The short version
- Undergraduate
- Most universities do not yet offer a standalone quantum computing degree.
- What matters most
- Access to a quantum research institute (IQC, QuTech, JQI, Perimeter) over the degree title.
- Taught Masters
- 1 to 2 years, usually self-funded, especially UK programs.
- PhD
- 4 to 6 years, typically fully funded in the US, Canada, and Europe.
- Choosing a PhD
- The supervisor and research group matter far more than the institution's overall ranking.
01 Undergraduate Courses and Concentrations
Most universities do not yet offer a standalone quantum computing degree. The field has grown faster than degree programs can be restructured. Instead, the best route for undergraduates is to choose a CS, Physics, or Applied Mathematics degree at a university where substantial quantum computing coursework is available, and to take as many of those courses as your program allows. The universities below are the places where that coursework is richest.
Cambridge, MA, USA
MIT
- 18.435J Quantum Computation
- 8.370 Quantum Computation
Two distinct graduate-level courses: one in the EECS/math tradition, one in physics. Both freely available via MIT OCW.
Pasadena, CA, USA
Caltech
- CS/PH 219 Quantum Computation (Preskill)
- Ph 127 Quantum Information
John Preskill's PHYS 219 lecture notes are a canonical graduate reference. Ph 127 covers quantum information from the physics perspective.
Ontario, Canada
University of Waterloo
- QIC 710 Quantum Information Processing
- QIC 750 Advanced Quantum Information
Home to the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), widely considered the world's leading quantum information research institute. Undergraduate physics and CS students gain access to world-class graduate instruction.
Delft, Netherlands
TU Delft
- Quantum Information (Applied Physics/EE)
- QuTech research modules
QuTech, the joint quantum research centre of TU Delft and TNO, produces both hardware and educational content. The university's edX courses are among the best freely available quantum resources.
Zurich, Switzerland
ETH Zurich
- Quantum Information Theory (Physics)
- Quantum Computing (CS)
Multiple quantum computing modules in both Physics and CS departments. Known for rigorous mathematical treatment and strong connections to experimental groups.
Ontario, Canada
University of Toronto
- PHY1484 Quantum Information
- CSC2412 Foundations of Privacy
Strong quantum ML focus, reflecting the University of Toronto's broader strength in machine learning research. The Coursera quantum ML specialisation grew out of this program.
Oxford, UK
Oxford University
- Quantum Computing (CS final year)
- Quantum Processes and Computation
Oxford's CS final-year quantum computing option and its quantum processes course are grounded in the categorical and foundational traditions that Oxford helped establish.
Cambridge, UK
Cambridge University
- Part III Quantum Information (Maths)
- Part III Quantum Computation (Physics)
The Part III Mathematical Tripos is one of the most rigorous postgraduate-entry mathematics qualifications in the world. The quantum information course is exceptionally precise.
Singapore
National University of Singapore
- Centre for Quantum Technologies courses
- QT5201S Quantum Technology Foundations
The Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) at NUS is Asia's leading quantum research institute. Strong theory and experiment, with connections across the Singapore quantum ecosystem.
College Park, MD, USA
University of Maryland
- PHYS 625 Quantum Information
- Joint Quantum Institute courses
The Joint Quantum Institute (JQI), a partnership with NIST, is a world leader in trapped-ion quantum computing. Graduate students work alongside some of the field's top experimentalists.
If you are choosing a university specifically to study quantum computing, prioritise access to a quantum research institute (IQC, QuTech, JQI, Perimeter) over the particular degree title. Research institute proximity means access to seminars, reading groups, and research assistant opportunities that no course catalogue alone can provide.
02 Taught Masters Programs
The past five years have seen a wave of new quantum computing MSc programs launched at universities worldwide, driven by industry demand and government investment. These programs vary significantly in focus: some are theory-heavy and prepare students for PhD research, others are professionally oriented and target industry roles. Knowing the difference matters.
