Computing enhances the quality of our lives and aims to meet the challenges of the modern world. This integrated Master’s course is based on our successful Computer Science BSc(Hons) course and includes an extra year that leads to an MSci qualification.

The Computer Science MSci course is designed to give you the chance to cover the subject in more depth. Our aim, once you’ve completed the course, is to provide you with the skills to go on to a career in research or in industry, for example, as a computing scientist or software manager.

On the course you’ll be able to explore a range of topics, such as:

• Programming
• Software engineering
• Mathematics
• Algorithms and data structures
• Networking
• Mobile computing and distributed systems.

We'll look at the theory and the practical side of things to help you develop your abilities. It’s all been designed to equip you with the theoretical and practical skills you need to meet the challenges of the rapidly expanding computer industry. Your tutors will encourage you to identify tough problems, and then work out how to solve them through software.

In your Final Year you’ll explore more advanced areas. You will have the opportunity to develop higher level skills in software design and development, autonomous and autonomic intelligent systems, as well as the chance to work in a small group on a project leading to the production of a piece of working software. Wherever possible these projects will be for 'real' clients.

During your studies you’ll be taught through a combination of formal lectures, tutorial groups, practical laboratory work and seminars. The course is fully accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) and gives you the chance to apply your skills in the real world with an optional one-year placement. Previous students have taken placements at companies like IBM, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, HBOS and British Airways.

Placements

This course offers you the chance to undertake an optional placement in Year 3. This opportunity helps you to build on the knowledge and skills developed on the course. You will be employed by the company for 12 months, but the actual number of weeks worked will be dependent on the annual leave entitlement you are given in line with the placement company’s policy.

The placement year is a valuable tool that can enhance your employability and help you to develop as an individual. It is acknowledged that graduates with industry experience are generally much more attractive to employers.

Our Placement Unit will be on hand to support you in finding suitable placement opportunities. They will assist you with preparing your CV and with interview techniques. They'll also be in contact with you during your placement so that you'll be fully supported while you gain the experience that employers value so highly.

The Placement Unit team are regularly in contact with local and national companies. Previous students have spent their placement year at companies including Microsoft, Siemens, Hermes, Airbus and Cummins as well as smaller companies from the local economy and further afield. You can find more information on placements here.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. Find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year.

Your Career

Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as software engineer, server and storage analyst, senior developer, research software development engineer, systems security engineer and business analyst in organisations including BBC, West Yorkshire Police, Hermes, Microsoft, BT and Amazon UK.**

Additionally, you may gain skills that are transferable to other industries and may be able to pursue any career that requires a good honours degree. You could go on to further study and the University has many options available for postgraduate study (including postgraduate teacher training) and research which may interest you.

* Percentage of graduates from this subject who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 17/18, UK domiciled graduates).