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Postgraduate

MSc Computer Science

Student working in the Physical Computing Lab surrounded by lots of computational equipment
Rocio Aloe Rey in the Physical Computing Lab, 2021, UAL Creative Computing Institute, Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
College
UAL Creative Computing Institute Start date
September 2024 Course length
12 months

Learn how to create models of real-world problems through computer programming on this specialist course.

Applying for more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3. Find out more in the Apply Now section.

  • Practical machine learning: Gain advanced practical coding skills and learn how to apply them to a wide range of contexts.
  • Cyber security futures: Explore the emerging contexts of cybersecurity and the approaches used to avoid to future threats.
  • Fairness and accountability in computing: Learn how computing professionals approach societal concerns and the impact of computational technologies.
  • Computational entrepreneurship: Explore how businesses can harness computational technology to create economic value.
  • The PG community: Join a significant community of students, academics and researchers who are passionate about the future of computing. You will also have access to our integrated online community where you can seek technical support and advice.
  • Campus location and facilities: All your classes will be taught at our High Holborn site in central London. You will also have access to workshops and facilities at all other CCI buildings in South London including Peckham Road, Greencoat and The Hub at Eagle Wharf.

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Course overview

Studying Computer Science at master's level at the Creative Computing Institute gives you the opportunity to gain further depth of learning in specific areas such as machine learning and cybersecurity. You will build advanced software engineering competencies and explore their relevance in applied business contexts.

Our focused master's programme provides a rich environment in which to explore ethical computing futures, advanced AI and computational entrepreneurship. You will undertake a thesis project that targets your preferred technology sector or domain of work, supporting graduate progression to industry or further academic research.

What to expect  

  • Advanced Coding: You will learn advanced coding skills in core modern programming languages enabling you to develop advanced technologies for a wide range of contexts.
  • Project-based learning: You will complete a range of applied computing projects to develop advanced professional skills that help you address real world problems.
  • Ethical computing futures: You will critically engage with how computational technologies have the potential to impact individuals and society at scale and learn how to embed ethical approaches in your practice. We believe that becoming an effective and ethical professional computing practitioner requires not only excellent technical skills, but also an awareness of how computing intersects with society and the environment, and the ability to develop and design practices and team entrepreneurship skills that put people first.
  • Creativity and collaboration: You will study computer science in an exciting creative context and learn how to collaborate with your peers to creatively solve complex problems together. These abilities and attributes are sought after by many graduate employers.
  • The CCI community: You will join a significant community of students, academics and researchers who are passionate about the future of computing. You will learn alongside MSc students on our other postgraduate courses and be part of our integrated online community where you can access technical support, events, employment opportunities and more.
  • A supportive environment: you will have access to both advanced technical and pastoral support and be part of a research community committed to promoting accessibility, diversity and inclusion. 

Industry experience and opportunities   

You will learn using industry standard tools and advanced frameworks ensuring you are ready to work in a wide range of roles across the technology sector. You will also be able to attend cross-Institute industry talks and have the opportunity to meet industry representatives throughout your studies utilising the extensive industry connections of CCI’s research staff and alumni.
 
Entrepreneurship is encouraged and the opportunity to start enterprises will be supported with business training and access to incubator programs, as well through team entrepreneurship pedagogies.

Course units

Term 1

Algorithms and Complexity (20 credits)

You will be introduced to advanced algorithms through mathematics and programmingfor advanced analysis of data and machine learning optimisation. You will create and analyse computational models using approaches such as stochastic and gradient algorithms, dynamic programming algorithms and primal and dual methods. This will develop your understanding of how algorithms might be improved to tackle current and emerging problems.

Advanced Data Structures for AI (20 credits) 

You will learn advanced data structures and representations, including for complex multidimensional feature processing and storage. You will consider how different types of structures are useful for different kinds of contexts and problems from schemaless structures to complex multidimensional in-core representations. You will also explore linked lists, binary trees, heap/stack/queue data, dynamic arrays, hashing and graphs.

