Top 20 Universities for Master's in Computer Science
Today, the rapidly evolving field of Computer Science is ushering in breakthrough research discoveries that are transforming humankind faster than ever before. No wonder why countless students from all corners of the world are deciding to pursue higher education in Computer Science. A research-oriented master's program in Computer Science leads you through a corridor that opens gates of first-rate research activity in the electrifying fields of Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction, Cryptography, and many more disciplines. On the other hand, a professional degree provides students with robust real-world training for a lucrative career in the industry.
Below, we have listed the top 20 universities in the world that offer the best Master's programs in Computer Science. This list is curated on the basis of program features, career opportunities, and degree research activity.
1. Stanford University
Source: stanford.edu
Ranking amongst the world’s top universities, the prestigious Stanford University has earned an excellent reputation across the globe since its establishment in 1891. Stanford University lies at the heart of Silicon Valley and combines top-notch academics with winning athletic programs. The University’s most famous alumni include Sergey Brin, Larry Page, Tiger Woods, and Reed Hastings.
Program Name: Master of Science in Computer Science
Stanford offers a terminal professional degree in Computer Science that does not lead to a PhD. The candidates must complete 45 units of course work in the program. Most of the students complete the program in six quarters and only those who have substantial knowledge and prior experience related to the coursework can complete it in a year. A student can also acquire this degree with a distinction in research. Ten approved specialization areas are provided in this program which includes Artificial Intelligence, Biocomputation, Computer and Network Security, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management and Analytics, Mobile and Internet Computing, Real-World Computing, Software Theory, Systems, and Theoretical Computer Science.
2. Carnegie Mellon Universty (CMU)
Source: cmu.edu
Carnegie Mellon University is one of the most prestigious private research universities in the United States. It has a strong reputation for offering excellent programs in the area of Science & Engineering. Commonly referred to as CMU, the institute is highly selective with respect to admissions and accepts applicants with a stellar academic record along with spot-on recommendation letters and statement of purpose. Also, CMU is known for its excellence in music and drama all across the world.
Program Name: Master of Science in Computer Science
You will be intrigued to know that you don't need a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science to get admission into this program. The program also does not have a fixed set of courses and gives you the opportunity to construct your own course of study, in consultation with an advisor. It takes three semesters for students to complete the program usually but another semester is required for those who come from a non-Computer Science background.
3. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
Source: magoosh.edu
Located on the San Francisco Bay, which is entitled as the ‘City of Learning’ is home to the flagship campus of the University of California Berkeley. Getting admitted to UC Berkeley is highly competitive, as it is very selective, with an acceptance rate of only 17%. Notable alumni include Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley and Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, who worked on the development of the atomic bomb as scientific director of the Manhattan Project during World War II. On average, the UC Berkeley graduates earn a starting salary of $48,700.
Program Name: Master of Science in Computer Science
UCB's MSCS program is a research-oriented degree program and is best for students who wish to pursue a career in research. This MSCS degree leads to career in industrial R&D or Ph.D. It is a 2 year full time program and students can also opt for the 5-6 year MS/PhD program that is focussed at research preparation for PhD. Specialization areas include Artificial Intelligence, Database Management Systems, Education, Graphics, Human-Computer Interaction, Operating Systems & Networking, Programming Systems, Scientific Computing, Security, and Theory.
4. University of Cambridge
Source: oyaschool.edu
The University of Cambridge stands tall in Cambridgeshire, England since 1209 as the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world followed by the University of Oxford. The University has educated one of the key figures in the scientific revolution, Issac Newton and the most influential naturalist known for his contributions to the science of evolution, Charles Darwin. Cambridge's high-calibre students and alumni are highly sought after in the global recruitment markets.
Program Name: MPhil in Advanced Computer Science
Cambridge offers this 9 month full time program to build a rock-solid foundation for students to pursue a PhD in Computer Science. The students can choose from a broad range of advanced topics ranging from Networking and Systems Measurements to Category Theory, and topics in Natural Language Processing.
5. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC)
Source: illinois.edu
Founded in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is USA's leading public grant research university. It is an R1 Doctoral Research University indicating highest research activity, consisting of 16 schools and colleges offering over 100 graduate programs. UIUC also operates a Research Park, acting as an innovative platform for industry influencers like Yahoo, Caterpillar, Dow, and Capital One. The institution is known for discoveries like the development of plasma display and it is also the first to license the UNIX operating system. Admission to UIUC is extremely competitive and requires a spot-on statement of purpose, recommendation letters, and a high GPA.
Program Name: Master of Science in Computer Science
UIUC offers a research-oriented degree that requires 28 credit hours of coursework and 4 credit hours of thesis. It can be counted towards the Ph.D. in Computer Science. Students must complete three different courses, each from a different area from core areas like Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Database and Information Systems, Scientific Computing, and Graphics/HCI, among others.
6. Cornell University
Source: cornell.edu
Founded in 1865, Cornell University is New York’s leading private research university. Cornell is one of the prestigious Ivy League Universities in the U.S that is regarded as the best group of educational institutions in the country. Notable alumni include India’s most influential business figure of all time, Ratan Tata, and the famous American scientist and cytogeneticist, Barbara McClintock graduated from Cornell.
Program Name: Master of Science in Computer Science
The CS MS is a very small, highly selective, four-semester program for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of computer science through advanced coursework, research, writing, and teaching. The program is ideal for self-motivated students who have expository skills, enjoy the research environment, and like working with undergraduates in introductory courses. Students in the program serve as teaching assistants and receive full tuition plus a stipend.
7. Harvard University
Source: Elets Technomedia
Located along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University is recognized as one of the most prestigious and selective universities all across the globe. Harvard is accredited with being the top employer in the USA, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This Ivy League paragon is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. The alumni and faculty of Harvard have been closely associated with many areas of American intellectual and political development.
Program Name: Master's in Computational Science and Engineering
Harvard's master’s program offers students experience with mathematical techniques for modeling and simulation of complex systems; parallel programming and collaborative software development; and methods for organizing, exploring, visualizing, processing and analyzing very large data sets. Generally, students take 8 courses to complete the Master of Science degree. The degree can be completed in one academic year through 2 semesters. The students also have the option to extend to a third semester to take additional courses and to allow themselves time to pursue a summer internship in industry.
8. University of Oxford
Source: ox.ac.uk
Oxford University is famous for the exceptional teaching, research and learning opportunities it offers and its long history of excellence. Located in the “City of dreaming spires” as coined by the Victorian poet Matthew Arnold, Oxford University has educated world leaders like Stephen Hawking, Oscar Wilde, Indira Gandhi, and Theresa May, to name a few. Academically, Oxford is consistently ranked in the world's top five universities.
Program Name: MSc in Computer Science
The MSc in Computer Science at Oxford is a full-time, twelve-month programme been designed to teach the mathematical principles of specification, design and efficient implementation of both software and hardware. It teaches the advanced techniques and ideas that are being developed in application domains (such as graphics, visualisation, and computer security) and the rich and diverse theories that underpin them. These include models of computation and data, and mathematical analysis of programs and algorithms.
9. Princeton University
Source: princeton.edu
Located in New Jersey, Princeton University is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Princeton University graduates go on to earn a starting salary of $60,800 and its graduates are highly sought after by the top recruiting firms from around the world. Popular Princeton alumni are U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, actress Brooke Shields, and former first lady Michelle Obama.
Program Name: Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E)
The master's degree program at Princeton is a two-year, full-time program. All admitted students are initially enrolled in the Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.), thesis-required track. Teaching experience is considered to be a significant part of graduate education. Master's students are required to hold a full teaching assistantship each semester that they are enrolled.
10. ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Source: arch.ethz.ch
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology is Zurich's renowned public research university. The institution's research groups particularly focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Additionally, the great physicist who developed the famous Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein, had been affiliated with the institute.
