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Computing MSc

Break into a career in computing with a wide-ranging Masters packed with real-world experience. You’ll become skilled in the technologies that shape the world around us. Join us on a practical conversion course for graduates from other subject areas, accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT (subject to re-approval).

Overview

Course length: 12-16 months full-time
2-3 years part-time
Start dates: January 2024
September 2024
January 2025
September 2025
Location: Edge Hill University
Subject(s): Computing and IT
Faculty: Arts and Sciences
Department: Computer Science
A student, with headphones round his neck, chats with peers while using a laptop.

Computing is a story of invention, creation, vision and ambition. You’ll find it at the heart of almost every industry in every part of society making it the ideal launchpad for your future goals.

Building essential skills is central to our approach. All modules have a practical element and use examples drawn from real-life IT projects. You’ll graduate with the skills and experience to plan, deliver and manage projects. Enjoy putting these skills to the test through the practical application of knowledge. This course will ensure you are up to date in the rapidly progressing and changing computing field.

You’ll take modules in subjects across the computing spectrum as you study in the intellectually stimulating environment of our £13million Tech Hub. You’ll test your new computing skills and experiment with your ideas using our specialist hardware and laboratories.

Our highly-qualified academics and active researchers support your progress every step of the way. We’ve brought together experts from across the world of computing so you can learn from their knowledge and experience.

Discover how to manage information security. Explore the thriving field of databases. You’ll get hands-on with programming and the complexities of project management. Our balanced approach sets you up with the practical skills and knowledge you need to embark on your career in IT.

Please note, there is an intake to the 12-month full-time route each September and 16-month full-time route each January. The 16-month full-time route includes the UK summer break between semesters. The part-time route takes 2-3 years to complete and typically has intakes in both September and January.

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT logo. Subject to re-approval.

Course features

  • International students can apply

  • Professional accreditation

  • Work placement opportunity

What you'll study

How do you succeed in computing? Develop a professional level of competency on our master’s in computing.

Become proficient in essential computer languages and software. You’ll learn Java in an object-oriented approach to application design and development. You’ll develop high-value database skills as you create SQL statements and study modelling, development and design. We’ll help you put your learning into context with real-life examples, and you’ll bring it all together in practice during your work experience placement.

Open your mind to future possibilities as you explore emerging technologies. You’ll analyse and assess security in complex and unpredictable systems. You’ll study logistics and build your people skills. Across the course, you’ll learn how to research, design and lead projects of your own.

Compulsory modules:

Expand all
Advanced Professional Practice
Computer Systems
Data Mining and Visualisation
Databases
Emerging Technologies
Information Security and Management
Programming Principles and Techniques
Research and Development Project
Research Methods

How you'll study

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, practical labs, tutorials, group exercises and a work placement. Classes are highly interactive with a focus on the practical application of concepts and the use of cases drawn from real life. An emphasis on small groups ensures that you will have plenty of opportunities for individual discussions with your tutors.

There is typically an intake to the 12-month full-time route each September and 16-month full-time route each January. The 16-month full-time route includes the UK summer break between semesters. The part-time route takes 2-3 years to complete and typically has intakes in both September and January.

You can expect to receive your timetable at enrolment. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day or evening of the week.

How you'll be assessed

Your vocational capability, academic critical thinking and intellectual development will be assessed throughout the programme. This is achieved through a combination of coursework, case studies, problem-solving exercises and examinations. You may be assessed individually or in a group.

Who will be teaching you

You will be taught by highly qualified, experienced and enthusiastic academics who research and regularly engage within the wider business and academic environment.

Staff specialise in a variety of subjects so you will benefit from a wide range of knowledge and experience. The programme team are also active researchers in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), computer vision, data science, robotics and artificial intelligence, networks and communications, technology enhanced learning, and future Internet applications.

The programme team is occasionally supplemented by external IT professionals who are invited to teach particular sessions relevant to their area of expertise.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

You should have a degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a non-computing discipline.

Equivalent knowledge gained in alternative ways, for example through professional experience or completion of BCS Professional Diploma in IT (Level 6), is also accepted.

English language requirements

International students require IELTS 6.5, with a score no lower than 6.0 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.

If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.

How to apply

There is an online application process for this course.

Please choose the application form for your preferred intake date and mode of study.

Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

The deadline for international applications for January 2024 entry will close on Friday 8th December.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Visit Edge Hill University

There’s plenty of opportunities to come take a look around campus. Attend one of our open days to see what life at Edge Hill University is all about.

Book an open day

Facilities

Tech Hub.The Department of Computer Science is based in the state-of-the-art £13million Tech Hub. This purpose-built development offers highly contemporary suites of outstanding facilities for Computer Science and Engineering students. Our modern computing and engineering laboratories are equipped with comprehensive test and measurement equipment, high-specification computers, high-resolution screens and the latest hardware and software.

A four-screen CAVE (Computer Augmented Virtual Environment) provides a super immersive 3D virtual environment, enabling users to immerse themselves in a virtual room and experience real life scenarios in 4K resolution. There are also specialist laboratories for networking and games programming, in addition to a specialist research laboratory, open access laboratory, a Harvard style lecture theatre, and ‘The Hatchery’, a working space for new business ideas.

Where you'll study

Tech Hub

Learning resources

Learning resources include robots and a robotics simulator, wired and wireless networking hardware, graphics software, web development tools, software development environments, big data servers, eye trackers, giant 3D interactive teaching screens, and other specialist software required for studying forensics and internet security techniques.

Finance

Tuition fees

UK Full-Time

£9,000

for the course

UK Part-Time

£50 per credit

for 180 credits

International

£16,500

for the course

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.

Financial support

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students joining postgraduate courses at Edge Hill University.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.

Your future career

Our MSc Computing gives you the skills and knowledge for a broad range of IT sectors. You will graduate with the up to date knowledge and skills to work within the rapidly progressing and changing computing field. Areas you could work in include:

  • software development and testing
  • applications development
  • content management
  • risk management
  • data analytics and analysis
  • business analysis
  • web design and development
  • game development
  • geographical information systems
  • IT (management, technical support, consultancy, sales)
  • multimedia programming
  • system management
  • learning technology development

Previous students have started their own business or continued studying to PhD level.

Subject to re-approval, the programme is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. Successfully completing a BCS-accredited course is the first step to full BCS membership and to being awarded chartered status.

Course changes

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Track changes to this course

Download our course leaflet