MSc Computer Science and Technology (Advanced Practice)

Course Overview

Level of study:	Postgraduate degree
Tuition Fees	Fees and Finances
Entry requirements:	A 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in the subject areas of computing, engineering, mathematics or related discipline
English language requirements:	IELTS 6.0 with no component less than 5.5, or equivalent Other English language tests are accepted, click here to find out more.
Mode of study:	Full-time
Duration:	21 months
Assessment method:	Coursework
Student finance:	Available
	London Birmingham
Start dates:	September (24), January (25), May (25)
Application deadline:	Next application deadline

This programme is subject to approval

About this course

The UK economy is facing a well-documented digital skills gap, costing an estimated £63 billion a year in potential GDP, prompting the Government to launch various initiatives to address this issue, including the designated Institute of Coding and the announcement of a Digital Skills Strategy to make the UK a global tech superpower. Recent estimates predict that by 2025 there will be 3 million new tech vacancies in the UK and 149 million world-wide.

The MSc in Computer Science and Technology will provide you with the knowledge and practical experience of the advanced concepts, algorithms, theories and techniques underlying advanced computing systems for a successful career in this booming industry.

The course covers leading-edge subjects of programming such as:

Big Data
Deep learning
Data mining
Machine learning
Statistical modelling — the most up-to-date topics in the areas of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
Scalable Software Solutions leveraging Cloud Infrastructure

Advanced Practice

The compulsory Advanced Practice element of this programme takes place after you have studied the taught modules at the Masters’ stage.

undertake a 15-week long internship in computing, or applied consulting project, working with a real organisation on a live business problem
gain experience of the workplace environment and enhance your practical and employ ability skills while working on “real-life” case study
gain enhanced knowledge of the workplace which will facilitate the completion of your Masters Project.

Please note if you undertake an internship this may be paid or unpaid.

Course Duration

On successful completion of each stage of this programme of study, the duration will be 21 months, according to the following specific intake schedule:

	Sept-Jan	Jan-May	May-Sept	Sept-Jan	Jan-May	May-Sept	Sept-Jan
Sept Start	Year 1 – Semester 1 Masters stage	Year 1 – Semester 2 Masters stage	Year 2- Summer Break	Year 2 – Semester 3 Advanced Practice stage	Year 2 – Semester 4 Masters stage
Jan Start		Year 1 – Semester 1 Masters stage	Year 1 – Semester 2 Masters stage	Year 2- Autumn Break	Year 2 – Semester 3 Advanced Practice stage	Year 2 – Semester 4 Masters stage
May Start			Year 1 – Semester 1 Masters stage	Year 1 – Semester 2 Masters stage	Year 2- Spring Break	Year 2 – Semester 3 Advanced Practice stage	Year 2 – Semester 4 Masters stage

Teaching methods

You will be taught using a wide variety of teaching methods across the modules including lectures, seminars and tutorials. Typically, you will have 12-17.5 hours of contact time per week.
In addition to your time in class, you will also be expected to engage in approximately 35 hours of self-study time per week.
You will have access to Blackboard, our online learning environment, where you can access module resources and reading lists that will assist your preparation for classes and self-study.
You’ll be taught by experienced lecturers and academics who use their industry and research experience to demonstrate how to apply best practice in software engineering to the development of a wide range of information systems in organisations.

Assessment

Each module is assessed by coursework only.

Careers and postgraduate opportunities

Student and employer needs are reflected in the development of this programme and evidenced in the career destinations and further development of our graduates.

Graduates will be prepared for a range of careers across a variety of sectors, with some of the roles including:

Software Engineers
Software Developers
IT Engineers
IT Project ad Programme Managers
Machine Learning Engineers
Artificial Intelligence Practitioners
Data Scientists
Deep Learning Engineers
Researcher/Academic

Modules

All modules are core and 20 credits unless specified.

Scalable Advanced Software Solutions

In this module, you’ll be introduced to contemporary server environments and related concepts, commands, their management and operation.

You will gain practical and theoretical experience with the scalable, cloud-based, architectures offered by solutions providers such as OpenStack, Amazon Web Services and Azure.

Additionally, you will examine advanced programming/development concepts facilitating high performance solution development.

Knowledge Engineering

Knowledge Engineering deals with the process of developing, maintaining, extending, and using knowledge-based systems that use (symbolic) artificial intelligence methods.

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of knowledge engineering, including terminology and concepts, core models and algorithms, technologies, and application scenarios.

You will explore the knowledge engineering toolkit that can be applied to build knowledge-based applications.

You will gain deep understanding of key concepts and principles and gain practical skills in critically evaluating and effectively building knowledge-based applications.

Big Data & Infrastructure

Big Data is the term for a collection of datasets so large and complex that they become difficult to process using traditional database tools.

In this module, you will explore different ways of storing data, including:

Traditional relational systems
NoSQL and object stores
Time series databases
Semantic stores and graph stores

You will also learn about cloud computing and how to use it to access more resources. Additionally, you’ll explore the core concepts of distributed computing in the context of a data lake, including:

Components of data lakes
Workflows
Functional programming concepts
Use of MapReduce, Spark, Pig, and Hive

Digital Transformation

In this module, you’ll learn about digital transformation and how it can impact an organisation’s business model, products, and structure using digital technologies.

Digital technologies such as the Internet, social media, data analytics, and cloud computing have eliminated traditional boundaries of time and geography and created virtual communities with new demands for products and services. It has allowed businesses to improve productivity, reduce costs, and innovate.

By the end of this module, you’ll understand the impact of digital transformation in various organisational contexts, and you’ll be able to apply tools and frameworks to plan and implement a digital transformation strategy.

