Computer Science MSc

You will be guided through the fundamentals of computer science by our expert staff. You will be encouraged to focus on the skills relevant to your professional development, as well as the wider employment needs of the industry.

Based at our London Campus, you will be immersed in the world of IT and computer science. You will have the option to extend your studies and undertake a year-long industry placement. This will give you the opportunity to develop professional networks and relevant sector experience.

Undertaking a research project will demonstrate your ability to bring together the skills you have learned to resolve problems. We will encourage you to develop key professional attributes. You will learn these through:

• Reflecting on your work-based practice
• Addressing complex real-world situations
• Opportunities to work with industry professionals

With options to study this course part time or full time, with or without a year in industry, and various starting points throughout the year, this course offers the flexibility to work for you.

How you will study

You can study this postgraduate course full time with or without an industry placement. This allows you to fit your studies around other commitments. You can also study this course with or without a year long industry placement.

Full time (without an industry placement)

If you choose to study full time without the industry placement, the course will take 1 year to complete. You will study:

• 8 compulsory modules
• A compulsory dissertation module

Full time (with an industry placement)

If you choose to study with an industry placement, the course will take 2 years to complete. You will study:

• 8 compulsory modules
• A compulsory dissertation
• A year in industry

You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.

Modules

Teaching and learning

You will learn through weekly lectures, seminars and workshops. At the beginning of the course, you will be allocated an academic tutor. This tutor will support you throughout your time with us, whilst also helping to develop your employability and professional development.

Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.

Professional skills

You will develop the necessary skills and knowledge you need to become a computer scientist or IT professional. There will be many opportunities for you to learn practical skills and conceptual techniques from cloud computing to artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Assessment

This course is assessed only through course work, which could include reports, articles and software programmes. You won't sit any exams. There will be regular opportunities for you to receive feedback on your progress throughout the course. This guidance will be tailored to your needs, and delivered in a supportive and constructive way.

Optional placement year

Choosing the placement year option can give you a competitive edge in your future career. It is an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned in the workplace.

Qualifications

If your honours degree is not in a related discipline, but you can demonstrate extensive professional experience in the subject, your application will be considered.

International Students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.

International entry requirements

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

If you do not have traditional qualifications, you might be able to provide evidence of professional experience in the subject as an alternative way to meet the entry requirements. This is called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Appropriate references and records of employment would need to be presented to support your case for admission.

Terms and conditions

Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.

UK 2024 - 2025 entry

The tuition fee for this postgraduate course in 2024 - 2025 academic year without placement year is:

• £9,300 for full time study

The tuition fee for this postgraduate course with placement year for the 2024 - 2025 academic year is:

• £10,695 for full time study
• £9,300 for the first year, and £1,395 for your placement year (£10,695 in total)

These costs apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.

Funding opportunities

International 2024 - 2025 entry

The tuition fee for this postgraduate course without placement year for the 2024 - 2025 academic year is:

• £11,300 for 1 year of full time study

The tuition fee for this postgraduate course with placement year in the 2024 - 2025 academic year is:

• £14,900 for full time study
• £11,300 for your first year, and £3,600 for your placement year (£14,900 in total)

These costs apply to all students living outside the UK.

Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.

Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.

International Fees and Funding

Tuition fees

Alumni Scholarships

If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.

Scholarships for alumni

Additional costs and financial support

Course-related costs

While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.

Accommodation and living costs

View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.

Where could Computer Science take you?

This degree could lead you to a career working in either Computer Science or Information Technology. You will develop the skills and learn the theory based on your area of expertise or employment. Through working on practical activities with links to industry you will gain key professional skills.

This will give you an advantage in careers such as:

• Computer Scientist
• Data Analyst
• Information Systems Manager
• IT consultant
• Software Engineer
• Systems Analyst

Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.

Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. Those with a postgraduate qualification will earn an average of £6,500 a year more than those with only an undergraduate degree. (Department For Education Graduate Labour Market Report 2022)

Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:

• Employer events
• LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
• Workshops on application writing and interview skills
• Work experience and volunteering opportunities
• Personalised career advice

This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.