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Integrated master's degrees explained

Develop advanced subject expertise through a single, continuous qualification.

An integrated master’s degree combines undergraduate and postgraduate study into one structured programme, helping you progress from undergraduate to master's-level study within a single qualification and potentially reducing the overall cost compared with completing separate undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

How the course is structured

You will build your knowledge progressively over four years (or five years if you choose a placement year):

Year One

Core knowledge: Build foundational subject expertise and essential academic skills.
Year Two

Development: Expand your core understanding and apply key principles to real-world challenges.
Optional Placement Year

Growth: Apply for opportunities to gain hands-on industry experience between Years Two and Three¹.
Year Three

Professional preparation: Develop advanced analytical techniques and prepare for master’s-level study.
Year Four

Specialisation: Tailor your learning through specialist modules and advanced research aligned with your career goals.

Why staying for my integrated master’s was the right choice

Rangeshh shares how his integrated master’s in Mechanical Engineering delivered real-world experience, placement opportunities and career confidence.

Read Ransgeshh's story

Why choose an integrated master’s degree?

An integrated master’s degree offers a direct pathway to gaining master's-level expertise with some meeting the academic requirements for professional registration with bodies such as the Engineering Council or Science Council.

Professional registration can significantly enhance your career prospects. For example, data from the Engineering Council (2025) indicates that registered engineers generally achieve higher earning potential and employment rates than non-registered graduates.

By choosing an integrated master's degree, you can:

develop deeper technical knowledge and practical skills that stand out to prospective employers
save on overall tuition fees compared to completing separate undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. UK students who are eligible for Student Finance may be able to access undergraduate funding for the full duration of the course without needing to apply and manage a separate loan for postgraduate study, subject to the applicable Student Finance regulations.
transition directly from undergraduate to postgraduate study without reapplying or relocating (subject to meeting academic progression criteria)
continue learning in a familiar environment alongside established peers and academic mentors
apply for a single visa covering the full duration of the course from the outset if you are an eligible international student, subject to UKVI regulations.

Visit the Engineering Council website or the Science Council website to explore professional registration standards and industry pathways.

How to Apply

Whether you are a UK or international applicant, you can apply for an integrated master’s degree through UCAS in the same way as a standard undergraduate degree. Search for your chosen course on UCAS using the course title or UCAS code to begin your application.

Master of Engineering courses

Master of Science courses

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FAQs

What if I don’t meet the entry requirements?

Can I switch between undergraduate and integrated master’s degrees?

Can I become chartered without an integrated master’s degree?

Can an integrated master’s degree improve my career prospects?

Graduating with an integrated master’s demonstrates advanced specialist knowledge and technical skills that prospective employers value. Yes, an integrated master's degree can enhance your career prospects by equipping you with advanced specialist knowledge and Level 7 qualifications. Stepping into specialised technical roles requires more than fundamental subject knowledge. It demands higher-level analytical capability and complex problem-solving skills. An integrated master's builds directly on your undergraduate foundation, using major research projects and advanced technical training to help prepare you for specialised workplace roles.

How does funding work for an integrated master’s degree?

You apply for Student Finance in the same way as a standard undergraduate degree. If your offer includes an optional placement year, we recommend applying for five years of funding upfront (four years of study plus one placement year). If you choose not to take a placement year or switch to a three-year bachelor's degree, you can adjust your funding plan. Arranging full funding from the start helps prevent administrative delays.

How does an integrated master’s degree affect my international student visa?

If you hold an offer for an integrated master’s degree that includes a placement year, you can apply for a visa covering the full five-year duration from the outset, subject to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations. If you choose not to undertake a placement or decide to graduate early with a bachelor's degree, your visa length can be updated. Applying for the full duration initially helps avoid the extra costs and processes of extending your visa later.

What’s the difference between an integrated master’s degree and an MSc?

An integrated master’s degree will add two semesters of additional study to an undergraduate degree, taking your university experience to a minimum duration of four years.

An MSc is typically a one-year standalone postgraduate degree. The fees for an MSc year are typically higher than for the additional integrated master’s year. It will require three additional semesters of study.

If I complete an MEng or MSci, will I receive two separate degrees?

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Open Days

Speak directly to academics and find out more about your integrated master’s options at one of our forthcoming Open Days. You'll also have the opportunity to take a look around our facilities.

Book your place