Apply now Book Open Day

MSc Computer Science

Name: MSc Computer Science
Price: £11420.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Develop your skills and knowledge with our hands-on, industry connected MSc in Computer Science. Computer Science drives the fundamental technologies of today’s connected world, making now an exciting time to delve into this subject. It’s one of the fastest growing job fields in the world and skilled computer scientists are very much in demand.

From gaming to healthcare, speech recognition to autonomous vehicles our programme has been designed by our academic experts and industry specialists to help you develop a deep understanding of how to work collaboratively in this dynamic and fast evolving sector.

Why Study Computer Science at BNU?

Hands-On Practical Learning

You'll engage in project-based learning and real-world scenarios that ensure you gain practical, hands-on experience. Through labs, coding sessions, and design challenges, you'll build a portfolio that showcases your ability to solve complex problems using modern computing techniques.

Industry Expert Academics & Mentoring

You’ll be taught by seasoned industry professionals, who provide personalised mentoring alongside tailored career guidance. From one-to-one sessions and hands-on workshops to networking events that connect you with key industry players, you will receive the insights and tools you need to help you master complex Computer Science theory, ensuring you feel confident tackling industry challenges. This comprehensive approach not only hones your technical skills but also builds professional connections and practical know-how, ensuring you’re well-prepared for a career in Computer Science.

You will be taught by academics at the forefront of their field either through their research or professional practice. Find out what research your lecturers are currently involved in.

Industry Connections & Networking

You'll benefit from strong industry links through guest lectures, workshops, alumni, and networking events. These connections with leading tech companies and professionals open doors to internships and exciting career opportunities, enhancing your industry insight.

Industry Aligned Curriculum

You'll study an innovative Computer Science curriculum that blends core computer science principles with advanced engineering concepts. You'll develop the technical and soft skills needed in the industry right now. With dedicated career support, workshops, and real-world projects, you'll be able to graduate with the exact skills and experiences employers are looking for.

Research & Innovation Focus

You'll be encouraged to engage in research-led projects that tackle real-world challenges. This focus on innovation and experimentation not only deepens your understanding of computer science but also fosters a mindset of creativity and continuous improvement.

What facilities can I use?

BNU has invested in our facilities to ensure that you can learn on industry standard systems and software, meaning that you can make an easy transition from education into employment. Quite simply we are committed to making sure we provide you with the best learning experience possible.

We make sure we keep the University’s computing facilities well maintained and equipped. We have a range of large labs, most filled with dual-screen, dual boot (Windows and Linux) systems. Latest industry standard software is also included on devices to allow you to develop your skills to what is needed in the workplace.

Labs have been custom built to provide the best spaces to nurture the specific skills needed for game and internet development. These allow you to build your skills within key areas of future employment.

What will I study?

Our MSc in Computer Science is designed to give you a thorough appreciation of both the theory and practical skills needed to solve real-world and life-critical difficulties. You will study systems at a variety of levels of abstraction, including digital architectures, high level programming, operating systems, A.I. and cyber security.

It is our aim to help you graduate with the necessary skills to work as a professional computer scientist, particularly in environments where in-depth knowledge, critical awareness and competence in computer hardware, software engineering and advanced areas of computer science are required to create complex computer-based systems.

Robotics is incorporated into the course at two stages. Firstly, we use robots to teach the key ideas such as digital logic, analogue-to-digital conversion, digital-to-analogue conversion, programming, and power management. These concepts then form the source for the development of more advanced skills such as microcontroller interfacing, control, and circuit design. At the more innovative level, robotics can provide you with multiple opportunities to work on sophisticated systems. At this higher system level, a robot is seen as a system consisting of multiple, interconnected subsystems. In addition to gaining specific engineering skills, system design provides learners with valuable experience in partitioning difficult design problems from both the hardware and software perspectives and facilitates the development of effective teamwork skills, whilst incorporating elements of AI and data science.

You’ll have the opportunity to acquire skills in design, development and programming for a comprehensive range of computing activities such as building information data stores, secure web and mobile applications and AI based systems. You’ll work on team-based software problems whilst exploiting an agile development approach. We’ll help you learn how to develop highly dependable and reliable computer science systems, using several industry standard approaches, such as RAD, Lean, FFD, UML and Agile methodologies. In addition, you’ll study the process involved in managing the development of large-scale complex computer science projects.

We want to help you develop a career that you are passionate about. This is why you will have the opportunity to delve deeper into your area of interest as part of your dissertation module. You will have the chance to carry out a unique in-depth investigation into a topic of your choice, and further develop your skills in research, problem solving and critical analysis.

How will I be taught and assessed?

At Buckinghamshire New University we like to foster an interactive and student-focused teaching style where we have a combination of formal lectures, tutorials, practical lab sessions, seminars and guest speakers to enhance the learning experience.

