Computer Science MSc

You can choose to start this course in October 2020 and in January 2021. This is because we've changed some of our teaching arrangements in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Whenever you start, you'll get the same great learning experience with lots of support to do your best.

Computer Science influences every aspect of modern life and is one of the fastest-moving academic disciplines and has a huge impact on both economic competitiveness and human wellbeing. This course will equip you with the skills and expertise required to forge a successful career in a wide range of industries.

Why study MSc Computer Science* at Middlesex University?

This course not only offers a balance between advanced computer science theory and practical experience, but has a very strong focus on contemporary research. Practical work is an important part of every module and the School of Science and Technology has strong links within the industry, including company giants such as Microsoft and Siemens.

The university is very active in the exploration of a number of key areas within computer Science which you will have the opportunity to focus upon during your studies and individual research project. These include, but are not limited to interaction design, data visualisation, artificial intelligence, ubiquitous computing, cyber-security, algorithmic design, and blockchain engineering.

This course is designed for those students who have previously studied computing at university level and are looking to develop an advanced mastery of the subject.

*Please note this course is subject to review.

What will you study on the MSc Computer Science?

You will be encouraged to investigate the current areas of research that the university is currently exploring. These include computer graphics, machine learning, robotics, quantum computing, algorithmic design and visual analytics, amongst many others. You will also have the opportunity to study a range of programming paradigms, cross-platform software application development, agile techniques, human-computer interaction as well as designing and developing interactive visual computer systems.

What will you gain?

As well as an in-depth understanding of your subject, you will also be quipped with the knowledge of analysing, developing and executing complex software, producing software to a given specification, and you’ll be able to use modelling and abstraction techniques to design software systems. This course will provide you with many transferable skills and will improve your research, data collection and interpretation, communication, problem-solving, presentation, and critical skills. The strong focus on principles and concepts will help you develop the capacity for life long independent study.

Modules

We’ve made sure that the skills and knowledge that you’ll gain on your course will not change during the coronavirus outbreak. If you’re applying to start this course or progressing into year one, two or three this autumn, your module information is below.

If you’re interested in January 2021 courses, we will provide more information on plans for teaching and learning in the coming months.

How will the MSc Computer Science be taught?

You’ll attend online sessions, where you’ll do practical work designing, analysing and building software, as well as a combination of real-time and pre-recorded lectures and seminars, which will give you the opportunity to ask questions, take part in class discussions and talk about problems. Some work will be done in groups. In your spare time, as well as in directed study periods, you’ll do your own independent study and reading, which will include the use of online resources.

Assessment

We’re planning to deliver our assessment in a similar way to previous years. We will review this regularly, and let you know in advance of your assessment if we need to make any changes.

Although there will be some tests as part of the programme assessment, there will be no written exams. You will be assessed entirely through coursework, presentations, reports, learning logbooks, practical software development assignments and group assignments. You will receive regular feedback on your work throughout the course.

For your independent project and dissertation, you will plan, conduct and critically evaluate an analytical study. You will be assessed on your research proposal, written dissertation and a viva voce exam, in which you’ll justify and reflect on your work, and discuss possible further developments.

Teaching and learning - changes for students in 2020

If you’re starting university in 2020, we’ll be teaching you in different ways to make sure you get the best learning experience possible. You’ll learn through live sessions with teaching staff and have the chance to study independently too, with access to all the online resources you need through our globally available student portal.

We’re planning different scenarios for teaching so we can be flexible. While we’re social distancing, we currently plan to teach your course fully online through a mixture of live interactive sessions and independent learning. This will ensure you’re equipped with the same skills as on campus study, and offer you an engaging learning experience where you can meet and network with your lecturers and fellow students through online platforms. We are also exploring opportunities for face-to-face interactive sessions with smaller groups of students and staff where possible and we can make the appropriate arrangements. You will still be able to access bookable study spaces on campus, and any of the facilities and support services which are open, as well as our extensive online support.

The table below shows current plans for your learning across a typical week, including scheduled live online teaching and an indication of what we hope to teach face to face, where you can make it to campus. While some weeks might look different to this, due to how we schedule classes, the table gives you an idea of what to expect based on the overall number of teaching hours on your course.

You’ll receive final arrangements for your teaching and a full course timetable before you start.

Read more about our scenarios for returning to campus and what they might mean for your teaching and learning experience, and how you’ll be able to access student support.

Future plans for teaching

We’re developing our timetable for face to face teaching with current government advice on social distancing to keep you safe. If social distancing requirements are lifted, we’ll start to safely move back towards our usual teaching arrangements with more opportunities for face to face learning. Some learning and support might stay online in this scenario. If more restrictions are put in place, or there is another lockdown, we’ll be prepared to deliver your learning and support fully online, with alternative arrangements made for any required placements. We’ll always give you notice of any changes that we make.

Definitions of terms

• Live learning – Live learning will cover everything you’ll do with teaching staff like lectures, seminars, workshops and other classes, and we’ll schedule all of this for you. This might include some study outside your regular timetable, like taking part in discussion forums or online blogs where you’re supported by academic staff.
• Independent learning – Independent learning is all the studying you’ll do outside your live learning sessions with teaching staff. This self-paced study will give you the chance to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time as you need to, and you’ll have access to on-demand resources and materials to help you do your best.
  • Self-paced study – Self-paced study will give you the chance to learn wherever and whenever you want to and at your own pace, outside your live learning sessions. This independent learning could include reading and reflection, preparation for classes, revision or homework along with access to other online activities such as quizzes.
  • On-demand resources – You'll have access to on-demand resources like pre-recorded video lectures and workshops as part of your independent study. You’ll be able to review and revisit whenever you need to at your own pace.
• Face to face sessions – Wherever it’s possible to do so, and we can make the necessary arrangements to ensure your safety, you’ll be able to attend scheduled sessions, workshops or appointments on campus as part of your live learning. The number of hours given in this scenario provides an indication of the number of hours of face to face learning you could expect, and a full timetable will be provided to you before the start of your course.

Support

You’ll have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will mainly be delivered online and you’ll have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.

You’ll have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

More on teaching for your subject in 2020/21

Read our guide to what’s been happening in your subject area recently and more about what to expect this autumn.

How can the MSc Computer Science support your career?

There is a very high demand worldwide for well-qualified IT graduates and this course will leave you perfectly placed to for a variety of roles in the software industry, such as software developer, IT systems architect, IT security coordinator, or information security analyst. You also have the opportunity to move into broader IT project management, systems design, consultancy or strategy planning. You might choose to specialise in a particular field, for example finance or security, or take on a managerial role.

The course's strong research slant creates an excellent foundation for further research in a wide range of topics.

Our graduates have gone on to work for software firms, computer manufacturers and specialist IT security consultancies. There are also opportunities within government departments, the health service, public services, financial institutions, management consultancies as well as in the media, transport, retail and education sectors. You could even start your own business.