Top Engineering Universities in UK (2026)
Top universities for Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Robotics engineering masters in UK. We rank 150 universities by QS standing, fees, scholarships and post-study work outcomes for international students.
Get a Engineering shortlist for UK.
Share your phone or email and get matched Engineering universities, fee bands, scholarship options, and visa-risk checks before you compare rankings.
Engineering shortlist
For UK applicants
Abertay University
📍 Dundee, United Kingdom
Aberystwyth University
📍 Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
Anglia Ruskin University
📍 Cambridge, United Kingdom
Arden University
📍 Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Bangor University
📍 Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Birkbeck
📍 London, United Kingdom
Birmingham City University
📍 Birmingham, United Kingdom
Brunel University London
📍 Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Cardiff Metropolitan University
📍 Cardiff, United Kingdom
Cardiff University
📍 Cardiff, United Kingdom
CEG International Education Group
CEG ONCAMPUS Loughborough University
CEG OnCampus University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) – UK North
📍 Preston, United Kingdom
City St George’s
📍 London, United Kingdom
City St Georges
City University of Hong Kong
📍 Hong Kong, United Kingdom
Coventry University
📍 Coventry, United Kingdom
Coventry University - London
📍 London, United Kingdom
Cranfield University
📍 Cranfield, United Kingdom
De Montfort University London
Durham University
📍 DURHAM, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Napier University
📍 Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Fanshawe College
Glasgow
📍 Scotland, United Kingdom
Glasgow Caledonian University
📍 Glasgow, United Kingdom
More top courses in UK
A UK master's in engineering (an MSc, what Indian students call an MS) takes 12 months and costs from £17,500 (about ₹22 lakh) at the University of Greater Manchester (Bolton), a 2026/27 fee with 2027-28 not yet published, and £19,500 (about ₹24.8 lakh) at Coventry, up to £47,250 (about ₹60 lakh) at Imperial. Accredited courses at Cranfield, Leeds, Glasgow and Southampton sit at £30,800–£36,800 (about ₹39–47 lakh). Entry is a 2:2 to first-class equivalent in engineering and IELTS 6.0–6.5, and most mechanical and electronic courses need ATAS before your visa. The Graduate visa then gives 18 months of work (2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026).
What is an MS in engineering in the UK, and how is it different from the US MS?
The UK has no "MS" label for engineering: the qualification is an MSc, a 180-credit taught master's delivered over 12 months, with two teaching semesters and a summer project. The same degree takes two years in the US, Canada or Germany. "MEng" in the UK is an integrated four-year bachelor's-plus-master's, so an Indian BE/BTech graduate applies for the MSc.
Indian engineers usually choose mechanical (Imperial, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Cranfield, Coventry, Greater Manchester), civil and geotechnical (Leeds), electronic (Southampton) or robotics (Sheffield). Check accreditation before price: the IMechE, IET and Joint Board of Moderators accredit degrees for the Engineering Council, and an accredited MSc is one half of the academic route to Chartered Engineer (CEng).
MS in engineering in the UK: tuition fees for Indian students at eight universities
International tuition for the full 12-month MSc, read from each course page on 26 September 2026. Pages state different entry years, shown below; the same degree can move £1,000–£3,000 between years, so confirm your intake's fee on the live page.
