Program Overview

MSc Computer Science with Professional Practice offers a unique opportunity for international and home students to gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

The placement is undertaken between the taught part of the course and the dissertation; and will usually be 4 months in duration from May/June to September.  Our MSc Computer Science with Professional Practice offers the option of going on a placement, which can be paid or unpaid.  Placement students are valuable to employers and many of our placements are paid.  All applications are on a competitive basis and students secure positions through their own efforts. Some assistance in preparation for applying for placements will be provided, however the employer has the final say. The work undertaken by the student must be of an adequate standard in an area of work strongly related to the content of the MSc Computer Science with Professional Practice Programme and the appropriateness of any placement will be assessed and approved by a member of the academic team on an individual basis.  Your placement will enable you to boost your learning with hands on experience and apply your theoretical knowledge to real life work experience.  Although the placement is not guaranteed, the University maintains links with a wide network of organisations who offer placement opportunities. 

This course is ideal for students with an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a closely allied field.

On this course you will develop a depth of knowledge across several specialised or applied areas of Computer Science. You will be encouraged to independently synthesise information and novel ideas in chosen areas of Computer Science and to evaluate or argue alternative approaches.

The course will promote a professional attitude in students wishing to enter employment within the field of Computer Science and enhance the career prospects of all its students.

This degree builds upon some of the fundamental undergraduate areas to give the students an deep knowledge and understanding in those areas. The course focuses on Distributed and Mobile Computing, Database Server Management, Software Tools, Web Technologies and Group-based Software Development in which the staff are actively researching or have national or international reputations. Specialist laboratories support the teaching, for Networking and Mobile Computing. This award has a strong practical element, enhancing the underpinning knowledge with a range of practical skills designed to enhance the students’ career prospects.