Information Technology Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Information Technology Studies in The United Kingdom

Information technology in the United Kingdom is studied mainly as a bachelor's degree with honours, most often called Computer Science, Computing or Information Technology. Students learn programming, the mathematics behind computing, computer architecture, operating systems, databases and software engineering, and later specialise in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security or data science. Many degrees are accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, which describes itself as the professional body for IT.

This directory lists 31 schools for the subject in the United Kingdom. Edinburgh and London have the most, followed by Cheltenham, Canterbury, Manchester and Liverpool. Most are universities; the list also includes further education colleges and online providers.

How the degree is organised

The main routes are:

• BSc (Hons): a bachelor's degree with honours, normally three years of full-time study in England and Wales. The University of Manchester, the University of Southampton and Swansea University all list 3 years
• Integrated master's (MSci or MEng): one more year of advanced study in the same degree. Swansea University lists a 4-year MSci with an integrated master's
• Year in industry: an optional paid placement year that makes the degree one year longer. At the University of Kent students spend it between the second and final stages, and the University of Staffordshire and Swansea University both list 4 years for this option
• Foundation year: a preparatory year for applicants without the required grades or subjects, offered among others by Swansea University and the University of Staffordshire

In Scotland, degree-level education usually takes four years to complete. Below degree level, higher national certificates (HNC) and higher national diplomas (HND) sit at levels 4 and 5 of the qualifications framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; a degree with honours is level 6 and a master's degree is level 7.

The first year covers the foundations. At Southampton, students study the logical and mathematical theory underpinning computer science and the fundamentals of computer hardware. At Manchester, first-year course units include programming, computer architecture, operating systems and a team project, and the final year includes a 40-credit individual project.

A taught master's degree (MSc) normally takes one year. The University of Southampton's MSc Computer Science lasts 1 year and asks for a 2:1 degree, an upper second-class bachelor's degree, in computer science or a related subject.

Accreditation

BCS accredits computing degrees, partly under licence from the Engineering Council. Its accreditation categories show the difference between the routes: an honours bachelor's degree can fully meet the academic requirement for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and partially meet it for Chartered Engineer (CEng), while an integrated master's can fully meet both. The degrees at Southampton, Kent and Swansea are listed by those universities as BCS-accredited. Accreditation is given course by course, so check the exact degree in the BCS accredited course search.

Admission and language

Applications for full-time undergraduate courses go through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices. The equal consideration date for most courses starting in 2027 is 13 January 2027. Entry requirements differ widely between universities:

• University of Manchester: A*AA at A level, including A* in Mathematics
• University of Southampton: AAB
• University of Kent: BBC, or 96-112 UCAS points

Requirements are stated as UK qualifications, but equivalent qualifications from other countries can be used, and UK ENIC issues statements that compare foreign qualifications with UK ones. Teaching is in English. For a Student visa, degree-level study requires English equivalent to CEFR level B2; universities set their own scores, for example IELTS 6.5 overall at Manchester and IELTS 6.0 at Kent.

Costs

Each university sets its own tuition fees, and international students pay more than UK students. For 2027 entry, UK students pay £10,050 a year at Manchester, Southampton and Kent. International fees per year are £23,950 at Kent, £33,000 at Southampton and £39,700 at Manchester. Southampton's one-year MSc costs £36,800 for international students.

Students who need a visa must show funds of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to 9 months. The Student visa application costs £558 from outside the UK.

Recognition and careers

An accredited degree gives some or all of the academic base for later registration as a Chartered IT Professional or Chartered Engineer. The University of Manchester notes that an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that have signed the international accords. A computing degree is an academic qualification, not a licence to practise, and employers also look at projects and work experience, which is one reason the placement year is common.

Typical first jobs named by the universities include software engineer, data analyst, cyber security analyst and web developer. Graduates of a UK bachelor's or postgraduate degree can apply for a Graduate visa, which lasts 2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a computing degree take in the UK?

A BSc (Hons) normally takes three years in England and Wales, or four with a year in industry or an integrated master's. Degrees in Scotland usually take four years.

Do I need mathematics to be admitted?

It depends on the university. The University of Manchester asks for A* in A-level Mathematics, while other universities set lower or more flexible requirements. Check the entry requirements of each course.

What does BCS accreditation mean?

It means the degree meets the academic standard set by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and counts fully or partly towards registration as a Chartered IT Professional or Chartered Engineer.