Top 10 Courses in Demand in UK 2024: Best Courses For ROI & Job Prospects

If studying abroad is on the agenda, the UK remains a top choice, celebrated for its prestigious universities and wide range of courses. The UK's education system, known for its global influence, attracts over 600,000 international students annually, providing diverse and impactful educational experiences. It’s essential to weigh both personal interests and potential return on investment (ROI) when choosing a course. This blog delves into the top 10 courses in demand in UK, offering crucial insights to help make an informed decision. 

Top 10 Courses in Demand in UK

For many, the cost that goes behind one’s education needs to be substantiated by the money they make as well as the employability when it comes to the jobs the courses help them land. Hence, in this blog, we will take you through the top 10 courses in demand in UK. 

1. Medicine

Expected Salary: £28,000 - £35,000/year
Employability Rate: 99%
Course Duration: 5-6 years
Fees: £30,000 - £50,000/year
Eligibility Criteria: High A-level grades in science & completion of UKCAT or BMAT
Popular Programs:  MB BChir, BSc Medicine, MBBS Medicine, and BMBS Medicine
Job Prospects: Doctor, General practitioner, Surgeon, Academic Researcher, Epidemiologist 

Medicine is one of the top 10 courses in demand in UK. Considering that the UK provides public healthcare to all of its citizens, which means that healthcare is free at the point of need and is covered by the taxpayers’ money, it makes sense why this is one of the best courses to study in UK. Medicine-related subjects such as radiography, physiotherapy, therapy, and speech therapy all fall in our top 10 courses in demand in UK. And, you have several best universities for medicine in UK for your further studies.

Top Universities for Medicine in the UK

1. University of Oxford (BCh, MBBS/MBChB)
2. Imperial College of London (BCh/MBBS)
3. University College London (BCh/MBBS)
4. University of Liverpool (B.Sc/M.Sc in Physiotherapy)
5. University of Plymouth (B.Sc Radiography)

2. Engineering

Expected Salary: £35,000 to £65,000/year
Employability Rate: 92%
Course Duration: 3-4 years
Fees: £27,000 to £48,000/year
Eligibility Criteria: HSC with physics or math as a compulsory subject
Popular Programs: MEng Chemical Engineering, MSc Civil Engineering, and MSc Mechanical Engineering
Job Prospects: Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Civil Engineer

Engineering is a field that draws thousands of students domestically and from overseas, and for good reason. It is one of the top 10 courses in demand in UK, especially when you consider that the profession has been growing ever since its inception and doesn’t look like it will stop any time soon. Rest assured, these popular courses in UK for international students will have your hands on some of the highest-paid engineering jobs in UK. If you are planning to study in STEM courses in the UK, then below are the top universities for engineering.

Top Universities for Engineering in the UK

1. Imperial College London (M.Eng Civil Engineering)
2. University of Cambridge (M.Sc Engineering/M.Phil Advanced Chemical Engineering)
3. University of Oxford (M.Sc in Energy Systems/M.Sc in Engineering Sciences)
4. University of Manchester (M.Eng Computer Sciences/M.Eng Chemical Engineering)
5. University of Nottingham (M.Eng Aerospace Engineering/ B.Eng Chemical and Environmental Engineering)

3. Veterinary Medicine

Expected Salary: £35,000 - £60,000/year
Employability Rate: 95.9%
Course Duration: 5-6 years
Fees: £30,000 - £50,000/year
Eligibility Criteria: International Baccalaureate 36-38 points and AAA including chemistry, biology or Physics
Popular Programs: BSc in Veterinary Medicine and MSc in Veterinary Medicine
Job Prospects: Animal Welfare Activist, Physiotherapist (animal), Ecologist, Research Writer, Veterinary Surgeon

Veterinary Medicine essentially refers to animal healthcare and everything that might be related to it. With much awareness around the globe surrounding animal welfare and adoption, veterinary medicine has been one of the top courses in UK for international students. As long as people foster pets and co-exist with them, veterinary medicine will continue to be relevant, therefore earning a spot in our list of the top 10 courses in demand in UK.

