The UK is the most popular country outside the US for studying abroad. It's no wonder, given that some of the world's most prestigious universities are located on Europe's largest island! Would you like to experience first-class education in historic buildings and a multicultural student life? Then find out everything you need to know about studying in the United Kingdom here – from the higher education system and admission requirements to popular universities for your studies abroad. We'll help you get to the island!
Great Britain combines tradition and modernity like no other country in the world. This also applies to the British higher education landscape: here, centuries-old university buildings reminiscent of castles meet the latest teaching standards and exemplary teaching materials. When studying in the UK, old values such as diligence, discipline, and a certain etiquette are just as much a part of everyday life as internationality and diversity. While students are honored for their achievements in caps and gowns, the LGBTQIA+ flag flies outside on the university campus – to name just one example.
Most of the more than 100 universities in the United Kingdom are state-run. Due to their long history, many universities decide independently on the content of their courses and the admission of students. Internationally recognized degrees, the quality of teaching, and the strength of research at these institutions attract young talent from all over the world to study in the United Kingdom every year. More than ten percent of students in bachelor's programs come from abroad, and in postgraduate programs such as master's degrees, the figure is as high as 33 percent.
Since a higher education reform in 1992, the higher education landscape in the UK has become highly diversified. In addition to universities, there are a large number of higher education institutions (HEIs) that also offer continuing education programs in the tertiary education sector. These institutions often specialize in a particular field and offer career-oriented programs. If you are interested in studying in the UK, it is important to understand that not all HEIs – often referred to as colleges – are authorized to award academic degrees. In principle, only universities and a few historically established university colleges in the UK have what is known as degree awarding power. Before you start studying in the UK, you can check this page of the UK government website to see which institutions and courses are officially recognized. This is the only way to ensure that the degree you obtain will be accepted by other universities and employers (abroad).
Munich Business School collaborates with selected universities in the UK that are renowned for their high academic standards and international environment. Here you will find the most important information about our partner universities. Discover your options for a semester abroad or a dual degree program in the United Kingdom.
Are you already excited about studying in the United Kingdom, or do you feel anxious about leaving your comfort zone? That's understandable; it's definitely a big step. But let us tell you: it's worth it! If you take a closer look, you'll quickly see that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We've listed five reasons why studying in Great Britain pays off – pretty convincing, right?
As usual, studies in the United Kingdom are divided into undergraduate and postgraduate sections.
After the three-year bachelor's program, students receive a Bachelor of Honours, divided into First Class Honours Degree, Second Class Honours Degree, and Third Class Honours Degree, depending on their final grade (exception: in Scotland, the bachelor's degree takes four years).
If you study in the UK in a master's program, you will usually receive your master's degree after just one year. The UK distinguishes between the Taught Master and the Master of Research, depending on whether the program is more focused on teaching or research. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a special form of master's degree for which you must also have several years of professional experience.
If a master's degree is not enough, you can complete a three- to five-year doctoral program to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), which are the highest university degrees in the United Kingdom.
In addition to these traditional degrees, there are several country-specific degrees in the UK, such as the Foundation Degree or the Diploma of Higher Education, which are shorter and often practice-oriented.
Traditionally, the academic year in the United Kingdom is divided into three trimesters of ten to 12 weeks each: autumn term (October to December), spring term (January to March), and summer term (April to June/July, including exams in the second half of the term). However, some universities in the United Kingdom are now switching to the semester system, as is common in Germany, for example. In any case, there are lecture-free periods around Christmas, Easter, and during the summer.
If you study in the UK, you can choose between three types of study: Single Subject Course (degree program with one major), Joint Subject Course (degree program with two majors of equal standing) or Combined Subject Course (degree program with one major and up to two minors). This allows you to tailor your studies to your interests in a very flexible and specialized way.
Within the subject area, there is a more structured approach. There is often a relatively fixed timetable with compulsory modules that must be taken and a few elective modules. This structure, combined with a general attendance requirement for lectures and seminars, ensures that most students in Uk universities complete their studies within the standard period of study and that there are few dropouts.
Although the Bologna Process in 1999 introduced the ECTS credit system in all European countries, Great Britain uses the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) instead. The principle is similar to ECTS. For every course, written assignment, and practical section during your studies in the UK, you receive credits – usually ten for a standard course. In each academic year leading up to your bachelor's degree, you must earn 120 credits – that's 12 courses per year and four courses per trimester. Two CATS points are roughly equivalent to one ECTS point.
If you study in the UK, you will receive your grades as percentages. In undergraduate programs, you need at least 40% to pass an exam. There are six grades in total: First Class (70% or more), Upper Second Class (60-69%), Lower Second Class (50-59%), Third Class (45-49%), Pass (40-44%), and Fail (0-39%).
A different, stricter grading system applies to master's programs in the UK: Here, you must achieve 50% to pass (Pass), 60% earns you a Merit, and 70% earns you a Distinction.
Studying in the UK is unfortunately not cheap. The individual universities charge tuition fees that vary greatly depending on the university, location, and degree program. To make matters worse, since Brexit in 2021, students from the EU no longer pay the same “home fees” as domestic students, but instead have to pay significantly higher tuition fees, just like all other international students. But there is also some good news: Compared to other English-speaking countries such as the US or Australia, tuition fees in the UK are lower. The fact that study programs in the UK are also shorter than in the US (three years instead of four for a bachelor's degree and one year instead of two for a master's degree) means that you can save even more money. This means that you can get your university degree in the UK more cheaply (and faster) than in the US, for example.
