MS in Computer Science in the UK : Colleges and Fees 2023

A masters in computer science UK is the most preferred option for students aspiring to make it big in the field of technology. The masters in computer science in UK for Indian students can accord you several lucrative employment options and also cater to your research-oriented mind-set. But, which is the best master’s in computer science program in the UK for Indian students and why should you pursue this program in the UK? Read on to find more:

Masters in Computer Science UK – A Glimpse

Here is a brief of the key points to be considered while planning to study masters in computer science UK:

Why Pursue Masters in Computer Science UK?

Among the many factors that may convince you to pursue your masters in computer science UK, the following three stand out:

1. In 2022, students with an MS in computer science degree made up about five per cent of the permanent jobs offered in the UK in the IT sector
2. Moreover, per THE rankings in 2022, three of the UK universities ranked among the top ten preferred schools, globally, for computer science programs.
3. Between 2019 and 2022, the median pay for a computer science graduate improved by seven per cent, going from 51,500 GBP in 2019 to 55,000 GBP in 2022

Masters in Computer Science UK – Course Curriculum

If you plan to pursue a master’s in computer science from the UK, you will be going for either of the following programs: MS, MPhil, or MEng. An MS program is more theoretical than an MPhil, which is research-oriented, whereas an MEng focuses only on the engineering aspects of computer science and does not provide a holistic overview of computer science. So, you need to select your program type based on your academic background and specific area of interest. Moreover, if you go for the MS program, you will have hands-on training opportunities in the form of internships and projects, which are usually required to be submitted by the last semester. In the case of MPhil programs, you will need to submit your thesis by the last semester of the program. You will get internship opportunities for the MEng program also. 

The curriculum for masters in computer science UK usually covers the following broad topics:

• Algorithms 
• Architecture and Hardware 
• Artificial Intelligence
• Database and Information Management Systems
• Data Science and Analysis
• Design 
• Introductory Programming
• Machine Learning for Domain Specialists
• Project Management for Engineering
• Software Engineering

MS in Computer Science UK Eligibility

To be admitted to the top masters in computer science UK universities, you must take an English language proficiency test and score the minimum marks in your relevant undergraduate program. The score requirements for a few of the top-ranked masters in computer science UK universities are given below:

Top-ranked Masters in Computer Science UK universities

The list below charts the top-ranked MS in computer science UK universities as ranked by the World University Ranking for Computer Science, 2022

A few other top-ranked MS in computer science UK universities featuring in the top 125 are as follows

MS in Computer Science in UK Fees 

The tables above must have given you a precise idea of the tuition fees for pursuing a masters in computer science UK. Although the fees is bound to vary across schools, the average annual MS in computer science in UK fees range between 24,600 to 42,500 GBP. Of all, the University of Cambridge has the highest annual tuition fee for a masters in computer science UK program, namely, 42,184 GBP. 

However, the cost of studying masters in computer science UK will also include other miscellaneous expenses such as UCAS application fee and visa fee etc. You will also need to consider the pre-arrival cost, which will include the registration fee for all exams that you need to take to study in the UK such as the IELTS/TOEFL, the application fees, the visa registration fees, accommodation charges, etc. 

On average, the UCAS application fee is around 20 GBP, the UK student visa fee is around 350 GBP, the IELTS registration cost is around 160 – 180 GBP, the TOEFL registration cost is around 290 – 920 GBP and health insurance is around 260 GBP. Your accommodation cost will depend on the type of accommodation you choose with hostels and student accommodation being cheaper options and individual housing facilities such as flats and apartments ranging on the more expensive side. The cost of accommodation will also go up depending on the city that you stay in. Hence, research carefully and plan your finances beforehand. Also, always remember to make arrangements for emergency funds. 

MS in Computer Science in UK Scholarship 

Do not let cost be a hindrance to achieving your dreams of pursuing the best education in the UK. A number of scholarships, grants, and bursaries are available to pursue your dream masters in computer science UK. Some of the more popular scholarship options available to international students looking to study in the UK are listed below:

1. Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies – Offered by the University of Oxford, covers the MS in computer science in UK fees and living expenses. To be eligible for the same, you only need to be a citizen of an Asian or an African country
2. Trinity Hall – Mann Studentship for Sciences – By the University of Cambridge, this masters in computer science UK scholarship will offer you anywhere between 10,000 to 40,000 GBP based on your academic performance
3. DeepMind Scholarship – By the University College London, this masters in computer science UK scholarship is offered to anyone enrolled in the Computer Science or Data Science masters program. Under this scholarship, you will be entitled to 25,000 GBP
4. John Fisher High Performance (HPC) Scholarships – By the University of Edinburgh, this masters in computer science UK scholarship will take care of 50% of your tuition fees. The only criterion to be eligible for this is being enrolled in the masters program in computer science or data science
5. GREAT Scholarship 2020 – By the University of Manchester, this masters in computer science UK scholarship waives off your tuition fee if you are a citizen of China, India, or Malaysia
6. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships – The benefit offered by this masters in computer science UK scholarship varies based on the student’s academic merit and financial requirement. This is offered by the University of Birmingham
7. Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship – Offered by the University of Bristol, you will be entitled to around 10,000 – 20,000 GBP scholarship if you are enrolled in a full-time postgraduate program
8. Chevening Awards – A very competitive and prestigious scholarship offered by the Queens Mary University of London, this masters in computer science UK scholarship will take care of your full tuition fee and even your living costs and flight fares. However, you must be enrolled in a 1-year full-time master’s program to be eligible for this benefit
9. Southampton International Merit Scholarships – You need to be enrolled in the University of Southampton’s MS programs to receive a benefit of 3,000 GBP

College application is a time-intensive process. Now that you have an overview of the cost, top-ranked schools, eligibility, and post-study career options with a masters in computer science UK, it is recommended that you start the process of application early. You will have to keep a number of factors in mind in going ahead with your application such as best fit of school, budget, location, and curriculum, as well as prepare all necessary documents such as statements of purposes, essays, recommendation letters, resume, etc. To help you with this intensive process and to provide you with more details on studying masters in computer science UK, you can connect with our expert advisors at Manya-The Princeton Review.