UCL computer science offer

Hi nikos, I also got the offer from University of Edinburgh , but m waiting for UCL decision.
Actually m confused why the UCL world ranking, has slipped from rank 4 to rank 22. Can u comment on this ??

Congratulations!
Well...I don't know much about rankings. There are many of them and each of them takes different parameters into account and with different weight. I believe all of them are not to be taken very seriously. If ,for example, a 50yr old ex-Chemistry student from my university receives a Nobel Prize, this might lift the name of my university, but still it will mean nothing to me as a Computer Science student...

No one doubts that MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge are among the best universities in the world, but what does that mean? Perhaps despite their 'brandname' in some fields they do not offer the best education. I believe the prospective employers in the engineering industry would favor an Imperial graduate over a Cambridge one, for example.

UCL is still a highly reputable university. However, I would say, don't let the rankings sway you as much as other factors (course structure, research activity in the area you are interested in, economic/personal reasons, etc)

The course we are interested in is offered in a handful of universities and, to my knowledge, UCL, Edinburgh and Imperial are among the most well-known in Europe that offer it. They are all considered to be centres of research in the field and they all have a good 'name'.

Both UCL and Edinburgh are excellent choices, so good luck deciding!

Hi Nikos, how r u?
I need ur advice regarding educational loan? Does UCL provide scolarships to overseas students.? I have applied in april , so i can apply for scolarship right now in ucl as i have heard that deadlines for applying scolarships at ucl will get close on 1 march........
can u tell me some more about scolarships that i can apply? as i am afraid how i will put off my loan after the completion of my course if i do not get the job ?

Hi nikos, I also got the offer from University of Edinburgh , but m waiting for UCL decision.
Actually m confused why the UCL world ranking, has slipped from rank 4 to rank 22. Can u comment on this ??

I'm a first year at UCL my requirement last year was AAB but I'm not sure if they've pushed it up or not.

Hi!I'm fine, thanks!
I am sorry but I can't help you...Try looking for information on their site or ask someone in charge of information regarding ''fees & funding''. They surely must have some scholarships but I'm afraid I don't know any more details. Good Luck!

Hi all,

Please I need your advice in making a decision. I have two unconditional offers: Msc Networked Computer Systems (NCS) at UCL and MSc CS at University of Edinburgh, I know Edinburgh has a good CS dept but I am not sure of the course at UCL. Does anyone have any information about the Msc in NCS at UCL.

I am interested in Networks and Distribted systems and I hope to specialise in that area if I end up going to Edinburgh but the UCL course is actually a specialist course also in that area. I'm in a dilemma, please help me with any information or advice on course contents and prospects afterwards (am an international student and would want to get some UK experience).

Thank you.

Hi Ogoma!

I also got a conditional offer for MSc NCS so we may be end up in the same courses together
Firstly I would like to tell you up front that I am not a UK citizen so take that into consideration. I am a Greek student.
I had the same questions as you do now, but in a random conversation (with a Ph.D. of my Department) for what I am going to do after my undergraduate degree we ended up talking about UCL and informed me that he was a Graduate student in MSc NCS programme and told me that it's one of the best Research Centers in Europe (if not the best) as far as Networking/Data Communications concerned. The teachers/professors are famous about their quality of their research and work globally. Many RFC's have been written/developed by them and some protocols also, e.g. SIP
He took the road of Network Security and I think he is doing pretty well in his research. Of course I can't prove all that has said to me are true but I think I will believe him. Also many professors of mine have recommend it to me. Specifically one of my professors told me that if I wanted to study in UK in the field of Networks/Networking/Data Comm/Telecomm. I should consider studying only at UCL or Surrey. He is a respected researcher so I took his advice seriously, so I begun to search about the specific MSc and I think NCSs Syllabi is pretty good.
On the other hand I know that Edinburgh it's also a great University in the field of CS but I didn't found much on Network related MSc programmes.
Have you ever asked your professors about it?
I think that you are in a great dilemma
Both of them are great Universities!!
Good luck with your Acceptance!


Inform me what are you going to choose eventually it will be great if we are going to be in the same courses

Hi JohnG2,

Thanks for the course information. However, from your information I sense that NCS would be a course that may tend towards the academia, don't get me wrong, I admire the academic field and those invovled, but, it is not in my short term career plan. I still want to garner indusrty experience and engage in industry research. I hope to specialise in Networks and DS much later; doing an MSc in this area now would be narrowing my view too early.

Moreover, as an international student (from Africa), I think prospects afterwards are quite slim especially with specialist courses like NCS. UCL is a great school and coupled with your information they are doing well in the course area; however, I am not sure what my odds would be after the programme. The course at Edinburgh seems to be more general and the university is quite good too. Also, I hear there are more opportunites for international students in Scotland (not sure about the veracity of this info).

Although, my mind isn't made up yet as to where to go but I am really considering factors like living costs, prospects afterwards and course content while making a decision. What's your undergraduate degree (mine is in Applied Physics + 3years in telecoms industry)? What are your plans after the Msc programme? Are you tending towards the academia, academic research and the likes?

All the best!!!

Hey guys, I'm planning for an MSc in NCS this year(2012). Since some of you here are currently pursuing this course, request you all to guide me and help me with my query:

I'm a non-CS student but I'm interested in the field of networking. What level of programming knowledge is required prior to joining this program? Because most modules state undergrad degree in CS as a prerequisite.


Your inputs will really help me decide the next step of my career. Thanks so much