
Top 10 Best UK Universities for Quantum Computing & Quantum Technology Degrees (2025 Guide)
Quantum computing is moving from physics labs to venture-backed start-ups and government roadmaps. The UK has declared the 2020s its “quantum decade”, backing new technology hubs and CDTs with more than £1 billion in funding. If you want to help build error-corrected processors, quantum-secure networks or next-generation sensors, the right degree matters. Below we highlight ten UK universities offering standout undergraduate or postgraduate pathways in quantum computing and wider quantum technologies for 2025/26 entry.
How we selected these universities
Subject reputation – consistent strength in recent QS/THE Physics & Astronomy or Computer Science tables, plus strong REF results.
Dedicated programmes – named BSc/MSc/MPhil routes or well-defined quantum tracks inside wider physics, engineering or computer-science degrees.
Research & facilities – access to dilution refrigerators, ion-trap labs, photonic foundries or national quantum-technology hubs.
Industry & career links – collaborations with companies such as IBM Quantum, Oxford Ionics, BT Group or Rigetti, plus CDT or placement options.
Student experience – breadth of optional modules, interdisciplinary teaching and professional-skills training.
1 University of Oxford
Department overview – The new one-year MSc in Quantum Technologies complements Oxford’s long-running CDT in Delivering Quantum Technologies. Research spans ion-trap processors, superconducting qubits and quantum-network theory.
Sample modules
Quantum Information & Computation
Superconducting-Circuit Engineering
Quantum Machine Learning
Research environment – Students share cryogenic labs with the £38 m Quantum Computing & Simulation hub and can take internships at Oxford Ionics.
Careers & links – Alumni move to Quantinuum, PsiQuantum and DeepMind Quantum or continue to DPhil study.
Admissions – First-class degree in physics, maths or engineering plus evidence of coding (Python/Qiskit).
2 University of Sussex
Department overview – Sussex’s MSc Quantum Technology leverages the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies, known for scalable ion-trap chips and quantum-internet interfaces.
Sample modules
Ion-Trap Quantum Processors
Quantum Optics & Photonics
Quantum Metrology Devices
Research environment – Seven research groups span hardware to algorithms; students access the on-campus clean-room micro-fabrication line.
Careers & links – Graduates join Universal Quantum (a campus spin-out) or government’s National Quantum Computing Centre.
Admissions – 2:1 in physics or a related quantitative discipline; motivation letter should outline interest in hardware.
3 University of Bristol
Department overview – Bristol’s Quantum Engineering CDT and its MSc year lead into a four-year doctoral route specialising in photonic quantum processors and error-corrected communications.
Sample modules
Integrated Photonics for Qubits
Cryogenic Control Electronics
Quantum Error Correction & Fault Tolerance
Research environment – The city-centre Quantum Technology Innovation Hub houses lithography lines for silicon-nitride waveguides, and multi-photon photonic testbeds (demonstrated up to ~20 photons) for boson-sampling and error-correction research.
Careers & links – Partners include BT Group, Xanadu and Toshiba Europe; many CDT students take six-month industrial placements.
Admissions – Upper-second in physics, electrical engineering or maths; summer-school or hackathon experience is a plus.
4 Imperial College London
Department overview – Imperial’s MSc Physics (Quantum Dynamics stream) covers quantum optics, quantum information and quantum systems, capped by a three-month research project.
Sample modules
Quantum Optics & Cavity QED
Quantum Simulation with Trapped Ions
Topological Quantum Matter
Research environment – Students have access to Imperial’s HPC facility (≈ 200 GPUs in total), available for variational-algorithm research subject to queue time.
Careers & links – London start-ups (Phasecraft, Riverlane London) and banks exploring quantum advantage recruit heavily from Imperial.
Admissions – Strong first or 2:1 in physics-related subject plus evidence of linear-algebra fluency.
5 University College London (UCL)
Department overview – UCL’s Quantum Technologies MSc sits alongside the CDT in Quantum Computation & Communications (QC2).
Sample modules
Quantum Algorithms & Complexity
Photonic Quantum Networks
Quantum-Safe Cryptography
Research environment – Labs link to London’s Quantum Communications Hub testbed running metro-scale QKD trials.
Careers & links – Graduates move to BT Applied Research, NPL or continue to the QC2 PhD cohort.
Admissions – 2:1 in physics, maths or computer science; personal statement should mention any open-source quantum-software contributions.
6 University of Strathclyde
Department overview – The MSc Quantum Technologies and the Applied Quantum Technologies CDT (joint with Glasgow & Heriot-Watt) position Strathclyde as a centre for neutral-atom arrays and Rydberg-quantum simulation.
