Popular Courses to Study in the UK in 2027: What Students Need to Know
Choosing a course in the UK is about more than simply following the most popular degree. In this Global Reach podcast, Arunima Bhattacharya speaks with Chandrani Mukherjee about the courses currently attracting student interest, including AI, Data Science, FinTech, Supply Chain, Healthcare and more. They also discuss MBA versus specialised master's degrees, eligibility for students from different academic backgrounds, one-year master's courses, placement opportunities and the January versus September intake.
For Indian students considering the Study in UK for 2027, some areas are attracting particular attention. STEM Courses continues to be a strong choice, while courses in FinTech, Supply Chain, Marketing and healthcare are also being considered by students from various academic backgrounds.
But there are also plenty of questions around these choices.
Is AI a better fit than Data Science? Does Data Analytics require Mathematics? Should a fresher pursue an MBA or a specialised master's? Can a student from a non-commerce background move into business courses? And what about students looking at healthcare-related careers?
To address these questions, Arunima Bhattacharya, Senior Counsellor and Project Lead for Global Reach's University Application Portal (UAP), spoke with Chandrani Mukherjee, an international education professional with nearly two decades of experience, particularly across UK and Ireland higher education.
Arunima Bhattacharya has over 12 years of experience with Global Reach, where she has worked as a Senior Counsellor and taken on leadership and managerial responsibilities. She currently serves as Project Lead for the University Application Portal (UAP), overseeing application processes and coordinating with students, counsellors and university stakeholders.
Her experience also includes university and counsellor familiarisation visits across destinations including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and Singapore. These experiences have given her first-hand exposure to universities, courses, admissions and the international student experience.
Chandrani Mukherjee is an international education professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the education industry, specialising in UK and Ireland higher education, client servicing, relationship management and business development.
She has previously served as Operations Head - East India at the University of Sussex and Destination Manager - UK & Ireland at IDP Education and now with Global Reach as Assistant Vertical Head (UK). She holds a Master's in Genetics and a PGC in International Business from IIM Calcutta and has extensive international exposure through her work with universities, academics and course leaders across the UK and Europe.
To read the full transcription on Popular Courses in the UK for 2027, click here
The UK courses students are asking about in 2027
1. What are some of the STEM courses that are currently in demand in the UK for 2027?
You have to be a little particular about the subject. Artificial Intelligence is one of the most upcoming areas, followed by Machine Learning. FinTech Courses in UK is also becoming very popular among students. Sustainable Energy is another important area, particularly in Scotland, where there is significant research in this field. Robotics is also becoming increasingly popular in the UK.
2. Students often get confused between Data Science, Data Analytics and AI. How should they understand the difference?
AI is very research-based course and takes you into deep technology. Data Science Course in UK is different, as it prepares you for roles as a data scientist. Data Analytics is more analytical and can lead to roles such as a business analyst.
Data Scientists can work across different sectors, including healthcare, defence and pharmaceuticals.
3. Is Mathematics required for these courses?
For Data Analytics or Business Analytics, you don't necessarily need Mathematics. But if you are planning to Study in UK for course AI or Data Science, having Mathematics in Standard 12 is important.
4. Is an MBA still worth considering in the UK, especially for Indian students?
An MBA can still be valuable, particularly if it is from a leading university such as a Russell Group university, Imperial or London Business School.
However, if you are a fresher, a specialised master's may make more sense. You could look at areas such as HR, Marketing, Supply Chain or Finance, depending on your interests.
5. When would you recommend an MBA over a specialised master's?
An MBA makes more sense when you have work experience, particularly around three years of managerial experience. If you are a fresher, I would suggest looking at a specialised master's instead.
6. If a student doesn't want to do a generic MBA, what other business courses can they consider?
FinTech and finance-related courses are becoming very popular, as are Investment Banking courses. Supply Chain and Logistics have also become popular, particularly after Brexit. MSc Marketing continues to be a popular option as well.
Yes. One of the advantages of Studying in the UK is the flexibility in entry requirements. For example, someone with an engineering background can move into Marketing, while someone with a bachelor's degree in English can move into HR.
The Institution in UK can also be flexible when it comes to Mathematics requirements for certain courses such as Data Analytics.
8. Why are one-year master's courses in the UK so popular?
A one-year master's gives students the opportunity to complete their studies sooner while still covering the required credits. The courses are quite intensive, though, and students should be prepared for a demanding academic schedule.
