MSc Advanced Computer Science

The MSc in Advanced Computer Science gives the in-depth knowledge and cutting edge skills required for careers where advanced computer systems are used to solve difficult business goals, control complex processes and equipment, and undertake deep and detailed analysis, management, and presentation of data.

You will gain advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts of Internet technologies, software development, and intelligent systems. Alongside this, you will develop the practical skills that are necessary for the design, build, deployment and evaluation of distributed information systems and complex, Internet-enabled business applications.

The course covers a wide range of practical skills and theory, from a fast-track programming and systems design course through to advanced data analysis and the use of private cloud hardware. During the course, you will learn many techniques, including manipulating large amounts of data, designing and building large applications, leveraging and provisioning cloud services and developing autonomous systems.

How The Course Is Taught

You will have formal lectures delivered by academic staff as well as small group tutorial and practical sessions. The courses use a variety of innovative learning tools and methods for working with real clients. For example, in the Distributed Team Project, a group of students work under a project manager and report to them in the same way they will in industry. This gives students experience and skills they can apply directly to their career and jobs in the future.

Small group teaching is central to how to deliver the course and our staff and students are able to very quickly create supportive working relationships.

Each module in the first semester is taught intensively over one week. This means that you will be able to learn the key competencies and skills very quickly. This is particularly important for students who do not have previous experience of studying Computer Science. In the second semester, each module is taught every week. You will study more advanced topics and put the key skills you have learned in semester one into practice.

In the second semester, each taught module is taught every week which gives time for students to creatively explore the topics and put their learning into practice.

You will have sixteen hours of lectures and tutorials each week. Alongside this, you will be expected to work independently on exercises and coursework projects, as well as researching course topics online and in Keele’s University library.

Academic Entry Requirements

Undergraduate degree in any subject with second class lower (2:2) or an international equivalent.

We will also consider students with equivalent industrial work experience.

English Language Entry Requirement For International Students

IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component. The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.

If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.

International students can also choose to study a Pre-Masters programme at the University. Students who successfully complete this programme are guaranteed admission to the MSc in Advanced Computer Science.

During your degree programme, you can study additional English language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English.

Careers

Through our close collaboration with industrial partners, we continually seek to ensure that the MSc Advanced Computer Science gives our students the cutting edge technical skills and knowledge - as well as the consultancy, team and project management skills that are required for success in careers where advanced computer systems are developed or used.

Our students have progressed to work for a range of different companies after their studies. For example, Greenhous Group and Radius Payment Solutions. Other students have become freelance application developers.

Some of our students who have worked on advanced projects in Keele’s Smart Energy Network Demonstrator have progressed to study their PhD at Keele after successfully completing the MSc.