MSc Computer Science
Computer science is one of the fastest growing subjects around the world. From its theoretical and algorithmic foundations to cutting-edge development in robotics and intelligent systems, it is a wide field which needs an increasing number of suitably educated individuals to support it.
This computer science masters introduces you to a number of software and hardware technologies and their real world applications.
You’ll learn about abstraction, complexity, evolutionary change, sharing of common resources, security and concurrency.
From system functionality to usability and performance, you’ll also be better placed to solve real-life problems with an understanding of how they affect people’s lives.
Object Oriented Programming with Data Structures and Algorithms – 40 credits
Object Oriented Programming with Data Structures and Algorithms provides students with opportunity to obtain advanced knowledge and practical skills in the analysis, synthesis, design and implementation of advanced algorithms and data structures. Students will gain skills in Implementation and performance analysis of advanced data structures such as: Queues, B-trees, Oct-tree, Quad-trees, AVL, binary space partitioning grids or multi-resolution maps.
Data Mining – 20 credits
Data Mining provides students with opportunity to appreciate the value of data mining in solving real-world problems by conveying foundational concepts of data mining, big data, and data analytics. Students will gain knowledge of key concepts, algorithms, and techniques commonly used in data mining and big data tools for collection and analysis of data sets.
Distributed Computing – 20 credits
Distributed Computing provides students with opportunity to gain a detailed understanding of the underlying principles associated with distributed computer systems, both from an academic and commercial perspective. Students will work on Developing simulations to demonstrate understanding of distributed system environments and well as cover issues surrounding distributed privacy and security.
Project Management and Research Methodology – 20 credits
Project Management and Research Methodology provides students with the opportunity to plan a project using appropriate methods, techniques and tools, taking into account relevant risks and ethical issues, and undertake a literature review and other development activities to improve their understanding of the situation and/or produce organisational change.
Mobile Application Development – 20 credits
Mobile Application Development provides students with opportunity to demonstrate the application of the theoretical and practical knowledge of the technologies associated with building robust distributed network-based mobile applications. Students will get to further develop skills in designing, implementing, testing and critically evaluating mobile technologies and robust distributed network-based mobile applications
MSc Project – 60 credits
The highlight of the course for many students is the individual project, undertaken under the supervision of one of the lecturing team, where they get to apply what they have learned to a scenario that is complex and demanding.
Teaching
This postgraduate computing course is delivered in four major blocks to offer an intensive but focused learning pattern. Full-time students will typically spend 12 hours in classes and 24 hours outside of classes each week.
If you choose to study part-time, this is reduced to around six hours each week. You will study through lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, seminars and projects.
You will need to spend a significant amount of time working independently, reading and preparing for assessments. Assessment is primarily by coursework, varying from a research-style paper or essay to practical assignments.
You will also work on a significant research project of your own choice, where strong independent thinking, critical analysis and project management skills will be important.
Assessment
Assessment is primarily by coursework (94%), varying from a research-style paper or essay to practical assignments.
You will also work on a significant research project of your own choice, where strong independent thinking, critical analysis and project management skills will be important.
Accreditations
Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
Placements
Through the Erasmus scheme, students could have the opportunity to attend summer schools in advanced computer vision and machine learning with our partners in TEI of Crete, University of Patras, University of Burgundy, Cyprus University of Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Porto and the University of Salento.
Facilities
Practice is so important in gaining understanding of complex machine learning techniques, which is why we have a range of high specification computer laboratories including workrooms dedicated to our masters’ students.
These facilitate a learning environment where you can work individually or in groups and as they are located close to the staff offices.
Our facilities are at the cutting edge of computer development, meaning you’ll use the latest technologies in high-spec labs.
You’ll also find dedicated spaces on campus for computing students, including Windows, Apple Mac, Linux and Networking suites, all with the latest software.
Lecturers
A dedicated team of experienced teachers with a wide range of industrial and research backgrounds teach on our computing courses at the University of South Wales.
These varied backgrounds help ensure that students not only learn about technologies and methodologies that are at the vanguard of computer science, but gain knowledge about how they are applied. Find out about our current computing research.
- Dr Shiny Verghese, Course Leader
- Dr Eric Llewelyn, Head of Computer Science and Mathematics
- Dr Ian Wilson, Associate Professor in Computational Intelligence
- Professor Andrew Ware, Professor in Computing
- Dr Janusz Kulon, Associate Professor
- Iain Shewring, Head of Informatics
- Dr Daniel Cunliffe, Associate Professor
We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement
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.
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 Entry Requirements
This course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.
August 2023 - July 2024 Fees
Full-time UK: £9500
Full-time International: £15100
Part-time UK: £1055 per 20 credits
Student Perks
At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.
Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.
Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.
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.
Funding
Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs
Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.
USW Postgraduate 20% Alumni Discount 2023/24
The University of South Wales is offering a 20% reduction in tuition fees for all University of South Wales* graduates starting a taught/online*** MA,MSc, LLM,MBA or DBA course from September 2023 (this includes students starting a course in January/February 2024). T's and Cs apply. Click here for more details and eligibility criteria: USW Postgraduate Alumni Discount 2023/24
Graduates with an MSc Computer Science will be suitable for roles in software development, database administration, computer hardware engineering, computer systems analysis, computer network architecture, web development, information security analysis, computer programming and computer networks.
Students who complete computing masters will be educated to a professional standard in a range of fields related to computer science, and will have improved transferable skills including problem solving, communication, team working, effective use of IT facilities and information retrieval.
With training to Masters level now the recognised professional level of competence, graduates will be better placed to pursue careers in industry, or continue their interest in computer science through a computing research degree or computing PhD. We welcome applications from self-funded students for postgraduate research degrees, including Masters by Research and PhD, in a range of topics. Please see our Graduate School website for more details.
The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites: Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere, as well as living and studying in the same place. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.
It’s the community and friendships you’ll build that make this place special. Outside your studies you can experience our amazing sport facilities and Students’ Union.
Living in Halls is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We have high quality accommodation in Treforest, Cardiff and Newport.