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Posted Sept. 23, 2025

What is an integrated masters degree?

What is an integrated masters?

An integrated masters degree is a single course that combines both undergraduate and postgraduate study. Students can choose to undertake an integrated masters degree instead of studying a bachelors degree followed by a standalone masters degree.

In the UK the standard length of a bachelors (undergraduate) degree is three years and the standard length of a masters degree is one year. In accordance to this, the standard length of an integrated masters degree is four years – although students on an integrated masters degree often undertake an internship or work placement / year in industry between the first three years of study and their final year – bringing their total time under the guidance of the university to five years. Please note: when undertaking a year in industry during their degree studies, students in the UK are required to pay a nominal amount to their university to hold their place on the course.

Integrated masters degrees are particularly common in STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – and are usually designed for students who already know they want to pursue an advanced level of study without taking a break between undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

How does an integrated masters work?

An integrated masters is one single, continuous course. Students will typically spend the first three years of their course covering the undergraduate content of the subject, and then during the final year they will study the masters-level content. Students will then come out with a masters qualification – eg MEng or MSci (Masters of Engineering or Masters of Science). However, they will not also get a bachelors qualification (BSc) to reflect the first three years of their studies.

Differences between an integrated masters and a standalone masters

This table illustrates the main differences between studying an integrated masters degree and studying a bachelors degree plus a standalone masters degree in the UK.

 

Integrated Masters

Bachelors Degree +
Masters Degree

Admission

Application in the UK made through UCAS at the start of the course. Student automatically continues to the masters-level study as long as adequate grades are met

Application for bachelors is made through UCAS. Upon completion of the UG degree, the student needs to apply for their masters course, usually directly to the university

Course Structure

One continuous course

Two separate courses – a bachelors degree followed by a masters degree

Course Duration

Usually 4 years

Usually 3 years followed by 1 year – although the gap between the courses can be as long as the student wants

Funding

For UK students, course fees should be covered by undergraduate student finance for the full term of the course

The student will have to apply for separate funding for their masters degree

Qualification

Masters degree (usually no recognition of a bachelors-level qualification)

Bachelors degree plus masters degree

Flexibility

Student is committed to masters-level study from the start. However, there is usually the ability to switch down to a bachelors version early in the program if required grades are not being met

Upon completion of their bachelors degree the student is free to apply for a masters degree in whatever field they want to at a university of their choice – grades allowing, obviously!

 

What are the benefits of studying an integrated masters course?

Integrated masters courses can make life easier and in some cases less costly then studying a bachelors degree followed by a masters degree. This is because the student continues seamlessly onto their masters-level study without having to research options and reapply for a masters degree once their undergraduate degree has been completed.

The tuition fees of the final year of an integrated masters will be the same as the previous three years of academic study (for the academic year 2025/26 this is £9,535 per year in the UK).

Integrated masters students are also able to use government-backed undergraduate student loans to cover their costs for this final year of study.

The student will also get continuous education and support from the same institution – this is great if they are studying at a university they love with supervisors that specialise in their specific field of interestand that they share a good rapport with.

What are the downsides of studying an integrated masters?

Although an integrated masters degree is a great option for students who know what their specific area of interest is from the start, they give students less time to decide what they want to study in the future and cannot accommodate their interests if they want to change focus altogether.

Integrated masters degrees are not flexible if the student decides they want to study at a new university once they reach masters degree level. This is particularly relevant if the student is keen to study a masters degree at a more prestigious university than their bachelors degree – which can become possible if high grades are achieved at undergraduate level.

What factors do you need to take into account to make your decision?

Are you set on your subject? If so, an integrated masters could be a good choice. If you think your interests may change, a separate UG and PG program could be the right decision.

Do you love a specific institution? If you have always wanted to attend a particular university and you are sure it will meet up to your expectations, an integrated masters could be the way forward. If you are likely to get itchy feet and want to experience more than one HEI, you should consider studying a bachelors degree followed by a standalone masters.

Is funding an issue? If you are likely to need maximum funding support, then an integrated masters degree could provide you with more reliable government-backed funding. Plus, integrated masters tuition fees for that final year can also be slightly lower than the tuition fees of a standalone masters degree at a prestigious university. However, reliable funding is available for postgraduate study, including the UK government’s Masters Loan and our Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries.

Are you likely to want a break? If you think maintaining momentum is the way forward for postgraduate success and continuing seamlessly onto masters-level suits your study style, then consider an integrated masters. On the other hand, if you are worried you may burn out and need a break, then a standalone masters will give you the space to take a pause.

If you want more qualifications on your CV and more letters after your name – BSc, MSc – then a standalone masters degree after your undergraduate studies is the right choice. If you are happy knowing that you have achieved a masters-level qualification, then go ahead with the integrated masters.

Looking for your perfect masters degree course? Use our course search to find your perfect postgrad program.

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