Computer Science with Industrial Placement

Overview

The MSc Computer Science with Industrial Placement is a two-year specialist programme that has the core aim of 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 course covers leading-edge subjects in areas of Advanced Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things.



This industrial placement provides masters students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience at an advanced level, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study at the University. This will allow students to further develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement opportunity significantly supports the development of the student's employability skills, build confidence through further application of theory within the workplace and prepare them for a future career in computing. Please note: it is the student's responsibility to secure a placement, however we are on hand to support with this and help prepare you for interview and the working environment.



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.



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.



Work placement / study abroad

Students who have successfully completed the taught modules and Masters Project of their MSc programme, and have secured a suitable internship, are eligible to proceed to the Industrial Placement pathway. This pathway provides masters students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience at an advanced level, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study at the University. This will allow students to further develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement opportunity should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, build confidence through further application of theory within the workplace and prepare them for a future career in computing. It also serves as an integrating mechanism for course content as well as developing analytical, evaluative and project management skills in an industrial context. The nature of the work will vary depending on the company providing the placement. The student will complete a reflective professional development report and learning journal as part of the assessment of this pathway.

The first year of the MSc programme consists of two compulsory taught modules (totalling 40 credits), four optional taught modules (totalling 80 credits) from a wide range of topics, and a substantial independent Masters Project (60 credits). Students who have successfully completed the Masters Project, and have secured a suitable placement, are eligible to proceed to the Industrial Placement pathway. Please note it is student responsibility to secure a placement, however we are on hand to support with this and help prepare you for interview and the working environment.



As part of the programme, students will be required to use various programming languages, including Python and R.



The two compulsory modules are:

Scalable Advanced Software Solutions

Data Science and Machine Learning



Example optional modules are:

Cyber Security

Deep Learning and Its Application

IoT Networks and Protocols

Robotics & AI

Knowledge Engineering

Intelligence Engineering and Infrastructure

Emerging and Advanced Topics in AI



Note: The optional modules that are offered may vary from year to year as the course develops. The running of optional modules are subject to minimal viable number of students taking each module per Academic Year.



It is student's responsibility to secure a placement, however we are on hand to support and help prepare you for it.

Applicants must have gained



(i) an upper 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.



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.



Offers issued by the University are subject to the academic conditions attached to each offer, capacity on the course and completion of the admission process. We will confirm places to offer holders on a first-come, first-served basis, and reserve the right to close admission to any of our courses when student capacity is reached. We strongly advise you satisfy the conditions offer as soon as possible. When you have satisfied all academic conditions offer you will have to complete the admission process and pay your deposit to secure your place. If your course is already full when you pay your deposit, you will be offered the next available intake for your course or offered a refund of your deposit.



English Language Requirements

Applicants must 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.



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



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements



• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country



Exemptions and transferability

The entry requirements facilitate accreditation of prior learning.

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

2 years full-time.

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

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.