Advanced Computer Science Masters/MSc

Masters/MSc postgraduate degree course in Advanced Computer Science:

A full-time one year advanced programme for the academically most able students.  You widen your knowledge of Computer Science by selecting from a wide range of our cutting-edge modules.  You deepen your knowledge and develop your skills of independent working by undertaking two mini-projects and a summer project that draw on our research strengths.  This course is an ideal preparation for PhD study and more advanced industrial employment.

For more information, including entry requirements, course details and module information, please visit: www.cs.bham.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate-taught/degree_info/msc-acs/

Course fact file

Type of Course: Combined research and taught, taught

Study Options: Full time

Duration: 1 year full-time

Start date: September/October

Details

This is an advanced programme that draws upon the School's international research reputation. It is designed to prepare students for a career in academic or industrial research in computer science. It offers a broad range of advanced taught modules from which students can select the areas in which they are most interested. Knowledge is also deepened through individual supervision in one of the many research areas of the School.

This is a one-year, full-time programme. In the first eight months, students spend half their time studying taught modules chosen from a wide range of topics, and the other half working on two mini-projects. In the final four months, one of the mini-projects is extended into the final summer dissertation. The mini-projects and the dissertation are individually supervised by a member of our research-active staff.

After successfully completing the programme, students will have developed the enhanced analytical and technical skills required to work on computer science problems in a research environment.

The majority of students pursue PhD degrees either in Birmingham, elsewhere in the UK or abroad. Other graduates go on to carry out demanding research or find development positions in the IT industry.

Related links

School of Computer Science 

Modules

This is a one-year, full-time programme. In the first eight months, students spend half their time studying taught modules chosen from a wide range of topics, and the other half working on two mini-projects. In the final four months, one of the mini-projects is extended into the final summer dissertation. The mini-projects and the dissertation are individually supervised by a member of our research-active staff.  

For more information, including entry requirements, course details and module information, please visit our website: www.cs.bham.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate-taught/degree_info/msc-acs/ 

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Tuition fees for 2013/2014 are as follows:

  • £5,130 for home/EU students
  • £16,770 for international students

Part-time programmes

Most part-time programmes run for two years and their fees are one half of the standard full-time programme fees. A small number of part-time programmes run for three years and in these cases the annual fees are one third of the total full-time cost. Contact us for further information.

UK student visa regulations mean that students classed as overseas for fees purposes may normally only register on a full-time basis.

Further funding information

Standard fees apply
Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships and studentships
For information about scholarships visit www.cs.bham.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate-taught/scholarships.php. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

For further information contact the School directly or email sfo@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are high and, as a guide, you should be in at least the top 15% of your academic year. The minimum entry requirement is an upper second-class degree or overseas equivalent; however our usual offer is a first-class degree.

Learn more about entry requirements  

International students
We accept a range of qualifications from different countries – learn more about international entry requirements 

Standard English language requirements apply

How to apply

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Apply now

Key Information Set (KIS)

Key Information Sets (KIS) are comparable sets of information about full or part time undergraduate courses and are designed to meet the information needs of prospective students.

From September 2012 all KIS information will be published on the Unistats website and can also be accessed via the small advert, or ‘widget’, below. On the Unistats website you will be able to compare all the KIS data for each course with data for other courses.

The development of Key Information Sets (KIS) forms part of HEFCE’s work to enhance the information that is available about higher education. It will give you access to robust, reliable and comparable information in order to help you make informed decisions about what and where to study.

The KIS contains information which prospective students have identified as useful, such as student satisfaction, graduate outcomes, learning and teaching activities, assessment methods, tuition fees and student finance, accommodation and professional accreditation.

Contact

Dr Martin Escardo and Dr Peter Breuer
Tel: +44 (0)121 415 8742
Fax: +44 (0)121 414 4281
Email: msc-admissions@cs.bham.ac.uk  

Learning and teaching

Contact

Dr Martin Escardo and Dr Peter Breuer
Tel: +44 (0)121 415 8742
Fax: +44 (0)121 414 4281
Email: msc-admissions@cs.bham.ac.uk  

Employability

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Contact us

Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) 2010/11 (postgraduate taught graduates)

The DLHE survey is conducted 6 months after graduation.

Range of Employers for Birmingham's Computer Science Graduates

  • Accenture
  • BT
  • Capgemini
  • Detica
  • Goldman Sachs International
  • HSBC
  • Logica
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Opengi
  • University of Birmingham

Range of Courses of Further Study for Birmingham's Computer Science Graduates

  • MPhil Computational Biology
  • MSc Computer Science
  • MSc Artificial Intelligence
  • MSc Computer Security
  • MSc Intelligent Systems Engineering
  • MSc Internet Software Systems
  • MSc Natural Computation
  • PGCE ICT
  • PhD Computer Science
  • PhD Software Engineering

Range of Occupations for Birmingham's Computer Science Graduates

  • Computer Programmer
  • IT Consultant
  • Project Manager
  • Research Fellow
  • Research Scientist
  • Software Consultant
  • Software Developer
  • Software Engineer
  • Web Developer
  • Web Programmer

Visit the Careers section of the University website for further information.

Contact

Dr Martin Escardo and Dr Peter Breuer
Tel: +44 (0)121 415 8742
Fax: +44 (0)121 414 4281
Email: msc-admissions@cs.bham.ac.uk