Studying Information Technology in the UK

Great decision! Pursuing IT in the UK can be a life-changing decision

Being a dynamic and fast-moving sector, information technology (IT) is one of the most sought-after fields across the world today. Considered as an integral element of computer technology and business, IT is an indispensable part of the 21st century. Rightfully enough, many universities and colleges in the United Kingdom (UK) are rated as some of the best in the world.

The UK – a hotspot for IT courses

Besides being globally-recognised, a degree in IT from the UK can open doors to many opportunities for students.

• The UK’s IT courses thrive on practical training that makes you career-ready

• Universities are known to provide access to a wide range of advanced equipment and software. Also, their networking labs are equipped with high-end simulation software, telecommunication equipment, etc.

• Globally, IT and computer science professionals are highly paid professionals. As per the UK stats, these professionals earn more than other department graduates. As per The Graduate Market in2019 report by High Fliers, the starting salaries for technology jobs with organisations (listed in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers) witnessed an increase from the national median of £30,000 (which was the same since 2015) to £31,500 in the UK

• The technology courses of the UK universities result in high research output, Russell Group consists of 18 top research Universities in the UK, known to be the best Universities in the UK

• The close links between universities and industry leaders lead to building an extensive and robust network of connections for students

When deciding where to study in the UK, keep these few pointers in mind – check the university's ranking and international accreditations, teaching faculty, course structure, infrastructure and amenities, approximate cost of study, availability of scholarships and opportunities post study.

Eligibility criteria to pursue an IT course in the UK

For a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to show evidence and transcripts of your 10+2 examinations, while for masters you would require to complete a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university/college and in the relevant field. For both bachelors and master’s

• Typical International Baccalaureate requirements: 35 points

• Typical A-levels requirements: AAB including mathematics and physics

• Typical IELTS requirements: 7.0 overall, with no lower than 6.5 in any one component

• A good score in standardised entrance tests such as GMAT/GRE and English language proficiency tests such as IELTS is a pre-requisite

Average cost and duration of IT courses in the UK

*Indicative cost for total program fee

Read more: Cost of studying in the UK

Student visa for studying in the UK

You can apply for a Tier 4 visa if you have received an offer letter to pursue the course from a UK institution; if you can speak, read, write and understand English; and most importantly have enough money to support your studies and your cost of living in the UK.

Read more: Student visa requirements for the UK

Top career options after completing IT from the UK

With more than one million people employed in the UK's IT industry, you can specialise in an area that you are most passionate about, provided you learn the required knowledge and technical skills, most promising career options are:

• Applications Development

• Computer Forensics

• Content Management

• Cybersecurity and Risk Management

• Data Analysis and Analytics

• Game Development

• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

• Hardware Engineering

• Information Management

• IT Consultancy (Business and Technical)

• IT Sales

• Multimedia Programming

• Software Engineering (Designing, Building, Developing and Testing)

• Systems/Network Management

• Technical Support

• Telecommunications

• Web Design/Development

Work visa after course completion

If you’ve completed your bachelor’s or master's Degree, a Post Graduate Certificate or Diploma (including PGCE) or PhD from a recognised UK institution, you are eligible to apply for a Tier 2 visa. This visa allows you to stay and work in the UK for up to 5 years, depending on the length of your appointment and whether your job is according to the 'new entrant' or 'experienced worker' salary rate.

Eligibility criteria for the work visa

• You must be a recent graduate from a UK institution

• You will have to accept an employment offer from any company in the UK

• The employer company should hold a license to sponsor Tier 2 Visa employees

• The employer should pay you a minimum salary of GBP 30K annually

Studying IT in the UK can be a life-changing decision for you. Make your decision wisely, and if you need any help, our experienced international education experts will be more than happy to assist you.

Updated on September 22, 2020