Medical and healthcare students can look at courses such as a Master's in Public Health, Master's in Global Health, Health Psychology and Mental Psychology.
For students considering an MBBS or MD in the UK, the process can be quite demanding in terms of cost, marks, interviews and duration. That's why many students consider these related master's courses instead.
10. What kind of opportunities can students from Nursing or Pharmacy backgrounds explore after their master's?
For Pharmacy, students need to complete the required examinations and qualifications to become a Pharmacist in the UK. They can then look at opportunities in local hospitals and healthcare organisations.
For Nursing, a High IELTS Score is required. The discussion mentions a minimum IELTS band requirement of 7.5. The UK healthcare sector has a significant requirement for healthcare workers.
11. Can a commerce student move into healthcare-related courses in the UK?
It would be difficult without a biological background. Students generally need some background in subjects such as Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Botany or Zoology to move into healthcare-related courses.
12. What should students look for when choosing a master's course?
Combined or Dual-Specialisation Courses in UK can be a good option. For example, instead of choosing plain MSc Marketing, students could look at MSc Marketing with Entrepreneurship. Other options include Supply Chain, Data Analytics for Healthcare and Engineering with Management.
13. What are the advantages of choosing a course with a placement year?
For undergraduate students, a sandwich course allows them to study for two years, spend a year working and then return for their final year. This gives them the opportunity to gain practical experience before completing their degree.
For master's students, an additional placement year gives employers more time to observe their work and gives students valuable industry experience.
14. Are placement years generally paid?
Yes, most placement years are paid. The additional fees involved can potentially be offset through the earnings from the placement.
15. For students planning to study in 2027, should they consider the January or September intake?
September remains the primary intake, but there are now many courses available in January as well, including courses offered by some Russell Group Universities.
January can also mean less competition compared with September. If a student's preferred course and university are available in January and they are ready to start, it can be an option worth considering.
Final thoughts:
There is no single course that works for every student planning to study in the UK. The right choice depends on academic background, career plans, subject interest and the kind of experience a student wants to gain during their studies.
The discussion also highlights why students should look beyond course titles. Whether it is choosing between AI and Data Science, deciding between an MBA and a specialised master's, moving into healthcare or considering a placement year, understanding the course and its requirements is an important part of the decision.
For students planning their UK applications for 2027, starting early can make it easier to identify suitable courses, check eligibility and decide which intake works best for them.
Transcription
[Speaker 1] (0:08 - 0:35)
Hello everyone, myself Arunima Bhattacharya and welcome to our Global Reach podcast series. I have with me Mrs. Chandrani Mukherjee, Assistant UK Vertical Head for Global Reach and today we are going to discuss about some of the popular courses in UK including STEM courses, business and health related courses. Welcome Chandrani to the podcast series.
[Speaker 2] (0:35 - 0:52)
Hi Arunima, thanks a lot for welcoming me and yes I have stayed in the UK for a very long time and also working with UK universities for almost 20-25 years now and happy to be a part of this podcast.
[Speaker 1] (0:52 - 1:10)
I think that's fantastic Chandrani, thank you so much. So to begin with you know knowing the market and the student queries, one of the very popular query which comes to us is about the STEM courses and their demand in UK in 2027.
[Speaker 2] (1:11 - 2:17)
See the STEM courses to be very honest I mean it's not all the STEM courses you have to be a little particular about the subjects. So if you look at the subjects you know artificial intelligence that's the most upcoming subject I would say. Apart from that you have machine learning then another subject which is becoming very popular as a you know it's one of the most desired courses for the student it is FinTech and then we have something you know which has almost a hundred percent employability in a place like Scotland which is sustainable energy.
Oh that's wonderful. So we are talking a lot about sustainability you know energy forms are depleting. So the world needs new form of energy so a lot of research is going on in Scotland on sustainable energy and another subject which is becoming very very popular in the UK is robotics.
So I would say these are the subjects which are in demand you know right now among the STEM courses that you mentioned.
[Speaker 1] (2:17 - 2:53)
All right okay I think that gives a very good insight for our student to kind of be selected for the courses that they're looking for. Now Chandrani we have come across of course students looking for computer science AI because now that's what's ruling the entire world. Very often we see students asking them what's the difference between data science versus AI data analytics you know MS courses the MS courses which they look for.
