1 Year Masters Programs in UK : Courses, Fees, Admission 2025, Top Universities
1 Year Masters Programs in UKIn this blog, we will tell you why a 1-year Master’s in the UK might be the best decision you will make in 2025. You know the itch. The one that constantly says,” I want to level up, but I don’t wanna spend a lifetime on it.”
And that is where the UK steps in like the real deal. While most of the countries stretch postgraduate studies over 2 years, the UK flips the script with its power-packed, compact 1-year Master’s program in the UK.
You read it right. Just 12 months and one whole degree will be in your hands which is globally recognised and unlocks the career doors. That is the deal for Master's in the UK for international students. Whether it’s Data Science, Computer Science, Business Administration, Psychology, Architecture, Law and others, these short-term Master’s courses in the UK facilitate a sweet spot between quality education, affordable living and less time of your career path.
Affordable One-Year Master’s Degrees in the UK 2025
If you are dreaming big and running on your ambitions without being too fond of wasting time then 1-year Master’s in the UK is your thing. These are the 1-year Master’s in the UK:
- MRes (Master of Research)
- MA (Master of Arts)
- MS (Master of Science)
- MBA (Master of Business Administration)
Best One-Year Master's Program in UK
- MSc Business Analytics
- MSc Advanced Computer Science
- MSc Data Science
- MSc Statistics
- MBA (1-Year)
- MPhil in Advanced Computer Science
- MSc Finance
- MSc Accounting and Finance
- MSc Economics and Finance
- MSc Machine Learning
- MSc Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- MA International Relations
- MSc Environmental Change & Management
- MSc Architectural and Urban Design
- Master of Advanced Study in Applied Mathematics
- Master of Finance (MFin)
- LLM (Master of Laws)
- MSc Computer Science
- MSc Civil Engineering
- MSc Robotics
- MSc Management
Also Read: MBA in UK
1 Year Master's in UK: Overview Table
Students seeking global exposure, career advancement, and time-efficient education will surely benefit from a one-year Master’s program UK. Here we have tabulated some important details of 1-year Master’s in the UK:
Particulars | Details |
Duration | 1 year |
Top Universities | Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Warwick, Manchester |
Average Tuition Fee | £15,000 – £37,500 |
Average Living Cost | £10,000 – £13,000 Yearly |
Intake Seasons | September, January |
Program Types | MSc, MA, MBA, MRes, LLM, MEd |
Popular Disciplines | Business, Finance, Data Science, Law, Engineering, Public Health |
Course Structure | Core modules, electives, dissertation and project work |
Grading System | Distinction (70%+), Merit (60–69%), and Pass (50–59%) |
Study Mode | Full-time, with some universities offering blended or hybrid options |
University Rankings for One-Year Master’s Programs in the UK 2025
Look at the table below for some of the top universities in UK with their rankings for a Master's in the UK
Name of the University | QS World Ranking 2025 |
University College London | 9 |
University of Edinburgh | 27 |
University of Manchester | 34 |
King’s College London | 40 |
University of Bristol | 54 |
University of Warwick | 69 |
University of Glasgow | 78 |
University of Southampton | 80 |
University of Birmingham | 80 |
University of Leeds | 82 |
Application Deadlines for One-Year Master's Program in the UK 2025
If you have set the goal of studying for a Master's in the UK, do not let the deadlines sneak up on you because one missed date and the whole plan can go south. From application windows, scholarship deadlines to visa processing and intake months, everything works under a tighter schedule in the UK academic system, no loose strings and extensions.
And your plan of 1-year Master’s requires you to stay ahead of the game, it is kind of non-negotiable. So this section breaks down all the 1-year Master’s in the UK important dates and events.
