This industry-relevant qualification provides a rigorous approach to the study and application of computing, covering a range of topics and incorporating transferable skills applicable to professional development. You can choose between the flexible route (offering a wide choice of modules to suit your needs) and the more focused software engineering route or information security and forensics route, (which enable you to develop in-depth specialist knowledge). All three routes finish with a substantial independent project that will either have a professional or research orientation.
Key features of the course
•Brings together theory and practice and draws on your own background and experience.
•Enables you to tailor your studies to your specific career needs and professional interests.
•Provides an excellent platform for further research studies.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
•Knowledge and understanding
•Cognitive skills
•Practical and professional skills
•Key skills
Credit transfer
If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible as it may affect your choice of OU modules. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.
Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules for the qualification you can be awarded an MSc in Computing or if you have completed the modules required for a specialist study route you will be awarded either the MSc in Computing (Information Security and Forensics) or the MSc in Computing (Software Engineering). You will be entitled you to use the letters MSc Comp (Open) after your name. The degree will be classified as pass or distinction.
You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.
Computing
Entry requirements
To start this MSc, you will need a UK bachelors degree (or equivalent) in computing or a related discipline, or relevant industrial experience. If you do not hold a bachelors degree, irrespective of your industrial experience, you will need to study a module from the Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (K22) to demonstrate your ability to study successfully at postgraduate level.
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.
Duration
3 - 6 years.
Most students study this qualification over three years, which is the minimum time needed, completing 60 credits each year. The maximum time to complete is six years.
Number of credits
180 credits
Careers or further progression
Career relevance
The modules in the postgraduate computing programme are for professional computer specialists, engineers, technical managers and scientists who need to update their skills and knowledge in specific areas, and gain recognised qualifications to develop their careers. They have been developed to combine theoretical and practical aspects of computing, to enable you to become an effective professional in the computing industry.
In addition they aim to encourage you, through the provision of appropriate educational activities, to develop study and transferable skills applicable to your employment and your continuing professional development.
Professional recognition
Our postgraduate degrees in computing and IT meet the accreditation requirements of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and have been accorded the highest levels of recognition in the last four accreditation cycles. Graduates from this degree will have fulfilled the Further Learning educational requirements for Chartered IT Professional (CITPFL), and partially fulfilled the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer/Chartered Scientist (CEng/CSci).
To gain BCS accreditation, you will need to complete your degree within seven years of beginning your study.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Further enquiries
Tel: (01) 678 5399
Fax: (01) 678 5442
Email: ireland@open.ac.uk
Subjects taught
Modules
You'll choose one of three pathways:
•MSc in Computing
•MSc in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)
•MSc in Computing (Software Engineering)
MSc in Computing
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
60–120 credits from:
Module Credits
Data management (M816) 30
Digital forensics (M812) 30
Information security (M811) 30
Project management (M815) 30
Software development (M813) 30
Software engineering (M814) 30
0–60 credits from:
Module Credits
Continuing professional development in practice (U810) 30 Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) 30
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) 30 Managing technological innovation (T848) 30
Network security (T828) 30
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) 30
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T889, TU811 and TU812.
Stage 2 (60 credits)
You'll choose either:
•a research route
•a professional route
Research route
60 credits from:
Module Credits
Research project (T802) 60
Professional route
60 credits from:
Module Credits
The MSc professional project (T847) 30
Or the discontinued module T842
Plus 30 credits from any modules at OU Level 3 or above. 30
MSc in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (60 credits)
60 credits from:
Modules Credits
Information security (M811) 30
Digital forensics (M812) 30
60 credits from:
Modules Credits
Continuing professional development in practice (U810) 30
Data management (M816) 30
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) 30
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) 30
Managing technological innovation (T848) 30
Network security (T828) 30
Project management (M815) 30
Software development (M813) 30
Software engineering (M814) 30
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) 30
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T889, TU811 and TU812.
Stage 2 (60 credits)
You'll choose either:
•a research route
•a professional route
Research route
60 credits from:
Module Credits
Research project (T802) 60
Professional route
60 credits from:
Module Credits
The MSc professional project (T847) 30
Or the discontinued module T842
Plus 30 credits from any modules at OU Level 3 or above. 30
MSc in Computing (Software Engineering)
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
60 credits from:
Modules Credits
Software development (M813) 30
Software engineering (M814) 30
60 credits from:
Module Credits
Continuing professional development in practice (U810) 30
Data management (M816) 30
Digital forensics (M812) 30
Information security (M811) 30
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) 30
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) 30
Managing technological innovation (T848) 30
Network security (T828) 30
Project management (M815) 30
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) 30
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T889, TU811 and TU812.
Stage 2 (60 credits)
You'll choose either:
•a research route
•a professional route
Research route
60 credits from:
Module Credits
Research project (T802) 60
Professional route
60 credits from:
Module Credits
The MSc professional project (T847) 30
Or the discontinued module T842
Plus 30 credits from any modules at OU Level 3 or above. 30
You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Note, in particular, you can count the credit from the following modules towards only a single qualification: Research project (T802); The MSc professional project (T847).
We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time.