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 Lincoln 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 in our School of Computer Science, which offers a supportive and dynamic learning environment with dedicated facilities to help you develop practical skills in a collaborative setting.

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 specialist computing labs, which are equipped with modern workstations and the professional software you need for programming, database management, and systems development.

• Industry-Relevant Software & Tools: From the start, you'll gain hands-on experience with key tools of the trade. This includes programming languages like Java and Python, database systems, and integrated development environments (IDEs) that are widely used in the software industry.

• Practical, Project-Based Learning: A core part of your experience will be applying your skills through projects. You'll work on practical assignments and 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 the University of Lincoln’s library services, including its collection of computing texts, e-books, and online journals, as well as our virtual learning environment and IT support services.

This programme is your pathway into the growing tech industry. It's carefully structured to help you develop 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 Lincoln’s MSc Computer Science tend to move into roles like Software / Systems Developer, Machine Learning / AI Engineer, Cyber Security Specialist, or Computer Vision Researcher / Engineer. Because the course gives you both advanced theoretical grounding and hands-on experience (including a substantial research project), many alumni are able to enter mid-to-specialist level technical roles soon after finishing.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

• Which university services will help students to employ:

  • Careers & Employability Team at Lincoln works with postgraduates offering CV workshops, interview preparation, employer networking, and guidance throughout the MSc. 

  • Postgraduate Networking Club is available for students to connect with professionals, practice job-search skills, and access live Q&A sessions with external employers. 

  • The course is research-informed; you work with academic supervisors for the independent project, which gives you mentorship & exposure to current research directions. 

  • Access to Lincoln’s labs: high-performance workstations, and equipment such as Raspberry Pi, robots, virtual reality set-ups (HTC Vive / Oculus Quest) for hands-on work. 

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures:

  • Lincoln does not publish a clear, publicly available median salary figure for graduates specifically from the MSc Computer Science in the sources I checked.

  • Entry requirements call for a good honours degree (First or Second Class) in a computing discipline (CS, Software Engineering, AI, Cyber Security, etc.), which suggests that many students already have strong foundations. 

  • The employability is supported by the practical skills and project work embedded in the curriculum, which help graduates produce portfolio work that is appealing to employers. 

• University–Industry Partnerships:

  • While specific partner companies are not listed in that source, the course is designed with input from active research groups in robotics, AI, vision, and security — this ensures relevance to fast-changing industry requirements. 

  • Also, availability of modules like “Frontiers of Computer Science Research” and “Research Methods” plus the independent research project helps you engage with recent or ongoing research challenges, sometimes with potential external or industrial links. 

• Long-Term Accreditation Value:

  • The programme is delivered by academic staff whose research areas include machine learning, computer vision, robotics, cyber security, etc. This research-led teaching helps ensure what you learn is current and valued by employers who look for innovation and technical depth. 

  • Though I did not find a mention in the sources about a professional statutory or regulatory body (PSRB) accreditation (like BCS) specifically for this MSc, the combination of modules offered puts you in a good position for roles that require specialized technical skills.

• Graduation Outcomes:

  • You finish with skills in advanced artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, security, software engineering, and programming. The research project allows you to specialise in a topic of your interest, which enhances your portfolio. 

  • Graduates are likely to find work in sectors such as tech companies, startups, research labs, security firms, surveillance / imaging industries, or R&D roles. For those inclined, further study is also viable.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the MSc Computer Science at Lincoln, here are natural next steps:

• PhD / Doctoral Research — If you enjoyed the research project, you might pursue PhD work in areas like AI / machine learning, computer vision, robotics, or cyber security. The project and modules like Frontiers of CS Research give you credibility for such paths.

• Specialised Certifications / Continued Learning — You can further sharpen your skills with certifications in cloud platforms, security, AI/ML frameworks, or real-time systems, depending on what module or specialism you focus on.

• Technical Specialist / R&D Roles — With master-level skills plus your dissertation / project work, you’re well positioned for roles that require more than just coding: design, system architecture, research & innovation, or leading technical projects.

• Professional / Management Roles Over Time — As you gain industry experience, you may move into roles like technical lead, data / AI strategy roles, or in managerial tracks that require both technical understanding and leadership ability.