Top Universities for Veterinary Medicine in the UK

1. University of Edinburgh (BVMS Veterinary Medicine)
2. University of Nottingham (Veterinary Medicine and Surgery)
3. University of Glasgow (BVMS Veterinary Medicine)
4. University of Cambridge (Vet. MB Veterinary Medicine)
5. University of Liverpool (B.VSc Veterinary Science)

4. Education Studies

Expected Salary: £35,000 - £40,000/year
Employability Rate: 94.4%
Course Duration: 3-4 years
Fees: £15,000 - £35,000/year
Eligibility Criteria: CGPA 8 on a scale of 10 and a TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.0
Popular Programs: BEd in Education and BA in Education
Job Prospects: Teacher, Career Counselor, Counsellor, Family Support Worker

An educational studies background comes in handy when it comes to understanding the pedagogy and mentality behind constructing educational curriculums for various educational institutes around the world. As one of the top 10 courses in demand in the UK, education studies equip you with the knowledge to understand education psychology and how to teach aspiring students the right way.

Top Universities for Education Studies in the UK

1. University of Cambridge (BA Education Studies)

2. University of Oxford (M.Sc Linguistics and Education)

3. University of Edinburgh (BA Initial Teacher Education)

4. King’s College London (MA Educational Studies)

5. University College London (BA Education/B.A Early Childhood Education)

5. Law

Expected Salary: £25,000 - £45,000/year
Employability Rate: 90%
Course Duration: 2-3 years
Fees: £20,000 to £40,000/year
Eligibility Criteria: A-levels or equivalent in law-related subjects, which depend on the university
Popular Programs: LLB, LLM, and LLM Corporate Law
Job Prospects: Lawyer, Law Professor, Private Investigator, Management Consultant

The law system is one of the oldest, and most demanded courses in the UK. When it comes to the top 10 courses in demand in the UK, the law often makes it to the top of the list. It covers the ins and outs of the legal system and teaches individuals important fundamental skills to navigate this system. In fact, there are several best law schools in the UK to pursue law.

Top Universities for Law in the UK

1. University of Cambridge (LLM)
2. University of Oxford (BA Law)
3. London School of Economics (LLB)
4. University College London (LLM)
5. University of Glasgow (LLM International Law)

6. Architecture

Expected Salary: £35,000 - £50,000/year
Employability Rate: 98%
Course Duration: 3-5 years
Fees: £22,000 to £45,000/year
Eligibility Criteria: A-levels or equivalent, a portfolio of work may be required
Popular Programs: BA in Architecture, BSc in Architecture, and Master of Architecture
Job Prospects: Interior Designer, Architect, Graphic Designer, CAD Technician

Have you been fascinated by the Burj Khalifa? Have you ever wondered how the Turkish alleyways look so confusing, yet they are one of the smartest street plans ever created? If yes, an architecture degree is perfect for you. With ever-growing populations and preferences for home planning around the world, architecture is one of the top 10 courses in demand in UK. And you won’t have to worry about college as you will find some of the best architecture universities in UK.

Top Universities for Architecture in the UK

1. University of Cambridge (BA Architecture)
2. University of Bath (B.Sc Architecture)
3. University of Sheffield (MA Architecture)
4. Loughborough University (B.Arch)
5. Cardiff University (B.Sc Architecture/M.Arch)

7. Biological Sciences

Expected Salary: £22,000 - £50,000/year
Employability Rate: 89%
Course Duration: 3 years
Fees: £20,000 to £40,000 /year
Eligibility Criteria: a minimum of two A levels, including biology and preferably chemistry
Popular Programs: BSc in Biological Sciences and MSc in Biological Sciences
Job Prospects: Biochemist, Clinical Scientist, Zoo Biologist, Genetic Counselor, Health Communication Specialist

Biological Sciences, like medicine and other allied medicine subjects, are among the best courses to study in UK for international students. Students thinking of pursuing this subject would have to learn from a curriculum that examines the intricacies of the animal kingdom and various ecosystems. This study of living beings makes it one of the high demand courses in UK.