You are more than a number at BNU, and we are here to support you through your education journey. We have in place regular contact hours with our tutors and provide you with informal feedback throughout the programme of study.

We are dedicated to giving you hands-on and real-world experience through welcoming guest lecturers, working with companies on live briefs and projects and organising external visits to industry.

There will be a variety of assessments across your course, which will give you a thorough understanding of the various situations you may come across during your professional life. You will undertake:

written assignments
practical exercises
presentations
individual and group tasks
exams.

MSc Computer Science Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

Applicants will be assessed on their academic qualifications although previous experience and interest in computing, IT, business or management is desirable.

A typical offer will include 2:2 honours degree or equivalent qualification in computing, web development, computer sciences, software engineering, system engineering, mathematics with computer science, physics with computer science or a related discipline.

Applicants who don’t meet the above requirements but have technical/management experience in industry could be considered (subject to interview).

For international students, we require IELTS at grade 6.5 overall with no section below 6.0.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

Year 1

Core Modules

Credits

Computer Science Overview

20

Credits: 20

You'll look at how the practical nature of software engineering is directly underpinned by computer science. You'll study the science behind the interaction between hardware and software systems and computational applications, and a range of other subjects including coding, algorithms, machine learning, database management & information security.

Data Science

20

Credits: 20

This module introduces the fundamentals of the emerging field of data science. You'll study key concepts found in statistical analysis and machine learning, useful techniques for graph analysis and parallel programming, and the practical application of data science for such tasks as building expert/recommender systems.

Project

60

Credits: 60

You'll carry out an individual in-depth investigation of a cyber-security related topic, chosen in consultation with your supervisor, and may involve a local company. It should aim to explore an issue or develop a solution to a problem and involve a mixture of primary and secondary research. You'll produce a proposal and final report.

Optional Modules

Credits

Expert and Fuzzy Systems System Management

20

Credits: 20

You'll look at the theoretical principles and techniques associated with Expert Systems and knowledge-based systems in general. You'll study how to build expert systems, with commonly-used software tools for building ES shells and Fuzzy controllers. You'll also investigate the differences between how humans and machines approach the same problem.

Real-time Safety Critical Systems

20

Credits: 20

In Computer Science, real-time computing is the study of hardware & software systems that are subject to a “real-time constraint” like operational deadlines from event to system response. You'll study design methodology then in a team implement a real-time system & ensure it addresses the dependability aspects of fault avoidance & fault tolerance.

Natural Language Processing

20

Credits: 20

Natural Language Processing is a branch of AI that looks at the use of computers to process human language. This module introduces the subject of Linguistics to those with little or no background in the subject. You'll study and develop various computer programs and systems that illustrate some of the basic concepts and techniques in the field.

Cyber Security Assurance and Risk Management

20

Credits: 20

This module establishes the need for information security management as a part of an organisational cyber security strategy. You'll study computer crime, changing IT environments, writing a security policy and security SOP, analysing threats and risk, contingency planning, business continuity and the allocation of security responsibilities.

Robots and Robotic Systems

20

Credits: 20

The science of robotics is only now developing as an amalgam of different disciplines including mechanical and electrical engineering, computer science, mechanics, mathematics, physiology, and neuroscience. This module will give you a flavour of each of these disciplines and an idea of what may be achieved when they are combined in single device.

Machine Learning and Intelligent Agents

20

Credits: 20

Discover the area of Machine Learning (ML) and origins of ML in cognitive science. You'll look at the evolution of Artificial Neural Networks and implement systems to learn about key principles. You'll study intelligent agents, their software architectures, methodologies and programming languages, and software tools for applying and evaluating agen...

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £11,420 per year *
Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £10,990 per year *

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £16,280 per year *
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,550 per year *

Please note all of the 2026/27 fees stated are subject to parliamentary procedure. Tuition fees are expected to increase each academic year in line with the maximum permitted value set by the Government for that academic year. The expected rise for Home undergraduate students (including those on a foundation year course), may impact both new and continuing students.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees cover most course costs, but you may need to budget for additional expenses. These can include specialist equipment, project materials, professional memberships, field trips or placements, as well as everyday student costs like printing, books and stationery.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our enquiries team by completing this form.

What are my career prospects?

Throughout your time with us we will support you on the route to your chosen career. Helping you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders.

Computer Science is an exciting sector to launch a career in, as it is one of the fastest growing areas in the sector. Meaning we are now seeing an ever-increasing demand for qualified specialists in computer science and software engineering.

Our MSc has been specially designed to allow graduates from this programme to progress into a variety of industry roles, such as:

Computer and Information Systems Manager
Computer and Information Research Scientist
Artificial Intelligence Architect
Software Development Engineer
Robotics Scientist
Computer Systems Analyst
Network Administrator
Cyber Security Consultant

Did you know?

We are one of the top 10 UK universities mostly likely to produce graduates who go on to own or manage a business (Capital on Tap, 2021), find out more about this excellent news.