Computing and information technologies are ubiquitous no area of society is unaffected by their presence and the opportunities they create. The Internet and Web are at the heart of the biggest revolution in communications since the inventions of printing and the postal system, are revolutionising the ways business is conducted, and have transformed the management of both large and small organisations, government and education.

The MSc in Computing Science is normally a 12 month full-time intensive course, but may be studied part-time over 24 months. The training in MSc computing Science develops not only technical but also generic, transferable skills, such as in communication, problem reasoning and solving, independent and team working ability, and project management, which make our students more flexible and competitive in challenging and changing employment environment. Graduates from this course find employment in a wider range of careers in private industry, public sector organisations and research.

The course is delivered through lectures, seminars, directed studies and laboratory exercises, involving individual and team work. The assessments are carried out by coursework and/or written examinations. Starting in the Spring semester, students undertake a dissertation project on a topic that is usually related to the School's main research areas, often in collaboration with an outside body. During the course students will learn how to design and develop information systems for e- commerce and Web-based applications. This includes techniques for modelling systems using UML, object-oriented programming in the Java language, and designing and using databases. These are all integrated in a Web framework, and students develop a substantial Web-based application in a group environment. Students also take a two or three optional modules, which may include Data Mining, Networks, Systems Engineering, Systems Development, Artificial Intelligence, and Speech and Language Processing.

Graduates from this course have gone on to work in a very wide range of computing jobs, ranging from independent consultants, through software developers, systems analysts, data analysts, IT managers, to academic or commercial researchers.

Entry Requirements

The course is designed for graduates of disciplines other than Computer Science. A good honours degree (2:2 minimum) or equivalent in any subject is normally required. A Postgraduate Diploma entry route, with the possibility to upgrade during the course, is available for applicants whose qualifications do not meet the MSc entry requirements.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to have either IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 580 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based) or 92 (internet-based), or equivalent.

Course Profile

Overall total: 180 credits

Compulsory modules (140 credits)

Options range  (40 credits)

Students will select 40 credits from the following modules: