STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and covers various subjects and specializations that come under these 4 disciplines. If you are interested in one of these subjects, STEM education in UK is an ideal choice for you. Be it in terms of quality of education, choice of courses, research facilities, innovation or job opportunities, STEM courses in UK excel in all aspects.
We have prepared a complete guide to furnish all necessary information related to UK STEM education. In this blog, you will find a list of STEM courses in UK and details regarding top universities, eligibility criteria, application process, STEM scholarships UK, placements and more!
Why Study STEM Courses in UK?
Wondering whether studying STEM courses in UK is worth it or not? Here we have a few reasons why you must definitely consider pursuing STEM programme UK:
- Top universities: When it comes to rankings, the UK is home to several universities that have ranked among the top for their STEM related courses such as Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, etc. University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London among others are some prominent universities that rank within the top 10 in all STEM related QS subject rankings.
- Future prospects: UK offers promising career opportunities to students in terms of employment opportunities as well as salary prospects. Over 50 UK universities rank in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022 which is reason enough to understand how well employable graduates come out from UK universities especially after completing in-demand STEM courses. The scope of STEM courses is also not restricted to any particular sector as there is always demand for skilled professionals across various industries.
- World-class education: STEM education in UK is recognized worldwide for its excellent quality, high-tech facilities and contribution to research. As a graduate from UK universities, you will be valued by employers as well as welcomed by top universities to pursue research.
List of STEM Courses in UK
Various STEM courses related to Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine and Natural Sciences are highly sought after in UK universities. The list of STEM courses in UK that an international student can opt for is not limited. Among an array of options available, take a look at the 10 most popular STEM degree list UK:
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Data Science
Top STEM Colleges and Universities in UK
Having learned about the STEM degree list UK, let us take a look at the top 5 STEM universities in UK:
- University of Cambridge
- University of Oxford
- Imperial College London
- University of Manchester
- University College London
Now let us take a look at the detailed discussion of each top university with some key aspects:
University of Cambridge ranks 3rd worldwide and is the top institution in UK when it comes to Engineering and Technology and Mathematics programs. The name and reputation of the university is what makes it a dream institution for several aspirants.
University Type |
Public |
QS Rankings |
Engineering and Technology: 2 Mathematics: 3 |
Admission Requirements |
|
Average Annual Program Fees |
£26,000-35,000 |
University of Oxford ranks 1st in the UK and 2nd worldwide which makes it one of the most desirable institutions to study among international students. No doubt the university has an excellent academic and employer reputation. It is also the 2nd oldest university worldwide offering several top ranked programs.
University Type |
Public |
QS Rankings |
Engineering and Technology: 3 Mathematics: 6 |
Admission Requirements |
|
Average Annual Program Fees |
£27,000-39,000 |
Ranked among the top 10 in almost all categories, Imperial College London enjoys a long standing reputation for its excellent programs in Science, Engineering and Medicine. The university is home to more than 11,000 international students. Getting into this prestigious institution is a hard nut to crack given the competitive entry requirements.
University Type |
Public |
QS Rankings |
Engineering and Technology: 8 Mathematics: 11 |
Admission Requirements |
|
Average Annual Program Fees |
£23,000-48,000 |
Ranked among the top 50 worldwide, University of Manchester is a popular choice of institution among Indian students. It is home to nearly 600 Indian students and also the most targeted university among top employers in UK.
University Type |
Private |
QS Rankings |
Engineering and Technology: =21 Mathematics: 69 |
Admission Requirements |
|
Average Annual Program Fees |
£24,000-47,000 |
UCL is a remarkable institution in London which ranked 1st in London in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022 with average salary offers for graduates being around £30,000. It is also popularly known as London’s global university with around 48% international student body from more than 150 countries.
University Type |
Public |
QS Rankings |
Engineering and Technology: =37 Mathematics: 39 |
Admission Requirements |
|
Average Annual Program Fees |
£23,000-37,000 |
Apart from the top STEM universities discussed above, here is a table of other popular universities in UK for Engineering and Technology courses:
University Name |
QS Rankings 2022 - Engineering and Technology |
=66 |
|
=108 |
|
=110 |
|
=110 |
|
=118 |
|
=118 |
|
=126 |
|
=134 |
|
=156 |
|
=167 |
Here is a list of top universities for Mathematics courses in UK:
University Name |
QS Rankings 2022 - Mathematics |
University of Warwick |
23 |
University of Edinburgh |
=37 |
King’s College London |
=72 |
University of Bristol |
81 |
=97 |
|
110 |
|
=138 |
|
151-200 |
|
University of Birmingham |
151-200 |
University of Glasgow |
151-200 |
Eligibility Criteria for STEM Courses in UK
You must fulfill the basic eligibility criteria to pursue STEM courses in UK pertaining to:
- Educational qualifications
- Entrance tests for STEM courses UK
- English language proficiency
- Work experience
- Student visa to study in UK
Let us discuss the eligibility criteria for STEM education in UK in details:
-
Educational Qualifications
To pursue STEM courses in UK, you must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in high school. If you are applying for postgraduate programs, a STEM related bachelor’s degree is required which must be equivalent to a 2:1 or 2:2 bachelor’s degree in UK.
