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Computing Science

MSc or PGDip or PGCert

Start dates: September 2024 / September 2025

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

Location: Headington

Department(s): School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Overview
Course details
Careers
Entry requirements
How to apply
Tuition fees

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Overview

We live in a digital world. But people with specialist technical skills to develop and maintain systems, software, and networks are always in short supply. Computing Science at Oxford Brookes is packed with real-world projects and industry-relevant experience to help you work towards a career in any computing related area.

Programming. Hardware. Software. Networks. You’ll develop specialist skills and expert-level knowledge in a range of IT areas. And you’ll be surrounded by experienced professionals and top researchers in subjects ranging from computer vision to system design.

No matter what you studied at undergraduate level, we’ll help you develop your computing skills to a professional standard. Perhaps you’re in a technical industry but want to specialise more on the IT side? Or you’re in a different sector and fancy a career change? If you’ve got a scientific mindset and good work ethic, we’ll help you open up those new opportunities.

Attend an open day or webinar Ask a question Order a prospectus

Male student working at a computer

Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Develop technical skills

    Learn programming, software engineering, data organisation, and network design and build a solid foundation for a wide range of technical careers.

  • Original and inspiring research

    We’re home to top researchers in areas ranging from digital forensics to computer vision. You can get involved in some of our work, including the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Group.

  • Accredited by BCS

    The chartered institute for IT has given this course their approval, meaning you’ll get a good grounding in the professional issues relevant to a career in IT.

  • Brand new facilities

    All Computing courses are moving from Wheatley Campus to brand new, custom designed buildings at our main Headington site. These buildings are expected to open in September 2024, but as with any large-scale building project those timescales could change. You'll benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including a VR cave, digital, computing and robotics labs, as well as social learning spaces, teaching rooms and cafe space.

  • Flexibility

    You can study this course full or part time, and work towards a PGCert, PGDip or MSc, to fit around your commitments and career goals.

  • Accreditation(s)

    The British Computer Society

    • The British Computer Society

Course details

Course structure

If you join us for the MSc, you’ll complete 6 taught modules of 20 credits each, and a dissertation of 60 credits.

The taught modules cover a full range of academic and professional skills. We’ll help you understand everything you’ll need for your career, from how to conduct research to how to project manage a new piece of software.

We mostly focus on the technical side of the subject. So modules cover topics like programming, data science, networks and IT systems, and secure website development.

You’ll complete your dissertation over the summer, with support from a supervisor. This is your opportunity to put your new knowledge to work on a project of your choice.

Female student studying on a laptop with headphones on

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

We use the following assessment methods:

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

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.

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:

Careers

Computing science is a practical and useful degree that could help you develop your career in almost any industry. Our graduates typically go on to become:

  • developers
  • engineers
  • IT managers
  • web developers.

They’re working at organisations of all shapes and sizes, from small startups to the NHS and the public sector. Some also decide to use their technical expertise as a basis for PhD study, perhaps thinking of a career in scientific research.

Entry requirements

International qualifications and equivalences

How to apply

Application process


Apply now

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£8,700 (Masters); £7,700 (Diploma); £4,350 (Certificate)
Home (UK) part time
£4,350
International full time
£17,200
Home (UK) full time
£9,150 (Masters); £8,150 (Diploma); £4,575 (Certificate)
Home (UK) part time
£4,575
International full time
£17,900

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Tuition fees

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
2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£9,150 (Masters); £8,150 (Diploma); £4,575 (Certificate)
Home (UK) part time
£4,575
International full time
£17,900

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

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.

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. 

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

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.

Full-Time UK Faculty Scholarship Part-Time UK Faculty Scholarship Postgraduate Master's Loan - England

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

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.