So if you can share some insights to our student as to how they decide on that part.
[Speaker 2] (2:53 - 4:03)
So if you look at AI you know that's a very very research-based and you know you get into deep technology. So even if you look at the you know the salary structure of AI that's probably the highest. So followed by I would say data science you know which actually gives you a chance to become a data scientist.
So there's a difference between data science and data analytics. So when you study data analytics you become a business analyst. So it's more of an analytical job that you're getting into but data science is very different you know in data science you become a data scientist.
So you can become a data scientist for the health industry, you can become a data scientist for the you know for the defense industry. So a lot of places you know even pharmaceutical companies you know they look for data scientists. So when it comes to the data analytics course you don't need maths.
So you don't need hardcore mathematics when you're trying to become a business analyst but when you're going for AI or when you're going for data science it is very important to have mathematics in your standard 12.
[Speaker 1] (4:04 - 4:26)
Okay so to sum it up what I understand is maths won't be necessarily a requirement if this is a business analytics course. Data analytics or business analytics course. I think that's what some of our students will definitely like to know because like me I think they are also a little bit of fear for the math subject.
So that's I think wonderful.
[Speaker 2] (4:26 - 5:18)
The same applies for me you know I was never really inclined or fond of maths. Okay. And UK but you know having said that UK no offense meant to the UK but then UK also you know if you look at the general population they don't like maths a lot.
So our Indian students you know they're more inclined to maths. Okay. And that is why you know there's a dearth of skilled population you know when it comes to the job front.
So I would say somebody who's becoming a data scientist or you know somebody who's going for artificial intelligence the probability of not coming back from the UK is very high. So you know getting a tier 2 visa which is a work visa you know the skilled work visa. So that is actually you know the probability is almost 98 percent when it comes to AI or data science course.
Data science course. Okay.
[Speaker 1] (5:19 - 6:05)
Now shifting a little bit back to some of one of the most common course and I think for all Indian students Chandran if you also have seen like it's like whatever bachelor's they're doing the ultimate aim is MBA and MBA. Now there's definitely a master's like a specialization that they can go for because it's not necessarily like one has to do a MBA in accounting. There are courses specifically which is you know master's in accounting and finance or master's in strategic finance or like.
So I'm coming back to the question like is MBA still worth it in UK like for the Indian student what do you think?
[Speaker 2] (6:05 - 7:30)
A good question Arunima. I mean MBA has become a little cliched in today's world but having said that you know a MBA from Russell group university or an MBA from you know one of the best schools in the world. I mean the I think even in 2026 it was the top-ranked school which London business school.
So yes doing a one-year MBA from any of the Russell group universities or maybe an imperial or an LBS you know still is gold and I'll not deny that but having said that I mean if you're thinking of doing a fresher MBA you know rather than that you know go for a specialized master's. You know something like HR, something like marketing, something like supply chain or maybe even finance because MBA courses in the UK are generic. So if you are looking for a choice you know like MBA in HR you may not get that.
So I would say MBA with a work experience it counts a lot. I mean because a lot of our students you know they ask me you know that ma'am do I need to take GMAT. Now GMAT really doesn't make sense you know unless you have a work experience.
So and it is not only a work experience it is three years of managerial experience. So only if you have that to go for an MBA otherwise go for a specialized master's.
[Speaker 1] (7:30 - 7:57)
Specialized master's. I think this really gives a lot of clarification because we keep coming up student asking ma'am whether we go for the typical MBA thing or we go straight away to the master's now. So my next rather I mean out of query is what sort of new business courses can they still look for if not the freshest MBA which you highlighted.
[Speaker 2] (7:57 - 9:07)
Right. So I would talk about you know something like FinTech. So FinTech courses or anything to do with finance, investment banking.
These are becoming very popular in the UK and you must be knowing that you know Scotland is a financial hub of UK. So if you look at Scotland right now you know there are a lot of startups. So people after exiting from Brexit I mean more startups have come up.
So a lot of students you know have a probability of getting jobs in the startups you know if they do courses like in FinTech or financial they become a financial analyst for that matter. Another course you know which has become very popular post Brexit is supply chain. Supply chain.
So supply chain and logistics you know that has also become very popular. So these are the two courses you know in specialized master's student can look for and MSc marketing has always been there. Always been there.