Application Start and End Date of Top Universities for 1 Year Master's in UK:
Go through the tabulated data to know the important intake timelines of some top UK universities offering one year Master’s in UK:
University | Application Period |
Imperial College London | Sept 2025 – May 2025 (round-wise), will reopen for the next cycle |
University of Oxford | Sept 2024 – Jan 2025, will reopen for the next cycle |
University of Cambridge | Sept 2024 – Jan 2025, will reopen for the next cycle |
UCL | Oct 2024 – April 2025 (rolling) |
University of Edinburgh | Oct 2024 – June 2025 (5 rounds), will reopen for the next cycle |
University of Manchester | Oct 2024 – July 2025 |
King’s College London | Oct 2024 – July 2025 (varies) |
LSE | Dec 2024 – April 2025 (rolling) |
University of Bristol | Nov 2024 – June 2025, will reopen for the next cycle |
University of Warwick | Sept 2024 – June 2025 (rolling) |
Visa Application Timeline of 1 Year Master's in UK:
This table highlights the UK student visa timeline for one year Master’s in UK:
Event | Window |
Earliest application start | 6 months before program start |
For September 2026 intake | Apply from March - July 2026 |
Ideal time to apply | April – June 2026 |
Visa results turnaround | 5 days to 3 weeks |
Major Scholarships Deadlines for 1 Year Master's in UK
The table below provides the scholarship deadline for 1-year Master’s in the UK:
Scholarship | Expected Deadline | Coverage |
Chevening Scholarship | Early November 2025 | Tuition, living, travel |
Commonwealth Shared | December 2025 to Jan 2026 | Tuition, living |
Clarendon Fund | January 2026 | Full funding for Oxford students |
Gates Cambridge | October to December 2025 | Full cost, Cambridge only |
University-specific grants | Jan – March 2026 | Variable – merit & need-based |
Why Choose 1 Year Master's in UK?
- One Year, One Degree - 1 Year Master's in the UK fast-tracks your career without putting one extra year of your life on hold.
- Globally Recognized, Professionally Respected - A UK master opens doors, literally anywhere. It is recognized by UGC in India, other international academic bodies and employers worldwide.
- Less Time means Less Expenses - Master’s in the UK for international students save on tuition and living costs without compromising the quality of the degree in the UK.
- Work While You Learn and After - With a post-study work visa UK, you stay and slay with the degree.
- Scholarships That Make It Easier - 1 Year Master's in the UK is funded too. This helps students to survive throughout the degree in the UK.
Get insights into: Study in UK
Tuition Fees for One-Year Master's Program in UK Universities 2025
Once you decide to study for a Master's in UK, you will probably be wondering about the cost of a 1 year Master’s in UK. So if you are wrapping your Master’s in one year which usually stretches to two years in other countries, you are already saving on both tuition and living expenses.
This section will give you the cost of some top as well as affordable 1-year Master’s in the UK so you will know what you are signing up for but you should know that the range is huge depending on the university and the course. Take a glance at the table:
University | 1-Year Master’s Programs | Yearly Tuition Fees | Yearly Tuition Fees (INR) |
Imperial College London | Business Analytics, Statistics, Advanced Computing | £35,700 – £43,800 | ₹40 Lakhs – ₹46 Lakhs |
University of Oxford | Advanced Computer Science, Social Data Science, Pharmacology, Environmental Change and Management | £34,120 – £41,250 | ₹36 Lakhs – ₹44 Lakhs |
University of Cambridge | Architecture, Finance, Advanced Computer Science, Applied Mathematics | £40,281 – £59,076 | ₹43 Lakhs – ₹63 Lakhs |
University College London (UCL) | Computer Science, Data Science, Civil Engineering, Machine Learning | £39,800 – £43,500 | ₹42 Lakhs – ₹46 Lakhs |
University of Edinburgh | Data Science, MBA, Architectural & Urban Design | £31,600 – £43,300 | ₹33 Lakhs – ₹46 Lakhs |
University of Manchester | MBA, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics | £36,000 – £49,000 | ₹38 Lakhs – ₹52 Lakhs |
King’s College London | International Relations, Economics and Finance, Data Science, Robotics | £35,800 – £37,800 | ₹38 Lakhs – ₹40 Lakhs |
London School of Economics (LSE) | LLM, Accounting & Finance, Behavioral Science, Finance, Statistics | £28,900 – £48,500 | ₹31 Lakhs – ₹51 Lakhs |
University of Bristol | Data Science, Management, Accounting & Finance, Computer Science | £33,500 – £39,500 | ₹35 Lakhs – ₹42 Lakhs |
University of Warwick | Data Analytics, Business Analytics, Computer Science, MBA | £35,340 – £57,500 | ₹37 Lakhs – ₹61 Lakhs |
1 Year Master's in UK: Living Cost
Tuition is just one side of the story, the other is the living cost of 1-year Master’s in the UK. It depends on where you are putting up. Here is the breakdown of what living expenses cover
- Rent / Accommodation
- Food and groceries
- Public transport/travel pass
- Utility bills (electricity, water, gas, internet)
- Mobile phone and internet
- Study materials (books, software, printing)
- Health insurance (NHS surcharge)
- Personal expenses (clothing, toiletries, laundry)
- Leisure and entertainment
- Emergency / miscellaneous costs
Look at the table to know the cost of 1-year Master’s in the UK:
City | Avg. Yearly Living Expenses | Yearly Living Expenses (INR) |
London | £13,000 – £15,000 | ₹14 – ₹16 Lakhs |
Oxford | £11,500 – £13,000 | ₹12 – ₹14 Lakhs |
Cambridge | £11,800 – £13,500 | ₹12 – ₹14 Lakhs |
Edinburgh | £10,000 – £12,000 | ₹10– ₹13 Lakhs |
Manchester | £10,000 – £12,000 | ₹10 – ₹13 Lakhs |
Bristol | £10,000 – £12,000 | ₹10 – ₹13 Lakhs |
Coventry | £10,000 – £12,000 | ₹10 – ₹13 Lakhs |
One-Year Master’s Program in the UK 2025 with Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
- Fully funded by the UK government.
