MSc Advanced Computer Science

If you're ready to specialise and push the boundaries of what's possible with technology, the MSc Advanced Computer Science at Cardiff University is designed to give you a deep, research-led, and practical advantage. This programme allows you to dive into the most current and complex areas of the field, from artificial intelligence and data science to cybersecurity and human-centred computing. You'll be based in the Abacws building, our stunning new £45.5 million home for the School of Computer Science and Informatics, which is purpose-built to foster collaboration and provide a world-class environment for innovation and hands-on experimentation.

Your learning is built around applying advanced theory to solve real-world problems, supported by exceptional resources:

• State-of-the-Art Specialist Laboratories: You will have direct access to our suite of specialist labs within the Abacws building. This includes the Data Science Lab, the Cyber Security Lab with its isolated network for ethical hacking and digital forensics work, and the Human-Centred Computing Lab for practical work in UX and interactive systems.

• Industry-Standard & Research Software: You will gain hands-on experience with the tools that drive innovation. This includes data science and deep learning platforms like Python with TensorFlow and PyTorch, big data tools like Apache Spark, and professional environments for software engineering, simulation, and secure systems development.

• Research-Led Teaching & Group Projects: You'll be taught by active researchers from groups like the Artificial Intelligence Research Group and the Security, Privacy and Human-Centred Computing Research Group. A core part of your experience will involve collaborative projects, tackling challenges that mirror the cutting-edge work happening in our research centres.

• Substantial Individual MSc Project: The programme culminates in a significant individual research project. This is your opportunity to work deeply on a specialist topic of your choice, often supervised by one of our research experts, to create a substantial and impressive piece of work for your professional portfolio.

• High-Performance Computing (HPC) Resources: For projects requiring significant computational power, such as processing large datasets or running complex simulations, you will have access to the University's Advanced Research Computing (ARCCA) facilities, including the supercomputer Hawk.

Graduates from Cardiff’s MSc Advanced Computer Science often go into roles such as Software Developer / Engineer, Systems Architect, Data / Knowledge Engineer, or R&D / Research roles. The course’s reputation, its advanced modules, and strong ties to research help many start in mid-level technical roles or move into specialist paths quickly.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

Here are the concrete elements of what the programme offers and what you can realistically expect after finishing:

• University Services that Help Students to Employ:

  • Cardiff’s School of Computer Science and Informatics provides strong module choice (including advanced and research-led topics) so you can tailor your MSc to what employers want.

  • The Placement Year version of the MSc gives you opportunity for a paid 7-12 month professional work placement, helping you build real industry experience and strengthen your CV. 

  • Support from the placement support officer: advice on applying, guidance throughout, and help keeping up academic work before/after placement. 

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures:

  • Student satisfaction is high: about 92% of graduates report being satisfied with the course.

  • 15 months after graduation, the median salary for this course’s graduates is approximately £24,000. 

  • Unemployment rate around 10% (for those who are neither studying further nor working) 15 months after finishing. 

• University–Industry / Research Partnerships:

  • The course offers specialisms in complex systems, visual computing, and data & knowledge engineering among its research-led optional modules. These are areas in demand in industry and that connect to ongoing research at Cardiff. 

  • New flagship facilities: The programme takes place in Cardiff’s Abacws building, which is equipped with up-to-date labs for advanced computer science teaching & research. 

• Graduation Outcomes:

  • Graduates typically end up in roles such as software developers, systems architects, data engineers, etc. Having done advanced modules and possibly a placement, many are considered for more technical or specialized roles rather than just entry-level.

  • Some graduates also continue with doctoral research (PhD) if they are interested in deeper research, helped by the dissertation component. 

Further Academic Progression:

If you complete the MSc Advanced Computer Science at Cardiff, here are logical next steps if you want to keep progressing:

• PhD / Doctoral Study: You could take up research in fields aligned with your specialism, like visual computing, data & knowledge engineering, or complex systems. The dissertation and optional modules give good preparation.

• Certifications / Specialised Training: After your MSc, you might pursue extra certifications—cloud platforms, machine learning / AI, cybersecurity, advanced data tools—to deepen technical skills and improve employability in specialist areas.

• Professional Recognition: Use the strength of the MSc along with any work/placement experience to apply for professional designations where applicable (like Chartered IT Professional, or equivalent bodies in your home country).

• Research / R&D Roles or Innovation in Industry: With experience and exposure from the programme (especially if you do a placement), you could move into R&D teams, or innovation labs, where advanced computing challenges are tackled.