So MSc marketing you know there's no dearth of jobs right but it is again the difference between our job and the job.
[Speaker 1] (9:08 - 9:39)
Yes I mean that's very nicely pointed out our job and the job. So Chandrani now that you know there's so many insights that you've given we know but then there is again some students who are from a non-commerce background. Right.
So when you're talking about supply chain, logistic and FinTech you know specifically like if a student is from a non-commerce background I mean are they still eligible to apply for it?
[Speaker 2] (9:39 - 10:18)
Like you know the best part about UK you know that's the difference between my country you know which is also excellent in academics you know I won't deny that but our country is a little stringent you know when it comes to the requirements UK is more flexible. So somebody who has done engineering can move into marketing you know there's no problem with that. Right.
So somebody who has done a bachelor's in English can move into HR. Okay. So UK actually provides you that kind of flexibility.
Okay. So like I said you know a lot of places in India for a data analytics course you know they would require mass but UK does not have that as a mandate.
[Speaker 1] (10:18 - 10:44)
Okay all right I mean I think that's why we see and also one more reason I think you would agree is also like a nine months coursework. I think that because many students after they're spending three years as bachelors they are looking for something which still gives them the best education along with a completion of a shorter duration I think that is also there. Right.
[Speaker 2] (10:44 - 11:33)
See a one-year master's right now is completely appropriate even if I look at today's you know we all want to return on investment and the sooner it is the better. So if a one-year master's you know allocates me all the credits you know that see there's a conception that UK has less number of credits compared to countries like US and Australia but it is not so. Yes.
The number of credits you know there's a standardization. Yes. So you really cannot compromise on the credits so it is same as any other country it is just the UK master's is very very intense and you do not get any holidays or vacations.
Correct. So students you know this is a message for the students I mean they should be prepared for sleepless nights.
[Speaker 1] (11:34 - 12:11)
Okay so to our students you have to prepare for the sleepless night but then also knowing the flexibility where you can complete early and you know still have your post-study work and other aspects as well. Chandrani we have discussed a lot from the commerce from the business the finance aspect now especially you know after the COVID times and all the search for the health courses the need for the health courses you know that's also there quite a lot as a query from the Indian students. So something which you would like to highlight for the health related courses.
[Speaker 2] (12:11 - 13:29)
See we have a lot of doctors or medical students you know who go for courses like MPH that is Masters of Public Health or Masters in Global Health. Now you know MD or an MBBS course in the UK is very very expensive and it's not only about the expense it's about the marks, it's about the interview, it's about the tenure you know five years of I have spoken about one year of sleepless nights and if you're going for medical courses the entire duration you know it can be very very taxing on someone you know it is UK medical is highly valued in the world and if I'm not mistaken there are only 17 universities in the UK who accept medical students. So it's a very tough game you know to get into medical courses. So most of the students you know I would you know recommend them courses like MPH, Global Health, Health Psychology, Mental Psychology.
These are the courses you know which will be a direct entry to NHS or WHO. So becoming very popular and with the PSW you know in hand I mean you get that time to practice under a you know eminent doctor and NHS actually gives you a lot of internships.
[Speaker 1] (13:30 - 13:51)
I think that's a fantastic point that you have highlighted now. Also we have seen our students who are looking for like they've completed Bachelors of Nursing or let's say something related to Physiotherapy and Pharmacy. What kind of work will they be entitled to after completion of their Master?
[Speaker 2] (13:51 - 15:05)
Right for pharmacy you know after pharmacy they have to give exams like GHPC and NMC and then they qualify as a pharmacist in the UK. And again you know they can get imbibed in the local hospitals or WHO or NHS. And what was the other subject you just mentioned?
Nursing or Pharmacy? Nursing. Nursing if you look at a you know city like Kerala, you know it's an extremely popular course.
So nursing yes the only challenge in nursing is you need a high IELTS score. So the minimum band requirement for IELTS in nursing is 7.5 because you'll be interacting with the locals. You know you really have to understand them well because these are the aging populations that we are dealing with.
But Indian nurses trust me I mean they're highly preferred in the UK because of their caring nature. And honestly you know the patients that we Indians have and the way we handle the elderly people. And UK is an aging population you know because the UK you know most of the people they are they're aging and they don't have people to take care of them.