| University and course | Tuition fee | Approx. INR | Entry year | Accreditation and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial — MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering | £47,250 | ₹60.0 lakh | Oct 2027 | IMechE; £90 application fee (about ₹11,400) |
| Southampton — MSc Electronic Engineering | £36,800 | ₹46.7 lakh | 2027-28 | IET; £2,000 deposit (about ₹2.5 lakh) |
| Glasgow — MSc Mechanical Engineering | £34,815 | ₹44.2 lakh | 2027-28 | IMechE; £2,000 deposit |
| Leeds — MSc (Eng) Geotechnical Engineering | £33,800 | ₹42.9 lakh | 2027 | JBM; international deadline 30 July 2027 |
| Strathclyde — MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering | £32,800 | ₹41.7 lakh | 2026/27; check the 2027 fee | IMechE; September and January starts |
| Cranfield — MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering | £30,800 | ₹39.1 lakh | Oct 2027 | IMechE; £2,000 deposit |
| Coventry — MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering | £19,500 | ₹24.8 lakh | 2026-27 | Six start dates; placement year +£1,900 (about ₹2.4 lakh) |
| Greater Manchester (Bolton) — MSc Mechanical Engineering | £17,500 | ₹22.2 lakh | 2026/27 only; 2027-28 not published | Accreditation being sought; start date to be confirmed |
Sources: university course pages. £1 = ₹127. The Bolton fee is the overseas fee on its 2026-27 page; its 2027-28 page shows no fee yet. Study UK's general international postgraduate range is £9,000–£30,000 (₹11.4–38.1 lakh), which ranked engineering courses now exceed.
Total cost of an MSc in engineering in the UK, including living and visa costs, in rupees
Study UK budgets £900–£1,300 a month outside London and £1,300–£1,400 in London. Totals add tuition, 12 months of living at £1,100 (£13,200, about ₹16.8 lakh) or £1,350 in London (£16,200, about ₹20.6 lakh), and visa plus surcharge of £1,722 (about ₹2.2 lakh: £558 fee and £776 a year for an assumed 16-month grant).
| Scenario | Tuition | Total GBP | Total INR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Manchester (Bolton), outside London | £17,500 | £32,422 | ≈ ₹41.2 lakh |
| Coventry, outside London | £19,500 | £34,422 | ≈ ₹43.7 lakh |
| Cranfield, outside London | £30,800 | £45,722 | ≈ ₹58.1 lakh |
| Southampton, outside London | £36,800 | £51,722 | ≈ ₹65.7 lakh |
| Imperial, London | £47,250 | £65,172 | ≈ ₹82.8 lakh |
Study UK and GOV.UK Student visa and IHS pages. £1 = ₹127. Excludes flights and scholarships. Visa funds are separate: the fee balance plus £1,171 a month (£1,529 in London) for 9 months, held for 28 days.
Is an MSc in engineering accredited for Chartered Engineer status, and what about my Indian BE/BTech?
The UK route recognised under the Washington Accord is an accredited BEng(Hons) plus an accredited master's, or an accredited integrated MEng, and the Engineering Council says that recognition applies to programmes at UK universities only.
| Question | What the official pages say | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Who accredits the MSc? | IMechE (Imperial, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Cranfield), IET (Southampton, Sheffield), JBM (Leeds) | Look for the body's name on the course page |
| Is accreditation the same as CEng? | No. Glasgow, Southampton and Leeds say their MSc meets the "Further Learning" requirement for CEng | CEng also needs experience and an application to an institution |
| What if my first degree is not accredited? | Glasgow and Southampton want a CEng-accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) for full registration; Leeds offers an academic assessment | An Indian BE/BTech is assessed case by case; ask before paying fees |
| Is every UK engineering MSc accredited? | No. Greater Manchester (Bolton) is "seeking accreditation" from IMechE and IET | Cheaper but unaccredited suits a return to India better than a UK CEng plan |
Sources: Engineering Council accreditation and Washington Accord pages; Glasgow, Southampton, Leeds and Bolton course pages.
Entry requirements for a UK engineering master's with an Indian degree
Each university's India page converts marks into a UK class and overrides any general rule here.
| University | Academic requirement | English (IELTS Academic) |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial | First-class honours in science or engineering | See the English language page |
| Southampton | 2:1, with a good 2:1 (65%) in advanced maths and electronics modules | 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each skill |
| Glasgow | 2.1 in engineering, computing or physical sciences; 2.2 considered exceptionally | 6.5 overall, no subtest below 6.0 |
| Leeds | 2:1 in engineering, earth or natural sciences | 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each component |
| Sheffield (Robotics) | 2:1 with computing, maths or physics modules | 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each component |
| Strathclyde | First or second-class honours in engineering or physical sciences | See the English language page |
| Cranfield | First or second-class honours, ideally in engineering | 6.5 overall, 5.5 in each skill |
| Coventry | 2:2 or above in an engineering discipline | 6.5 overall, no component below 5.5 |
| Greater Manchester (Bolton) | 2:2 in an engineering-related subject | 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 |
Course entry pages. GOV.UK: degree-level students can be assessed for English by their university, to a standard equivalent to CEFR B2.
