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Computing MSc

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.

Start date

16 September 2024

6 January 2025

Duration

1 year full-time

Places available (subject to change)

30

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. Accreditation - This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT. This gives you a potential advantage when looking for a job as some employers may ask for graduates with accredited degrees.
  2. Boosted Career Prospects – 88.2% of our graduates from the School of Computing and Engineering were in work or further study 15 months after graduation.*  
  3. Practical Experience – In the final Individual Project module, you’ll be able to put your experiences and skills to the test by working independently on a project related to a self-selected problem, either for an external client or for an internal client.  

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 19/20  

 

Enhance your computing skills and information technology (IT) knowledge with an MSc in Computing at The University of Huddersfield. 

This advanced course aims to meet the industry demand for computer science and IT experts with advanced skills and competencies. This course has been designed to: 

  • Develop your skills to make critical enquiries and implement analytical approaches to complex IT practice 
  • Develop further proficiency in the theory and practice of software development, with the opportunity to specialise in advanced areas of software development 
  • Develop the skills to design and construct high quality software systems. 

You’ll finish our computing course with a deeper understanding of systematic approaches, tools and techniques for systems development and the ability to embed them all within suitable frameworks to enable success. Our aim is to equip you with the skills for fast-tracking your career in IT. 

Why study Computing at Huddersfield?

The IT industry is constantly evolving, and it is now incredibly challenging to keep up with the cutting- edge developments that industry is facing. Our Computing MSc has been designed to prepare you with the skills for work in this rapidly developing sector. 

This course is fully accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT, and by completing it, you will have partially fulfilled the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

A vibrant town surrounded by beautiful countryside, Huddersfield is a friendly and diverse place from which study, offering lots of things to do and see.  

Course detail

Semantic Web

How do you combine information from Web sources that are using different terminology? This is the fundamental question underlying the idea of the Semantic Web. The answer is the use of graph-based structures that describe a kind of common vocabulary for a particular domain, and annotation that describes information sources in terms of this vocabulary. Then, information can be queried similar to having a (distributed) database. This module will cover basic languages for describing ontologies, as well as languages and tools for processing and querying them. Working both individually and in teams, you will get a hands-on experience in using semantic web technologies. In addition, you will be introduced to industry practice around concepts of so called Linked Data and Knowledge Graphs.

Autonomous and Autonomic Intelligent Systems

Autonomous systems are intelligent systems that can act independently to accomplish goals based on their knowledge and understanding of their environment and the tasks they have to complete. This module aims to cover the background and requirements for intelligent systems autonomy in a wide range of applications, taken from a computer science and software-oriented viewpoint. As well as the technical challenges of system autonomy, you’ll get the opportunity to study ethical and legal issues, and human factors implications.

Web and Network Services

This module considers how the Internet can be used to provide services, such as the web enabled provision of information, cloud computing and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). As well as providing a service the Internet can also be used as a medium for the control of remote agents, such as robotic devices, and within this you’ll consider the technologies that facilitate the provision of remote access control. This module also provides you with the opportunity to explore contemporary research areas regarding Internet related subjects.

Effective Research and Professional Practice

This module aims to provide you with skills that are key to helping you become a successful computing researcher or practitioner. You'll get the opportunity to study topics including the nature of research, the scientific method, research methods, literature review and referencing. The module aims to cover the structure of research papers and project reports, reviewing research papers, ethical issues (including plagiarism), defining projects, project management, writing project reports and making presentations.

Data Mining

Data mining is a collection of tools, methods and statistical techniques for exploring and extracting meaningful information from large data sets. It is a rapidly growing field due to the increasing quantity of data gathered by organisations. There is a potential high value in discovering the patterns contained within such data collections. In this module you will look at different data mining techniques and use appropriate data-mining tools in order to evaluate the quality of the discovered knowledge. You will study approaches to preparing data for exploration, supervised and un-supervised approaches to data mining, exploring unstructured data and the social impact of data mining. You will be expected to develop your knowledge such that you are able to contribute to discussions around current application areas and research topics and to increase your background knowledge and understanding of issues and developments associated with data mining.

Individual Project

This module enables you to work independently on a project related to a self-selected problem. A key feature in this final stage of the course is that you will be encouraged to undertake an in-company project with an external Client. Where appropriate, however, the Project may be undertaken with an internal Client - research-active staff - on larger research and knowledge transfer projects. The Project is intended to be integrative, a culmination of knowledge, skills, competencies and experiences acquired in other modules, coupled with further development of these assets. In the case where an external client is involved, both the Client and Student will be required to sign a learning agreement that clearly outlines scope, responsibilities and ownership of the project and its products or other deliverables. The Project will be student-driven, with the clear onus on you to negotiate agreement, and communicate effectively, with all parties involved at each stage of the Project.

