When it comes to UK master's degrees, many people's first impression is "one-year program." "One-year" implies "short duration," and many students and parents equate "short duration" with being "watered down," questioning whether studying in the UK is worthwhile and the value of a UK master's degree.
In stark contrast to the widespread skepticism, applications for UK master's programs are booming. This year, the number of applicants has continued to soar, making it significantly more challenging for universities, who are dubbing this the "most competitive application season" ever.
Due to the overwhelming number of applications, many UK universities have closed their 2020 master's application channels early. The University of Birmingham, for instance, closed online applications for eight business master's programs as early as November 5th:
Such a massive volume of applications raises the question:
If there is debate about the value of one-year taught master's programs in the UK, why are so many still applying?
The UK Introduces a 2-Year Post-Study Work Visa
Firstly, looking at the broader context, the US-China trade war has led to a tightening of US visa policies, both overtly and covertly, along with various unfriendly rumors about international students, causing a decline in the reputation of studying in the US.
Meanwhile, the UK study abroad market remains bright. This conclusion can be drawn from the UK government's announcement that international graduates can obtain a 2-year post-study work visa. This is not only good news for students starting in 2020, but future students will continue to benefit from this policy, indicating that applications for UK master's programs are only set to increase.
(Official UK government response to the petition regarding the PSW visa)
Longer Preparation Period, Less Exam Pressure
1 IELTS Exam
As is well known, language test scores are mandatory when applying to US graduate schools, whereas UK applications use a Conditional Offer system, also known as conditional admission:
You can apply without an IELTS score (except for some translation-related programs), or you can submit an application even if your current IELTS score does not meet the university's requirements. The university will specify in the Conditional Offer that you need to submit your full language test scores and complete undergraduate transcript about two months before the start of the course.
Compared with US graduate school applications, the language test preparation time for UK master's programs is extended by nearly a year, undoubtedly providing ample preparation space for students with weaker language foundations and tight preparation timelines.
2 GRE/GMAT
Most US programs require GRE/GMAT scores, whereas the majority of UK programs do not. This allows students applying to the UK to save time and focus on other materials.
(University of Birmingham's MPA program does not require GRE)
(UPenn's MPA program explicitly requires GRE/LSAT submission)
Only the UK's G5 universities and some highly ranked business schools will mandatorily require or strongly recommend you submit GRE/GMAT scores.
LSE's MSc Economics program requires GRE scores at the time of application:
Clearer Admission Criteria
The two most critical factors for UK master's applications: your undergraduate institution tier and your undergraduate GPA. You must meet both for your other application materials to even be reviewed.
US universities do not explicitly state undergraduate institution requirements on paper, whereas UK universities do. For students from Chinese universities, UK universities evaluate undergraduate tiers in the following ways:
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Evaluating 985 and 211 universities
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Using the Netbig university ranking
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Using the ARWU Shanghai ranking
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Having their own internal review lists
Birmingham Business School categorizes Chinese universities and has very clear requirements for undergraduate GPA:
Durham Business School has its own internal list, and other schools have clear admission standards based on the ARWU ranking:
In contrast, most US institutions set a minimum GPA standard of 3.0/4.0. Compared to the UK, this seems quite "loose" and does not specify undergraduate background requirements, but the application difficulty for US graduate schools is relatively higher.
For example, NYU's Financial Engineering program rarely admits anyone with a 3.0 GPA. The average GPA of admitted students is around 3.7. Applying with a 3.0 GPA would likely just be cannon fodder.
US universities also have stricter and more comprehensive admission standards, including hard requirements for GRE/GMAT, meticulous review of essays, and repeated checks of internship/research experience and recommenders. This is why students targeting US schools often start planning and preparing as early as their sophomore year.
On the other hand, UK universities' clear classification of undergraduate tiers and strong emphasis on GPA actually make things much clearer for applicants.
Is a One-Year UK Master's Degree Really "Watered Down"?
From a time perspective, precisely because taught postgraduate programs are one-year projects, the curriculum is more intensive. Students live in the countdown to various deadlines, facing significant academic pressure. This high-speed learning pace helps you acquire more knowledge in a short time.
The University of Cambridge's Master of Finance requires students to complete compulsory courses, electives, various projects, participate in lectures, holiday activities, career planning, etc., all within one year of study...
From an employment perspective, the "2019 Report on the Employability of Overseas Returnees" shows that among countries or regions preferred by employers, the US ranked first at 47%, and the UK ranked second at 36%, second only to the US among all study abroad destinations.
This data also proves the job market's recognition of UK graduates, refuting claims that one-year master's degrees are inferior.
The US Also Has One-Year Master's Programs
It's not only the UK that offers one-year master's programs; US graduate schools also have many programs of around one year, especially in the business field.
Some MBA programs at NYU Stern School of Business are one-year. In the 2020 U.S. News ranking of business schools, Stern is ranked 12th nationally:
Columbia University's Business Analytics program explicitly states that students can complete the program in one year. In the 2020 U.S. News ranking of business schools, Columbia is ranked 3rd nationally:
Cornell University's Master of Education program is 13 months long:
The US also has many one-year programs, showing that program length is not the sole measure of a master's program's value.
Final Words
Additionally, UK one-year programs are relatively less expensive, and UK universities rank highly in QS rankings, among other reasons why many students choose to study in the UK.
Disadvantages of UK master's do exist. For example, outside of business schools, thresholds for other faculties are relatively lower, leading to uneven overall student quality in some institutions. Also, because the program is only one year, there is relatively less time and opportunity for students to delve into a specific specialization.
Studying abroad is never a single-choice question but the result of balancing numerous factors. We advise students to carefully consider their own situation to decide if a one-year master's is right for them. Finally, we wish all students success in receiving their desired offers!