What should an Indian BE/BTech graduate check before applying?
- Degree length: these MSc courses assume a four-year engineering bachelor's. With a three-year BSc or a diploma-to-BTech lateral-entry degree, ask admissions in writing whether it is accepted before paying an application fee.
- Percentage conversion and backlogs: use the university's India page to see whether your percentage or CGPA reaches a 2:1 or 2:2, and declare any backlogs honestly. Offers are conditional on final results.
- Modules: Glasgow wants listed maths and mechanical modules, Southampton advanced maths and electronics, Sheffield a computing, maths or physics module. Match the course to your syllabus.
- Budget route: Coventry (IELTS 6.5, 2:2) and Greater Manchester (IELTS 6.0, 2:2) cost £19,500 and £17,500 (about ₹24.8 and ₹22.2 lakh), but compare the accreditation line first.
How to apply for an MSc in engineering in the UK from India: timeline for a September or October 2027 start
Apply to each university directly. Imperial runs rounds (round 2 closes 6 January 2027, round 3 on 10 March, round 4 on 28 April 2027); Leeds closes international applications on 30 July 2027.
Now to December 2026: shortlist and prepare
Pick 5–6 courses across three fee tiers. Gather mark sheets, degree or provisional certificate, passport, CV, two references and a statement. Final-year students apply on current results.
January to April 2027: apply and compare offers
Imperial round 2 decisions come by 3 March 2027 and round 3 by 5 May. Check each offer for the accrediting body and any ATAS requirement.
With the offer: scholarships
Glasgow's India Excellence Award (£12,500, about ₹15.9 lakh) and Strathclyde's awards use separate forms. Chevening for 2027-28 closes on 6 October 2026.
April to June 2027: accept, deposit, loan
Deposits of £2,000 (about ₹2.5 lakh) apply at Southampton, Glasgow and Cranfield. Loans come from public-sector banks (collateral) or international lenders (often non-collateral); a sanction letter counts as visa funds. Remit under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme and check current TCS treatment with your bank.
As soon as you hold the offer: ATAS
Apply to the FCDO if your course code needs it. GOV.UK says applications take at least 30 working days with no fast-track.
June to August 2027: CAS and visa
Hold the fee balance plus £10,539 (about ₹13.4 lakh), or £13,761 (about ₹17.5 lakh) in London, for 28 days. Apply up to 6 months before the course, pay £558 (about ₹71,000) plus the surcharge and give biometrics; GOV.UK quotes about 3 weeks.
Do you need an ATAS certificate for an engineering master's in the UK?
Probably, for mechanical, aerospace, electronic and robotics courses. Indian nationals are not on the exempt list Imperial publishes (Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members). Imperial says you need ATAS "to obtain your visa", Cranfield says its course "requires ATAS clearance" and Coventry says some international students may need it. The certificate is valid for 6 months for a visa application, and you must wait 90 days before reapplying for the same course and institution. Start the day the offer arrives.
Scholarships for an engineering master's in the UK for Indian students
Many awards cover 10–25% of the fee, not all of it. Amounts are as each page states them.