- Covers tuition, living expenses, travel costs, and more.
- Deadline: Usually November.
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
- For students from low income Commonwealth countries.
- Covers tuition, airfare, and stipend.
- Deadline: October.
GREAT Scholarships
- Funded by the British Council.
- Offered in collaboration with UK universities.
- Worth £10,000
- Deadline: March–May depending on university.
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
- Available for exceptional Indian students.
- Covers tuition + living expenses.
- Deadline: March–April.
Felix Scholarships
- For students from India and other developing countries.
- Full funding available.
- Deadline: January.
University-Specific Scholarships
Oxford Clarendon Fund
- Full tuition and living stipend.
- Automatic consideration if you apply by the early deadline.
Cambridge Trust Scholarships
- Multiple schemes for international students.
- Some partial, some fully funded.
Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships
- 50%–100% tuition + stipend.
- Competitive, requires strong academic background.
UCL Global Masters Scholarship
- For low income international students.
- £15,000 awarded.
Imperial President’s Scholarships
- Available for STEM programs.
- Based on academic excellence.
1 Year Master's in UK Scholarship Quick Highlights
Look at the table below to get an idea of the estimated amount of scholarships and eligibility to apply for them in 1 Year Master's in UK:
Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
Chevening Scholarship | Full tuition + living + airfare | • Indian citizen • Minimum 2 years work experience • Unconditional offer from UK university |
Commonwealth Master's | Full tuition + airfare + stipend | • Citizen of Commonwealth country • UG degree • Financial need |
GREAT Scholarship | £10,000 towards tuition | • Indian passport holder • Bachelor’s degree • Proof of English proficiency • Offer from participating UK university |
Clarendon (Oxford) | Full tuition + living stipend | • Applying for Master's at Oxford • Strong academic background • Already considered if applying by January deadline |
Inlaks Foundation | Up to USD 100,000 | • Indian citizen <30 years • Admitted to top UK college • Excellent academics |
Entry Requirements for One-Year Master’s Program in the UK in 2025
Academic Qualifications Required for 1 Year Master's
- A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Minimum 55% - 70% marks depending on the university and program.
- A 3 year undergraduate degree is accepted (like B.A., B.Sc., BCom from India).
- Some competitive programs may require:
- Specific subject background (Engineering, Economics, Life Sciences).
- Minimum 2:1 UK equivalent (60% and above in Indian terms).
English Language Proficiency for Study Master’s in UK
Look at the table to comprehend the required English Proficiency test for Master’s in UK for international students:
Tests | Minimum Score Required |
IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall |
TOEFL iBT | 88 to 100 overall |
PTE Academic | 58 to 65 overall |
Duolingo English Test | 105 to 120 (for some universities) |
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
With a focus on academic interest and goals, you can emphasize career progress with the purpose of pursuing the degree.
Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
Two academic references are preferred while writing LOR for 1 Year Master's in the UK and if you are experienced in the relevant field, then one academic and one professional reference is ideal.
How to Apply to a One-Year Master’s Program in the UK in 2025?
Choose your course and university
- Pick the desired program and university.