To give you a rough overview, here are a few figures: If you study for a bachelor's degree in the UK, you can expect tuition fees of between £10,000 and £40,000 per academic year. This corresponds to approximately €12,000 to €47,000. A master's degree usually costs between £9,000 and £30,000, which corresponds to approximately €10,000 to €36,000.
In addition to tuition fees, you will also have to pay for living expenses. Living costs vary greatly from region to region, but as a general rule, they are cheaper in the north and in rural areas than in the south and in cities. London is the most expensive city in Great Britain. Rents in particular are a major cost factor here, so you should expect living costs of around £1,400 per month.
One way to study in the UK in a more affordable way is to opt for a semester abroad in the UK instead of a full bachelor's or master's degree. If you only study in the UK for a shorter period of time, you will naturally have lower living and accommodation costs. Since you will take fewer courses during a semester abroad in the UK than you would during a full degree program abroad, you will only have to pay a proportion of the tuition fees. If you participate in an exchange program between your home university and a British partner university, the tuition fees are often waived entirely. In addition, you can take advantage of a wide range of external funding opportunities for international students – more on this in the next section. So your dream of studying abroad in the UK doesn't have to be ruined by high tuition fees! Contact the International Office at your university to find out more about the options for studying in the UK for a semester.
Don't want to miss out on a degree from a prestigious UK university? Then the Dual Degree (two-degree) program might be right for you. You will first study two semesters in a master's program at Munich Business School and then spend two more semesters in London – either at the top-ranked Queen Mary University of London, which is part of the Russell Group, or at Regent's University London, one of the most diverse and international business schools in the world. After successfully completing your studies with a master's thesis, you will have two degrees: a UK master's degree depending on your choice of subjects and a German Master of Arts from Munich Business School!
With Munich Business School (MBS), your dream of studying abroad in the UK can come true! At MBS, stays abroad are an integral part of the bachelor's and master's programs. Here, internationality is not only taught, but also lived. Of course, the United Kingdom is also represented in MBS's global network of partner universities. Get an overview of the universities in the UK where you can study with MBS.
So, you've decided to study in the UK. Great! But you've probably also heard that it's expensive. Don't let that put you off though. There are lots of ways to fund your studies in the UK, including tuition fees and living costs. Here are some ideas to get you started:
If you want to study in the United Kingdom, it's not enough to just have the necessary funds. To ensure that your application and entry into the United Kingdom are successful, you need to take care of a few academic requirements and legal matters in advance. We have listed the most important points for you:
You know you want to study abroad, but where should you go? The whole world is at your feet and you are spoiled for choice. North or south? A prestigious university that will give your career a real boost, or a semester abroad that feels more like a vacation than hard work? Ideally, you want it all. How can you possibly decide?
Our info pages will help you find the right destination and university for your study abroad adventure – whether in Europe, the US, or overseas:
Studying in the UK is a dream for many young adults – and with good reason! At the same time, studying abroad in the UK is a big step that needs to be well planned and financed. To provide you with the best possible support in organizing your stay, this FAQ section provides answers to frequently asked questions about studying in the UK.
Of course! Provided you meet the relevant admission requirements, you can study in the UK even if you are a German citizen. This means that you must have the appropriate educational qualifications (high school diploma/"Abitur" for a bachelor's degree, bachelor's degree for a master's degree, master's degree for a doctoral program) and very good English skills, which you must confirm with a recognized test. English universities place particular emphasis on good grades, relevant aptitude, and personal motivation, especially in the case of international students. You should therefore prepare your application documents, including letters of reference and motivation, with great care. If the university has admitted you to the program and you plan to study in the UK for more than six months, you must apply for a visa before departure. If you meet these admission requirements, you can study in any city in the UK, which means that as a German citizen, you can also study in London. However, please note that London's universities are among the most prestigious in the country and studying in London is therefore often more expensive than in other parts of the country.
On average, international students in the UK pay between £10,000 and £40,000 per year for a bachelor's degree and between £9,000 and £30,000 for a master's degree. Overall, tuition fees for studying in the UK are slightly lower than in the US or Australia. However, there is no general answer to the question of costs. How much it costs to study abroad in the United Kingdom depends, among other things, on which university you attend, what you study, and how long you want to study in the UK. In general, it is cheaper to study in the UK for a semester or a year than to complete an entire degree program. You may be able to save a lot of money if your home university has a partnership with a university in the UK.
Tuition fees apply when studying in the UK. So, there is no such thing as free education in the traditional sense in the UK – neither for domestic nor international students. However, there are some exceptions and financial support options that can help you study in the UK for (almost) free. Here are a few ideas:
The elite universities in Great Britain have joined together to form the Russell Group. These include:
and 15 other universities that are renowned for their academic excellence, research, and reputation beyond national borders.
Of course you can do your master's degree in the UK. In fact, it is very popular to study for a master's degree in the UK because, unlike in other European countries, the program only takes one year instead of two. This means that after just one year of master's study, you will have your degree in your pocket and can start your career. Speaking of getting off to a flying start: international graduates from British universities earn significantly higher salaries than students who have obtained an equivalent degree in their home countries. A master's degree in the UK is therefore doubly worthwhile!
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