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MSc Web Science (1 year full-time)

This one year MSc Web Science degree uses multidisciplinary techniques to explore the impact of the web on society. You will have the opportunity to study web technologies such as data and knowledge representations, e-business, agents and information system design, economic theory, legal practice, linguistic analysis and sociological evaluation.

Our Web Science Institute is home to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) UK & Ireland Office

Introducing your degree

Develop the skills to enable you to analyse the impact of the web on business, government, law and science itself.

Gefion Thuermer, studying for an iPhD Web Science
The biggest strength of my course is that it allows me the freedom to run my project myself but with expert guidance.
Gefion Thuermer, studying for an iPhD Web Science

Overview

Web Science uses multidisciplinary techniques to explore the impact of the web on all aspects of human society, from the individual right through to national and global scales.

This programme addresses two aspects of the web:

  • engineering techniques and technologies that are used to build it
  • analytical techniques from economics, psychology, law and sociology that are used to understand how it is changing society

Since the inception of the web, there have been two major developments: social and collaborative applications, and the semantic web. You will explore these through core modules, web technology and your own social and collaborative websites.

You will have the opportunity to study web technologies, such as data and knowledge representations, e-business, agents and information system design, in the context of economic theory, legal practice, linguistic analysis and sociological evaluation.

View the 2018/19 programme specification document for this course

View the 2019/20 programme specification document for this course

Programme Structure

One year, full-time.

The programme has been designed to maximise student choice by allowing you to tailor the structure to suit your own interests. You can choose areas that reflect your personal interests and work on an individual project. You will however, also take a number of compulsory modules to ensure you are exposed to key topics in all areas.

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 Engineering and Physical Sciences.

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 one of only 14 universities 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

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements

Honours Degree:

Our normal entry requirement is an upper second-class honours degree or higher (or equivalent) in multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary subjects.

We require a minimum 2:1 degree overall (or equivalent) in a related discipline and 2:1 in the required modules. Mainly non-computer science, or Computer Science with e.g. Law or Sociology or Economics or Psychology, Humanities, Management, Education, Geography or Philosophy.

English Language Requirements:

If English is not your first language, you will be required to pass an approved English test. We normally ask for IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each competency. For information on other accepted English language tests, please visit www.southampton.ac.uk/admissions_language.

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.

Modules

Year 1

Modules
Compulsory
COMP6215
Semantic Web Technologies
COMP6217
The Science of Online Social Networks
COMP6218
Web Architecture
COMP6220
Qualitative Research Methods for Assessing Technology
RESM6004
Quantitative Methods 1
WEBS6200
Project and Dissertation - Web Science
WEBS6201
Foundations of Web Science
WEBS6202
Further Web Science
WEBS6203
Interdisciplinary Thinking
Optional
COMP6221
Computational Thinking
ENTR6037
Innovation and Technology Transfer

Career Opportunities

This programme provides an excellent platform for further research in either industry, the digital economy or academia.

Graduates from our MSc programme are employed worldwide in leading companies at the forefront of technology.  ECS runs a dedicated careers hub which is affiliated with over 100 renowned companies like IBM, Arm, Microsoft Research, Imagination Technologies, Nvidia, Samsung and Google to name a few.  Visit our careers hub for more information.

"The Web is such a prevalent part of everyday life that it was obvious that it was a great opportunity to really start to understand the effect it is having, which will be a unique expertise that I can take forward into my future career.”  Chris Phethean, Web Science PhD Student

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.

Pre-course Reading List

The Web Science curriculum does not expect you to have specific programming skills, and the course teaching will directly address the construction and use of the Web in its various forms. However, digital literacy (the use of information management tools such as databases) is expected.

We do not require you to have any prior knowledge of Web Science itself, but relevant background reading includes the following texts:

The following popular texts are also relevant, and provide interesting perspectives for understanding the Web.

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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