Advanced Computer Science
Join us at the forefront of technology as we explore issues in the digital world, their impact on real people and how to solve them.
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Key Course Details
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Start Date
September
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Location
Pontypridd
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Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£10,800*
International students
£16,900*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
-
Start Date
September
-
Location
Pontypridd
-
Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£1,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
Enhance your skills as we dive into the dynamic world of computer science. From abstraction to security, uncover all the latest software and hardware technologies.
DESIGNED FOR
If you are a problem-solving programmer who thinks outside the box, this is a great opportunity. Whether you’re a recent computer science graduate or a professional, our course will help advance your skills as you work with cutting-edge technology to develop solutions to real problems and tackle global issues.
Accredited by
- BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
Career Paths
- Computer Scientist
- Full Stack Developer
- Software and Applied AI Engineer
- Systems and Cloud Architect
- Data Analyst
Skills taught
- Programming Proficiency
- Algorithmic Thinking
- Mobile App Development
- Cloud Technology
- Data Management
Course Highlights
Module Overview
Develop practical and professional skills including cloud technology, advanced algorithmic skills, applied AI including data implementation, and transferrable skills like research and project management. Taught by experienced staff from diverse backgrounds, you’ll explore object-oriented programming with data structures, data mining and applied AI for Computer Science, distributed computing, and mobile application development.
Object Oriented Programming with Data Structures and Algorithms
Gain advanced knowledge and practical skills in analysing, designing and implementing advanced algorithms and data structures. This includes Queues, B-trees, Oct-tree, Quad-trees, AVL, binary space partitioning grids and multi-resolution maps.
Data Mining
See how data mining solves real-world problems through foundational concepts, big data, and analytics. Explore the basics of applied AI for Computer Science, including algorithms, techniques, and big data tools for analysis.
Distributed Computing
Discover the principles of distributed computer systems, both academically and commercially. Use your knowledge of distributed system environments to develop simulations and to cover issues surrounding distributed privacy and security.
Project Management and Research Methodology
Plan a project considering relevant risks and ethical issues while completing a literature review and other development activities as you improve your understanding of the situation and/or produce organisational change.
Mobile Application Development
Demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of technologies for building distributed network-based mobile applications. Enhance skills in designing, implementing, testing and critically evaluating mobile technologies and robust distributed network-based mobile applications.
MSc Project
A highlight for many students is the individual project. Under the supervision of our teaching staff, you will apply your skills and knowledge to a real, complex, and demanding scenario.
Course Highlights
Delivery and Assessment
This intensive postgraduate computing course offers six core modules structured in four major blocks. Full-time students dedicate around 12 class hours and 24 independent study hours weekly, while part-time students commit around six hours per week. The curriculum includes lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, seminars, and projects.
Assessment heavily relies on coursework (94%), ranging from research-style papers to practical assignments. A substantial research project allows students to choose their focus, requiring strong independent thinking, critical analysis, and project management skills. This dynamic learning environment emphasizes both structured class time and significant independent study for a holistic educational experience.
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Teaching staff
You will be taught by a dedicated team of experienced teachers with a wide range of industrial and research backgrounds.
Our staff will help ensure that you not only learn about technologies and methodologies that are at the forefront of computer science but gain knowledge about how they are applied. Find out about our current computing research to see how it drives innovation.
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Facilities
Develop your skills and prepare for your career by using the latest, cutting-edge technology as you learn. Our state-of-the-art, high-powered computer labs and Mac facilities provide an unparalleled environment for your academic journey. From intensive data processing to creative design, our top-notch infrastructure will empower you to explore, innovate, and excel.
Join a community where learning meets innovation and experience the seamless integration of theory and practice. Elevate your education with access to the latest tools and resources, ensuring you're well-prepared for the dynamic challenges of today's digital landscape.
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Typical qualification requirements:
This course is designed for graduates with a minimum 2:2 Honours degree or equivalent in a computing or strongly related subject.
Applicants should be proficient programmers.
International applications welcomed:
We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.
English language requirements
International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.
Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.
If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.
If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.
USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.
We're here to help
Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.
Fees and Funding
£10,800
per year*£10,800
per year*£16,900
per year*£16,900
per year*£1,200
per 20 credits*Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
There are no specific additional costs associated with the programme, although students should expect to incur occasional incidental expenses, for instance for printing, stationary or transport. Students may, optionally decide to support their studies by providing additional equipment such as a laptop. Although recommended this is not required
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Introducing Calon
We are investing in the future of STEM at USW with an exciting new Computing, Engineering and Technology building at our Pontypridd Campus.
University Quality Assurance
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
How to apply
There is an online application process for this course. Please choose the application form for your preferred start date and mode of study (i.e. full-time or part-time).
- September 2025 Part-time
- September 2025 Full-time
- September 2026 Full-time
- September 2026 Part-time
- February 2026 Full-time
- February 2026 Part-time
International admissions
Please see our international admissions advice for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.
