Computer Science with Industrial Experience

Overview

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Due to the popularity of this programme, we encourage you to apply early. Based on past experience, it is very likely that we will stop considering applications by July 2020

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The demand for better products and commercial services drives the search for creative solutions using computing-based systems, and has established a critical dependence between computing and practically every industry and sector. This flexible programme offers a broad range of advanced study options, reflecting the emerging technologies in industry.

This is a multidisciplinary programme and, in addition to pure computer science modules, you may choose options where computer science intersects with other fields and builds on your first degree.

• Allow you to personalise your programme through a wide range of employment-relevant module choices.
• Build your links with industry and potential employers, we have excellent links with industry, working together on commercial and research projects.

Industrial Experience

The industrial placement takes place towards the end of the first year for a maximum of 12 months. While it is your responsiblity to secure a placement, the school will offer guidance and support in finding and securing the placement. If you are not able to secure a placement by the end of your second semester you will transfer on to the 1 year FT taught programme without the Industrial Experience, this change would also be applied to any visa if you were here on a student visa.

The industrial placement consists of 8-12 months spent working with an appropriate employer in a role that relates directly to your field of study. The placement is currently undertaken between the taught component and the project. This will provide you with the opportunity to apply the key technical knowledge and skills that you have learnt in your taught modules, and will enable you to gain a better understanding of your own abilities, aptitudes, attitudes and employment potential. The module is only open to students enrolled on a programme of study with integrated placement.

Why study your MSc in Computer Science at Queen Mary?

Our research-led approach

Your tuition will be delivered by field leading academics engaged in world class research projects in collaboration with industry, external institutions and research councils.

Our strong links with industry

• We have collaborations, partnerships, industrial placement schemes and public engagement programmes with a variety of organisations, including Vodafone, Google, IBM, BT, NASA, BBC and Microsoft
• Full-time MSc with Industrial Experience option available on our taught MSc programmes. You have the option to complete over two years, with a year of work experience in industry.
• Industrial projects scheme  - To support industrial experience development, you can carry out your final project in collaboration with an industrial partner.

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

Structure

The modules listed below provide some general guidance on what you may be expected to learn during each semester and year of this degree. The exact modules available may vary depending on staff availability, research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

MSc Computer Science is currently available for one year full-time study, two years full-time study with industrial experience and two years part-time study.

Full-time

You will take four taught modules per semester followed by final examinations and the MSc research project (dissertation).

Undertaking a masters programme is a serious commitment, with weekly contact hours being in addition to numerous hours of independent learning and research needed to progress at the required level. When coursework or examination deadlines are approaching independent learning hours may need to increase significantly. Please contact the course convenor for precise information on the number of contact hours per week for this programme.

Part-time

Part-time study options often mean that the number of modules taken is reduced per semester, with the full modules required to complete the programme spread over two academic years. Teaching is generally done during the day and part-time students should contact the course convenor to get an idea of when these teaching hours are likely to take place. Timetables are likely to be finalised in September but you may be able to gain an expectation of what will be required.

Year 1

Semester 1

• Functional Programming (15 credits)
• Semi-Structured Data and Advanced Data Modelling (15 credits)

Select 2 from:

• Machine Learning (15 credits)
• Design for Human Interaction (15 credits)
• Natural Language Processing (15 credits)
• Big Data Processing (15 credits)
• Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming (15 credits)
• Programme Specifications

Semester 2

• Security and Authentication (15 credits)
• Bayesian Decision and Risk Analysis (15 credits)

Select 2 from:

• Mobile Services (15 credits)
• Business Technology Strategy (15 credits)
• Interactive Systems Design (15 credits)
• The Semantic Web (15 credits)
• Information Retrieval (15 credits)
• Advanced Object Oriented Programming (15 credits)
• Data Analytics (15 credits)
• Parallel Computing (15 credits)
• Distributed Systems (15 credits)

Semester 3
(must take and pass)

• Project (60 credits)

Year 2
(must take and pass)

• Industrial Placement Project

Please note that elective modules are subject to availability, timetabling constraints and may be subject to change.

We aim to deliver your programme so that it closely matches the way in which it has been described to you by QMUL in print, online, and/or in person. Please be assured that we review our modules on a regular basis, in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes.

Please check the School website for further module information.

Postgraduate Administrator
School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 7333
email: msc-enquiries@eecs.qmul.ac.uk

Entry requirements

You should have a good Honours degree (first or upper-second class honours) in electronic engineering, computer science, mathematics, or a related discipline. Applicants with unrelated degrees will be considered if there is evidence of equivalent industrial experience.

For international students we require English language qualifications IELTS 6.5, TOEFL score of 92 (internet based).

International applicants

Students from outside of the UK help form a global community here at Queen Mary. For detailed country specific entry requirements please visit the International section of our website. If your first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your English language proficiency. Find out more about our English language entry requirements.

