Computer Science - MSc
If you’re looking to transition to a career in IT, Keele’s MSc Computer Science acts as a 'conversion’ course, even if your first degree is in a subject other than Computing. It is designed to familiarise you with the most recent software engineering techniques, developing key skills and competencies, including advanced programming in Python, as well as practical experience designing and managing information systems.
Month of entry
- September
Mode of study
- Full time
Fees for 2024/25 academic year
- UK - Full time £11,000 per year.
International - £20,700 per year.
Duration of study
- 1 year
Why study Computer Science at Keele University?
Course summary
From big data analytics to smart energy systems, cyber security or computer-assisted education, rapid technological advances are providing new and exciting ways for us to enhance living, learning and work in our increasingly digital and data-driven world.
If you graduated at undergraduate level from a non-computing discipline, this MSc offers a postgraduate pathway to progress and excel in a career in computing and IT.
Job opportunities and the skills needed to perform them are changing, creating above average demand for computer science graduates in settings as diverse as financial services, retail, healthcare, manufacturing and telecommunications, among others, as well as IT consultancies, service provides and tech giants like Microsoft, Apple and Oracle.
Our experienced lecturers will help you develop an advanced knowledge of software engineering methodologies and the underlying principles of Internet technologies, web-based applications, and enterprise and data analytics systems. Starting from a basic level, you will build your coding skills and learn the best programming practices using Python, a leading general-purpose programming language known for its versatility and simplicity as a tool.
Our course maintains a strong focus on industry-relevant experience thanks to the feedback we receive from our Industry Advisory Board. In the last semester, you'll be able to choose to put your skills to test by either tackling an industry-related problem as part of an MSc project or by taking an industrial placement*. Past projects have regarded the development of gamified apps to engage users in interacting with their home smart energy systems, collaborations with a company for improving their B2B integration systems or developing mobile-based image classification.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have gained the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary to design, build, deploy and evaluate information systems or distributed enterprise applications, also assessing their potential security issues.
With a long-standing tradition in teaching Computer Science since 1972, Keele takes pride in being at the forefront of computer science education and research today. The School of Computer Science and Mathematics offers an inclusive, dynamic community of experts with access to world-leading research and cutting-edge areas of industry, such as cloud computing, data mining and web technologies.
Smaller class sizes allow you to foster close relationships with colleagues and peers, while industry-led projects and practitioner guest lecturers provide valuable networking opportunities. In the past, students have enjoyed talks from our industrial partners from the SEND project, software developers from national companies, such as Bet365, and academic experts.
Other courses you may be interested in
Next steps
"The course was great because I studied modules on some of the main areas in industry, for example, data analysis, web technologies and distributed intelligent systems. I left Keele able to immediately begin a web development side business creating industry level websites for small business owners."
Course structure
Designed specifically for graduates from non-computing disciplines, the MSc in Computer Science is a conversion course, with a broad focus on the core competencies and knowledge required for a career in the design and management of information systems.
This course is studied full-time over one year. Should you wish for more flexibility with your studies, we also offer 100% online part-time Computer Science programmes, with routes in Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
During the first part of the programme, you will study eight core taught modules (120 credits) over the first two semesters. These modules provide you with a solid knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts of Internet technologies, web-based applications, and enterprise and data analytics systems. They will also develop and extend the practical skills that are necessary for the designing, building, deployment and evaluation of distributed information systems and enterprise applications over the Internet.
The second part of the programme gives you freedom to choose between either a ‘traditional’ formal academic project supervised by an academic expert from the School or opt for an industry placement. You’ll be able to discuss with your academic supervisor which type of project or placement is most suitable, based on your performance during the taught modules. Both options will enable you to put in to practice and apply the skills and knowledge learned throughout the course.
*Please note that the choice of industry placement will be dependent on your suitability and availability of an appropriate placement.
To achieve the MSc, you must complete 180 credits. There are two interim awards available, depending on how many modules have been successfully completed: a Postgraduate Certificate for any two modules (60 credits); and a Postgraduate Diploma for all four taught modules (120 credits).
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Semester 1
System Design & Programming - 15 credits
This module provides a comprehensive introduction to system design and programming for those who did not graduate from a computer science or related programme. You will be able to develop programs in a major programming language using principles taught on this course. This module covers: The principles and practice of system design in the context of an available set of requirements, an introduction to programming (algorithms, data structures, data storage and manipulation and user interfaces), an introduction to object oriented programming, the development of computer programs using appropriate technology and including accessing data over the internet and the use of user interfaces to manipulate and display data.
