Computer Science

Entry requirements

An honours degree at 2:2 level or above in any subject (or International students holding a qualification recognised as equivalent by the University).

Please see the University website for full details.

Months of entry

September

Course content

If you are looking to embark on a career in computing but don’t yet have a computing qualification, our Master of Science in Computer Science (MSc) program is a great choice.

This program is tailored to individuals who are passionate about technology and come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds. Taught by academic staff who have a wealth of experience in industry, research and teaching, you will gain experience in the latest technological developments.

Key features

The course is designed to give you a professional understanding of computing practices focussed on the design, build, implementation and technical management of computer systems. Although computing is a technical subject, our course will ensure you don’t lose sight of other crucial professional aspects, such as ethical responsibility, entrepreneurship and sustainable systems development

The course equips you for a professional mastery in computing and has the following features:

• Modules that incorporate the latest research and contemporary ideas in the profession
• Structured learning that will give you an accessible introduction to computing practices and build on these to make you a confident computing professional, researcher and decision-maker
• Teaching staff from a wealth of backgrounds including industrial and business applications, and advanced research establishments
• Hands on experience in exploring the latest technological and computing technologies, such as AI programming, autonomous systems and Internet of Things technologies

Placement (optional)

You will have the opportunity to go on a work placement for 6 or 12 months. You are supported in finding placements and can apply for a vacancy as you would a job. There are dedicated sessions to support you in CV writing, interview skills and job applications as well as access to 1:1 tutorials. Most placements start on completion of the taught modules.

The placement will allow you to gain first-hand experience within a real business environment to enhance your future employability and are usually paid. Some students choose to base their research project on a business-related issue arising during the placement. This would give you access to research participants and primary data, and allow you to apply the theories and principles discussed on the programme to a real organisation.

While on placement, you will be supported by a dedicated placements team able to respond to any problems you may be having, an individual tutor who visits you twice while you are on placement and you will retain access to all the University facilities including e-resources. At the end of the placement, you are required to submit a placement portfolio containing your learning contract, a satisfactory employer appraisal, a case study and an end of placement presentation.

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lectures, seminars and laboratory practicals, fieldwork, practical activities etc. Interactive workshops take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures, and laboratory practicals are focused on developing subject specific skills and applied individual and group project work.

In addition, meetings with Personal Academic Tutors are scheduled during your studies. Meetings are also scheduled with the Research Project supervisors throughout the execution of the project.

Careers

Our MSc will equip you with skills to pursue your career in computing and digital technologies and will also pave the way for studying this field at PhD level, should that be your desire.

Opportunities for computing professionals include:

• System Developer
• Programmer
• Requirements Analyst
• Artificial Intelligence Engineer
• Games Developer
• Data Scientist
• System Support
• Computer Project Manager
• Digital Start-up Entrepreneur

Beyond specific technical skills, our MSc will give you the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills which are highly valued, such as, problem solving, team leadership, presentation skills, adaptability, and a sustainability mindset.