Term 2

Cyber Security Futures (20 credits) 

You will be given opportunities to gain experience in targeted penetration testing and undertake training and exercises such as cybersecurity essentials certification. You will be taught to use techniques including advanced static program analysis and report interpretation, threat analysis and mitigation. You will also have the opportunity to use tools such as Burpsuite to carry out live testing to analyse security risks in online applications.

Advanced Software Engineering (20 credits) 

Software engineering methods are critical for software development. This unit will develop your understanding of how to work as part of a contemporary software team. You will be exposed to software engineering approaches across relevant industry standard languages, tools and frameworks including JavaScript, C/C++ and Python. Software engineering will feature heavily in project work, both supporting and adding to your learning.

Term 3

Computational Ethics (20 credits)

In this unit, you will be asked to analyse and use critical approaches to technology development, building on existing legal and regulatory ethical frameworks explored throughout the programme. You will be encouraged to apply these techniques to your thesis projects, exploring how you have applied computing ethics in the development of your work.

Computational Entrepreneurship (20 credits)

This MSc course has a strong focus on ‘tech for good’ and seeks to contribute to UAL’s social purpose mission. In this unit, you will develop your skills in entrepreneurship and futures thinking and learn how to embed ethics into your computing practice. You will be introduced to a range of product development case studies, evaluating their social, cultural and ethical impacts. This contextual knowledge will help you to develop realistic, informed project plans, considering team requirements, investment requirements and market placement.

Summer Period

Thesis Project (60 credits)

The final thesis project will allow you to create a significant piece of work demonstrating the advanced knowledge and abilities you have gained during the course. Throughout your project, you will be supported by staff with professional experience in writing software for real-world scenarios. You will also be offered the option to work with staff to develop research projects based on staff expertise and topic specialisms.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures and seminars 
  • Studio/lab-based practice and masterclasses
  • Project work
  • Technical tuition
  • Experiential team learning
  • Collaborative problem-solving and group work
  • Independent study

Watch the online open day

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£13,330

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£23,610 for in-person mode; £18,890 for online mode

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

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Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

  • An honours degree in a relevant subject such as Computer Science, Data Science, Computing, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Joint Computer Science + Arts/Humanities programme. 
  • OR a professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an Honours degree in a technology-related or engineering discipline. 
  • AND typically, at least Grade B/Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics.

English language requirements 

  • IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

All classes are taught in English. If English isn’t your first language, you will need to show evidence of your English language ability when you enrol. For further guidance, please check our English language requirements.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience.
  • The quality of the personal statement.
  • A combination of these factors.

Each application will be considered on its own merit, but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria:

  • An ability to code.
  • Sufficient prior knowledge and experience in a specialist subject area or potential to be able to successfully complete the course.  
  • An academic or professional background in data and computer science or a related subject area.
  • Willingness to work both independently and as part of a team. 
  • A strong case for how the course could be applied to your ambitions, especially if your current knowledge and experience is in a different subject area.

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply to UAL

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply to UAL

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement and CV.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Applying to more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3 courses. You need to tailor your application, supporting documents and portfolio to each course, so applying for many different courses could risk the overall quality of your application. If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer. UAL doesn't accept repeat applications to the same course in the same academic year.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

We do not accept any deferral requests for our postgraduate courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Application deadlines

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 equal consideration deadlines to ensure fairness for all our applicants. If you apply ahead of either of these deadlines, your application will be considered on an equal basis with all other applications in that round. If there are places available after the second deadline, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Careers

Computing graduates are highly sought after across many sectors and our degrees facilitate progression to a wide range of careers in both industry and academia. Graduates can join large companies or start their own business using their engineering skills and their knowledge of computational innovation.

Graduates can become:

  • Software engineers for technology companies and film and television production industries
  • Applications developers for dominant mobile platforms such as Apple and Google
  • Cyber security specialists and technology analysts
  • Web technologists and developers
  • Founders of technology start-ups

Opportunities for Further study:

  • PhD level study both within the CCI and at other institutions nationally and internationally

UAL Creative Computing Institute

Contact

Email

cci@arts.ac.uk

Address

UAL Creative Computing Institute
45–65 Peckham Road
London
SE5 8UF