The University of Virginia is one of the most distinctive institutes of higher education in the United States of America (USA). Established by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the university has produced scholars and leaders for over two centuries.
It has been ranked as the 4th best public university in the USA according to the U.S. News & World Report, 2022. Furthermore, the institute has a QS World ranking of #226, adding to its credibility. The university also offers some of the top undergraduate and master’s programs globally.
The MS in Computer Science at University of Virginia is extremely popular among students. Read on to know more about the course.
The University of Virginia Computer Science ranking is #28 as per the US News and World Report. So, you can expect world-class academic facilities while studying the MS in CS course.
Under the MS degree, you have to complete your coursework and research independently. Your professor will oversee the research, and you have to submit a written thesis, along with an oral defense.
Additionally, the degree has a duration of 2 years which prepares you for doctoral research and better employment opportunities.
Modules
The graduate degree from the institute certifies that you have profound knowledge of the domain and substantial research experience. So, the course modules cover all the crucial subjects of Computer Science to offer a solid background.
Some of the course modules of MS in CS at University of Virginia include:
Programming and Systems for Data Science
Software Engineering
Foundations of Computer Science
Computer Architecture
Computation as a Research Tool
Performance Analysis of Communication Networks
Real-Time Systems
Operating Systems
Database Systems
Computer Networks
Academic Cycle
The MS degree follows a semester-based cycle, where the program is divided into three semesters.
First semester– You have to take the Computer Science Perspectives course for 1 credit. Moreover, you need to take four graded courses (13 credits).
Second semester– Here, you need to take four graded courses (12 credits).
Summer– The SEAS Center for Engineering Career Development will arrange internships for you during this period.
Third semester– It’s mandatory to take 3 credits of your Thesis (CS 8999) this semester. In addition, you must also take three credits of CS 8999 in the previous semester.
Eligibility Requirements
The Department of Computer Science at the University of Virginia doesn’t require you to have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science. However, you must have a solid foundation in the core subjects, including:
Data structures and algorithms
Programming in C, C++, Java or C#
Computer Organization and Assembly Language
Discrete Mathematics
Operating Systems
Computer Networks
Besides this, the institute will determine your eligibility based on two aspects- language proficiency and academics.
Academic Eligibility
The minimum eligibility criteria for the program is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
Even though there is no minimum GPA for the course, it’s recommended that you have a score of at least 3.3 or more. GRE scores are also optional here.
English Language Proficiency
If you’re a permanent citizen of the USA, TOEFL isn’t required. Furthermore, if you’ve completed a 4-year degree from an English-speaking institute, you won’t require TOEFL/IELTS.
But, if you haven’t studied at such an English-speaking university, you have to appear for TOEFL or IELTS and score at least 90 on TOEFL iBT.
To initiate the admission process, you have to pay an application fee of USD 85, which cannot be waivered. However, you need to keep the admission cycle in mind while applying.
Admissions Process
You have to go to the University of Virginia’s application page to apply for the program. So, begin by creating your account and enter your necessary details.
Thereafter, you need to pay the application fee and start uploading important documents. These will include your academic certificates and letters of reference.
Documents Required for Admission
You need to collect the following documents for applying to the MS in CS at University of Virginia:
Resume
Online application form
Personal statement
Academic credentials and certificates
Official transcript
TOEFL/IELTS test scores
Admission Cycle
For the upcoming fall semester admission, complete the application before February 1. But, the University of Virginia MS in CS deadline is April 1.
Note that this deadline is applicable for both US and international students.
Cost of Attendance
To understand the University of Virginia MS in CS fees, you need to look at the following fee structure:
Tuition fees– USD 952 for Virginia residents and $1,574 for others
Living costs– USD 18,430 (for both VA and non-VA residents)
Additional expenses– USD 1,698 (for both VA and non-VA residents)
You must also remember that living and additional costs are estimated figures and can vary according to the student.
Which famous personalities are among the notable alumni of the University of Virginia?
The world-class academic opportunities and infrastructure has helped the institute produce legends. Some of the most notable alumni include Tina Fey, Edgar Allan Poe, Joe Harris, Chris Long, Bruce Brandfon, Sasheer Zamata, Dylan (Charles) Walsh, and Andrew M. Scheinman.
Does the institute offer financial aid to students pursuing MS in Computer Science at University of Virginia?
At present, the institute doesn’t provide full financial aid to graduate students. However, they offer financial fellowships to selected candidates.
You would also be happy to know that you don’t have to submit any particular documents to be eligible for these fellowships. The selection is based on the submitted application documents.
What are the research opportunities at University of Virginia?
The Computer Science department at the institute receives more than USD 6 million from federal research support. This means you can utilize the advanced infrastructure to research subjects like cyber-physical systems, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction.
With over10 years of experience in the ed-tech sector, Sachin holds expertise in operations management, ensuring the smooth functioning of study abroad programs. He has deep understanding of the global university systems, acceptance rates, and selection process.