Computer Science

“Computer scientists understand the underlying principles of programming and algorithms and use them to design software, systems and networks to meet the needs of clients and the public. It is a fast-moving, highly specialised field and there is a constant, high demand for talented computer science graduates.” —TimesHigher



The MSc Computer Science is a specialist programme that has the core aim of preparing students for both an industrial career, equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the advanced concepts, paradigms, algorithms, theories and techniques underpinning advanced computing systems, in addition to providing a relevant platform to embark on further research studies. The course covers leading-edge subjects in areas of Advanced Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things.



Further motivated by evidence of demand from industry and business for upskilling of staff in the areas of Computer Science, The new MSc in Computer Science will strive to address the growing demands in the sector by training a new kind of Computing specialist who is able to both manage data, understand business process and implement solutions subsequently interconnecting them as part of a larger system.



The delivery of the course is supported by multi-million pound infrastructure of a large-scale pervasive and mobile computing environment, a suite of contemporary sensing technologies and rapid prototyping facilities. The course content has been informed by internationally leading research being conducted in the School and by our strong industry partnerships, most notably with BT through the BT Ireland Innovation Centre (BTIIC) and with PwC through the Advanced Research and Engineering Centre (ARC).



The course is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, for Partial CITP (Chartered IT Professional) and Partial CEng (Chartered Engineer).



The School of Computing at Ulster University holds Athena Swan Bronze Award since 2016 and is committed to promote and advance gender equality in Higher Education. We particularly welcome female applicants, as they are under-represented within the School at postgraduate taught courses.



Typically 15 timetabled hours per week Monday – Friday including lectures, tutorials and practicals in the computer labs for the taught components of the course. Research Project takes place in the final semester.



Work placement / study abroad

There is no placement as part of the course, however, there are opportunities in the course for you to participate in research and industry related projects through our two Innovation centres BTIIC, CHIC and ARC.



BTIIC is the BT Ireland Innovation Centre (BTIIC) in collaboration with Ulster University and BT. The centre aims to invent new ways of using data analytics, artificial intelligence and the IoT, through two work streams of Intelligent System and IoT.



CHIC is the Connected Health Innovation Centre is funded by Invest NI to support business led research in the area of connected health, with focus on data analytics and IoT. The centre currently has over 30 national and international member companies with both technical expertise and clinical experience.



Advanced Research Centre (ARC) is a joint centre with PWC, Ulster and Queens University Belfast. ARC brings together researchers, engineers and business executives, combining expertise from academia and industry within one R&D centre and aims to downstream innovative research into commercial applications. Three technical work streams are established at Ulster on Digital Transparency, Digital Transformation and Digital Empowerment.



Professional recognition

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.



BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

The MSc award consists of two compulsory taught modules (totaling 40 credits), four optional taught modules (totaling 80 credits) from a wide range of topics, in addition to a substantial piece of independent Masters Project (60 credits).



The two compulsory modules are:

• Scalable Advanced Software Solutions

• Data Science and Machine Learning



Optional modules are

• Cyber Security

• Deep Learning and Its Application

• Big Data and Infrastructure

• IoT Networks and Protocols

• Software Product Management

• Robotics & AI

• Pervasive Computing

• Knowledge Engineering

• Intelligence Engineering and Infrastructure

• Emerging and Advanced Topics in AI

• Embedded Systems and Sensors

Applicants must:

(a) have gained

(i) a second class honours degree or better, in the subject areas of Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or closely related discipline, from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or



(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification excluding Conversion courses; and the qualification must be in the subject areas of Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or closely related discipline.



and



(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent). For applicants whose first language is not English the minimum English language requirement is an Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, Trinity ISE: Pass at level III or equivalent English language tests comparable to IELTS equivalent score.



In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

Recent predictions from the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics have indicated that the Computer and IT field will grow by 13% between the period 2016-2026. This is faster than the average rate of growth of all occupations. The MSc Computer Science specialist programme aims to provide postgraduate education and training in the area of Computer Science and its application to the needs of the industrial community. The course is designed to meet the demand for a new kind of Computing specialist who is able to both manage data, understand business process and implement solutions subsequently interconnecting them as part of a larger system. Graduates from the MSc Computer Science will be well placed to progress into a wide variety of careers, across a range of industrial settings and application domains.



There are also opportunities for graduates from the MSc Computer Science to embark on further research by enrolling for PhD study affiliated with the research centres within the School of Computing. Computing related PhD studies in the areas of Pervasive Computing and Artificial Intelligence can be perused within the School of Computing.