Advanced Computer Science

    Advanced Computer Science

    Duration1 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    GBP 27,506 / Year
    Next IntakeSeptember 1, 2026

    Advanced Computer Science

    About

    Why study Advanced Computer Science at Keele University?

    Internationally recognised expertise in computational neuroscience, evolutionary systems, machine learning and AI, software and systems engineering
    Develop your professional and technical skills in more specialist areas of computer science by solving a real-world problem on an industrial placement or MSc Project
    Access to specialist equipment, including over 100 PCs with relevant hardware and software, gaming lab, high-performance computing infrastructure and Makerspace
    Continuous investment in facilities: the new Digital Society Institute will host a state-of-the-art £330k high-performance computing cluster for data-driven research, and VR/Interaction Lab
    Our high staff-to-student ratio is enhanced by small-group tutorials and a strong, inclusive research community

    Course summary

    In today’s hi-tech world, as organisations seek to streamline processes and increase efficiency, there is a growing demand for highly-skilled professionals who can harness the power of accelerating digital transformation in everything from intelligent automation to cloud computing, cybersecurity and big data.

    This MSc in Advanced Computer Science is intended for graduates who studied Computing, Computer Science or a closely-related subject at undergraduate level and are looking to develop a higher level of understanding and advanced skills which reflect cutting-edge developments and technologies within the field.

    The course covers a wide range of practical skills and theory that students can chose from, including advanced programming, machine learning and AI, cyber security and cryptography and advanced data analysis and the use of cloud computing infrastructure. Taught by our experienced lecturers, with opportunities for hands-on experience using our state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, you can learn a wide range of in-demand skills and techniques, including manipulating large amounts of data, designing and building complex and secure applications, leveraging and provisioning cloud services and developing autonomous systems.

    As part of our focus on preparing you for industry, you will have the opportunity to study a module where you work collaboratively with students on all of our MSc programmes to develop an application for one of our industrial collaborators.

    You’ll have multiple opportunities to apply your learning to real-world problems with the choice of taking either an industrial placement* or tackling an industry-related problem as part of an MSc project. Examples of companies where students have previously undertaken an industry placement include Synectics Solutions, Collective Crunch and Greenhous.

    By the time you graduate, you’ll have gained the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary to design, build, deploy and evaluate distributed information systems and enterprise applications over the Internet, with a focus on security issues.

    With a long-standing tradition in teaching Computer Science since 1972, Keele takes pride in being at the forefront of computer science education and research today. The School of Computer Science and Mathematics offers an inclusive, dynamic community of experts with access to world-leading research and cutting-edge areas of industry, such as cloud computing, data mining and web technologies.

    Smaller class sizes allow you to foster close relationships with colleagues and peers, while industry-led projects and practitioner guest lecturers provide valuable networking opportunities. In the past, students have enjoyed talks from our industrial partners from the SEND project, software developers from national companies, such as Bet365, and academic experts.

    Other courses you may be interested in:

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Typical offer

    Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

    Typical offer: 2:2 degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject Additional criteria apply

    Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

    UK

    2:2 degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Bangladesh

    60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject from a public university
    or
    CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any computing, science, maths or engineering subject from a private university
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

    We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Canada

    70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    OR
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    China

    70% in a degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject or 65% in a degree in any computing, science, maths or engineering subject from a '211' university
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Ghana

    Second class degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    India

    55% or CGPA 6/10 in a degree of at least 3 years in a computing, engineering, maths, or science subject
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Kenya

    Second class degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Nepal

    60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Nigeria

    Second class degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Pakistan

    We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information

    or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

    You will also need an English language qualification (see below)

    South Africa

    Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Sri Lanka

    55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Uganda

    Second class degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Zimbabwe

    Second class degree in a computing, science, maths or engineering subject
    or
    demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience


    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    English Requirements

    • IELTSMin 6.5

    English Program Requirements

    All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.

    Career

    Your career

    The rising profile of AI, global cyber security, social media safety, and tech’s role in understanding and tackling some of society’s biggest challenges, such as climate change and pandemic modelling, is fuelling the demand and interest in computer science, according to the BCS.

    The IT sector is still growing faster than the rest of UK economy and a shortage of specialised skills mean the demand for graduates is not set to slow any time soon. In fact, three-quarters of IT decision-makers across the world reported critical skills gaps across tech departments, a number that has increased significantly in the past five years.

    The School’s focus on developing research, consultancy, professional and practical skills prepares you for a broad range of development and management roles. Essential skills you’ll develop, which are highly valued by employers, include personal drive, prioritising and planning, project management, teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, evaluating and reflecting upon your experience.

    Students from this course have pursued careers in data science, web development, networking, systems analysis and development, and software engineering, working for a range of different companies, such as Greenhous Group and Radius Payment Solutions. Others have become freelance application developers and you could easily move into a teaching career within secondary, further or higher education.

    Some of our students, having worked on advanced projects in Keele’s Smart Energy Network Demonstrator, have chosen to remain here at Keele to study a PhD after successfully completing their MSc.

    Roles that are related to your degree include:

    • Academic
    • Analyst
    • Application analyst
    • Business analyst
    • Computer programmer
    • Computer systems specialist
    • Customer service assistant
    • Data analyst
    • Database administrator
    • Engineering manager
    • Head of development
    • Information systems manager
    • IT consultant
    • IT developer
    • Lecturer
    • Mobile developer
    • Project manager
    • Senior technical manager
    • Software developer
    • System engineer
    • Teacher
    • Technical assistant
    • Technical consultant
    Software Developer

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    27,506 / year

    Advanced Computer Science

    Keele University

    Keele University

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, Keele