Computer Science
City, University of London
UCAS Code: G401 | Master of Science - MSci
Entry requirements
A level
Grades ABB (preferably to include Computer Science or Mathematics)
We welcome applications that include the EPQ. Where relevant, this may be included in our offer, resulting in an ‘A’ Level offer reduced by one grade.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C) PLUS GCSE Mathematics at grade 6 (B)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
IB with 31 points to include 6 in all Higher Level subjects and minimum of grade 5 in Standard Level English.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
IT/Numerate subjects (e.g. IT(Software Development) preferred
UCAS Tariff
Grades ABB (preferably to include Computer Science or Mathematics)
About this course
This integrated master's degree is ideal if you are interested in how software technologies are built and work. You’ll learn about programming languages, coding and solving computational problems. An optional work placement, master’s level study and professional accreditation all boost your employability.
This course is suited for those looking for a rewarding career in a diverse and rapidly changing environment, from the highly technical to the business-drive, in roles that are both creative and highly valued. It is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and fully meets the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
City's MSci (Hons) Computer Science degree covers core foundational skills such as programming, progressing to cover a range of computing topics with a focus on professional application, while maintaining a strong theoretical underpinning.
You’ll become proficient in computing, coding, programming and problem-solving, as well as developing management and communication skills.
- Develop systematic knowledge of computer science, with a focus on how software and programming can be used to solve real-world problems
- Boost your professional credibility, employability and earning potential with a degree that satisfies the academic requirements for CEng status
- Learn to code creatively and use programming languages accurately
- Study in City’s computing labs, which include the latest hardware and software, such as state-of-art NVidia GPUs
- Gain practical work experience with an optional one-year work placement
- Study at master’s level in your fourth year, learning alongside our internationally renowned researchers at the cutting edge of the subject
- Get three years of professional experience with our innovative Professional Pathway Scheme, combining paid employment and study.
The School has its own dedicated placements team with over 20 years of experience in providing on-hand placement and internship support as well as guidance for students throughout their studies. Placements are highly encouraged at City. Students that complete a placement year benefit from gaining professional experience working on real-life projects and are also more likely to achieve higher grades, secure a graduate-level job and earn a higher salary. In recent years students from our computer science courses have been able to obtain placements at leading companies within their chosen field such as IBM, PlayStation, Disney, Microsoft and Goldman Sachs.
Modules
During your four years of study on this Computer Science MSci, you’ll work individually and in teams to solve real-world computing problems, developing communication and collaboration skills.
Year 1
Study our common first year for all our computer science students, learning six core topics including operating systems, web development and Java.
-Introduction to Algorithms (15 Credits)
-Mathematics for Computing (15 Credits)
-Systems Architecture (15 Credits)
-Programming in Java (30 Credits)
-Databases (15 Credits)
-Operating Systems (15 Credits)
-Computer Science, Ethics & Society (15 credits)
Year 2
Deepen your knowledge of computer science with core modules such as C++ and data structures. Boost your professional skills with a team project or a work-based project.
-Data Structures and Algorithms (15 credits)
-Language Processors (15 credits)
-Computer Networks (15 credits)
-Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (15 credits)
-Professional Development in IT (15 credits)
-Team Project (30 credits)
-Programming in C++ (15 credits)
Year 3
Research and develop systems in an area of specialist interest to you with a large individual project. Tailor your degree to your interests with a broad range of elective modules to suit your career aspirations.
-Theory of Computation (15 credits)
-Advanced Programming: Concurrency (15 credits)
-Functional Programming (15 credits)
-Games Technology (15 credits)
-Advanced Databases (15 credits)
-Computer Graphics (15 credits)
-Advanced Games Technology (15 credits)
-Professional Placement and Career Development (30 credits)
-Data Visualization (15 credits)
-Digital Signal Processing and Audio Processing (15 credits)
-Network Security (15 credits)
-Project Management (15 credits)
-Cloud Computing (15 credits)
-Information Security Fundamentals (15 credits)
-Computer Vision (15 credits)
-Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
-Programming and Mathematics for AI (15 credits)
-Agents and Multi Agents Systems (15 credits)
-User Centred Systems (15 credits)
-Semantic Web Technologies and Knowledge Graphs (15 credits)
Year 4
Continue tailoring your studies to your career aspirations with four elective modules from across our specialisms. Showcase your skills with a large individual project.
-Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures (15 credits)
-Individual Project (45 credits)
-Software Systems Design (15 credits)
-User-centred Systems Design (15 credits)
-Advanced Databases (15 credits)
-Project Management (15 credits)
-Computer Graphics (15 credits)
-Digital Signal Processing & Audio Processing (15 credits)
-Data Visualization (15 credits)
-Neural Computing (15 credits)
-Cloud Computing (15 credits)
-Machine Learning (15 credits)
-Big Data (15 credits)
-Information Security Fundamentals (15 credits)
-Network Security (15 credits)
-Cryptography (15 credits)
-Computer Vision (15 credits)
-Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
-Programming and Mathematics for Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
-Computational Cognitive Systems (15 credits)
-Agents and Multi-Agent Systems (15 credits)
-Advanced Games Technology (15 credits)
Students have the opportunity to follow two placement routes: a one year placement or the Professional Pathway scheme. The one year placement can be undertaken following successful completion of year 2.
Students can join the Professional Pathway scheme after successful completion of year 1 (early entry) or after successful completion of year 2 or a one year placement (late entry).
Assessment methods
The balance of assessment by examination, practical examination and assessment by coursework will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2019/20 entry is as follows:
Year 1
Written examination: 41%
Coursework: 59%
Year 2
Written examination: 35%
Coursework: 65%
Year 3
Written examination: 50%
Coursework: 50%
Year 3
Written examination: 25%
Practical: 6%
Coursework: 69%
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
City, University of London
Department of Computer Science
What students say
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Computer science
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Computer science
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is a newly-classified subject area for this kind of data, so we don’t currently have very much information to display or analyse yet. The subject is linked to important and growing computing industries, and over time we can expect more students to study them — there could be opportunities that open up for graduates in these subjects as the economy develops over the next few years.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computer science
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£29k
£35k
£42k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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