Sample modules
Quantum Simulation & Many-Body Physics
Photonics & Laser Systems
Cryogenic Instrumentation
Research environment – The Technology & Innovation Centre hosts rubidium-atom quantum-simulator rigs and industry-funded test time on cloud processors.
Careers & links – Partnerships with M-Squared Lasers, Oxford Ionics and the AWE accelerate industrial PhDs.
Admissions – Upper-second degree; applicants from engineering are welcome with proof of quantum-mechanics coursework.
7 University of Glasgow
Department overview – Glasgow’s MSc Quantum Technology is underpinned by QuantIC, the UK hub for quantum sensing and imaging.
Sample modules
Quantum-Enhanced Imaging
Superconducting Detectors
Quantum Sensors for Space
Research environment – Students access the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (ISO 4 clean room) and single-photon detector characterisation labs.
Careers & links – Alumni join Leonardo, Thales Alenia Space or pursue PhDs in quantum-gravity sensors.
Admissions – 2:1 in physics or electrical engineering; statement should highlight experimental skills.
8 University of Cambridge
Department overview – The Centre for Quantum Information & Foundations offers an MPhil path and feeds into several EPSRC CDTs (Superconductivity, Quantum Informatics).
Sample modules
Quantum Field Theory for Quantum Tech
Topological Qubits & Majorana Modes
Advanced Quantum Algorithms
Research environment – Students can prototype qubits with the Cavendish NanoLab and collaborate with spin-out Quantinuum.
Careers & links – “Silicon Fen” companies such as Riverlane and NuQuantum provide internships; many graduates proceed to PhD study.
Admissions – First-class degree and often GRE Physics for overseas applicants; research proposal expected.
9 University of York
Department overview – York’s Centre for Quantum Technologies runs MSc pathways in Quantum Communication and Quantum Computation.
Sample modules
Quantum Key Distribution & Networks
Quantum Error-Correcting Codes
Distributed Quantum Algorithms
Research environment – York researchers can trial QKD on the 125 km Cambridge–Adastral Park UKQNtel link today, and will gain local access to a new York–Leeds–Manchester track-side fibre testbed (QTRAX) as it comes online
Careers & links – Graduates join BT Research Ipswich, the European Quantum Internet Alliance or pursue the Applied Quantum Technologies CDT.
Admissions – 2:1 in computer science, physics or maths; programming test may be set.
10 University of Warwick
Department overview – While Warwick does not yet offer a full MSc in quantum computing, its Computer Science MSc plus dedicated CS419 Quantum Computing module and a new Quantum Algorithms research group make it a solid choice for software-focused students.
Sample modules
Quantum Algorithms & Cryptography
Post-Quantum Security
Quantum Programming in Qiskit
Research environment – Access to Midlands Quantum Node cloud hardware and interdisciplinary seminars with Warwick Mathematics Institute.
Careers & links – Alumni have joined Quantinuum’s algorithm team or continued to doctoral research on quantum software verification.
Admissions – High 2:1 in computer science or maths; applicants should show strong linear algebra and algorithm design experience.
Final tips & conclusion
Match your interest – Ion-trap hardware? Sussex or Oxford. Photonic chips? Bristol. Quantum-enhanced sensing? Glasgow. Quantum algorithms & software? UCL or Warwick.
Check research fit – Reach out to prospective supervisors early, especially for CDTs where cohort interviews start as early as December 2024.
Look for funding – Many CDTs offer full EPSRC studentships to UK candidates and a handful for international applicants; MSc scholarships close early.
Plan placements – Industrial projects at companies like Quantinuum, BT or M-Squared often convert to full-time roles.
Sharpen skills – A solid grasp of linear algebra, probability and Python (plus basic Qiskit or Cirq) will set you ahead of other applicants.
A UK degree in quantum computing or quantum technologies places you on the front line of the next computing revolution—whether you’re designing qubit hardware, crafting new algorithms or deploying quantum-secure networks. Good luck, and may your states stay coherent!
Frequently asked questions
Are these degrees accredited?
Most undergraduate physics routes hold Institute of Physics accreditation; CDTs and MScs align with EPSRC industrial-training standards.
Do I need prior quantum mechanics?
Yes. Expect at least one undergraduate course in quantum theory and strong linear-algebra fluency.
Which university is best for photonic quantum computing?
Bristol, with its Quantum Engineering CDT and on-site silicon-photonics foundry.
Can I study part-time or online?
Sussex and UCL offer flexible or distance modules, but most programmes require full-time on-campus lab work.
How early should I apply?
Top MScs (Oxford, Imperial) and CDTs (Bristol, Strathclyde) close applications between December 2024 and January 2025.
All details are accurate to the best of our knowledge for the 2025-26 admissions cycle; always confirm entry requirements, fees and deadlines directly with each university.