| Scholarship | Amount | Who and when |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow World Changers India Excellence Award | £12,500 fee waiver (≈ ₹15.9 lakh) | Up to 12 awards for Indian students on a one-year master's, 2027/28 entry |
| GREAT Scholarships (British Council) | £10,000 (≈ ₹12.7 lakh) | Indian passport holders at 13 listed universities for 2026-27 (none is in this guide) |
| Strathclyde Faculty of Engineering International Scholarship | £6,000 (≈ ₹7.6 lakh) quoted for September 2026; up to £12,000 (≈ ₹15.2 lakh) for January 2027 | Dean's International Excellence Awards (£9,000–£12,000, about ₹11.4–15.2 lakh) are also quoted for September 2026. For a 2027 start, check the live page |
| Southampton ECS scholarships | £5,000 (≈ ₹6.4 lakh) each | 12 awards for international ECS master's applicants |
| Chevening | Government-funded one-year master's | Closes 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC (opened 4 August 2026); interviews March–April 2027 |
Sources: Glasgow, Strathclyde, Southampton pages; Study UK GREAT page; Chevening timeline. £1 = ₹127. Sheffield lists awards up to £7,000 (about ₹8.9 lakh) and Cranfield professional-institution awards up to £6,500 (about ₹8.3 lakh).
Jobs after an MSc in engineering in the UK: Graduate visa, Skilled Worker pay and official salary data
The Graduate visa costs £937 (about ₹1.19 lakh) plus £1,035 a year (about ₹1.31 lakh) health surcharge and needs no sponsor. It lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months from 1 January 2027. A Skilled Worker sponsor must pay at least £41,700 (about ₹53 lakh) or the going rate, whichever is higher; Graduate-visa holders can qualify for 70% of the going rate, never below £33,400 (about ₹42.4 lakh), for up to 4 years in total.
| Occupation (SOC 2020) | Going rate | 70% new-entrant rate | National Careers Service range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2121 Civil engineers | £50,400 (₹64.0 lakh) | £35,200 (₹44.7 lakh) | £29,000–£63,000 (₹36.8–80.0 lakh) |
| 2122 Mechanical engineers | £46,800 (₹59.4 lakh) | £33,400 (₹42.4 lakh) | £28,000–£60,000 (₹35.6–76.2 lakh) |
| 2123 Electrical engineers | £58,700 (₹74.5 lakh) | £41,100 (₹52.2 lakh) | £27,000–£58,000 (₹34.3–73.7 lakh) |
| 2124 Electronics engineers | £52,000 (₹66.0 lakh) | £36,400 (₹46.2 lakh) | — |
| 2129 Engineering professionals n.e.c. (robotics, energy, mechatronics) | £46,100 (₹58.5 lakh) | £33,400 (₹42.4 lakh) | — |
| All full-time employees (ONS, April 2025) | Median £39,039 (₹49.6 lakh) | — | — |
GOV.UK Appendix Skilled Occupations, Table 1, and Skilled Worker pages; NCS ranges run from "starter" to "experienced"; ONS Employee earnings in the UK 2025. £1 = ₹127. Going rates change when GOV.UK updates the appendix, so check before accepting an offer. 2126 Aerospace engineers: £52,400 (₹66.5 lakh).
Working during the MSc, bringing family and avoiding mistakes
UKCISA says degree-level students at a sponsor with a track record can work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full time outside it; placements and summer projects matter more for graduate-scheme interviews than part-time pay. GOV.UK says that for postgraduate courses starting on or after 1 January 2024 only PhD, doctorate or research-based degree students can bring a partner or child, so a taught MSc student comes alone. Avoid choosing an unaccredited MSc and then needing CEng, and leaving ATAS until the visa window closes.
Is a UK MSc in engineering worth the money for an Indian engineer?
Frequently asked questions
How much does an MS in engineering in the UK cost for Indian students?
Tuition for the 12-month MSc runs from £17,500 (about ₹22 lakh, a 2026/27 fee) at Greater Manchester to £47,250 (about ₹60 lakh) at Imperial, with Cranfield at £30,800 (about ₹39 lakh). Add about £13,200 (₹16.8 lakh) living costs outside London and £1,722 (₹2.2 lakh) for visa and surcharge: ₹41–83 lakh all in.
Is a UK MSc in engineering accredited for Chartered Engineer status?
Many are: Imperial, Glasgow, Strathclyde and Cranfield cite IMechE, Southampton and Sheffield cite IET and Leeds cites the JBM, each for the Engineering Council. Not all are: Greater Manchester (Bolton) says it is still seeking accreditation, so read the accreditation line on the course page.
