MSc Advanced Computer Science

If you're looking to specialise and enhance your technical expertise to meet the demands of the modern tech industry, the MSc Advanced Computer Science at Oxford Brookes University is designed to give you a strong practical and theoretical foundation. This programme delves into advanced and emerging areas of the field, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests, from data-centric computing to secure software development. You'll be based in our Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment, which offers a dynamic learning environment with dedicated facilities to support your hands-on learning.

Your experience is built around applying advanced concepts to real-world challenges:

• Specialist Computing Laboratories: You will have access to our networking and security labs, which provide a practical environment for working on network design, configuration, and security protocols. These facilities support hands-on learning in a controlled setting.

• Industry-Standard Software & Tools: You will work with relevant and current technologies used in the field. This includes opportunities to use tools for data analysis, software development, and potentially areas like machine learning, depending on your chosen modules.

• Collaborative Projects: An important part of your learning will involve practical, often team-based projects. These are designed to simulate real-world scenarios, requiring you to apply your knowledge to design, develop, and evaluate computing solutions collaboratively.

• Individual MSc Project: The programme culminates in a significant individual project. This is your opportunity to conduct a substantial piece of independent work, allowing you to specialise deeply in a chosen area and create a major piece of work for your professional portfolio.

• Research-Informed Teaching: Your learning will be informed by the research activities within the department, giving you insight into current trends and challenges in the field of computer science.

• University Resources: You will have full access to Oxford Brookes University’s library services, including its extensive digital collection of computing journals, e-books, and databases, as well as general computing facilities.

This programme is designed to help you advance your career in computing. You'll graduate with enhanced specialist knowledge and the practical skills to develop sophisticated computing systems, preparing you for roles that require advanced technical expertise.

Graduates of Brookes’ MSc Advanced Computer Science often go into roles like Software Developer / Engineer, Data Analyst / Data Scientist, IT / Systems Engineer, or Product Engineer / IT Manager. Because of the hands-on modules (group software projects, machine learning, secure networking, etc.), many leave with practical, up-to-date skills and can move quickly into technical and specialist roles in industry.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

Here are how this degree supports your employability, what you can expect, and the longer-term value:

• University Services that Help Students to Employ:

  • Oxford Brookes has career-focused courses with strong links into industry: you’ll attend expert talks, work on real client-led or advisory board-informed projects (e.g. with companies like BMW and Sophos). 

  • The programme offers group software projects, where you practice modern software development (agile practices, team work, risk, quality assurance, usability) — all very CV-friendly. 

  • There are rich research groups and staff experienced in applied areas such as cybersecurity, robotics, machine learning, visual & ethical AI; you can engage with these either through modules or your dissertation. 

  • State-of-the-art facilities: new custom-designed buildings at the Headington site, including robotics & AI labs, digital / computing labs, VR cave, and social learning spaces. 

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures:

  • For computing / computer science (undergraduate) graduates at Oxford Brookes, median salary ~ £28,500 at 15 months after graduation; rising with more experience to ~£31,500–£42,000 at later stages. 

  • While specific salary data for this MSc isn’t fully published, roles like developer / analyst / engineer that alumni go into are in demand and tend to pay well, especially with specialisms like data, cloud, security. (Based on what Brookes and similar UK MSc grads report.)

• University-Industry Partnerships:

  • Advisory board members include companies like BMW and Sophos, helping shape the course and giving you networking / exposure opportunities. 

  • Projects / dissertations may be done “in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation.” This gives you real-world exposure. 

  • The research groups (for example Machine Learning & Robotics Group, Advanced Reliable Computer Systems, Cloud Computing & Cybersecurity group) work on funded projects (EPSRC, EU, etc.), so there are possibilities to work on research that is current and relevant. 

• Long-Term Accreditation Value:

  • The course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), which adds to its recognition by employers and helps with professional credentials. 

  • Because the programme is research-aware and keeps modules up to date in areas that industry cares about (security, networks, data, ML), its long-term relevance is strong.

• Graduation Outcomes:

  • Many alumni take up roles like software developer, data analyst, IT/systems engineer, product or project engineer/manager. 

  • The final project / dissertation gives you a chance to specialise, show what you can do independently, possibly publish or demonstrate your capability to employers. 

Further Academic Progression:

After you complete this MSc Advanced Computer Science at Oxford Brookes, here are logical next steps:

• PhD / Doctoral Research: If you are interested in research, you could continue with a PhD in areas such as cybersecurity, robotics, data science / AI, networks, etc., especially if your dissertation is strong.

• Specialised Certifications / Short Courses: To sharpen particular skills, you might pursue certificates in ML / AI, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, etc.), security certifications, advanced data engineering.

• Professional Recognition: Use the BCS accreditation, combined with work experience, to apply for chartered or professional IT credentials in your home country or internationally.

• Industry R&D or Specialist Roles: With this MSc + possibly relevant work experience, you can move into specialist technical roles, R&D, or innovation teams in industry.

• Teaching / Research or Academic Roles: If you enjoy scholarship, you could explore roles like research assistant, tutor / lecturer, or collaborating on research projects with faculty.