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Computing Science

MSc or PGDip or PGCert

Key facts

Start dates

September 2023 / September 2024

Location

Wheatley

Course length

Full time: MSc - 1 year (12 months); PG Dip - 6 months; PG Cert - 3 months

Part time: MSc - 2 years (24 months); PG Dip - 18 months (12 months study time); PG Cert - 6 months

Accreditation(s)

The British Computer Society

  • The British Computer Society

Overview

If your first degree is not in computing but you want to move into IT then our BCS accredited MSc in Computing Science is ideal for you.

Our course  is rooted in real-world and industry-relevant experiences. It provides the basis for starting a career in computing and IT. We will teach you the fundamentals of:

  • programming
  • hardware
  • networks
  • software engineering.

You will develop a sound knowledge of computer software development for a range of problem areas, such as:

  • interactive websites
  • stand-alone applications
  • network systems.

Our teaching staff have extensive experience in research and university teaching. As well as a wide range of previous industrial and commercial backgrounds. 

Due to the emphasis on software system construction and management, and data organisation, this qualification is applicable to a wide variety of fields concerned with using computers. As well as directly to the computer industry itself.

Male student working at a computer

How to apply

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

You should normally hold a first degree equivalent to at least a British lower second-class bachelor's degree, in a non-computing subject. If your first degree contains only a small element of technical computing you can also be considered.

For entry to the Postgraduate Certificate Research Project you should provide evidence of experience in research and study methods at an appropriate level.

 

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 6.0 in all components.

OR

An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.

Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.

International qualifications and equivalences

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English requirements for visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.

Pathways courses for international and EU students

We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.

Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.

If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Application process

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£8,350 (Masters); £7,350 (Diploma); £4,175 (Certificate)

Home (UK) part time
£4,175

International full time
£16,600

Home (UK) full time
£8,700 (Masters); £7,700 (Diploma); £4,350 (Certificate)

Home (UK) part time
£4,350

International full time
£17,200

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2022 / 23
Home (UK) full time
£8,350 (Masters); £7,350 (Diploma); £4,175 (Certificate)

Home (UK) part time
£4,175

International full time
£16,600

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£8,700 (Masters); £7,700 (Diploma); £4,350 (Certificate)

Home (UK) part time
£4,350

International full time
£17,200

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 483088

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Learning and assessment

The MSc in Computing Science has a modular course unit design giving you flexibility and choice. To qualify you need to achieve credits depending on the level of award you are studying.

MSc in Computing Science

You need 180 credits including:

  • six taught modules (20 credits each)
  • dissertation (60 credits).

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing Science

You must achieve 120 credits (six taught modules, 20 credits each).

In some cases, it may be possible for you to do three 20 credit taught modules plus your dissertation (60 credits).

Postgraduate Certificate in Computing Science

You must achieve 60 credits (three taught modules, 20 credits each).

Female student studying on a laptop with headphones on

Study modules

The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

Research, Scholarship and Professional Skills (20 credits)

This module is designed to equip you with the tools necessary for the scholarship and research skills needed for the computing field as well as equipping you with the professional skills and outlook needed for a lifelong career in the computer industry.

Object-Oriented Programming (20 credits)

This module covers the principles of programming and object orientation, giving you the opportunity to apply these using an object-oriented programming language.

Data Science Foundation (10 credits)

This half-module presents an overview of core data science concepts and tools, focusing on real-life data science research questions with practical exposure to a suitable programming language as an integral part of the course.

Introduction to Machine Learning (10 credits)

This half-module will enable you to analyse a machine learning problem, critically evaluate the different approaches that are available, and create an effective solution.

Advanced Software Development (20 credits)

This module studies current practices, skills and techniques applied to managing software development related projects, individually and in project teams. It combines theory with pragmatic and professional insights and considers requirements engineering, project management, risk, quality assurance, usability and HCI issues.

Modern Computer Systems (20 credits)

This module introduces the concepts, operations and components of computer systems and the principles of computer networks. You will have the opportunity to create and maintain an IT system similar to that found in many SMEs.

Cyber security and the web (20 credits)

This module introduces key concepts in cyber security and web development giving you the skills to design and build interactive websites and to ensure that those websites are secure.

Final project

Compulsory modules

MSc Dissertation in Computer Subjects (60 credits)

This is an individual research and development project that allows you to study a topic of your choice in depth, guided by your supervisor. The work may be undertaken in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation. You undertake your dissertation over the summer period.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Learning and teaching

Lectures serve to provide a theoretical basis, while the practical sessions are used to strengthen your understanding by active involvement.

Coursework and projects form the basis for continuous assessment. Many of the modules are enriched by the teaching staff's research expertise. There are also visiting lecturers from research organisations and industry.

Assessment

Assessment methods used on this course

We use the following assessment methods:

  • coursework exercises
  • projects
  • presentations
  • lab work
  • reports
  • examinations.

Research

The School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics is home to world-leading and award-winning research.

Our focus is on user-inspired original research with real-world applications. We have a wide range of activities from model-driven system design and empirical software engineering through to web technologies, cloud computing and big data, digital forensics and computer vision.

Staff and students collaborate on projects supported by the EPSRC, the EU, the DTI, and several major UK companies.

Computing achieved an excellent assessment of its UoA (Unit of Assessment) 11 return for REF 2014 (Research Excellence Framework).

Students on this course can be involved with research in the following research groups:

After you graduate

Career prospects

Our MSc students come from all over the world and graduate to follow careers in technical, business-related and creative roles. For example as:

  • developers
  • engineers
  • IT managers
  • web developers.

Whatever their interest, our graduates tell us that the relevance of our courses and the skills they've learnt enable them to achieve their goals and build their careers.

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.