after by Indian applicants.
UK universities UK graduates are highly in demand among employers globally. The Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023 found that more than 90% of UK postgraduate master’s graduates find employment or go on to further study within six months of finishing their degree.
For Indians, graduating from a reputed, internationally recognized university gives their CV the required boost, paving the way for an advantage in global job markets. Sectors such as Technology, Healthcare, and Finance are exceptionally rewarding for UK graduates.
The launch of Graduate Route Visa in 2021 has been a windfall for foreign students. The visa enables foreign students, including Indians, to remain and work in the UK for a maximum period of two years following masters studies.
The policy gives students priceless global work experience that helps them begin their professional lives on an international platform after education in the UK.
Access to the UK National Health Service (NHS) is a gigantic relief to Indian students. By paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at the time of their visa application, the students have free access to medical care for the entire stay. This extended health coverage allows the students to concentrate on their studies without anticipating any sudden health expenditure.
Concluding this article, with so many great advantages, the UK has solidly placed itself as one of the best places to go for Indian students who want to pursue a master’s degree. If you are looking to pursue your master’s degree in the UK for the next academic intake, then Career Width is here to help you have a smooth and hassle-free experience. From selecting the ideal university to the UK student visa application, we have you covered at each step of studying abroad.
CareerWidth was created to aid in the holistic development of the students that join us. We have life skills training and workshops, career counselling, psychometric testing, and much more…
Copyright © 2025 Career Width