Fundamentals of Computers and Networks - 15 credits
This module will provide you with an overview of the core concepts of the discipline, and act as a foundation for other modules in the programme. It will enable you to understand the links between different modules on your course, and to understand them in context. The module provides valuable transferable skills in critical thinking and problem solving and the content is applicable to those who are seeking careers in computing research, network security, network management and other digital communication and network areas.
Advanced Programming in Python -15 credits
This module provides a deeper understanding of object-oriented programming and of the concept of parallelism and concurrent programming.
Mathematics for AI and Data Science - 15 credits
This module aims to give students from non-mathematical backgrounds an introduction to the mathematical concepts relevant to AI and data science. It will also provide the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle real world AI and data science problems including topics such as quadratic equations; vectors, matrices; linear questions and multiple variables; functions and probability.
Semester 2
Collaborative Application Development - 15 credits
Key to an individual's career in the modern world of software development is the ability to function effectively as part of a development team. This module aims to prepare you for this experience and combines it with an opportunity to overcome the practical difficulties of working with real world clients to produce applications which will be applied by the clients.
Web Technologies and Security - 15 credits
The module provides an understanding of contemporary web technologies used for both server and client side development of web applications, with particular focus on mobile applications. The module will consider technology and its application as well as a critical evaluation of when and where to apply specific approached. The module will provide an understanding of security aspects of such web and mobile applications and of the defence methods and techniques employed to defend against security threats.
Data Analytics & Databases - 15 credits
This module equips you with the knowledge of database operations and a variety of tools and statistical techniques to enable you to make sense of the exponential growth of big data. You will understand big data issues, advanced analytics and statistical modelling techniques and evaluate their applicability for different types of problems.
Software Engineering - 15 credits
This module provides students with knowledge of the techniques and processes to undertake the team-based software engineering. Students will gain experience in agile software development with design/code and evaluation/testing activities.
Semester 3
Optional modules
When it comes to choosing your final method of assessment, you have flexibility to opt for an MSc project or gain valuable experience via an industrial placement (subject to successful competitive application).
MSc Project - 60 credits
The project requires you to evaluate, integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills to a programming, research or business problem within the discipline, supported and guided by your academic supervisor throughout. You can select your project from a list of projects offered by our academic supervisors in areas such as user-centred design, social media analytics, wearable devices, machine learning, mobile app development, just to name a few. One former student built an app to produce bedside clinical guidelines for 26 NHS trusts around the UK, providing a solution to a challenge that has existed for years and could save lives.
Industrial Placement - 60 credits
The placement provides an ideal opportunity to gain work experience, applying your skills to solve a problem that relates to the needs of a local business or organisation, and developing professionalism and communication skills that employers are looking for. We find projects through the our existing links with business, though applications for these placements are competitive. Alternatively, you can use your own contacts, subject to approval. On placement, you will receive personal supervision from one of our own academic experts, as well as direction from the industry partner.
Next steps
Entry requirements
Pre-Master's in Computing
The Keele University International College offer a one semester Pre-Master's in Computing programme for international students who do not meet the traditional entry requirements for a postgraduate computing degree at Keele University.
Please visit the Keele University International College for more information on how to apply, entry requirements and course details.
Next steps
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a private university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in any subject or 65% in a degree in any subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in any degree of three years or longer
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pre-Master's in Computing
The Keele University International College offer a one semester Pre-Master's in Computing programme for international students who do not meet the traditional entry requirements for a postgraduate computing degree at Keele University.
Please visit the Keele University International College for more information on how to apply, entry requirements and course details.
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
Professional qualifications and work experience
The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.
Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
Funding
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2024 start date falls in the 2023/24 academic year. Please see the 2023/24 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2024.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
Scholarships
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage for more information.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Next steps
Your career
The rising profile of AI, global cyber security, social media safety, and tech’s role in understanding and tackling some of society’s biggest challenges, such as climate change and pandemic modelling, is fuelling the demand and interest in computer science, according to the BCS.
The IT sector is still growing faster than the rest of UK economy and a shortage of specialised skills mean the demand for graduates is not set to slow any time soon. In fact, three-quarters of IT decision-makers across the world reported critical skills gaps across tech departments, a number that has increased significantly in the past five years.
The School’s focus on developing research, consultancy, professional and practical skills prepares you for a broad range of development and management roles. Essential skills you’ll develop, which are highly valued by employers, include personal drive, prioritising and planning, project management, teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, evaluating and reflecting upon your experience.
Graduates who have joined us from a range of science and non-science disciplines have successfully transitioned into careers in areas such as data science, web development, networking, systems analysis and development, and software engineering.
Our graduates have gone to work for companies as diverse as Bet365, British Airways BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, Bitjam, Capgemini, Hong Kong Esports, Mira, Playtech, IBM, Capita, Lloyds Bank, Rolls-Royce, Vodafone, Morrisons, and the YMCA.
