SOP for Computer Science in UK: Format, Samples & Writing Tips

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An SOP for Computer Science in UK is an essential document required for applying to study in UK. As per the top universities in UK, an SOP should contain around 3,000 or at most 2 pages. A statement of purpose is an essay containing the academic and professional profile of the applicant, his/her perspective on pursuing Computer Science in UK, etc. It highlights 3Ws, i.e., who are you, what are your academic qualifications, and why are you the right person for the course. SOP for UK universities can be submitted either as a section of UCAS application or along with other supporting documents as an attachment.

SOP for Computer Science in UK: Bachelors vs Masters

For a majority of universities in UK, the application form includes a Statement of Purpose inside the UCAS application portal for BS: Computer Science. However, for applying to MS in Computer Science in UK, candidates must prepare an SOP keeping the word limit of the university in mind. The following points sum up the essentials for an SOP for Computer Science in UK:

It should include your academic aggregate, achievements, personal interests
You have to explain the purpose of selecting Computer Science as a field of study
Your future aspirations should be highlighted
If you have been admitted into an institute, especially to attain your goal, then you should focus on mentioning it as well
Any scholarship or financial aid received in the past must be reported

SOP for MSc Computer Science in UK

The following are some of the top universities and their guidelines for submitting SOP for MSc Computer Science in UK:-

University of Birmingham

The word limit for a Statement of Purpose for studying a postgraduate program at the University of Birmingham is 5,000 characters.

The SOP shall be submitted in a pdf or MS Word format
Mention the reason for pursuing an MS in Advance Computer Science at the University of Birmingham.
Explain how you possess the academic and technical skills for excelling in the field of Computer Science
Explain your academic achievements, co-curricular interests, leadership qualities, etc.
Don’t forget to add your professional experience (if any)

University of Oxford

The application for an MSc in Advanced Computer Science at the University of Oxford requires a Statement of Purpose containing no more than 1,000 words.

It must be written in English
Mention the reason for selecting this particular course and the university
Add your future plans on studying further or pursuing a career in Computer Science in UK
Explain how the addition of you as a candidate is beneficial to the institution
Your SOP should focus more on choosing an MSc in Advance Computer Science at the University of Oxford rather than explaining your personal feats.

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge offers an MPhil in Advanced Computer Science to students. The application form does not exactly require a statement of purpose but it consists of a questionnaire in which the applicants must answer the following questions in their own words:-

Write two research themes in preference order.
Provide one or two project proposals of no more than 500 words.
Choose 5 modules from the current year’s syllabus.

University College London

The University College London does not set separate SOP requirements for MSc Computer Science applicants. The university offers the choice between submitting a 3,000-character Personal Statement in the online application form and giving a separate document as an SoP. The separate SoP should at most contain 2 pages.

Mention the reason for shortlisting MSc Computer Science as a PG program and applying to Cambridge
Write about your academic achievements, academic and non-academic interests, career goals, etc.
Mention if you have gained professional experience or if you have completed an internship program

Sample SOP for MSc Computer Science in UK

Growing up in a daily of people related to the tech fields, I gradually developed an interest in the same. When I was young, I would observe my father and the eldest brother talking about software, and new technologies, and buying some mechanical devices. These conversations instilled the idea of pursuing a career in the field of Computer Science inside me. I used to provide creative thoughts for the UI design to my father and brother. The technicalities, need for creativity, and challenging environment of the tech industry inspired me to complete my graduation in Computer Science from the well-reputed PVC College of Information and Technology, Mumbai.

The initial years of the 4-year program were focused on developing theoretical knowledge of computers and their components, emphasising the study of data structures and algorithms, discrete mathematics, operating systems, etc. Through these courses, I developed a strong foundation in Computer Applications, algorithm implementations, and Mathematics, which I believe will serve as a solid base for my advanced studies at the University of Edinburgh. A major part of studying Computer Science is learning how to implement what you have learned. For practical implementations, I was used to making web and Android applications for practice, including Ball Story (a small game), Novac (an app for making a monthly budget and listing expenses), and Ninja (a first-person shooting game). I also prepared a Face Detector application as the final-year project which identified the user based on his/her facial features and denied others from logging in.

I got an opportunity to do an internship at PJ Simpsons, a leading FinTech company and my work was to align myself with the technicalities of their own Web and Android applications and learn how to link it with Finance. It took me some time to learn the particulars of the FinTech industry but it genuinely improved my thinking skills, decision-making abilities, and productivity. After interning there for more than 8 months, I graduated from PVC College of Information and Technology with flying colours, and now I look forward to utilising my skills and implementing the knowledge of Computer Science into pursuing an MS in Computer science at the University of Edinburgh.

As my career and education progressed, I realised I should take on more challenging roles as it would add constructive pressure on me which would further develop my abilities and help me achieve my future goals. In the short term, I would like to complete my post graduation in Computer Science and pursue a career in the same field. My long-term goal is to gather enough funds in order to establish my own Tech Company in India and promote creative ideas among the youth. Creating awareness regarding the technical field and the need for innovation is my future aspiration as I have observed that the correct mixture of opportunities and technology in the hands of youth can revolutionise the entire nation.

I am interested in pursuing an MS in Computer science at the University of Edinburgh because it offers a great number of opportunities for my growth, ranging from recruiting a highly skilled faculty to having an active placement cell. Moreover, the strong alumni network of the institution would help me make strong connections in the tech industry, globally. The university organises seminars and competitions every term, visited by well-experienced professors, scientists, and innovators. I look forward to being an active participant in the vibrant academic environment and contributing to the scholarly community at the University of Edinburgh's School of Information and Sciences.

Tips for Writing SOP for Computer Science in UK

Universities in UK often check SOPs to judge how strongly an applicant’s profile is aligned with the program he/she is applying to. Following are some of the guidelines and tips to frame an excellent statement of purpose.

Make sure you do not cross the word limit prescribed by the university that you are applying into
Do not copy-paste the SOP from the website as your essay will be checked for plagiarism by the university
Do not lie in the essay
Give incidents or examples from your life in order to prove your point
Make sure to take reference from the already submitted SOPs or samples provided by the university

The best way to prepare an SOP for UK is to make an honest and presentable essay based on your own life. It may be a difficult task at first, but after analysing a few sample articles, applicants can master th