London is among the cities where you can find top universities for Computer Science. Three universities here ranked within the top 100 universities for Computer Science and Information Systems of QS World University Rankings in 2021.
Besides these institutions and their top-caliber education, you can also have a fulfilling campus life in London. From academic events to extra-curricular activities to endlessly fun social life, you’ll never run out of experiences in the home of Big Ben.
Today, we will talk about some of the best universities in computer science in London.
Top Universities for Computer Science in London
1. Imperial College London
Imperial College London, a public research university, was established in 1907 through the vision of Prince Albert on building a cultural area in South Kensington. It has become apparent that the university’s focus fields are Business, Medicine, Science, and Technology through its three faculties and one school. There are more than 17,000 students enrolled at the university, over 8,000 of which are international students from around 125 countries.
With its focus on Science and Technology, Imperial College London is one of the best universities for computer science in London. It offers Computer Science in conjunction with Engineering. Thus, the program is called Bachelor of Engineering in Computing. For three years of study duration, students in this program undergo training through core modules completion. The program requires completing an individual project and a software engineering project.
Similarly, the master’s program is offered through the Engineering discipline and takes four years to complete if taken along with the bachelor’s program. Most of the advanced courses are taken during the fourth year, requiring industrial placement and an individual project. There’s also a one-year Master of Science program if you already completed a bachelor’s degree from another university. After that, students can proceed to a Ph.D. studentship, a research-driven, fully-funded program. Note the Ph.D. admission is highly competitive and requires Distinction Masters level or First Class degree.
2. University College London
The University College London, more commonly referred to as UCL, is among the largest universities in the United Kingdom based on student enrolment. Established in 1826 in its former name London University, UCL was London’s first university. It was also the first to be secular in England, accepting students from varying religious backgrounds. The university’s main campus is located in Bloomsbury, but some facilities and buildings are in Central London. It has 11 faculties, including the Faculty of Engineering which offers Computer Science degree programs.
A bachelor’s program in Computer Science at UCL includes learning through a problem-based approach and team collaboration. Study duration lasts for three years, with the first year being most crucial as all courses offered are core subjects. To complete undergraduate studies, students at this top computer science school need to submit their individual projects during their third year.
The master’s program in Computer Science at UCL offers advanced learning on computer science theory and software engineering. Students also learn about teamwork, which is an ideal competency in industry or in research. The program only takes one year for completion when taken full-time. From there, graduates can pursue higher industrial positions or proceed to Ph.D. The Ph.D. program at UCL may be taken either full-time or part-time for at least five years of study duration.
3. King’s College London
King’s College London is among the top universities for Computer Science in London. Founded in 1829, the university is among the oldest in England. It has five campuses across London, with the Strand Campus being the founding campus. Degree programs are offered across nine faculties, including the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical, and Engineering Sciences that offers Computer Science courses.
King’s College London offers a three-year bachelor’s degree program in Computer Science. Students here are required to take the program full-time, with the first two years dedicated to learning about programming, databases, artificial intelligence, and computer systems, among others. The last year is allotted to individual projects, where students are expected to create sophisticated software based on their interests.
There’s a Master’s degree program in Computer Science available at King’s College London. The program duration is four years since it also includes undergraduate study in the first three years. If you’re looking to study for bachelor’s and master’s in succession, King’s College London made it easier for you. From there, you can proceed to a postgraduate research or Ph.D. program at the university. This program is available for full-time and part-time studies and takes three to six years.
4. Queen Mary University of London
The Queen Mary University of London joins the list of the best universities for Computer Science in London. With a history dating back to 1785, it has merged with several colleges before it became the modern university known today. The university now has five campuses across London and three faculties, which are further organized into departments and schools. The university is also home to more than 26,000 students.
Like other universities in the city, Queen Mary University of London offers bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degree programs. And like other universities, the bachelor’s program takes three years to complete, and one year for masters. However, Queen Mary University also has a bachelor’s program that includes Industrial experience and another that requires a year abroad.
5. Brunel University of London
Named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a Victorian engineer, Brunel University of London was established in 1966. It has three colleges and three research institutes, and over 16,000 students. More than 20% of the student population is international students.
The Department of Computer Science has one of the largest undergraduate populations in the university. Its bachelor’s program provides the opportunity to learn about developing software solutions and handling business-related problems. As such, the three-year program includes project-based activities where students work with teams first, then individually in their last year.
For postgraduate studies, the university offers a more specific program, the Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics. You can choose to take it part-time, but full-time scheduling means you can complete the program in just one year. Compared to that, the Ph.D. can take up to three years after a full-time study.
We hope this article on London’s best computer science universities was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Computer Science Programs for International Students!