Many have also chosen to further their research skills, progressing to study Computer Science PhDs, and you could easily move into a teaching career within secondary, further or higher education.
Roles you may find interesting
- Academic
- Analyst
- Application analyst
- Business analyst
- Computer programmer
- Computer systems specialist
- Customer service assistant
- Data analyst
- Database administrator
- Engineering manager
- Head of development
- Information systems manager
- IT consultant
- IT developer
- Lecturer
- Mobile developer
- Project manager
- Senior technical manager
- Software developer
- System engineer
- Teacher
- Technical assistant
- Technical consultant
Next steps
Teaching, learning and assessment
How you'll be taught
The programme is delivered through a variety of learning and teaching activities designed to develop a blend of academic, professional and practical skills. In addition, you’ll have one-on-one meetings with individual academic supervisor, which may take place online or face-to-face.
Formal lectures are used to introduce key concepts, supplemented by smaller group tutorials and practical sessions dependent on the topics being covered in the module. This helps to consolidate your understanding of the material and the practicalities of its application in a modern business environment.
Though there are taught components to the course, we place a strong emphasis on student-led learning and research to help develop your independent research skills and technical skills, with support from teaching staff and technicians. All students are expected to engage in independent study for the duration of the programme and each week we will post digital resources line for you to work through before teaching sessions. Our Virtual Learning Environment gives you online access to a range of digital resources and tools, which includes relevant academic texts via the IEEE Xplore® digital library and eBooks.
You will be taught by experienced, well-qualified staff who are research-active within the discipline, accomplished at working on research-funded projects nationally and internationally, and eager to share their teaching, research and professional experience to help you achieve success in your studies.
Recognising the importance of engaging first-hand with practitioners, where possible, we also invite guest speakers from industry and business to give you a real-life perspective on the topics you’re studying. For example, the Research and Consultancy module has previously featured guest lectures from a small business owner, who discussed their experiences, negative and positive, about working with consultants and other small companies, and a Senior Research Developer from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
How you'll be assessed
You will complete formal assessment on all modules. The wide variety of assessment methods used on this programme at Keele reflects the broad range of knowledge and skills that are developed as you progress through the degree programme. This includes unseen examinations, class tests and various pieces of coursework, such as programming tasks, implementing a web-based application, presentations and reports (e.g., on data storage and user interaction (UI) design).
When it comes to your final assessment, this varies depending on whether you choose the Industrial Placement* or Research Project. For the placement, you will complete a 7,000-word report giving a reflective account of your experience of the organisation and the work carried out during the placement; a 2,000-word reflective diary, which can be in the form of a blog; a presentation to your host company management team; and coursework based on information from your employer. Whereas, for the MSc Project, a dissertation of between 10,000 to 15,000 words in length forms your main assessment. You will also prepare a poster describing your interim progress part way through the project.
Next steps
Our expertise
Teaching staff
The School of Computer Science and Mathematics has a long, well-established history of industry-focused teaching and internationally recognised research: Mathematics was one of the University’s inaugural subjects back in 1948, while Computing has been taught since 1972, one of the first programmes in the UK.
Our academics specialise in a wide variety of branches of computing and mathematics, including: computational neuroscience; software engineering; evolutionary systems, ML and computational intelligence; fluid dynamics and acoustics; solid dynamics and elasticity; biomechanics and biomedical engineering; pure mathematics; and statistics.
We are known for our focus on data analytics and data modelling, with pioneering work taking place on the interface of computing, mathematics and engineering, notably in relation to smart energy management and optimisation, and metal detection.
Excellent industry links include the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT, and we have worked on several collaborative projects with businesses. For example, we developed innovative data mining processes to allow Bentley Motors Ltd, the global automotive company, to exploit the value hidden in the data it owns and collects. We are also members of The Virtual Cuneiform Tablet Reconstruction Project, an international project to support virtual access to artefacts featuring cuneiform, humankind’s earliest writing.
We have also been fortunate over the years that a number of companies, both large and small, local and international, have been able to provide work placements, project briefs and feedback on the latest industry trends to ensure course content remains relevant and up-to-date up. These have included representatives from Synectics Solutions Ltd, Powelectrics, SSE Enterprise Energy Solutions, Santander, Caja Ltd, and Hildebrand Technology Limited.
Our teaching team includes
Dr Alastair Channon, Reader (Computing) – Alastair worked in the software industry (at Micro Focus) before embarking on his academic career, which included lecturing at the University of Portsmouth and University of Birmingham prior to his move to Keele University in 2007. His primary research interest is in the open-ended evolution of neurally controlled animats and he is best known for having created the only closed system other than Earth's biosphere to have passed the enhanced statistical ‘ALife Test’ for open-ended evolution. Alastair's recent publications have included significant results on the relationship of mutation rate to population size, with clear implications for biological extinction events, and to fitness, computed over both abstract and biological fitness landscape.
