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Make studying your master's in the UK possible with Prodigy Finance
Apply for your international student loan with us and finance your master's degree at one of the top UK colleges
Table of contents
Why study in the UK
Finance your master's degree in the UK with a student loan
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Access world-class education
Well-known worldwide for their high standard, UK universities offer a rich mix of traditional lectures and cutting-edge teaching and research methods for those interested in studying their Master’s, MBA or PH.D, making them leaders in post-graduate education.
They consistently feature in the QS World University Rankings 2024, where four out of the top 10 universities in the world are based in the UK.
From the 157 universities surveyed as part of The Research Excellence Framework in 2021 (REF2021), 41% of the research work submitted was found to be ‘world-leading’ and 43% to be ‘internationally excellent’.
Other key findings include:
More than 80% of research judged was regarded as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) in each UK nation and English region
At least 15% of research was considered world-leading (4*) in three-quarters of the UK’s universities
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The Research Excellence Framework is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions and takes place every 7 years with its initial report taking place in 2014. The next exercise is planned for 2029.
For many aspiring MBA students, it’s often not your potential that’s in question but rather finding the funds to pursue this dream. With Prodigy Finance, it’s easy to apply for an international student loan with no cosigner or collateral required - removing the financial barrier that too often prevents one from pursuing further education. Our borderless education model can help you finance your tuition costs at many of the top UK universities - helping you turn your MBA dream into reality.
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What to know about studying in the UK
The United Kingdom (UK) is home to some of the world’s oldest universities and colleges having their roots in the 12th and 13th centuries. Coming from such a strong legacy, studying in the UK offers a world-class education as well as access to a renowned global hub for excellence in education and research. Each university has its own unique offering, not just academically but from a professional and cultural aspect too.
Master’s degrees are usually assessed through a combination of exams, assignments and a mini-thesis. However, for a research-based MA degree, you will need to conduct independent research with the help of a supervisor and submit a dissertation for examination. This is sometimes called an MRes degree or MA by research.
Taught vs research masters
There are the two main types of master’s degrees to choose from which differ in teaching format:
A taught master’s degree can be similar to a bachelor’s degree in that you will have lectures, seminars, and some compulsory modules e.g. a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc).
A research masters requires more independent study with very few classes. You may instead be expected to work on a research project with the help of a supervisor. These types of programmes can be a Master of Research (MRes) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil).
In terms of choosing between a taught or research masters, it really depends on your goals. If you’re working towards a specific career, you might prefer a taught master’s that offers a more hands on approach. Whereas if you are working towards a PhD or want to work within academia, you might consider a research masters.
What are some of the benefits?
From Master’s, MBAs to PhD-level programmes, universities in the UK offer world-class academic opportunities across a range of disciplines. Each university has its own unique offering, not just academically but from a professional and cultural aspect too.
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Admission requirements
Securing your admission
Depending on the university or college you apply to, each will have particular requirements that they use to help their selection process. For many of the top schools and colleges, the acceptance standards are very high, so it helps to have a strong academic record and submit all applicable documentation that could help you stand out from the other applicants.
You’ll find specific details alongside individual course outlines. Generally, however:
For a taught master's, you'll need a qualification that’s comparable to a UK undergraduate degree, normally to 2.1 standard or above. Also, you’ll need to demonstrate enthusiasm, skill and knowledge of your discipline (and possibly relevant work experience), particular if your first degree is in another topic
For a PhD or a Master's in Research (MRes), entry requirements can be higher. You may be turned down if your first degree is not in a relevant area, and you may also need a master’s degree to study at doctorate (Phd) level
you may need to pass an entrance test for some types of course, for example the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) for the MBA
If you want to be a PhD student, you usually need to create a research proposal
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General requirements
High school degree with an ACT/SAT score for undergraduate courses
Relevant bachelor’s degree for postgraduate courses
Relevant master’s degree for Ph.D.
GRE/GMAT scores for graduate courses
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS / TOEFL / PTE test results supplied)
Letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose or letter of motivation
College or school transcripts
Completed application
Valid passport and visa
Financial support
Health care insurance
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Academic records
For admission to graduate programmes, all international students need to have a tertiary degree that is comparable to a UK bachelor’s degree.
The degree in question must be from an officially recognised institution in the country where it is based.
Official or attested transcripts for each tertiary or post-secondary institution attended need to be submitted, with certified translations of these records provided, should the records not be in English.
Whilst the requirements for degree and certificate programmes may vary from school to school, transcripts and any other documentation required must be uploaded as part of your application.
Once you receive confirmation of your admission, and accept it, you'll be asked to send an additional official transcript, as per instructions from the specific school or college applied to.
Some of our graduate-level business programmes (e.g. MBA) may require travel to the UK to fulfil particular degree requirements.
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Language fluency tests
As an international student looking to study in the UK, you are required to prove your fluency in English by taking either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS ) or Pearson Test of English (PTE) as part of the admission requirements.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS )
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