Check the eligibility
- Look for academic requirements, English test scores, and work experience.
Collect your documents
- Degree certificates and marksheets
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Recommendation letters
- Resume
- IELTS/TOEFL score
- Passport
Apply online
- Fill out the application form from university’s website.
- Pay the application fee.
Attend interview
- Some courses may invite you for an online interview.
Get your offer letter
- If you get selected, you’ll receive a conditional or unconditional offer.
Accept the offer and pay deposit
- Confirm your seat by paying deposit amount.
Apply for a UK student visa
- Use the CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from the university.
- Submit your visa application and required documents.
Book accommodation and travel
- Choose where to stay and book your flight.
Fly to the UK
- Arrive before the course starts and attend orientation at the university.
1 Year Master's in UK vs Master’s in India: Comparison
You might be torn between Master’s in the UK and Master’s in India. Both of them have their own vibe yet in India you have a longer degree but lower fee. But the UK? It has speed, exposure. This section is about laying it all out so you know the pros and cons of every side whether its 1 Year Master's in UK or Master’s in India:
Factor | UK (1-Year Master’s) | India (1.5–2 Year Master’s) |
Course Duration | 1 year | 1.5 to 2 years |
Global Recognition | Highly recognized worldwide | Mostly recognized within India |
Cost of Study | ₹20–35 Lakhs (tuition + living) | ₹5 Lakhs to ₹15 Lakhs |
Work Experience | Often not required | Usually not required |
Post-Study Work Visa | 2-year stay back available (Graduate Route) | Not available |
Admission Process | Based on SOP, IELTS, LORs, UG marks | Mostly merit or entrance-test based |
Exposure | International peers and global networking | Mostly domestic peer group |
Teaching Style | Practical, research-oriented, global faculty | More theoretical, academic-focused |
Return on Investment | High if you work in the UK after graduation | Moderate, limited to Indian job market |
Career Opportunities After 1 Year Master's in UK
After the completion of one-year Master’s in UK, students get diverse options of job outcomes and post-study visa in the UK too. And if you continue living in UK you can earn up to ₹30 to 45 LPA.
- Work Options: 2 year post-study visa in the UK with global job opportunities in MNCs, tech, finance, and consulting.
- Salary: ₹30 to 45 LPA (UK), ₹12 to 20 LPA in India with UK degree.
Global Reach: Easier access to jobs in the UK, Europe and Middle East - Growth: Faster promotions, strong alumni network, and global job support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. Is a 1-year Master’s degree from the UK valid internationally?
Ans. Yes, UK Master’s degrees are globally recognized and accepted for both employment and further education in most countries.
Ques. What is the cost of studying for a Master's in the UK for Indian students?
Ans. Tuition fees range from ₹12-25 lakhs, and living expenses add another ₹8–10 lakhs depending on the city and lifestyle.
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for 1-year Master’s in the UK?
Ans. You need a Bachelor’s degree (55–60%), IELTS 6.5+, and sometimes work experience. Specific criteria vary by course and university so keep track of official websites.
Ques. Are scholarships there for international students in UK Masters programs?
Ans. Yes. Many universities and UK government bodies offer scholarships like Chevening, GREAT, Commonwealth, and university-specific grants. These scholarships can cover part or maybe full tuition.
Ques. Can freshly graduated ones apply for 1-year Master’s in the UK?
Ans. Yes, most Master’s courses accept freshers but only some courses like MBA require work experience.
Ques. What will be the duration of postgraduate courses in the UK?
Ans. Most full-time Master’s degrees in UK are 1 year long, including MSc, MA, and MBA programs.
Ques. What are top universities in the UK Master’s degrees?
Ans. Top choices are University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, LSE, Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh, and University of Manchester.
Ques. Can I stay in the UK after completing my Master’s?
Ans. Yes, international graduates can apply for the Graduate Route, which enables you to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after your degree.
Ques. Do I need GRE or GMAT for UK Master’s programs?
Ans. Not usually. Most courses don’t require GRE or GMAT. But GMAT may be needed for some MBA programs at top B-schools.
Ques. Is the ROI worth it for a 1-year UK Master’s?
Ans. Yes, if you work in the UK or a global firm post-graduation. Higher salaries, faster career growth, and global exposure justify the cost of Mater’s in UK.