Dr Sandra Woolley, Reader (Computing) – Sandra leads Software and Systems Engineering Research in the School. She is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (SMIEEE) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Sandra originally trained as a graduate engineer with Lucas Aerospace UK before completing a Data Engineering PhD at The University of Manchester, sponsored by both British Gas (Pipeline Inspection) and ICI ImageData. Prior to joining Keele, she lectured at the University of Birmingham and worked as as a researcher at the US-based National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). She has strong multidisciplinary research interests around human-computer interaction (HCI), digital technology and ‘fair digital living’, and she leads and contributes to international multidisciplinary research collaborations.
Next steps
Facilities
The School of Computer Science and Mathematics was established over 50 years ago and is recognised today as being at the forefront of computer science education and research. Proud holders of the Athena SWAN Bronze Award, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within both the School and our programmes. We regularly promote events for women studying science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) subjects, such as the annual BCS Women Lovelace Colloquium, the national conference for undergraduate and MSc women in computing.
Located in the Colin Reeves Building, our facilities currently house seven computer laboratories comprising around 200 desktop PC, accessible 24 hours a day, every day. Every PC has the current hardware and software needed for all modules on our degree programmes and provide both Microsoft Windows and the Linux operating system. Facilities also include a dedicated VR lab, gaming lab, our own Makerspace with 3D printers, a Vicon motion-tracking system, Raspberry PIs, Arduinos and dedicated PCs. We provide various web servers and a cloud computing facility for student use. We also host a high-performance CUDA GPU Supercomputer Cluster for use across campus.
The Overclockers UK Gaming Lab
Based in the Colin Reeves building, this state-of-the-art gaming station laboratory is named after its sponsor, who donated 24 high-spec gaming PCs. These are available for use by students during their lectures and exclusively to Keele Esports Society members in the evenings as a training facility. The Society is open to students who are interested in all aspects of competitive gaming, on both the professional scene and the amateur level.
Central Science Laboratory (CSL)
An entire floor of the University’s £34m Central Science Laboratory (CSL) is fully equipped with PCs featuring all our necessary software and is used for practical lab sessions. CSL opened its doors to students in September 2019 and provides 5,300m2 of modern, co-located science laboratories. Over £2m alone has been spent on industrial research-grade analytical and laboratory equipment that will be used by students in their day-to-day laboratory teaching. Access to state-of-the-art facilities and high specification equipment will ensure you are well prepared for scientific or industrial employment post-graduation. The environment mirrors the multi-faceted nature of working life and the shared space allows group working and collaboration between disciplines, building the skills and experience much valued by employers.
Living Lab
Our unique self-contained campus, with over 600 acres of grounds including forests and lakes, has provided an ideal setting to establish itself as a testbed for real-world teaching, learning and research opportunities as a ‘true Living Lab’. Featured as a national best practice case study in the promotion of sustainability exchange, initiatives such as the SIMULATE (Smart, Infrastructure and Mobility Urban Laboratory and Test Environment) and Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) projects, contributed to Keele being named Global Sustainability Institution of the Year (International Green Gown Awards, 2020).
SIMULATE, which received funding from the Government’s SMART Place Live Labs initiative, is focused on how to design and maintain a smart highways network. The £15m SEND programme was the first of its kind in Europe to demonstrate how smart energy technologies can support ‘intelligent’ energy generation, distribution, storage, forecasting and energy balancing. Our researchers have worked with businesses on a range of projects: anomaly detection for Internet of Things applications; use of deep reinforcement learning techniques for a smart energy management system; data analytics solutions for the Industrial Internet of Things; and Digital Twins.
Digital Society Institute
Keele’s new Digital Society Institute is a collaborative research centre focused on data and digital technology that will allow companies in the business, health, and cultural sectors to innovate and expand in a competitive and dynamic business environment. Launching in 2022, the Institute will be based within IC7 and will have access to a Data Visualisation Suite, office space, and hi-tech meeting and collaboration space. The facility, which will enable businesses to keep pace with fast-changing technologies, is expected to support over 400 SMEs over an 18-month period. Specialist equipment it will host includes: a state-of-the-art £330,000 high-performance computing cluster for data-driven research; a new VR/Interaction Laboratory; VR headsets; high-specification computers; a CAVE environment; eye-tracking glasses; 360-degree cameras; a high resolution hand-held 3D scanner; and a 3D printer.
Next steps