Data Science & Machine Learning

In this module, you’ll learn about data science and machine learning techniques that are used in many industries, including healthcare, finance, and sport. You will learn how these techniques are integrated into software applications and other solutions.

By the end of the module, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to understand the role of data science and machine learning in various industries and apply them to real-world problems.

Deep Learning and Its Application

The module will introduce a fundamental knowledge of deep learning and help you develop your ability to implement effective solutions to practical applications.

You will learn state of the art convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks, loss functions and optimisation process along with development tools, and apply them to the development of solutions for deep learning application domains (i.e., Sequential data analysis, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, etc.)

Masters Project (60 credits)

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to implement the knowledge gained throughout this course and conduct in-depth literature research to solve a problem drawn from the research area.

The project will involve design, implementation, experimentation, and critical analysis of results.

The project will test your creativity, critical thinking abilities, project management, problem-solving skills and in-depth knowledge.

You will also learn how to analyse and critically evaluate concepts and demonstrate the ability to successfully conduct an independent programme of research and analysis with the aim of developing new knowledge and recommendations.

Applied Consulting Project in Computing (optional – 60 credits)

This applied module enhances your practical and employability skills by allowing you to undertake a consultancy project for real-life case study clients.

By participating in a Consultancy Project, you will gain practical experience in executing a real-life project that can be applied directly to your future professional endeavours post-graduation.

Internship in Computing (optional – 60 credits)

Through an internship in Computing, you will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout the course to a real-world organisational issue or problem.

You will also learn how best to present yourself to employers and develop professional workplace skills, which should enhance your future career prospects.

*Please note the course content is subject to approval

The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2023/24. We aim to run the course as advertised however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand or UK compliance reasons.

Academic requirements

A 2:2 (second class) honours degree or International equivalent in the subject areas of computing, engineering, mathematics or related discipline

Non-standard entry

In exceptional circumstances, if you do not meet the entry requirements above but have substantial and significant experiential learning, you may be able to apply as a non-standard applicant.

For country-specific entry requirements, please visit the entry requirements page.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications meet the entry requirements, please contact us and one of our team will contact you to discuss your options.

English language requirements

Applicants must satisfy our general entry requirements as well as meeting specific requirements.

You will need to provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade 4 – previously grade C – or equivalent).

The general entry requirements are any of the following:

IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, or equivalent

Tuition fees for 2024/25

UK/Home students: £10,250

International students:

London: £19,550
Birmingham: £18,000

Please note: UK/Home students who are financing their studies through the postgraduate loan, you will be required to make a deposit payment of £250 at enrolment, this amount will be deducted from the total tuition fee. This does not apply to progressing students who are currently studying at the undergraduate level with us.

Please note that the fees outlined are for your tuition only and do not include the cost of any course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, accommodation etc. As an Ulster University London and Birmingham branch campus student you will also have access to our on-campus libraries and a range of e-learning resources.

The modules you will study may require you to purchase additional course textbooks and you should be prepared to buy some additional texts, we recommend allowing an additional £300 for the duration of your course.

Information for international students

Ulster University is committed to providing the best possible experience to all our students. To ensure you secure your place with us, we require our international students to pay a deposit towards their fees. More information can be found here.

What does my tuition pay for?

Your teaching in class – this includes seminars, lectures and tutorials
Access to facilities including computers, Wi-Fi, printers, lockers, multi-faith rooms, quiet study space and social areas. To learn more about available facilities please visit our London or Birmingham branch campus pages
Our library service – both on-campus and an extensive online catalogue of resources
Careers and Employability Service which provides help with CVs, applications and interview preparation through workshops, drop-ins and 1-2-1 appointments
The ACE Team (Academic Community of Excellence) who are here to support you with your studies and assignments
Students Activities Association (SAA) – who organise events on campus, discounted sightseeing trips and help students create and run societies

Scholarships and discounts

For self-funding students, we offer a range of scholarships and early payment fee discounts, you can find out more here.

How to find out more

To find out more about this course, we recommend that you complete our enquiry form and one of our team will contact you to discuss your options.

How to apply

UK and International students can apply directly to study the MSc Computer Science and Technology with Business Development via our online application form below.

APPLY FOR SEPTEMBER 2024

You will be directed to a QA Higher Education portal to set up an account and complete your application.

	Daytime classes
Birmingham	Apply for September
London	Apply for September

APPLY FOR JANUARY 2025

You will be directed to a QA Higher Education portal to set up an account and complete your application.

	Daytime classes
Birmingham	Apply for January
London	Apply for January

APPLY FOR MAY 2025

You will be directed to a QA Higher Education portal to set up an account and complete your application.

	Daytime classes
Birmingham	Apply for May
London	Apply for May

Information for disabled applicants

At Ulster, we welcome applications from disabled students and are committed to ensuring an equal and accessible application journey. Your application will be considered on an equal basis to all other applications. Please contact us if you require any assistance. This website is continually optimised to adhere to accessibility best practice guidelines; tools to assist users with specific accessibility requirements have also been provided. More information is available in our accessibility statement.

If you’re not sure or have any questions about studying with us, please contact us and one of our team will be able to help.

Master of Science

MSc Computer Science and Technology (Advanced Practice)

Master of Science

Course Overview

About this course

Advanced Practice

Course Duration

Teaching methods

Assessment

Careers and postgraduate opportunities

Modules

Academic requirements

Non-standard entry

English language requirements

Tuition fees for 2024/25

What does my tuition pay for?

Scholarships and discounts

How to find out more

How to apply

APPLY FOR SEPTEMBER 2024

APPLY FOR JANUARY 2025

APPLY FOR MAY 2025

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