UK · 1 year · Theory and applications
MSc Quantum Computing
University of Edinburgh
One of the first dedicated quantum computing MSc programs in the world. Combines theoretical computer science with quantum algorithm design and cryptography.
UK · 1 year · Hardware, software, and sensing
MSc Quantum Technology
University of Birmingham
Covers quantum computing hardware alongside quantum sensing and metrology. Strong links to industry partners and the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme.
UK · 1 year · Theory
MSc Quantum Information
University of Leeds
Theory-focused program with strong faculty in quantum information science. Suits students who want rigorous mathematical training in quantum information before pursuing a PhD.
Canada · 1 year · Research-focused theory
Master of Quantum Information (MQI)
Perimeter Institute / University of Waterloo
Highly competitive. Students are taught by faculty from both Perimeter Institute and IQC, two of the world's leading theoretical physics and quantum information institutes. Full funding is standard.
Japan · 2 years · Software and applications
MSc Applied Quantum Computing
Keio University
The first quantum computing MSc in Japan, developed in partnership with IBM. Students work directly with IBM Quantum hardware and the Qiskit ecosystem.
Germany · 2 years · Mixed (hardware and theory)
Master in Quantum Science and Technology
LMU Munich / TU Munich
Part of Munich Quantum Valley, one of Europe's largest quantum computing initiatives. Students gain access to superconducting qubit hardware and world-class theory groups across both Munich universities.
USA · 2 years · Professional / engineering
MSc Quantum Computing
Stevens Institute of Technology
A US-based professional MSc with a practical engineering orientation. Covers quantum algorithms, hardware, and error correction with a focus on preparing students for industry roles.
USA · 1-2 years · Industry-focused
Professional Masters in Quantum Computing
University of Chicago / Chicago Quantum Exchange
Developed with Chicago Quantum Exchange industry partners including IBM, Boeing, and JPMorgan Chase. Emphasises practical quantum computing skills and industry readiness.
UK · 1 year · Theory and experiment
MSc Quantum Technologies
University College London
Balances theory with experimental quantum science across quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing. Located in London with strong connections to the UK quantum industry.
UK · 1 year · Research-adjacent, mixed
MSc Advanced Quantum Technologies
Imperial College London
Competitive entry with strong emphasis on preparing students for research careers. Faculty are active researchers in quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing.
UK MSc programs are typically self-funded (tuition ranges from GBP 10,000 to GBP 30,000). The Waterloo MQI is fully funded for admitted students. US professional Masters programs vary widely. Always check whether STEM OPT extension applies if you are an international student targeting US employment after graduating.
03 PhD Programs
A PhD in quantum computing, quantum information, or quantum physics is the route into research scientist roles at companies like Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Quantinuum, as well as academic positions. The supervisor and research group matter far more than the institution's overall ranking. The groups below are recognised leaders in their specific subfields.
The supervisor and research group matter far more than the institution's overall ranking.
Algorithms and Theory
Research on quantum algorithm design, quantum complexity theory, quantum cryptography, and the theoretical foundations of quantum computing.
- MIT CSAIL
- Caltech IQI
- University of Waterloo IQC
- UT Austin
- University of Chicago
Superconducting Qubits
Building and characterising superconducting qubit systems, including transmon design, microwave control, cryogenic engineering, and circuit QED.
- MIT
- Caltech
- Yale
- UC Berkeley
- TU Delft
- ETH Zurich
Trapped Ion
Ion trap hardware, laser cooling, high-fidelity gate operations, and scaling trapped-ion systems toward fault-tolerant computation.
- University of Maryland / JQI
- Oxford
- University of Innsbruck
- Duke
Photonic and Neutral Atom
Photonic quantum computing, linear optical circuits, neutral atom arrays, tweezer-based quantum processors, and quantum networking.
