Applying to UK Masters programs as a US citizen

[1996kayden]

Just graduated with Psychology and Human Development bachelors degrees. Got into a developmental PhD program in the 2018 cycle but turned it down due to poor fit/funding. Starting to look at programs for the 2019 cycle and am interested in applying to some MSc programs at UK schools. Interested in Autism research and a lot of the Autism work in the UK is very interesting and progressive. 

Has anyone from the US applied to/attended a UK program for grad school? I'm a little lost on the timeline and the funding options.

I'm also not sure if I should be looking at MSc taught or research courses or a DPhil courses. I've heard UK programs are more intense/independent than US programs prepare you for and that it can be an easier transition to start in a MSc course.

My long term goal is a PhD in developmental or cognitive psychology.