Computer Science MSc
1 Year Full-Time | September Start

On this course, you will have the opportunity to independently research topics to deepen your learning and understanding, while learning the skills to communicate your research and investigations. You will study through a selection of taught modules which can be found in the modules tab.

This careers focused master's ensures that you are prepared for work from the get-go with machine learning from the outset of the course. Assessment methods will include reports, presentations, individual, group and project work. You will also have regular feedback as you begin the task of writing your final assessment. 

Our experienced staff will be assigned to you on an 1-1 basis to support your chosen research topic towards the end of the programme. You will be taught through a range of lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Throughout the programme, there is an emphasis upon self-directed learning, critical thinking, and independent research to support your academic and personal development. 

You will be taught by a range of academic staff who bring a wealth of professional experience. They are experts in specialist areas such as: strategic management, programming, web based Information retrieval, research methods and project management.

In a dynamic learning environment with an expert team of staff, you will be taught theoretical and practical research skills such as information literacy, as well as problem solving skills, self-directed learning and communication skills.

For this full time Master's programme, you will have approximately 13 hours of teaching time per week. Class time can occur anytime between 9am-6pm, Monday to Friday (exact timetables will be finalised in early September).

Where will I study?

The Computer Science facilities at Northumbria will provide you with a wide range of learning opportunities in a challenging, stimulating and dynamic learning environment.

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to access state of the art facilities and equipment which will encourage your individual intellectual freedom and allow your creative vision to become a reality.

Our £7m Computer and Information Sciences building was opened in 2018, especially for our computing students, and it is packed with high quality services to support your learning. Here, you will have access to dedicated computing areas which you can use during free periods and into the evenings and weekends. These areas are useful spaces for completing your coursework, stocked with the latest PC, Mac and Linux machines. Plus, our award-winning Library has lots of resources and study spaces to support your learning, with professional support services for students at all levels of study.

Eco-friendly building

We are proud to say that the Computer and Information Science building at Northumbria University is a sustainable ‘Smart Building’, which is able to run itself efficiently and sustainably. This ‘Living Lab’ supports student learning and provides useful links between sustainability and technology.

Institute of Coding Partnership

Northumbria also contributes to the Institute of Coding - a £40m collaboration between 25 UK universities – delivering education to people of all ages, helping them gain the skills they need to become the next generation of digital talent.

You will be immersed in a research-rich environment supported by our rapidly expanding Computer Science and Information Science Research Groups.

Northumbria's MSc has been designed to ensure you learn the most up-to-date computing knowledge required by employers across the industry. We offer research-informed teaching, industry-standard software and a strong community of like-minded students.

You will develop an understanding of important research methods, techniques and approaches which could be directly applicable to the demands of your future career.

Industry practice has strongly influenced the design of the programme to give you the computing knowledge to work within a variety of roles in the sector.

Learning independently, working collaboratively on projects, evaluating and reflecting upon practitioner experience, are all essential skills of the computing profession. Your modules will enable you to do all of this and more as you develop the qualities needed for a career in computing.

Upon graduating from this course, you will have an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the main areas of Computer Science, including the key areas of systems analysis, systems development, operating systems, networking, databases and the internet.

We place a real emphasis on developing the transferable skills that will open doors to a range of careers. These include communication, analytical and problem solving skills, technical skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Graduates are expected to work in a number of career opportunities across a wide range of computer areas including software engineering, systems analysis and design, computer networks, database development and management, software testing and project management. Graduates have also set themselves up as IT consultants, or joined existing consultancy firms.