MS in Computer Science in the UK

Computer Science is constantly evolving with the rise in the demand for AI (Artificial Intelligence), Bioinformatics, Cybersecurity, and other related fields. If you are looking for a program that can help you to interweave technical skills and analytical knowledge as you research and develop software solutions to real-world problems, then Masters in Computer Science (MSc) in the United Kingdom (UK) can help you gain an edge over people in the same field of interest.

The UK is home to some of the best universities that provide master’s degrees in Computer Science. The duration of the program is usually one to four years, including part-time options. You can expect the average program cost to range between £22,600 and £53,000. The UK offers promising future avenues for trained graduates in computer science along with lucrative employment opportunities.

Are you thinking about how to successfully transform your career with an MSc in Computer Science in the UK? Read on as this article covers all the vital aspects including the top universities, fee structure, eligibility and much more.

Highlights of MS in Computer Science in UK

Has your interest already been piqued to pursue the course? Then it would be a prudent choice to take some time out and familiarise yourself with the top universities in the UK for MSc in Computer Science or the average annual salary the discipline can help you make. Given below is a table enlisting the different factors related to MSc Computer Science in the UK:

Course Name	Masters in Computer Science
Course Duration	1 to 4 years (including part-time option)
Fee Range	£22,600 – £42,500
Average Annual Salary	£42,000
Top Universities	University of Oxford The University of Cambridge Imperial College London University of Edinburgh

Why Study MS in Computer Science in UK

Before we delve deeper into the top universities in the UK for MSc in Computer Science, let’s look at what makes the country a favorable choice for international students.

Top Notch Universities: As per the QS World University Rankings® 2023, four UK universities were featured among the top 10 universities.
Accredited Programs: You have the opportunity to enroll in BCS-accredited programs offered by the Chartered Institute for IT, which can contribute towards fulfilling the academic criteria needed to become a registered Chartered IT Professional.
MNC Hub: The country houses the headquarters of a slew of MNCs such as Sage Group, Micro Focus, Vodafone Group, Unilever, and more.
Lucrative Salary Packages: As per Glassdoor, the national average salary for an MSc in Computer Science is £49,413 (per year) in the UK. However, the average annual salary of a Lead Software Engineer is £82,413.
Comprehensive Learning Experience: The program offers an innovative curriculum with a nexus of experiential learning. From going on field trips to interacting with industry leaders, you can learn real-world issues and the best strategies to navigate them.

Best Universities for MS in Computer Science in UK

You need to choose the best university to learn the art of impeccable designing, developing, and analyzing the software and hardware used to solve problems in all kinds of businesses, industry, scientific, and social contexts.

Tabulated below is the list of top universities in the UK for Masters in Computer Science along with the fee for international students:

Name of Institution	Name of Course	QS Rankings 2023*	Guardian League Table**	Duration	Annual Fees
University of Oxford	MSc Advanced Computer Science MSc Software and System Security (Part-time only) MSc Software Engineering (Part-time only)	5	2	1 year 2 to 4 years 2 to 4 years	£32,760 £2,640 (per module) £2,640 (per module)
Imperial College London	MSc Computer Science (Software Engineering)	15	4	1 year	£39,400
University of Edinburgh	MSc Computer Science	20	5	1 year	£1500
University College London (UCL)	MSc Computer Science	24	7	1 year	£35,000
The University of Manchester	MSc Advanced Computer Science	65	15	1 year	£33,000
University of Birmingham	MSc Advanced Computer Science	138	27	1 year	£27,540
University of Bristol	MSc Computer Science (Conversion)	140	12	1 year	£30,500 £29,000
Queen Mary University of London	MSc Computer Science	106	23	1 year (Full-time) 2 years (Part-time)	£28,950
University of Southampton	MSc Computer Science	136	33	1 year	£29,512

*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Computer Science and Information Systems

** UK universities ranked by subject area (2023): Computer Science and Information Systems

King's College London offers a four-year dual degree in Computer Science. The program costs roughly £31,260 annually for international students. Aspirants who have published research papers in computer science-related fields will get preference for admission into MPhil programs.

Course Curriculum of MS in Computer Science in UK

Masters in Computer Science in the UK provides students an opportunity to build a strong foundation in Computer Science theory and practical software engineering abilities, including teamwork for industry or research clients. After finishing their coursework, graduates can choose between interdisciplinary industrial roles and PhD research.

Some crucial topics that you will study in the program are listed below:

Advanced Security
Advanced Topics in Machine Learning
Quantum Computer Science
Categories, Proofs, and Processes
Computational Complexity
Database Systems Implementation
Computational Learning Theory
Probabilistic Model Checking

Admission Requirements & Eligibility Criteria for MS in Computer Science in UK

Here’s taking a closer look at the minimum eligibility criteria for a Masters in Computer Science at some popular universities in the UK:

Institution Name	Minimum Percentage Required	Criteria for English Language Proficiency Test
University of Oxford	Aspirant must possess a 70% or above in their undergraduate degree with honours in mathematics or computer science	IELTS 7.5 or TOEFL (iBT) 110
Imperial College London	70% and above	IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL (iBT) 100 (minimum 22 in all elements)
University College London (UCL)	60–70%	IELTS: 7.0 and a minimum of 6.5 in each component
University of Edinburgh	70% and above	IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component or TOEFL (iBT) 100
University of Manchester	a minimum of 65% (First Class with Distinction) in a BSc Eng, BEng or BTech degree, depending on the institution.	IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL (iBT) at least 100
University of Birmingham	55% –60%	IELTS 6.5, TOEFL (iBT) 88, or PTE Academic 67
University of Bristol	60–70%	IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL (iBT) 85
Queens Mary University of London	60%–69% at undergraduate level in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics or a related discipline.	IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL:92
University of Southampton	70% and above (in either software engineering or computer science, or a closely related subject)	IELTS 6.5
Lancaster University	60–70%	IELTS 6.5

Source: Official University Website

Masters in Computer Science in United Kingdom: Admission Requirements

Here are the requirements worth noting:

First class undergraduate degree with honours in Computer Science or Mathematics
Translations of non-English transcripts in English
Updated CV/Resume
Basic knowledge of Maths & computer programming skills
Proof of proficiency in English (test scores of TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English, Duolingo or IELTS)
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letter of Reference or Recommendation (LOR)

Admission Deadlines for Masters in Computer Science in UK

There are two kinds of intakes at UK universities. There is one intake between January and February and another between September and October. There is an extra intake for selected courses in May. Therefore, it becomes imperative to get a comprehensive idea about studying in the UK before applying for your desired course.

Admission Process for MS in Computer Science in UK

Follow the below-mentioned steps to experience a seamless experience while applying for MS in Computer Science:

Select the degree program at the university you are interested in.
Check the program's entry requirements.
Check the application deadlines to keep up with the application formalities and submissions.
Send the application form and the necessary paperwork.
Pay the fee and wait for confirmation from the university
Pay the tuition fee deposit (if necessary) as soon as you receive the confirmation email.
Obtain the CAS letter, and use it to apply for a student visa in the UK.

Costs of Study for MS in Computer Science in UK

I) Cost of Studying

You should keep a note that the cost of studying in the UK can vary based on the university and city as well. MSc in Computer Science in the UK fees can hover between £22,600 and £53,000.

II) Pre-arrival Cost

Apart from managing your tuition fees, you will also need to be prepared for pre-arrival expenses. You must shell out approximately- £ 363 for the UK student visa charges. You would also need to pay for UK healthcare; this amounts to £470 per year for a student. In addition, you will have to appear for English Test Proficiency Exams- IELTS (£160) or TOEFL(£156).

Average Cost of Living

Expense	Postgraduate Year (52 weeks)	Weekly Cost (based on 52 weeks)
Meals (excluding meals out)	£2,600	£50
Accommodation (self-catered)	£8,580	£165
Miscellaneous (eg, mobile phone bill, socializing, laundry, photocopying, and printing)	£3,120	£60
Clothes	£520	-
Local transport (excluding traveling home/visiting friends)	£535	Weekly, monthly, and annual bus passes are available

Source: The University of Manchester

Scholarships & Financial Aid

If you are worried about the cost of attendance in the UK, here are some of the top scholarship choices you can look for.

Name of Scholarship	Name of Institution	Eligibility Guidelines	Scholarship Amount
DeepMind Scholarship	University College London	Admission into Computer Science or Data Science course	Cover cost of tuition fees, £12,250 (International fees - £28,950), a living allowance of £15,480, an annual £2,200 travel scholarship, and a one-off equipment grant of £1,700.
John Fisher High Performance (HPC) Scholarships	University of Edinburgh	Admission into MSc in High Performance Computing or the MSc in High-Performance Computing with Data Science	50% of the tuition costs (approx)
GREAT Scholarship	University of Manchester	Applicants should be from India	£10,000 towards their tuition fees for only one-year courses.
India JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarships	University of Birmingham	Academic record and financial needs	NA
Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship	University of Bristol	Admission into full-time postgraduate courses	£6,500, £13,000, and £26,000 per year and can only be utilized towards the cost of tuition fees.
Chevening Awards	Queens Mary University of London	Admission into 1-year Masters course	Total tuition costs, flights, and living costs
Southampton International Merit Scholarships	University of Southampton	Admission into the university course	Up to £3,000 off the first year of tuition fees
Be Exceptional Scholarships	University of York	Postgraduate international students at the University of York, having recognized achievements in respective fields.	£5,000, £7,500 or £10,000

Source: Official University Website

Career Opportunities after MS in Computer Science in UK

The IT and ITeS sectors are leading employers for computer science graduates. Average annual salaries can be around £42,000 for trained professionals in the UK.

Job roles in the industry include software engineer, web developer, software development manager, information security analyst, java developers, network analyst, system analyst, software architect, graphics programmer, front end engineer or developer, web application manager, web security administrator, IT manager and more.

Job Title	Average Annual Salary
Software Development Engineer	£60,475
Network Architect	£81,942
Computer Scientist	£53,247
Research Scientist	£46,251
Information Security Analyst	£45,347

Source: Glassdoor

In a nutshell, pursuing this program can lead a path to the C-suite. But to make this a reality, ensure to choose the right university. If you are not sure which one to pick or how to expedite visa process, get in touch with our experts.

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