MSc Computer Science

If you're looking to build a strong, comprehensive foundation in computer science and launch a successful career in tech, the MSc Computer Science at the University of East London is designed to get you hands-on and industry-ready. This programme is perfect if you're coming from a different academic background, as it immerses you in the core principles of software development, programming, and modern computing practices from the ground up. You'll be based at our Stratford campus, right in the heart of East London's dynamic tech and innovation district, giving you fantastic opportunities to connect with the industry.

Your learning is built around mastering the essential, practical skills that form the foundation of a successful tech career:

• Dedicated Computing Laboratories: Your teaching will take place in our modern computing labs at the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering. These are equipped with high-specification PCs and all the professional software you need for programming, database management, and web development.

• Industry-Standard Software & Tools: From the very start, you'll gain hands-on experience with the essential tools of the trade. This includes programming languages like Java and Python, integrated development environments (IDEs), database systems like MySQL, and version control with Git.

• Practical, Project-Based Learning: A core part of your experience will be applying your skills through projects. You'll work on practical assignments and larger team-based tasks that simulate real-world development challenges, helping you build a portfolio of work that demonstrates your capabilities to employers.

• Collaborative Development: The programme includes opportunities for collaborative work, allowing you to develop teamworking and project management skills that are essential in a professional software development environment.

• Individual MSc Project: The programme culminates in a substantial individual project. This is your chance to bring all your learning together to create a significant software application or conduct an in-depth investigation in your chosen area of interest.

• Extensive University Resources: You will have full access to UEL’s library services, including its vast collection of computing texts, e-books, and online journals, as well as 24/7 access to computing facilities and study spaces through our virtual learning environment.

This programme is your launchpad into the tech industry. It's carefully crafted to transform you into a confident, capable computing professional, equipped with practical skills that are relevant for roles in software development, IT analysis, and technical support.

Graduates of UEL’s MSc Computer Science are well-prepared for roles such as Software / System Developer, AI / Machine Learning Specialist, Cloud / DevOps Engineer, Cyber Security Specialist, Big Data / Business Intelligence Analyst, or IT Consultant / Infrastructure Manager. Because the programme offers both theory and hands-on work plus an optional industrial placement, many alumni enter high-demand tech jobs or further research / PhD work with a strong foundation. 

Progression & Future Opportunities:

Here’s how UEL supports you, what you gain, and what to expect after graduating:

• Which university services will help students to employ:

  • UEL provides extensive Careers & Employability Support including one-to-one career coaching, workshops (CV, interviews, job/placement searches), employer networking events, and a dedicated job/internships board. 

  • The “Mental Wealth; Professional Life” modules (dissertation / professional readiness) build not only technical but soft / professional skills like teamwork, leadership, communication, and project management.

  • The Industrial Placement Year option gives you real workplace experience with partner organisations, helping build your CV and professional network. 

• Employment stats and salary figures:

  • Detailed publicly published salary figures for UEL’s MSc Computer Science graduates are not clearly listed in the sources I found. (UEL does list fees and cost-details, but not median salaries in those materials.) 

  • What is known: home student fees are about £11,340 per year for full-time MSc, with an extra fee for the placement year module (≈ £3,500). That gives sense of investment and cost vs benefit. 

  • Because of the placement option, graduates who take that tend to have stronger chances of getting higher starting roles due to having proven industry experience. UEL emphasizes that advantage. 

• University–Industry Partnerships (specific):

  • The course includes optional or core modules in Cloud Computing, Computer Security, Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Vision — all areas with strong industry demand. 

  • UEL develops modules and assessments in consultation with employers and uses real-world industrial / research projects for dissertations / optional placements. 

• Long-Term Accreditation Value:

  • The course is delivered by active researchers; many modules reflect emerging technologies so your learning is not outdated. 

  • Having both theoretical depth and optional industrial placement gives you both credible academic grounding and employability value. Employers often prefer candidates with hands-on projects / placement experience.

• Graduation Outcomes:

  • Graduates are expected to find work in a diverse range of sectors: technology / software firms, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, etc., applying skills in AI, security, cloud, data analytics, IoT, etc. 

  • Many also move into senior technical roles (software architect, systems architect), project / programme management, or specialist roles in AI, cloud, cyber security or Big Data. 

  • For those interested in research or advanced roles, the dissertation component and strong academic supervision can lead into MPhil / PhD or R&D roles. 

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the MSc Computer Science at UEL, here are some logical next steps:

• PhD / Doctoral Research — You can build upon your dissertation or research work to enter a PhD programme in areas such as AI, Big Data, Security, Computer Vision, etc.

• Specialised Certifications & Short Courses — To deepen specific skills, you might obtain certifications in cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), cybersecurity, data science tools (e.g. Spark, Hadoop), or machine learning frameworks.

• Industry-R&D or Specialist Engineering Roles — With placement experience + advanced technical modules, you’ll be well suited for roles in research & development teams, innovation labs, or as a technical specialist in AI / Cloud / Security.

• Leadership or Architect / Senior Engineering Roles — Over time, moving into technical leadership, systems architecture, or strategy roles becomes possible, especially if you combine your technical expertise with managerial / project skills.

• Teaching / Academic & Consultancy Roles — If you have interest, you could consider roles as a research assistant, lecturer, or work with industry on consultancy / solutions development, particularly if your dissertation or project leads to publishable work or recognised contributions.