MSc Computer Science

• Cyber Threat Intelligence: This unit introduces Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) and its role in modern cybersecurity, teaching learners to identify, analyse, and respond to cyber threats using various tools and techniques. It covers types of CTI, information sources, improving organizational security, and legal and ethical considerations.
• Computational Modelling: This unit aims to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of advanced computational modeling techniques and their applications in complex systems. It explores the evolution from traditional to data-driven methods using machine learning and neural computation, and discusses state-of-the-art tools for modeling systems as complex as the brain, including their applications and limitations.
• Quantum Computing: This unit aims to provide learners with a critical understanding of quantum computing and its applications for solving complex problems beyond classical capabilities. Learners will gain practical knowledge and skills in quantum computing, algorithms, and information, as well as tools and techniques to design and execute quantum circuits on simulators.
• Efficient and Edge AI: This unit aims to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of efficient and edge AI technologies, including principles, methodologies, and applications. Learners will focus on optimizing the efficiency and performance of edge AI systems, understanding implementation challenges and opportunities, and designing and implementing effective edge AI solutions.
• Network Science: This unit aims to provide learners with a strong understanding of network science theories and methods to critically assess and discover hidden structures in real-world networks. Learners will conduct network analysis on various empirical networks and apply appropriate concepts and algorithms to extract insights from networks with specific purposes or functions.
• Research Methods in Computer Science: This unit aims to equip learners with proficiency in research methodologies essential for Computer Science. Learners will master various research methods and design techniques, formulate research plans for diverse stakeholders, and explore ethical considerations. The unit also prepares learners for writing project proposals and conducting and disseminating their Master's project.  

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

The normal requirements for embarking upon this course are:

• A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject, or equivalent

If you are in doubt if you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, please get in touch with the Future Students Enquiry team.

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry:

• India: Bachelor’s degree (4 years) from a recognised HE institution with a minimum overall result of 55% 
• Nigeria:  Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with a minimum classification of 2:2 
• China:  Chinese Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognised higher education institution with 65% or above 
• Turkey: Bachelor’s degree (Lisans Diplomasi - four years) with a minimum overall GPA of 2.3/4.0 
• Vietnam:  Bachelor's degree/Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with an average score of 6.5/10, or 2.25/4, or a Master’s degree/Thac si. 

All applications will be subject to a minimum grade and your degree may need to be in a relevant subject area.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in writing, speaking, listening and reading, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

Bournemouth University International College offers a number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes to prepare international students for postgraduate study at BU. Admission to the degree is guaranteed on successful completion of your course to the required level. 

Please see our website for the application deadlines. You should apply as early as possible to be considered for your course of choice. If you require a student visa, apply for the visa as soon as you have an unconditional offer and receive your CAS. There may be delays in visa processing in your country and you need to be in Bournemouth ready to study for the start of term.

December and January is one of our busiest application periods and therefore it may take us a little longer to process incoming applications. For courses with a January start date, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Click the green ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application free of charge online through myHub, our application portal. You will create your own myHub account so that you can track the progress of your application. Don’t forget to save your application as you go; you can return to it at as many times as you want before you submit it. For more information visit our How to apply section.

As an MSc Computer Science graduate, you will be prepared to undertake roles such as:

• Quantum Computing Specialist
• Software Architect
• Cloud Architect/Engineer
• DevOps Engineer
• Network Architect/Engineer
• Research Scientist

If you want to continue your studies after achieving your Master’s, you can look into our range of doctoral programmes.

What's included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for any mandatory field-based teaching activity
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
• Disability and additional learning support.
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, Tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Text books, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of text books and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
• Accommodation and living costs. Please visit our website for more information.
• Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable).
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately.
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportBU membership.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

If you need to repeat one or more units during the course of your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full time fee.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to eligible students who are beginning their studies at BU. Please visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/funding for details on living costs, budgeting and paying your tuition fees.

International (not Rep. of Ireland) students need to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure their place on a postgraduate course. For September 2024 and January 2025 entry, a £5,000 deposit is required. You will need to pay your deposit by the date stated in your offer letter. The remainder of your fee will be payable on registration/enrolment. There are two exceptions to the non-refundable rule on the deposit:

• You fail to meet the academic or English requirements of your offer

• You are refused a visa to enter the UK, provided the reason for the refusal is not a fraudulent application.

Dr. Deniz Cetinkaya is a Principal Academic in Computing in the Department of Computing & Informatics at Bournemouth University. She is the Programme Leader for Software Engineering and Computing courses offered at BU. Prior to BU, she worked as an Assistant Professor in Software Engineering Department at Atılım University, Ankara, Turkey.