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1 Year Masters Programs in UK for Indian Students: Eligibility, Top Universities, Fees, and Career Scope

Lakshmi Singh • 13 Mins read • 8 Aug 25

1 Year Masters Programs in UK

In this blog, we will tell you why a 1 year Masters program in 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 Masters program in UK. University College London, University of Edinburgh and University of Manchester are among the best ones that offer 1 year Masters program in UK along with some very generous scholarships for native as well as Indian students who wish to pursue masters program in UK. These universities offer the most compatible 1 year masters courses like MSc, MA, MBA, MRes, LLM, MEd in 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 Masters in the UK for international students. Whether it’s Data Science, Computer Science, Business Administration, Psychology, Architecture, Law and others, these short-term Masters courses in UK facilitate a sweet spot between quality education, affordable living and less time of your career path.

Affordable 1 Year Masters Programs in UK 2025

If you are dreaming big and running on your ambitions without being too fond of wasting time then 1 year Masters in UK is your thing. These are the affordable 1 year Masters in UK:

MRes (Master of Research)
MA (Master of Arts)
MS (Master of Science)
MBA (Master of Business Administration)

Best 1 Year Masters Programs in UK

Here we have listed some best 1 year masters 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

1 Year Masters in UK: Quick Overview

Students seeking global exposure, career advancement, and time-efficient education will surely benefit from a one year Masters program UK. Here we have tabulated some important details of 1 year Masters in 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
Accepted Exams	TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo
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 1 Year Masters Programs in UK 2025

Look at the table below for some of the top universities in UK with their rankings for a 1 year Masters in 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 1 Year Masters Program in UK 2025

If you have set the goal of studying for 1 year Masters in 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 Masters requires you to stay ahead of the game. So this section breaks down all the 1 year Masters in the UK important dates and events.

Application Start and End Date of Top Universities for 1 Year Masters in UK:

Go through the tabulated data to know the important intake timelines of some top UK universities offering one year Masters 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 Masters in UK:

This table highlights one year Masters in UK student visa timeline:

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 Masters in UK

The table below provides the scholarship deadline for 1 year Masters 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 and need-based

Why Choose 1 Year Masters Programs in UK

These points will surely help you out to make the decision about why choose 1 year masters in UK:

One Year, One Degree - 1 Year Masters in UK fast-tracks your career without putting one extra year of your life on hold.
Globally Recognized, Professionally Respected - A UK masters 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 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 Masters in UK is funded too. This helps students to survive throughout the degree in the UK.

Get insights into: Study in UK

Tuition Fees for 1 Year Masters Program in UK Universities 2025

Once you decide to study for a Masters in UK, you will probably be wondering about the cost of a 1 year Masters in UK. So if you are wrapping your Masters 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 Masters in UK options so you will know what you are signing up for but you should know that the range is varies depending on the university and the course.

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 Masters in UK: Living Cost

Tuition is just one side of the story, the other is the living cost of 1-year Masters in the UK. It depends on where you are putting up. Here is the breakdown of what 1 year masters in UK 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 Masters in the UK:

City	Average Yearly Living Expenses	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

1 Year Masters Programs in 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.

1 Year Masters Programs in UK 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 Masters 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 1 Year Masters Program in UK in 2025

You need to cross certain bars to get into 1 year masters programs in UK. Look at the 1 year masters programs in UK eligibility criteria:

Academic Qualifications Required for 1 Year Masters Programs in UK

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).

Also Read: One Year Masters in UK

English Language Proficiency for 1 Year Masters Programs in UK

Look at the table to comprehend the required English Proficiency test for Masters 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 Masters in UK and if you are experienced in the relevant field, then one academic and one professional reference is ideal.

1 Year Masters Program in the UK in 2025: Application Process

Follow these steps if you want a hassle-free application process of your 1 year masters program in UK:

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 Masters programs in UK vs in India: Comparison

You might be torn between Masters in UK and Masters 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 Masters program in UK or Masters in India:

Factor	UK	India
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
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	It is high if you work in the UK after graduation	It will be moderate and limited to Indian job market

Career Opportunities After 1 Year Masters Programs in UK

After the completion of 1 year Masters programs 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. Here are the career opportunities after 1 year masters programs in UK:

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), and between ₹12 to 20 LPA in India with UK degree.
Global Reach: Easier access to jobs in the UK, Europe and Middle East job markets.
Growth: Faster promotions, strong alumni network, and global job support.

Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Year Masters Programs in UK

Que1. Is a 1 year Masters 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.

Que2. What is the cost of studying for a Masters in 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.

Que3. What is the eligibility criteria for 1 year Masters in 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.

Que4. 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.

Que5. Can freshly graduated ones apply for 1 year Masters in UK?

Ans. Yes, most Masters courses accept freshers but only some courses like MBA require work experience.

Que6. What will be the duration of postgraduate courses in the UK?

Ans. Most full-time Masters degrees in UK are 1 year long, including MSc, MA and MBA programs.

Que7. What are top universities in 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.

Que8. Can I stay in the UK after completing my Masters?

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.

Que9. Do I need GRE or GMAT for UK Masters 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.

Que10. Is the ROI worth it for a 1 year UK Masters programs?

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 Masters in UK.