- Caltech
- Harvard
- MIT
- Paris ENS
- MPQ Munich
Quantum Error Correction
Topological codes, threshold theorems, fault-tolerant gate sets, magic state distillation, and the path from NISQ devices to logical qubits.
- Caltech
- MIT
- University of Sydney
- IBM Research (industrial)
Quantum Machine Learning
Variational quantum algorithms, quantum kernels, quantum neural networks, and the theoretical foundations of quantum advantage in machine learning.
- University of Toronto
- ETH Zurich
- Cambridge
- Xanadu (industrial)
Quantum Cryptography
Quantum key distribution, device-independent cryptography, post-quantum cryptographic protocols, and the security theory underlying quantum communication.
- CWI Amsterdam
- University of Waterloo
- MIT
- ETH Zurich
IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Quantinuum all run PhD programs or sponsored PhD arrangements that combine world-class research with direct access to proprietary quantum hardware. These positions are highly competitive but offer advantages that university labs often cannot match: larger qubit counts, better engineering support, and a direct path into a research career at the company.
Read papers first. Find three or four researchers whose recent work genuinely interests you, then look at which programs they are affiliated with. A strong fit with a supervisor who is actively publishing in your area of interest matters more than the institution's overall prestige.
04 Free University Courses Online
Many top universities make their quantum computing course materials freely available. These are not simplified versions: they are the actual graduate courses, taught by the researchers who define the field. If you want to experience the depth and rigour of a university quantum program before committing to one, start here.
Caltech PHYS 219
John Preskill's lecture notes for Caltech's quantum computation course. Ten chapters covering quantum information, algorithms, and error correction at graduate level. The standard reference in the field.
MIT OCW Quantum Computation
MIT's 18.435J notes cover the algorithms and complexity theory of quantum computing. Freely available via MIT OpenCourseWare with problem sets included.
TU Delft on edX
TU Delft's Quantum 101 professional certificate and standalone courses on quantum algorithms and error correction. Free to audit, with optional paid certificates.
Yale Open Courses
Yale's quantum physics lectures, covering the quantum mechanics foundations that underpin quantum computing. Accessible and clearly taught.
Perimeter Institute (PIRSA)
Hundreds of hours of recorded lectures by leading researchers across quantum information, quantum foundations, and quantum gravity.
Cambridge Part III Notes
Cambridge's Part III quantum information course notes: mathematically rigorous treatment of quantum channels, error correction, and cryptography.
Browse all university and open-access courses on the site: All university courses
05 How to Choose: PhD, Masters, or Online Courses
The right path depends on your career goals, current background, financial situation, and how much time you can commit. There is no single correct answer, but the framework below covers the most common situations.
PhD
Best for research and hardware careers
When it makes sense- You want a research scientist role at Google, IBM, Microsoft, or Quantinuum
- You want to develop new algorithms, error correction schemes, or hardware
- You are aiming for an academic career
- You want to work on problems that cannot be solved with existing methods
- 4 to 6 years, typically fully funded in the US, Canada, and Europe
- Success depends heavily on your supervisor relationship
- The research group and institution's hardware access matter
Taught Masters
Best for structured depth and industry transitions
When it makes sense- You want a quantum software engineering or quantum algorithms role
- You are transitioning from classical CS or physics and need formal credentials
- You want the depth of a PhD program without the research commitment
- You want a credential that signals quantum expertise to employers
- 1 to 2 years, usually self-funded (especially UK programs)
- Industry-focused programs connect you to hiring networks
- Research-adjacent programs can lead to PhD applications
Online Courses
Best for exploration, upskilling, and preparation
When it makes sense- You are exploring whether quantum computing is the right direction
- You want to add quantum skills to an existing engineering or research career
- You are preparing for a Masters or PhD application
- You are in a role where quantum knowledge adds value without full credentials
- Online courses alone rarely suffice for research scientist roles
- University-level free courses (MIT, Caltech) reach genuine graduate depth
- Certificates from Coursera and edX have modest but growing employer recognition