MSc in Advanced Computer Science

Course structure

This Master consists of modules to an overall total of 180 credits.

The programme is taught in two semesters followed by a summer project (60 credits). Each semester includes a "mini-project". As its name suggests, the mini-project is a smaller version of the summer project, allocated half the credit of a full project (30 credits).

-The two mini-projects are an essential part of the programme. Their purpose is to give you the opportunity to develop a number of skills and techniques:

  • definition of aims, objectives and feasible working plans
  • project management and time management skills
  • systematic literature searching skills
  • communication skills both in written reports and in verbal presentations to supervisors.

Mini-projects are often preliminary studies, including a survey of a research-oriented problem, the proposal of a solution and its prototyping. A fuller solution can then be developed and evaluated in the summer project.

First semester

You will work on your first mini-project and study the Research Skills module (10 credits) which will provide you with transferable skills to support your learning, project work and to use in your career. You will also study some of your optional modules.

Second semester

You will complete your second mini-project and study the remainder of your optional modules.

Optional modules

You study 50 credits of modules drawn from the School's advanced levels of teaching. Some advanced modules from other schools are also included. The range of modules presented will vary from year-to-year: the range for current year is given here.

Summer project

The four summer months are spent working on the extended project which is the extension in some way of one of your mini-projects. These projects are often of an extremely high level and quality, because of the research focus of the programme, the experience of individual study throughout the course and the high level of qualifications we ask of students joining this programme.

Examinations and assessments

There are fewer examinations in this programmes than in many similar programmes. Each mini-project and project is assessed by the supervisor and a moderator. Taught modules are assessed in a variety of ways: summer written examination, practical assessment or a mixture of both.

Course Modules

Please note that actual course modules may vary from year to year, however, the following are typical course modules:

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules