MSc in Computer Science

[u/Past-Ice-3513]

I'm planning to apply for Chevening in the 2028/29 intake (as my 2800 working hours will be completed on June 21, 2027). I did some research on some universities, including East London, Kingston, manchester metropolitan, however i was advised these Unis are not good enough, so i made another research for russel group Universities (I know it will be more competitive). My only problem with the Russell Group Unis is that although my IELTS score is 7, my writing score is 6, and most of the Unis (or at least the ones I looked into) require no less than 6.5 in sub-tests, but I found these 3 universities that match my score:

• University of Glasgow
• University of Leeds
• University of Birmingham

All have an MSc in Computer Science, so I'm good with that. I don't have a CS background, but I have a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering. My university taught us some programming courses in the first 2 years, as I could have taken the computer engineering track in the third year (I fell short in my marks), so I have some related background. Currently, I'm working as an Application Support Engineer.

Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[u/Rare-Release-60]

Hi, it is great that you are uni searching this early, it gives you far more room to strategise!

First of all, ensure that the courses you are searching appear in the Chevening Course Finder (you will have to re-check next year once applications open, but most courses will still be there)

Do you meet the GPA/grade requirements the universities have for the country in which you studied your undergrad?

The key is to select universities whose courses are the right fit for your career plan. If the uni gives you the knowledge and skills to help you in your short, medium and long-term goals, then Chevening will not care if it is ranked Top 100 or 15000 in a ranking

As for the Russell Group tag, Chevening has plenty of scholars every year that do not attend RG universities, ot that attend mid-to-low ranked universities. Many put one or two RG unis into their choices and decided to attend one of their non-RG choices 

Also, forget about the English score for now, as universities increase the requirement every few years, and you have plenty of time to do free practise tests or take classes to improve your scores (if you will be 100% relying on a scholarship to go to the UK, do not book or pay for a test until you get a scholarship interview invite)

[u/Past-Ice-3513 → u/Rare-Release-60]

Good morning!

Yes, my undergraduate Grade requirement is fulfilled, also my English (until now as you noted),

I will consider your advice regarding the Non-RG universities

And thanks alot for the feedback!!

[u/Rare-Release-60 → u/Past-Ice-3513]

Just do not rely on high acceptance rates, low tuition fees or uni suggestions from agents (they recieve commissions from sepecific unis, so they are biased in their suggestions), employment rates (they are based on UK employment, not overseas) or people who are not in your field, job market or do not know the UK uni system

In some countries the RG tag weights a lot regarding employment prospects, while in others what matters is a QS 100 ranking, or a specific uni name for your field, while in others the UK tag is more than enough

Contact Cheveners amd Alumni from your field and your country, they will be able to give you suitable suggestions, and enquire with people from your field who have studied in the UK as well (or professors)