MSc Advanced Computer Science

If you're ready to move beyond the fundamentals and specialise in the cutting-edge areas of computer science, the MSc Advanced Computer Science at Northumbria University is designed to give you a serious practical and theoretical advantage. This programme delves deep into advanced topics like artificial intelligence, data science, and secure systems, ensuring you graduate with the high-level, hands-on skills that are in high demand. You'll be based in our purpose-built Computer and Information Sciences building, a state-of-the-art facility packed with specialist labs that provide the perfect environment for innovation and practical experimentation.

Your learning here is intensely focused on applying advanced concepts to real-world problems:

• Specialist Cyber Security and Networking Labs: You will have direct access to our Cyber Security Lab, an isolated environment for practical work in ethical hacking, digital forensics, and network security. You'll also use our Networking Lab, equipped with enterprise-grade Cisco routing and switching hardware for hands-on network design and management.

• Advanced Software and Development Tools: You will gain practical, hands-on experience with industry-standard and research-grade tools. This includes data analytics platforms like SAS, machine learning environments like TensorFlow and Keras, and other specialised software for advanced programming and data visualization.

• Research-Led Teaching and Group Projects: You'll be taught by active researchers from groups like the Northumbria Social Computing (NorSC) laboratory. A core part of your experience will involve collaborative team projects, tackling complex problems that mirror the challenges faced by R&D teams in the tech industry.

• 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 aligned with the department's research strengths, to create a substantial piece of work for your professional portfolio.

• Extensive University Resources: You will have full access to Northumbria’s award-winning University Library, which provides an extensive collection of computing databases, e-journals, and academic texts, alongside 24/7 access to computing facilities and study spaces.

This programme is your gateway to becoming a specialist. You'll graduate not just with advanced theoretical knowledge, but with the proven, practical ability to design, develop, and manage sophisticated computing systems, making you a highly competitive candidate for roles in AI, data analysis, and cybersecurity.

Here are the concrete ways the degree supports your employability, plus what you can expect as you move forward:

• University Services that Help Students to Employ:

  • The Careers & Employment Service provides workshops (CVs, interviews), employer networking events, and one-to-one support.

  • The programme is designed “in consultation with industry partners” so many modules and projects map directly to what employers want. 

  • The facilities are state-of-the-art: the new Computer & Information Sciences building, dedicated IT labs, access in evenings & weekends. Familiarity with industry standard tech is built in. 

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures:

  • (Note: specific salary breakdowns for this exact programme are not publicly published in detail.) However: Northumbria’s computing programmes are well rated in teaching satisfaction (top-15 in the UK for some measures) and many graduates take on software development, systems, AI/basic networking roles. 

  • After graduation, typical roles offer competitive salaries in the UK tech sector; with growing specialisation and experience (especially in AI / ML, security, cloud), mid-level salaries usually increase substantially over entry level. (While I can’t promise a number without more data, roles in major UK cities often start in the £30,000-£45,000+ range depending on employer, skills, and experience.)

• University–Industry Partnerships:

  • Northumbria works with companies like Accenture, Hewlett Packard, Sage for this programme. 

  • The curriculum is regularly updated in consultation with industry, meaning you study topics employers care about now: big data, cloud computing, machine learning, network security, etc. 

• Long-Term Accreditation Value:

  • The course is accredited by the BCS, Chartered Institute for IT, which helps meet the further learning academic requirement for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status.

  • It is also recognised by the Engineering Council via BCS for partial fulfilment of chartered engineering registration requirements. This gives long-term professional recognition, not just immediate value. 

• Graduation Outcomes:

  • Graduates leave with strong, current technical skills in areas such as application design, system development, cloud, big data, AI, security, networks. 

  • The programme helps build transferable skills: problem solving, research, communication, ability to work on large projects. These make graduates attractive to employers and able to adapt into more senior roles over time. 

Further Academic Progression:

If you complete the MSc Advanced Computer Science and wish to go further, here are logical next steps:

• PhD / Doctoral Study in topics like artificial intelligence, machine learning, security, human-computer interaction, networks, etc. If you enjoy research, Northumbria has active research groups in those areas.

• Professional Certifications: After graduation, you could seek certifications in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), security (e.g. CISSP, CCSP), or advanced data / ML specialisations. These strengthen your profile in industry.

• Further Specialised Master’s or Courses: If you want deeper specialisation (e.g. Data Science, Cybersecurity, Robotics / IoT), there may be postgraduate diplomas or tailored training programmes you can pursue.

• Academic or Teaching Roles: With a strong MSc (and maybe after PhD), you could move into lecturing, lab supervision, or research assistant roles, possibly combining academia and industry.