-
Entrance Tests for STEM Courses in UK
For seeking admission to undergraduate STEM courses in UK, you must have SAT scores unless the university you are applying to has a test-optional policy. A minimum score of 1200 is recommended for admission to competitive programs. GRE scores are a valuable addition for admission to postgraduate STEM courses however, most universities do not ask for these scores.
-
English Language Proficiency
As international students, you will have to submit proof of English language proficiency. IELTS scores are the most widely accepted English test scores in UK while universities also accept equivalent scores of other exams such as TOEFL, PTE, etc. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 for undergraduate courses and 6.5 for graduate courses is recommended while some courses may have higher requirements.
-
Work Experience
Some universities may ask you for prior work experience for admission to highly specialized graduate courses.
-
Student Visa to Study in UK
A tier 4 student visa is mandatory for international students to study in UK. You can apply for one after securing a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from a UK university.
Suggested: Top cities for STEM jobs
Application Process for STEM Courses in UK
The application process for STEM courses in UK is similar to that of courses across other disciplines. Take a look at the stepwise process to apply for STEM education in UK:
- Shortlist the STEM courses in UK you wish to apply for and check complete details regarding the application deadlines, requirements, fees, etc.
- Complete the online application available on the university website and pay the application fee. You will be able to apply for multiple undergraduate courses through UCAS.
- Submit additional documents required to support your application and wait for the admission confirmation.
- Once you receive an admission offer, reply to it promptly and go ahead with the visa process and arrange for funds.
STEM Scholarships for Studying in UK
Once you have been admitted, the next big thing you need to think about is your finances. At every step of the admission process, you will be asked for proof of sufficient funds to study in UK, especially at the time of visa application. Studying a STEM programme UK is definitely a huge investment. One of the best ways to reduce your financial constraints while studying in UK is to apply for STEM scholarships UK. In fact, the British Council offers STEM scholarships for females UK to encourage women to pursue STEM courses which is not common in other countries.
Some of the most prestigious STEM scholarships UK are as follows:
- Chevening Scholarship
- GREAT Scholarship
- Felix Scholarship
- Inlaks Scholarship
- British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM
Here is a brief discussion on the eligibility criteria and amount awarded through STEM scholarships UK:
Scholarship Name |
Details of Scholarship |
Chevening Scholarship |
These are fully-funded scholarships awarded by the UK government to Indian students with outstanding academic records. |
GREAT Scholarship |
Awarded by the UK Government for pursuing master’s degree in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Ghana, Mexico, Thailand, etc. This scholarship is worth £10,000 for one year. |
Felix Scholarship |
This scholarship is for outstanding students pursuing master’s degree in University of Oxford, University of Reading and School of Oriental and African Studies at University of London. The scholarship provides 100% of the course fees. |
Inlaks Scholarship |
Provides £72,000 for pursuing masters degrees at top universities in UK, Europe or America. To be eligible, you must be a resident of India for at least 6 months before applying and have 65-70% in previous degree. |
British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM |
This scholarship is provided by the British Council to females who are citizens of India and have a STEM background. |
STEM Courses in UK Placements
UK STEM education opens doors to careers in a variety of sectors such as IT, research, biotechnology, design, robotics, healthcare, AI, etc. Some of the top job opportunities for graduates after a STEM programme UK are as engineers in different sectors. Here is a table with different job titles offered after STEM education in UK and their respective average salaries:
Job Title |
Average Salaries |
Civil Engineer |
£67,100 |
Electrical Engineer |
£70,100 |
Design Engineer |
£68,300 |
Mechanical Engineer |
£66,500 |
Robotics Engineer |
£75,700 |
Production Engineer |
£64,600 |
Developer/ Programmer |
£68,400 |
Biomedical Engineer |
£64,000 |
Medical Technologist |
£58,600 |
AI Developer |
£83,700 |
From the above discussion, we have explored all important aspects related to STEM courses in UK that will help you make an informed decision. Not only is it a highly valued degree worldwide but also promises great returns almost 20% higher than other programs. By studying in UK, you will also get the benefits of a post study work visa in UK and work for 2 years after completing your program. STEM courses in UK provide a good ROI which is why it is desired by students across the world.
Frequently Asked Questions about STEM Courses in UK
Ques. What are the best STEM courses in UK?
Ans. Some of the best STEM courses in UK include Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, etc.
Ques. Is it worth doing STEM courses in UK?
Ans. Yes, STEM courses in UK are in high demand both among students and employers that are provided by some of the top ranked universities. You will also find that the salary packages after completing STEM courses is much higher than non-STEM courses in UK.
Ques. What is the average tuition fees for STEM courses in UK?
Ans. The average tuition fees for STEM courses in UK is between £9,000-38,000 per year.
Ques. Where can I pursue STEM courses in UK?
Ans. Some of the best universities for pursuing STEM courses in UK are University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University College London, Imperial College London and Manchester University among others.
Ques. How can I choose the best STEM university in UK?
Ans. You can choose the best STEM university in UK by checking a few important aspects starting from rankings, specializations, facilities available, fee structure, admission requirements, placement records, etc.