Can I get into a UK mechanical engineering master's with a second-class BTech?
Yes at some universities. Coventry and Greater Manchester ask a 2:2 equivalent, Glasgow wants a 2.1 and considers 2.2 exceptionally, Leeds and Southampton want a 2:1, and Imperial's minimum is first class. Each university's India page converts your percentage or CGPA into a UK class.
Do I need ATAS for a masters in engineering in the UK?
Often, yes. Imperial says non-exempt nationals need ATAS for its Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc, Cranfield says its course requires clearance and Coventry says some international students may need it. GOV.UK says processing takes at least 30 working days, so apply as soon as you hold the offer.
Which is the cheapest UK university for an MSc in mechanical engineering?
Greater Manchester (Bolton) is lowest at £17,500 (about ₹22 lakh) for 2026/27, with 2027-28 not yet published, and Coventry follows at £19,500 (about ₹24.8 lakh). Both ask a 2:2. Bolton is still seeking accreditation, so compare Cranfield at £30,800 (about ₹39 lakh) if Chartered Engineer status matters.
Can I get a scholarship for an MSc in engineering in the UK from India?
Yes, though mostly partial. Glasgow's India Excellence Award is £12,500 (about ₹15.9 lakh), GREAT Scholarships are £10,000 (about ₹12.7 lakh) at 13 listed universities, Strathclyde's faculty awards run £6,000–£12,000 (about ₹7.6–15.2 lakh) and Southampton ECS awards are £5,000 (about ₹6.4 lakh). Chevening for 2027-28 closes on 6 October 2026.
Official sources used on this page
- Imperial College London — MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering (October 2027): fees, entry, rounds, ATAS — Imperial College London · checked 26 September 2026
- Cranfield University — Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc: 2027-28 fees, entry, ATAS — Cranfield University · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Glasgow — Mechanical Engineering MSc: 2027-28 fees, entry, scholarships — University of Glasgow · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Strathclyde — Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc: 2026/27 fees, entry, scholarships — University of Strathclyde · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Leeds — Geotechnical Engineering MSc (Eng): fees, entry, deadlines — University of Leeds · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Southampton — MSc Electronic Engineering: fees, entry, deposit — University of Southampton · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Sheffield — Robotics MSc (2027-28 entry): entry and accreditation — University of Sheffield · checked 26 September 2026
- Coventry University — Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc: fees, entry, start dates — Coventry University · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Greater Manchester (Bolton) — MSc Mechanical Engineering, 2026-27 page: £17,500 overseas fee, entry, accreditation status — University of Greater Manchester · checked 26 September 2026
- Engineering Council — Accreditation of higher education programmes — Engineering Council · checked 26 September 2026
- Engineering Council — Washington Accord — Engineering Council · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Student visa: overview and fee — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Student visa: money you need — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Student visa: knowledge of English — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Student visa: your partner and children — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Immigration Health Surcharge: how much you pay — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Graduate visa — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: your job and salary — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: when you can be paid less — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations: going rates — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- National Careers Service — Civil engineer job profile — National Careers Service (DfE) · checked 26 September 2026
- National Careers Service — Mechanical engineer job profile — National Careers Service (DfE) · checked 26 September 2026
- National Careers Service — Electrical engineer job profile — National Careers Service (DfE) · checked 26 September 2026
- ONS — Employee earnings in the UK: 2025 (ASHE) — Office for National Statistics · checked 26 September 2026
- UKCISA — Student work — UK Council for International Student Affairs · checked 26 September 2026
- Study UK (British Council) — Cost of studying and living in the UK — British Council · checked 26 September 2026
- Study UK (British Council) — GREAT Scholarships: India 2026-27 — British Council · checked 26 September 2026
- Chevening — Application timeline 2027-28 — UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · checked 26 September 2026
- Wise — GBP to INR mid-market rate — Wise · checked 26 September 2026
Ready to study in Engineering in UK?
Get a free profile evaluation, personalized university shortlist, and expert visa guidance from our counselors.