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Discover Top PG Courses in UK

Updated on 04 March, 2024

Kanika Pruthi

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

Discover Top PG Courses in UK

The United Kingdom is one of the most-preferred study-abroad destinations for Indian students. The UK Home Office noted 54% growth in the number of sponsored study visas granted in 2022 to Indian students. There were 142,848 Indians who got these visas while 20% with visas expiring in 2022 switched to the Graduate Route as well.  If you were thinking of pursuing PG courses in UK, then here is a brief guide on some important things worth knowing. 

Why Pursue Postgraduation in UK

Here are a few reasons why you should consider pursuing postgraduate courses in UK. 

  • Access to Top-notch Facilities - There are several widespread advantages of doing your PG in UK. These include access to the top faculty, facilities, and resources along with boosting your global career potential. 
  • Cost Savings- Most master’s courses have one-year durations, which mean that you can save money on tuition and living costs. 
  • Personalized Course Options - You will find several postgraduate courses that focus on specific areas. However, most of them come with modular structures, enabling greater flexibility. You can create a more personalized program catering to your interests. You can select study units or modules from varying subject segments/areas for a well-rounded academic experience. 
  • Leading Universities - The UK is home to some of the top universities in the world. In the list of the top-50 universities as per the QS World University Rankings for 2024, the country has eight institutions. The University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford are at numbers 2 and 3 respectively, with other leading institutions like Imperial College (number 6) and UCL (number 9) in the top-10. 

Types of Postgraduate Qualifications in UK

There are several kinds of postgraduate qualifications in the UK. These include the following. 

  • Postgraduate certificates- They usually cover 9-12 months and may be vocational/academic in nature. Some courses may be covered in one term (15 weeks) as well. 
  • PG diploma courses in UK- They may last for about 30 weeks and may be studied both part-time and full-time. 
  • Master’s programs- They may be taught/research-based and will require at least a year for completion. Some course types in this category include MSc, MA, LLM, MBA, MEd, MRes, and MPhil. 
  • Doctorates- These courses take a minimum of three years for completion and are offered by universities providing research exposure and opportunities. They may lead to qualifications like DPhil or PhD. 

Top Postgraduate Courses in UK 

Some of the top PG courses in UK include the following: 

Discipline

Course Types

MBA

MBA, Executive MBA, Global Online MBA, MSc in Management/Master in Management 

Economics

MSc Economics, MA Economics, MSc in Economics for Development, MPhil in Economics, MSc Applied Economics, Economics and Policy MSc

Engineering

MEng Civil Engineering, MEng Mechanical Engineering, MEng Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, MSt Construction Engineering, MSc Mechanical Engineering, MSc Aerospace Engineering, MSc Computer Systems Engineering, MSc Electronics and Electrical Engineering and Management, MSc Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Design MSc, MSc Engineering Management

Medicine and Dentistry

MSc Primary Care, MD Medicine, MRes Clinical Health Research, Endodontics MSc, MSc Dental Materials Science, MSc Nursing, Graduate Entry Medicine 

Mathematical Sciences

MSc Mathematical Sciences, MSc Pure Mathematics, Mathematical Science MRes, MSc Applied Mathematical Sciences, MSc Mathematics

Computing

MSc Computing, MSc Predictive Modeling, MSc Computer Science, MSc Advanced Computing, MS in Computing, MSc Advanced Computer Science 

Business and Management

MSc International Business and Management, MSc Business Management, Masters (MA) in Business Management, Masters in Management 

Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy

MSc Pharmacology and Toxicology, MSc in Molecular Medicine, MSc Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology, MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development, MSc Drug Discovery, MSc in Pharmacology, MSc Advanced Pharmacology, MSc Clinical Pharmacy, MPharm

Architecture, Building, and Planning

MA Architecture and Urbanism, MSc Transport Planning and the Environment, MA Landscape Architecture, MSc City Planning, MArch Architecture, MA Architectural Design, MA Architecture

Politics 

MA Politics, MSc Political Science, MA Political Science, MSc in Politics Research, MSc International Business and Politics, Public Management and Leadership (MPA)

Some other common master’s programs include Nursing, Healthcare and allied subjects along with Law, Psychology, Education and Teaching, Creative Arts and Design, and more. 

Popular Read: Best Universities in UK for MBA

Top PG Diploma Courses in UK

Some of the PG diploma courses in the country include the following: 

Discipline

Available Courses

Fashion

PGDip Creative Arts and Design, Graduate Diploma Fashion, PgD Fashion Marketing Management, PGDip International Fashion Marketing

Accounting

Accounting PGDip, Postgraduate Diploma- Accounting and Finance

Art and Design

Graduate Diploma-Art and Design, PGDip Design for Visual Communication, Graduate Diploma in Art, PGDip Advanced Architectural Design, PGDip Interior Design

Adult Nursing

PGDip Nursing (Adult), Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Adult)

Journalism

PGDip Journalism, PGDip Media and Broadcast Production, PGDip in Media and Communications, PGDip Digital Journalism

Sales and Marketing

Postgraduate diploma in sales and marketing, PGDip Global Digital Marketing, PGDip Marketing, PGDip Digital Marketing

Engineering

PGDip Civil Engineering, PGDip Mechanical Engineering with Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering, PGDip Design Engineering, PGDip Advanced Mechanical Engineering

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements may vary for PG courses in the UK, depending on the program and institution. International students may have to furnish proof of English language proficiency while possessing a 2:1 undergraduate degree/equivalent. Some courses may also require specific experience and degrees. It is always advisable to check the university website and do your research.

Cost of Studying

The average cost of postgraduate study can be around £11,000 annually. Tuition costs usually range between £4,900 and £30,000 per year. 

Read More: Cost of Study in UK

Jobs and Salaries

Here are some job roles and their average annual salaries according to Payscale. 

Job Role

Average Annual Salary

Software Engineer

£27-61,000 

Data Analyst

£22-44,000

Data Scientist

£27-56,000

Software Developer

£22-47,000

Marketing Manager

£23-55,000

Project Manager

£27-59,000

Marketing Executive 

£20-41,000 

Conclusion

As you can see, doing your PG in UK will give you valuable global exposure while opening up a world of new career opportunities with lucrative salaries. At the same time, you can study at the world’s best institutions while enjoying staying in a welcoming and cosmopolitan community. 

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FAQs

What are the most popular courses in the UK?

Some of the top courses in the UK, according to The Complete University Guide, include engineering and technology, law, biological and sports sciences, medicine and dentistry, computer science, psychology, subjects allied to medicine, and business and management studies.

Can I settle in the UK after studying?

Yes, you can stay in the UK after your studies by opting for the Graduate Route. You may stay for up to two years after completing your master’s degree, while PhD graduates may stay for up to three years to find employment.

Which city in the UK has the highest-paying jobs?

Leeds is the city which has the highest-paying jobs outside London. It is followed by Cambridge, Bristol, and Manchester. East central London, which houses the financial district, is the highest-paid zone throughout the country.

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Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

Kanika has 5+ years of experience as a writer and content developer. She has written for a wide range of industry verticals, including hospitality, restaurants, non-profits, finance, IT, HR, technology, payroll, and education. She has worked as a creator for a few leading companies and has also helped brands grow through her creative writing.

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