If you do not meet language or scholarly requirements it might be possible for you to undertake foundation or pre-sessional programmes that will prepare you for the masters programme. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office.

If you are unable to find the information you require, please contact the Admissions Office for assistance.

Places on this programme are limited. We will give equal consideration to all applications received by May 1st 2019. We may still accept applications received after this date, but will not be able to offer a place if the programme is full.

This programme is now full and will close to further applications on the 5th July, reopening in September 2019.

Learning and teaching

Learning and teaching

As a student at Queen Mary, you will play an active part in your acquisition of skills and knowledge. Teaching is by a mixture of formal lectures and small group seminars. The seminars are designed to generate informed discussion around set topics, and may involve student presentations, group exercise and role-play as well as open discussion. We take pride in the close and friendly working relationship we have with our students. You are assigned an Academic Adviser who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your time at Queen Mary.

Teaching for all modules includes a combination of lectures, seminars and a virtual learning environment. Each module provides 36 hours of contact time, supported by lab work and directed further study.

Independent study

For every hour spent in classes you will be expected to complete further hours of independent study. Your individual study time could be spent preparing for, or following up on formal study sessions; reading; producing written work; completing projects; and revising for examinations.

The direction of your individual study will be guided by the formal study sessions you attend, along with your reading lists and assignments. However, we expect you to demonstrate an active role in your own learning by reading widely and expanding your own knowledge, understanding and critical ability.

Independent study will foster in you the ability to identify your own learning needs and determine which areas you need to focus on to become proficient in your subject area. This is an important transferable skill and will help to prepare you for the transition to working life.

Assessment

The Research Methods modules are assessed through coursework alone. All other modules are examined through a combination of coursework and written examinations taken in May/June. To obtain an MSc, students must gain passes in six of the eight modules taken with an overall average of 50 per cent.

In addition to the above, the MSc requires that a satisfactory individual project be completed. MSc students who do not pass the written examinations are only allowed to attempt the project after passing resit examinations the following May.

Dissertation

You will also be assessed on a supervised 10,000-15,000-word dissertation.

Our outstanding resources

• We offer our students use of their own high- specification computing and research labs, hostings over 350 state-of-the-art computers for exclusive use by our students.
• Our spectrum of research areas is supported by a range of specialist research labs offering cutting edge tools and technology including our augmented human interaction (AHI) laboratory combining pioneering technologies of  full-body and multi-person motion capture, virtual and augmented reality systems and advanced aural and visual display technologies.  We also have specialist laboratories in multimedia; telecommunication networks; and antenna measurement.

Have a look around by visiting our facilities pages for further information.

Fees

Tuition fees for Home and EU students

Thick Sandwich £10,900
Part-time study is not available for this course

Tuition fees for International students

Thick Sandwich £23,950
Part-time study is not available for this course

Funding

Graduate employment

• £37,166 – is average salary of our postgraduates on completing their course
• 400+ employees and training organisations visited the campus last year
• 325+ students placed into 45 local charities under our award-winning QProjects scheme (Guardian employability initiative of the year 2014)

Queen Mary's Computer Science postgraduates go on to work in a wide variety of careers, mostly within IT and information services.

The broad range of skills gained through programmes in this School, coupled with multiple opportunities for extra-curricular activities and work experience, has enabled postgraduates to move into careers such as:

• Technical Analyst, Credit Suisse
• Interactive Systems Developer, Sky
• Software Developer, Accenture
• Analyst Technical Associate, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
• IT Contractor, FDM
• Computer Analyst, ITRS Group
• IT Developer, Qube Global Software
• Team Manager, Bromley-by-Bow Centre
• Computer Programmer, Rightmove
• Computer Consultant, Mac Experts Ltd
• Graduate Engineer, Ministry of Defence

Throughout the course, postgraduates have access to a careers programme to prepare them for applying for work after graduation. This programme includes workshops on job hunting and job applications as well as employer events to facilitate networks and help students to explore their options.

Recent careers events open to Computer Science postgraduates include the IT and Technology Fair, featuring Accenture, Babcock, BskyB, FactSet, Framestore, IBM, one-to-one sessions with Morgan Stanley, IBM and Accenture, IT company presentations, and Start Up Stand Up for those interested in working with technology start ups and SMEs.

Queen Mary’s location between Canary Wharf, the City and the Olympic Village redevelopment means that there are substantial opportunities for on campus and local part time work and work experience. On campus there are 1200 job and volunteer opportunities ranging from E-learning Assistant to Website Administrator and from Society President to Student Mentor. QTemps job agency offers work suitable for current students and recent graduates, QMSU Volunteering facilitates volunteering and QM JobOnline hosts over 800 part time and full time job vacancies.

Read more about our careers programmes and range of work experience opportunities on the Queen Mary Careers pages.

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