Databases for Large Data-sets

The data needs of modern enterprises and organisations require a more flexible approach to data management than that offered by traditional relational database management systems. With organizations increasingly looking to Big Data to provide valuable business insights, it has become clear that new approaches are required to handle these new data requirements. Primarily focusing on non-relational data models, this module introduces you to alternative approaches to modelling the data needs of an organization. It also provides you with an opportunity to use non-relational databases and database technologies to build robust and effective organizational information systems.

Select one option module from:

Advanced Software Development

This module provides you with an opportunity to develop advanced skills in object oriented (OO) software design and development. The module begins with advanced OO concepts and semantics (polymorphism and genericity), moves on to techniques for real-time concurrent and distributed systems development (threads, semaphores, monitors, sockets, distributed objects architectures), examines contractual obligations and behaviour verification and validation techniques (pre- and post- conditions, invariants, assertions), and ends with an examination of contemporary advanced topics in OO software design (e.g. Design Patterns, Aspect Oriented Programming). In covering these topics, the module will examine the issues that software programmers and developers face every day in their quest to develop successful technology systems and applications.

Software Development

This module brings together database, object-oriented semantics and web authoring skills using an appropriate set of development tools to enable the student to construct distinct software artefacts. You will be introduced to the programming and design techniques used to produce information systems that meet their required specifications. This will involve the modelling of business activity, the information that supports decision making and instances of significant events and actions. You will acquire skills in programming languages capable of implementing object-oriented and web script software and will also be able to select and apply design techniques to enable an appropriate choice of semantic components and implemented software components to meet the requirements of a given software system.

Select one option module from:

Change and Project Management

This module aims to cover planning for different types of change – discontinuous, radical, incremental or continuous, focusing on both the human and organisational impacts of these changes. As a manager it’s important for you to be able to incorporate management theory and concepts within your working practice. This module aims to help you understand how planning and project management provide opportunities for you to manage change more effectively and efficiently. You’ll have the opportunity to study project management methods, tools and techniques as well as developing an understanding of risk.

Machine Learning

Machine Learning techniques are now used widely in a range of applications either stand-alone or integrated with other AI techniques. The Machine Learning module allows you to obtain a fundamental understanding of the subject as a whole: how to embody machines with the ability to learn how to recognise, classify, decide, plan, revise, optimise etc. You will learn which machine learning techniques are appropriate for which learning problem, and what the advantages and disadvantages are for a range of ML techniques. We will consider the widely known data-driven approaches, and specific techniques such as “deep learning”, and investigate the typical applications and potential limitations of these approaches. We will introduce available tools and use them in practical classes, evaluating learning bias and characteristics of training sets. High profile applications of data driven, stand-alone, ML systems will be investigated, such as the AlphaGo method. Where data is sparse, and knowledge is already present in a system, we will investigate methods to improve heuristics of existing AI systems, and to learn or revise domain knowledge. This is essentially the area of model-driven ML, where is often integrated to other reasoning systems.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

  • An Honours degree (2:2 or above) in business computing/IS/ICT-related subject or an equivalent professional qualification.
  • Other qualifications and/or experience that demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills at an Honours degree level.
  • Substantial (3 years) relevant industry experience in a management role.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Why study with us?


Hear from our academic staff and students to discover what it's like to study as a Postgraduate Student at the University of Huddersfield.

Enhance your career


Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as senior information security specialist, service desk analyst, web developer, and head of information technology in both public and private sector companies based in the UK and overseas.**
You could also go on to further study and the University has many options available for postgraduate research which may interest you.

*  Percentage of graduates from the School of Computing and Engineering who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 19/20, UK domiciled graduates)

** Source: LinkedIn

88.2%*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Computing and Engineering, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Support Office: A one stop shop for students studying within the School. The team deal with every aspect of student life from enrolment, module queries, timetabling, exams, assessments, course-related committees and graduation. They are the first place to go with any query, and they can also signpost to other support networks.

Student Guidance Office: Students can book an appointment with a Guidance Adviser at any time during their studies; we are here to help with navigating any challenges they may face while studying. Our Advisers are skilled in providing advice and guidance to students on a range of issues including personal circumstances and academic issues and can help students to understand University regulations. The Guidance Team also offer study skills appointments to support with developing academic skills, such as; research and project planning, referencing and paraphrasing, essay writing, critical thinking, understanding assessments and to develop Maths skills. The team also encourage students to develop effective study habits such as good time management to meet deadlines by supporting with planning and organising work schedules.

Technical Support: technicians support our students across each department. Based in our labs with different specialisms and knowledge they are on hand to provide support, guide and advise where students can access our technician’s expertise/knowledge during lectures and seminars as well as during self-study. An IT Support Helpdesk is also available to all students within the School of Computing and Engineering to help troubleshoot any computer issues/problems or to loan hardware and software.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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