MSc Computer Science in UK 2027: Fees, Visa & Graduate Route

Quick answer (updated November 2026): An MSc in Computer Science in the UK usually takes just one year and costs about £22,000–£45,000 in tuition for international students — for example £34,000 at Liverpool, £34,740 at Birmingham and £42,700 at UCL for 2026/27. The student visa costs £558 (from 8 April 2026) plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year. After graduating you can stay on the Graduate Route — two years if you apply by 31 December 2026, but only 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027.

UK student visa: key numbers

MSc Computer Science in the UK: key facts

Item	Details (2026–27)
Duration	Usually 12 months (some 2-year programs with placement)
Tuition (international)	~£22,000–£45,000 per year
Intakes	September (main); some universities offer January
Applications	Mostly rolling; popular programs fill early — apply between October and March for September
English test	IELTS Academic (UKVI), TOEFL, PTE or equivalent, as accepted by the university
Student visa fee	£558 (from 8 April 2026)
Health surcharge (IHS)	£776 per year of visa
Maintenance funds	Reported £1,529/month in London; £1,171/month outside London
Work during studies	Up to 20 hours/week in term for degree-level study
Work after studies	Graduate Route: 2 years (apply by 31 Dec 2026); 18 months (apply from 1 Jan 2027)

MSc Computer Science fees at UK universities (2026/27, international)

University	Annual tuition
University of Liverpool	£34,000
University of Birmingham	£34,740
UCL (University College London)	£42,700

Newer universities can cost less (aggregators report from around £15,000–£22,000), while Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and top London programs sit at the high end.

MSc Computer Science fees (2026/27) — Range across UK universities roughly £22,000–£45,000

Admission requirements

Bachelor’s degree: usually a UK 2:1 or equivalent in CS or a related subject (some “conversion” MScs accept non-CS graduates).
English language proof: commonly IELTS 6.5 overall or equivalent; check the program’s exact requirement.
Statement of purpose, CV and references (often one or two).
CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from the university after you accept an unconditional offer — needed for the visa.

UK student visa: total cost example

Cost item	Amount
Student visa application fee	£558
Immigration Health Surcharge	£776 per year (a one-year MSc visa usually covers more than a year, so check the IHS calculator)
Maintenance funds to show	Up to 9 months of living costs (reported £1,529/month London; £1,171/month elsewhere), unless exempt

Graduate Route: the 2027 change

The Graduate visa lets you stay and work after your degree without a job offer. Under the confirmed rule change:

Apply by 31 December 2026 → 2 years.
Apply from 1 January 2027 → 18 months.

The date that matters is when you apply for the Graduate visa, not when you graduate. The Graduate visa fee is reported at £937, with a higher health surcharge of £1,035 per year.

Is a UK MSc in Computer Science worth it?

Pros: a short one-year degree (less living cost and time), strong universities, and a post-study work period. Cons: high tuition, and a shorter Graduate Route from 2027. Compare with the USA, Canada and Germany in our study computer science abroad guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an MSc in Computer Science cost in the UK?

Typically £22,000–£45,000 in tuition for international students; for example, £42,700 at UCL for 2026/27.

What is the UK student visa fee in 2026?

£558 for applications from 8 April 2026, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year.

How long is the UK Graduate Route?

Two years if you apply by 31 December 2026; 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027.

Can I work while studying in the UK?

Degree-level students can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official vacations. Your visa conditions are final.

Is IELTS required for a UK MSc?

Most universities require IELTS or an accepted alternative such as TOEFL or PTE. Some waive it for applicants who studied in English — check with the university.

How we researched this

Tuition figures come from university fee pages for 2026/27 (UCL, Birmingham, Liverpool) and education aggregators; visa fees and Graduate Route changes come from 2026 reports of UK Home Office announcements. We could not confirm the maintenance amounts on GOV.UK directly, so they are marked “reported”. This is general information — confirm on GOV.UK – Student visa and your university’s fee page before applying.

MSc Computer Science in the UK (2027 Intake): Fees, Visa Costs and the Graduate Route Change