Top Universities for Biological Sciences in the UK

1. University of Cambridge (M.Phil in Biological Science)
2. Imperial College London (B.Sc in Biological Science)
3. Durham University (B.Sc Biological Sciences)
4. King’s College London (B.Sc Biomedical Science)
5. University of Bath (PhD Biological Sciences)

8. Economics

Expected Salary: £30,000 - £50,000/year
Employability Rate: 93%
Course Duration: 2-3 years
Fees: £16,000 to £30,000/year
Eligibility Criteria: Level - AAB
Popular Programs: BA in Economics and MA in Economics
Job Prospects: Economist, Financial Risk Expert, Personal Finance Advisor, Data Analyst

Adam Smith, JM Keynes, David Ricardo, and you? If you have ever wondered if you have what it takes to become the next pioneer in the field of economics, look no further. As one of the top 10 courses in demand in UK, economics delves into how the world’s economy functions and how you can perfect it along the way. Economic graduates can land jobs in the government, in academia, and even in corporations. 

Top Universities for Economics in the UK

1. London School of Economics and Political Science
2. University of Oxford
3. University of Cambridge
4. London Business School
5. University of Warwick

9. Business and Management

Expected Salary: £30,000 - £45,000/year
Employability Rate: 94%
Course Duration: 2-3 years
Fees: £30,000 to £80,000/year
Eligibility Criteria: International Baccalaureate or TOEFL 92-100
Popular Programs: MBA in Management, MS in Business Analytics, and BSc in Business Analytics
Job Prospects: Project Manager, Clients Service Manager, CEO, Business Analyst

Business and management involve all aspects of overseeing and running a business successfully, from financing it to ensuring smooth operations and even customer service and satisfaction. They require significant leadership skills, multidisciplinary knowledge, and a critical mind, making them one of the top 10 courses in demand in UK. 

Top Universities for Business and Management in the UK

1. University of Oxford (BA in Economics and Management)
2. King’s College London (B.Sc Business Management)
3. University of Bath (B.Sc Business Management)
4. University College London (M.Sc Management)
5. University of Warwick (B.Sc Management)

10. Data Science

Expected Salary: £55,000 - £60,000/year
Employability Rate: 96%
Course Duration: 3-4 years
Fees: £23,000 - £35,000/year
Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like computer science, statistics, math or engineering
Popular Programs: MSc in Health Data Analytics & Machine Learning, MA in Big Data in Culture & Society, and MSc in Data Science & Analytics
Job Prospects: Database developer, Statistician, Data Architect, Data Engineer

One of the prime examples of the top 10 courses in demand in UK is data science, which remains incredibly popular and promises a higher likelihood of securing a well-paying job. Data science involves studying data to find useful business insights. This field blends mathematics, statistics, artificial intelligence, and computer engineering to analyze large data sets. You can choose from a range of master's courses in UK for Data Science!

Top Universities for Data Science in the UK 

1. University College London (MSc in Data Science)
2. University of Edinburgh (MSc in Data Science)
3. Imperial College London (MSc in Data Science)
4. University of Manchester (MSc in Data Science)
5. University of Leeds (MSc in Data Science) 

Student Visa Requirements to Study in the UK

To study in UK, students must meet certain visa requirements. These include:

1. A valid passport
2. English proficiency test
3. GMAT or GRE for master’s
4. Letter of recommendation
5. Academic transcripts
6. Statement of purpose

And there you have it, our list of the top 10 courses in demand in UK. These courses have been curated considering the ROI of your finances and the energy and time you invest in your studies. Now that you know the top 10 courses in demand in UK, go out there and chart your path to success!