Master of Science in Computer Science

Program Overview

This advanced four-year course offers a thorough grounding in all the latest trends and technologies in the rapidly evolving world of computer science. You will have the chance to complete an extended final year project on a topic of your choice and it is particularly recommended if you want to go on to postgraduate study or a high-level technical career. You will also gain a competitive edge over graduates from standard three-year BSc courses.

Our progressive curriculum will give you the knowledge and technical skills that employers need, and introduce you to pioneering ideas and technologies to help you to realise your ambitions. You will graduate with transferable skills such as problem-solving, programming, team working, analytical skills, time management and self-motivation, and the confidence and ability to tackle real-world problems in a wide range of application domains. We cover all the essentials of computing and application development, and introduce you to a host of advanced topics, from computer games, machine learning and digital sound and music, to intelligent agents and multi-agents, computational optimisation, advanced data communications, digital forensics and more. You will experiment with programming games, robots, Gadgeteer kits, Subversion, JUnit testing, Scrum-based Agile software and more.

The course’s modular structure gives you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests. At the end of year 1 you will have the option of transferring onto one of our specialist pathways (Artificial Intelligence, Information Security or Distributed & Networked Computing), or adding a year in industry to your degree. Transferring onto our Software Engineering pathway requires previous programming experience and early permission to take the Software Development course in year 1, rather than Object-oriented Programming.

We are a highly respected, research-focused department with award-winning teaching. We offer a summer work placement course and a dedicated personal adviser to guide you through your studies. You will also be welcome to join our thriving Computing Society. We are one of only seven departments in the UK to hold the Athena SWAN bronze award for our commitment to increasing female participation in computer science.

• A flexible degree structure allows you to keep your options open and follow your study interests and career ambitions.
• You will acquire problem modelling and analysis techniques, as well as knowledge of and practical experience in modern software-development methodologies and techniques.
• You will develop extensive team-work skills, excellent coding skills, good communication skills, and a strong professional ethos.
• You will have access to a very wide range of optional modules, including those highlighted in the specialist pathways.