Program Name: Master of Science in Computer Science
The Master of Science in Computer Science at ETH Zurich offers a profound and in-depth education in several core areas of computer science. There are eight different Master tracks. Each student, regardless of specialization, graduates with the degree “Master of Science ETH in Computer Science”. Specializations are enriched by interfocus laboratories that emphasize the design stages of computer science solutions, from modelling and algorithmics to programming and analyzing information processing results.
11. National University of Singapore (NUS)
Source: nus.edu.sg
The National University of Singapore prides itself in being one of the world's top universities offering the most extensive college degree courses. It is a public research university that has consistently ranked within the top 100 universities in the world. The major research focuses at NUS include Engineering, Nanoscience, Materials Science and Engineering, Infocommunication and Infotechnology, among others.
Program Name: Master of Computing - Computer Science Specialisation
The Master of Computing programme encompasses latest research findings, both applied and fundamental. The programme also provides advanced and in-depth knowledge of IT to prepare the students for challenges in IT career. The normal candidature periods for full-time and part-time students are 1.5 years and 2.5 years respectively. The maximum candidature is 3 years.
12. University of Toronto (UofT)
Source: shiksha.com
Situated in Ontario, the University of Toronto (UToronto or UofT) is a public research university founded in 1827 as King’s College. It is known for its pioneering research work on insulin, bone-marrow transplants and regenerative medicine, and artificial intelligence. Some of the notable comprehensive programs that the school offers include Urban Studies, Visual Culture & Communication, and Engineering Science including intriguing courses like Rap Poetics. Apart from that, UToronto is also a part of the Association of American Universities outside the United States.
Program Name: MSc - Computer Science
This master's program focuses on a wide range of topics surrounding computing that include topics like Distributed Computation, Networks, Financial Computation, Cryptography, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Graphics, and Human-computer Interaction. The MSc degree program is designed for students seeking to be trained as a researcher capable of creating original, internationally recognized research in computer science. It is a 3 year full-time program.
13. Imperial College London (ICL)
Source: imperial.ac.uk
Established in 1851, Imperial College London (ICL) is England’s leading public research university. It is the only university that focuses exclusively on science, engineering, medicine, and business in the UK. Among the university’s research centers and groups are the Data Science Institute, the Institute of Global Health Innovation and the Centre for Hedge Fund Research. Graduates of this university are highly valued all across the globe and they are found working with the top-rated companies in areas of science, engineering, business, and medicine.
Program Name: MSc - Computing Science
ICL offers a 1 year full-time program that provides intensive training in computer science, and is suitable for graduates of disciplines other than computing who are who are keen to acquire core computing skills or deepen their existing knowledge of computing. Students get the opportunity to develop and demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and practical skills in basic and specialised topics in computing. They also grow the skills needed for group co-operation and for literature search, technical presentation and report writing.
14. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Source: umeacademy.com
Residing as a public research university in the world’s most iconic cities, The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) was founded in 1919. It is recognized as the fourth oldest of the ten campuses that the University of California encompasses. Not only has the university produced several Nobel laureates but also three Field Medalists. It is interesting to note that UCLA is considered a Public Ivy University because the people trust that the university provides top-quality education equivalent to Ivy League.
Program Name: Master of Science in Computer Science
M.S. students are not required to select a major field. They may choose a broad selection of courses or any combination of courses from the any of these fields: Artificial Intelligence, Computational Systems Biology, Computer Science Theory, Computer System Architecture, Graphics and Vision, Information and Data Management, Network Systems, Software Systems. To maintain satisfactory academic progress, M.S. students must reach the milestones as established in the degree requirements, namely: Breadth Requirement, Program of Study, Petition for Admission to Candidacy. The maximum time to satisfactorily complete all M.S. requirements is 2 years or 6 quarters.
15. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
Source: LinkedIn
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is popular for being the fastest growing universities in the world. The university offers programs in science, engineering, business & management, humanities, and social science through four distinguished academic schools. Also, HKUST was ranked Asia's no.1 for three consecutive years (2011 - 2013) by the independent QS University Rankings: Asia.
Program Name: Master of Philosophy in Computer Science and Engineering
This two year full-time with research foci on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Human-Computer Interaction, Networking and Computer Systems, Software Technology and Applications, Theoretical Computer Science, Vision and Graphics, and Data, Knowledge and Information Management. Notable infrastructures that facilitate research include the HCI Lab, Human Language Technology Center, and System and Media Laboratory.
16. The University of Melbourne
Source: about.unimelb.edu.au
The University of Melbourne has been imparting top-quality education for about 170 years to its students through major departments of both research and teaching. The institution is renowned for its first-rate research activity and is known to harbor the largest cohort of research students in Australia.
Program Name: Master of Computer Science
This Master of Computer Science program is a 2-year full-time program, providing specializations in areas like Programming Languages and Distributed Computing, Information Systems, Mathematics/Statistics, Spatial Information Science or Linguistics. The program can be considered as a pathway to a PhD or to the workforce operating in fields of Software Design, Cybersecurity, Information Architecture and Programming.
17. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU)
Source: Edwise International
Nanyang Technological University is Singapore's second-largest university and has defended the No.1 position in QS Top 50 Under 50 rankings from 2015-2019. Some of NTU's prominent autonomous institutes include the National Institute of Education, Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, and Institute of Science and Technology for Humanity.
Program Name: Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
The Master of Computer Science and Engineering degree offered by NTU requires a minimum period of candidature of one academic year for full-time students and the maximum period is two academic years. Research areas include Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security, Social Media, Cloud Computing, Parallel and Distributed Computing, and Computer Networks, among others.
18. Peking University (PKU)
Locally known as the "Harvard of China", Peking University is the oldest higher education institution in China. The institution glistens with the stunningly beautiful Chinese architecture. Peking University is also called Beijing University and has perennially ranked as one of the top academic institutions not only in China but also in the world.
Program Name: Master Program in Computer Science
The Department of Computer Science and Technology at Peking University offers a 3 year full-time Master Program in Computer Science. The language of instruction is English and it is an extensive program with disciplines including Computer Architecture, Computer Applications, Computer Software, and Theory.
19. École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Source: epfl.ch
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne is a Swiss research institute that has an excellent reputation for offering specialized programs in Natural Sciences and Engineering. It is located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and is the sister institution of eminent ETH Zurich. Additionally, EPFL also operates the nuclear reactor CROCUS, and a Tokamak Fusion reactor.
Program Name: Master Program in Computer Science
EPFL Master's Program in Computer Science offers a unique choice of courses that covers all aspects of the discipline, ranging from advanced digital technologies to distributed information systems and security. It also includes emerging disciplines such as biocomputing and service science. The program offers specializations in areas like Computer Engineering, Data Analytics, Foundations of Software, Cyber Security, Networking and Mobility, Signals, Images and Interfaces, Software Systems, Wireless Communications, Computer Science Theory, and Internet Information Systems.
20. Tsinghua University
Source: Sixth Tone
Tsinghua University is often called the "MIT of China" and it has been ranked as one of the best Engineering and Computer Science schools in the world for factors like total research output and performance. Tsinghua's prominent research institutes include the Institute of Opto-electronic Engineering, the Institute of Instrument Science and Technology, the Engineering Research Center for Navigation Technology, and the Center for Photonics and Electronics.
Program Name: Master in Advanced Computing
All of the classes in the Advanced Computing masters program are taught in English, and the degree entails cutting edge computer science research with courses such as Machine Learning, Big Data, and Human Computer Interaction. The Department of Computer Science and Technology comprises of the institutes of high-performance computing research, computer network, computer software, human-computer interaction and media integration, and the state key laboratory of intelligent technology and systems. The department has established joint labs with giants like IBM, Intel, and Microsoft.
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