So the healthcare sector in the UK has a huge requirement of workforce.
[Speaker 1] (15:06 - 15:25)
So for that I mean let's say if somebody is still doing commerce you know and they want to do something in the health industry for UK. Would you have any such suggestions like we understand may not necessarily be from the you know health courses or like that?
[Speaker 2] (15:26 - 15:56)
You need to have some kind of biological background you know that is important. So in bachelor from commerce it will be a little difficult. I don't want to be very honest.
Some kind you know like microbiology or anything to do with biology. It can be molecular biology, it can be genetics, it can be you know so these kind of subjects are required or botany or zoology you know that would be our kind of biological subjects. So any biology related subjects you can move to healthcare.
You can move to healthcare. Right okay fine.
[Speaker 1] (15:58 - 16:24)
And also for our students, Indian students like at times there are many myths in the market and I think their decisions are solely based on what they are actually googling. So what do you like, what's the common mistakes you know which you should like as an advisor would like to give so that they avoid doing that while they're placing their application or considering a particular university. I think that will also help and guide our students a lot.
[Speaker 2] (16:24 - 16:58)
Right, so our dual courses are very much preferred in the UK instead of going for plain MSc marketing. You know you can go for MSc marketing with entrepreneurship or you can go for you know something like MSc in supply chain like I said or you know something to do with say data analytics for the healthcare industry. You know some kind of dual courses you know that will really give you that benefit.
Engineering with management. You know so any combined courses you know are selling better in the UK right now.
[Speaker 1] (16:59 - 17:08)
Okay and Chandrani do you also agree like some of the courses that come up with the placement year and integrated placement year. If you can share some insight on that.
[Speaker 2] (17:09 - 18:14)
See a lot of all the UG courses I mean if you look at any bachelor's program most of the universities have sandwich courses. So the best advantage is you study for two years I mean you get a little tired of studying right because these are kids you know who have just come out of standard 12. So they don't like that continuous mode of study.
So you can come out of the study period you can work for one year and when you're working for one year remember it's not your probation. You're not being judged. So you're allowed to do mistakes and you know you learn from your mistakes.
You understand you know these are the loopholes. So you come back in your final year and you arrest those loopholes. So I think that's the best part of a sandwich course and when it comes to masters you get an additional year.
So after one year of studies nobody will ask you to leave the UK for two and a half years. So a very good opportunity for the employers you know to observe you and later when they recommend you for a tier 2 visa you know the government will not question them. So I think that is the best advantage of an additional internship or an additional placement.
[Speaker 1] (18:15 - 18:26)
Yes because I think some of the courses which we have observed in the website I mean one comes without a placement and the same course come with the placement. So of course I would always recommend one with placement year.
[Speaker 2] (18:26 - 18:35)
Okay I think that's because you know that minimal amount of fees which you have to pay I mean you earn double of that. So most of the placement years you're paid.
[Speaker 1] (18:35 - 18:59)
Okay and Chandrani now that I think a lot of information is you know our students have and they're going to really benefit from it. So the upcoming intake as in the year next year Jan 27 and the September and knowing that September is the primary intake for UK. Any suggestions which you would like to give to our student some of the points or parameters which we should keep.
[Speaker 2] (18:59 - 20:12)
Right now I will mention something for the student UK is probably the most welcoming country. I mean in the present geopolitical situation I mean if I look at the rate of approval for UK and for Kolkata it has been more than 98 percent. I think anybody would agree with me on that.
So I think you know if you don't want to scar your passport UK is one destination that you should look at because the chances of visa rejection is minimal and also for the January intake there are a lot of courses in January now and even Russell groups are offering courses. Okay. Right and also when you come out in the market in January you know you're actually facing a lot less competition.
So if I do a comparative analysis in September there are 40,000 students coming out and in January is probably 4,000. So maybe the number of companies are less but you know I mean that requirement is also more in January. So I think January is one of the best time you know if you are a complete case I mean if you have completely you know you're done with your bachelors and you have nothing else to do and you know your courses are available your university is available then I think January should be the way to go.
[Speaker 1] (20:13 - 20:32)
Okay. All right. I think that's wonderful Chandrani.
I think thank you so much once again for sharing such valuable insights for our audience. For our students if you want to know more you have to visit the Global Reach office. Till then stay tuned for the next podcast series.
