MSc Computing Science
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Course Overview
If you are a graduate from any non-computing discipline and interested in digital technologies and computing, our MSc Computing Science is particularly designed for you to broaden your existing knowledge to computing science.
This course does not require any prior knowledge or experience of computing as it will start by teaching you the fundamentals of application programming, web development and databases. It then steers your learning, based on your own aspirations, towards more advanced specialised areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, secure software development, data mining, computer vision, and modern embedded technology.
When you graduate, you’ll be professionally competitive and highly flexible. You’ll be in a great position to take a career in a challenging and changing employment environment. Over the years, our graduates have found employment in companies like Microsoft, BT, Aviva, WorldPay, PwC, Morgan Stanley, and China Mobile, and in public sector organisations like the Office for National Statistics or research institutes.
As this course is designed for graduates of the non-computing discipline, you will start it by learning some foundational knowledge and essential skills in computing science intensively and then move on to learn some advanced or specialised knowledge.
In addition, you’ll be trained to develop your generic and transferable skills in the areas of such as communication, critical thinking and reasoning, problem solving, technical writing, independent and team working and project management. You will also learn about computing professionalism and ethics.
You will take three fundamental modules which will teach you essential knowledge and skills in three main and important areas in computing. These modules lay solid foundations that you can build on with more advanced and/or specialised optional modules.
You’ll do a dissertation project from January to late August. This gives you the chance to specialise in a specific topic and work closely with our world-leading academics. You can choose a project from a list created by our faculty members and/or industrial collaborators, or you can propose your own project if you have a good idea (subject to some conditions). You will have a supervisor from the School. You will write a report on your work, develop a software and present it; this will give you the opportunity to develop academic writing and communication skills. There is a possibility that your dissertation could be accepted for publication, or used in research, industry or business.
Study and Modules
Structure
In the first semester, you’ll take three foundational modules. In the second semester, you will take two optional modules and also do a dissertation project throughout the summer. The optional modules are chosen based on your interest and the type of the dissertation project you will do. The compulsory taught module is taken over two semesters.
You’ll gain a clear understanding of current popular programming language Python and learn how to develop application software using this programming language. You’ll also learn Unified Modelling Language (UML) as a tool for software analysis and design, software development life cycle models, software testing strategies and techniques, and version control.
You’ll be introduced to most aspects of database structures, manipulation and management systems. You’ll gain practical experience of database manipulation through the use of SQL and the psycopg Python interface on a relational database management system. Moreover, you’ll learn database design using Entity-Relationship modelling and normalisation.
You will learn about the techniques for developing web-based applications. It covers HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript and Node.js, responsive website design model, usability and accessibility, current industry standard for backend server implementation, and some current issues, such as web security. On your coursework, you will work with two or three other students as a team to develop a website for a real-world application.
For your dissertation, you’ll work on a project from January to late August under the supervision of a faculty member. You can choose a project from many projects proposed by our faculty members or propose your own project subject to the approval of the module organiser and also the availability of a suitable supervisor.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll have an average of 15 hours of contact time per week with teaching staff through lectures, laboratory sessions and seminars – although this may vary depending on your module choices. Additionally, you should allocate at least 25 hours per week for independent study, coursework assignments and projects.
You’ll be taught through lectures, seminars, directed study and laboratory exercises, involving individual work and teamwork. Your modules are integrated in a web-based framework and you’ll be grouped in teams with other students to design and implement a substantial web-based application.
Alongside your formal learning, you’ll study independently to gain a deeper appreciation of specialist topics. You’ll build up to your MSc dissertation project, where you will explore a topic or work on a problem that is usually related to the School's research areas. This project gives you an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned from the course to carry out in-depth research on a topic or develop a working system for various applications. Some project work may be done with companies and could involve paid placement at a company.
Assessment
We have a mixture of individual and group assessments. These include written work, presentations or demonstrations, and exams (closed and/or time-limited assessment). They combine theoretical understanding with practical application and are designed to test the range of skills and competencies required for the learning outcomes of each module. The balance of assessment types varies according to the options chosen. Additionally, there is an individual project which is assessed through a combination of written work and demonstration or presentation.
You’ll be assessed by a combination of:
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Examination (typically 20%)
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Demonstrations and Presentations (typically 25%)
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Project (30%)
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Written assignments (typically 25%)
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- Bachelors degree 2.1 or equivalent
- Degree Subject
- Any subject area except Computing Science. Suitable for any with an aptitude in computing (eg work with websites or relevant work experience)
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in Writing and Speaking and 5.5 in Listening and Reading
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year
Additional Information or Requirements
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £11,000 (full time)
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International Students: £22,900 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
As a graduate from this course, you’ll be able to find employment in industry, public sector organisations and in research, working in diverse roles ranging from independent consultant, software developer, systems analyst, data analyst or IT manager to academic or commercial researcher.
One past graduate said: “I have found a job as a software developer and I am finding that the course has prepared me well for this. Once again, I’d like to thank you for getting your students ready for the real world.”
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Software engineer/programmer
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Web or app developer
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Systems analyst and/or administrator
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Databases administrator
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Data scientist
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Artificial intelligence developer
Discover more on our Careers webpages.