The University of Southampton

MSc Computer Science (1 year full-time)

This one year MSc Computer Science degree allows you to choose modules from our more specialist programmes including artificial intelligence, cyber security, signal processing, software engineering, and web science and technology and will provide the opportunity to deepen your understanding of one or more of these areas.

Due to high demand, this course is now closed to international applicants. This course remains open for UK and EU applicants. Any non-UK/EU applications received after this time will not be processed. We have a range of other related postgraduate courses that you may want to consider.

Not sure if you classify as an International student? Check our fee status page.

Ranked in the top 100 universities globally for Computer Science, and top 10 in the UK

Introducing your degree

Computer science drives the fundamental technologies of today’s connected world. Modules on this course cover state of the art techniques, technologies, and supporting tools, and will expose you students to their applications in meeting emerging business and social needs, and solving challenging problems.

Take your place to set the agenda for tomorrow’s ever-changing digital future.

Overview

This umbrella programme allows you to choose modules from our more specialist programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Data Science, Software Engineering, and Web Science and Technology.  In semester one, you can cover the foundations of a number of these specialist areas, and for your other taught subjects you can choose specialist modules to deepen your understanding of one or more of these areas.

Your programme leader and personal tutor will help you to make an appropriate selection based on your background and interests.

View the programme specification for this course for 2020/21 entrants

View the programme specification addendum for this course for 2020/21 entrants

Accreditation

Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Programme Structure

You will be assigned a project supervisor and project area or topic to work on.  Before the start of the project you will learn about appropriate research methods and prepare an extended project brief and review of the relevant literature.  In the summer, following your second semester examinations, you will undertake the main work of the project, which you write up as an extended report or dissertation of up to 15,000 words or 60 pages. 

Topics may include:

Agile and Object Oriented Development; Applications of Security in IT; Aspect Oriented Programming and Program Generation; Computer Vision; Cryptography; E-Business Strategy; Evolution of Complexity; Formal Design of Systems; Hypertext and Web Technologies; Intelligent Agents; Machine Learning; Mobile App Development; Robotics; Safety Critical Systems; Semantic Web Technologies; Social Networking Technologies; Software Project Management and Quality Assurance; Web Development.

To Apply

You can apply for the programme through the University of Southampton's online postgraduate application system. Visit our how to apply pages for more information. Please note that we belong to the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering (FPSE).

The deadline for new applications to this course is 31 July each year.

Key Facts

Southampton University has pioneered many of the most important advances in computer science and web technology of the past 10 years

We are in the top 10% in the UK for the volume and quality of our Computer Science research (REF 2014)

100% of our Computer Science research impact is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2014)

Southampton is ranked in the top 100 universities for Computer Science in the 2018 QS World Rankings, and top 10 in the UK

We are in the UK top ten for Computer Sciences (Guardian University Guide, 2019)

Southampton is a University Partner of The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence

We are recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by the UK Government and our academics have played a leading role in establishing a European Data Science Academy

"I really enjoy the challenge of working at the frontier of human knowledge"

Steven Squires

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements

Honours Degree:

A UK bachelor’s degree with a minimum (2:1) degree (or equivalent) in  Computer Science, Software Engineering or a closely related subject and a high 2:1 in required modules*.  

See international equivalent entry requirements. This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.

*The required modules are:

  • at least one object-oriented modern programming language module (Java, C++, C#, Visual Basic);
  • at least one maths module;
  • at least one computing module (cryptography, software, data structures, databases, machine learning, web, networks). 

Where applicable we take into account work experience, in place of taught programming. 

English Language Requirements:

All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency: Band C, IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applications from international students. For information on applying, visit the International Office website

Selection process:

All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedures as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Disability Office to assess their needs. The programme may require adaptation for students with disabilities (eg hearing impairment, visual impairment, mobility difficulties, dyslexia), particularly the practical laboratory sessions, and we will attempt to accommodate students wherever possible.

Career Opportunities

Computer Science students from Southampton mainly go on to work in the software industry, often as developers, but also as consultants, project managers, testing and support, or technical specialists. 

These roles support a variety of sectors including:

  • banking and finance
  • consumer electronics
  • defence, engineering
  • entertainment
  • insurance
  • power generation
  • telecommunications
  • television

As well as larger multinationals, many students also go on to work for small to medium enterprises (SMEs), including start-ups.

Visit our careers hub for more information.

 

Through an extensive blend of networks, mentors, societies and our on-campus startup incubator, we also support aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build their professional enterprise skills. Discover more about enterprise and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees

Fees for postgraduate taught courses vary across the University. All fees are listed for UK, EU and international full-time and part-time students alphabetically by course name.

View the full list of course fees

Funding

Scholarships, bursaries, sponsorships or grants may be available to support you through your course. Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.

Explore funding opportunities

Costs associated with this course

Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.

There will also be further costs for the following, not purchasable from the University:

TypeDescription
Approved CalculatorsCandidates may use calculators in the examination room only as specified by the University and as permitted by the rubric of individual examination papers. The University approved models are Casio FX-570 and Casio FX-85GT Plus. These may be purchased from any source and no longer need to carry the University logo.
StationeryYou will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc). Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile.
TextbooksWhere a module specifies core texts these should generally be available on the reserve list in the library. However due to demand, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source.

Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module.
Printing and Photocopying CostsIn the majority of cases, coursework such as essays; projects; dissertations is likely to be submitted on line. However, there are some items where it is not possible to submit on line and students will be asked to provide a printed copy. A list of the University printing costs can be found here: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions/students/printing-for-students.page.

In some cases you’ll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.

Location

Highfield Campus

Highfield is our main campus and the heart of the University. Set in beautiful green surroundings, it’s easily accessible from the city centre. University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ.

Find out more

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