Computing (MSc)
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Part time
Conversion course
This is a conversion course. Conversion courses allow you to study a subject unrelated to your undergraduate degree or current career, and support you with a change of career path.
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Designed for graduates who want to move into computing from another discipline, this programme attracts students from diverse career and subject areas who wish to be introduced to the skills required for a career in software development.
This MSc Computing offers students from diverse career and subject areas a balance of software engineering skills and technical abilities required for a career in Software Development.
Through this three-year programme you will get a first-hand understanding of the vital problem-solving role of software, the interdisciplinary opportunities available, and what computational systems can achieve.
Through a gentle introduction and intensive support, you will be introduced to programming skills using important languages such as Java and Python. Emphasis is placed on handling data and you will develop essential skills in SQL (Structured Query Language) for advanced database functionality using industry standard products such as Oracle™.
A choice of taught optional modules allows you to further develop skills in areas of your choice.
Graduates from these programmes will be ideally placed for employment in the computing industry or for careers requiring a combination of their graduate discipline with computing expertise.
Distinctive features
- A conversion course as well as an accredited course recognised by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
- The opportunity to complement the discipline in which you graduated with the discipline of Computing.
- The facility to tailor the course to your interests by the selection of advanced option modules.
- Flexible choice of project topic, for example: associated with the research activity of the School; fulfilling a business need; reflecting your own interest.
- You will be provided with a laptop during induction week that will remain with you throughout the duration of the course.
Accreditations
Where you'll study
School of Computer Science and Informatics
Our degree programmes are shaped by multidisciplinary research, making them relevant to today's employers and well placed to take advantage of tomorrow's developments.
Admissions criteria
This is a conversion course. Conversion courses allow you to study a subject unrelated to your undergraduate degree or current career, and support you with a change of career path. No prior knowledge or degree in the subject is required.
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:2 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
If you do not have a degree, your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as a CV and signed and dated employer references.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Selection or interview process
Please note: This course is open to UK (Home) applicants only for 2023/24 entry.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
You will study core modules to a total of 80 credits, with two optional modules worth a total of 40 credits. Students will also undertake an individual project and dissertation. The breakdown is as follows:
- Year 1: 60 credits core modules.
- Year 2: 20 credits core module, 40 credits optional modules.
- Year 3: 60 credits core module.
This course is a part-time programme undertaken over three calendar years. It is also available as a full-time programme over one year, and with placement.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
Year one
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Computational Thinking | CMT119 | 10 credits |
| Fundamentals of Programming | CMT120 | 30 credits |
| Algorithms, Data Structures and Programming | CMT219 | 20 credits |
Year two
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Topics, Research and Skills in Computing | CMT221 | 10 credits |
| Software Engineering | CMT313 | 30 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Distributed and Cloud Computing | CMT202 | 20 credits |
| Human Centric Computing | CMT206 | 20 credits |
| Data Visualisation | CMT218 | 20 credits |
| Databases and Modelling | CMT220 | 20 credits |
| Social Computing | CMT224 | 20 credits |
Year three
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Computing Dissertation | CMT403 | 60 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
The School of Computer Science and Informatics has a strong and active research culture which informs and directs our teaching. We are committed to providing teaching of the highest standard and received an excellent report in the most recent Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) review.
A diverse range of teaching and learning styles are used throughout the MSc in Computing and the MSc in Computing with Placement. Students will attend lectures, participate in seminars, workshops and tutorials, and carry out practical and laboratory work.
Students obtain support materials either via Learning Central (Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment) or from study packs specially developed for selected modules.
Students will also undertake a project and independent study to enable them to complete their dissertation. Dissertation topics may be suggested by the student or chosen from a list of options proposed by academic staff reflecting their current interest.
How will I be assessed?
The taught modules within the programmes are assessed through examinations and a wide range of in-course assessments, such as written reports, extended essays, practical assignments and oral presentations.
The individual project and dissertation will enable students to demonstrate their ability to build upon and exploit knowledge and skills gained to exhibit critical and original thinking based on a period of independent study and learning.
How will I be supported?
As a School, we pride ourselves on providing a supportive environment in which we are able to help and encourage our students.
All students are allocated a personal tutor who will monitor your progress throughout your time at university and will support you in your Personal Development Planning. You will see your Personal Tutor at least once each semester.
Outside of scheduled tutor sessions, our Senior Personal Tutor runs an open door policy, being on hand to advise and respond to any personal matters as they arise.
The School has a formal student-staff panel to discuss topics or issues of mutual interest, in addition we schedule fortnightly informal gatherings over coffee for all students and staff associated with MSc Programmes.
Feedback:
Feedback on coursework may be provided via written comments on work submitted, by provision of ‘model’ answers and/or through discussion in contact sessions.
What skills will I practise and develop?
Students will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both those which are discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’, such as being able to:
- Critically analyse and evaluate current issues in computing.
- Clearly communicate ideas, principles and theories by oral, written, diagrammatic and practical means.
- Demonstrate self-direction, initiative, professionalism, critical judgement and planning skills in tackling and solving computing problems using appropriate technologies.
- Demonstrate software design and programming skills.
- Design, using appropriate tools, a simple information system or selected part of a larger system.
- Creatively apply computing knowledge and techniques to the solution of computing problems.
- You will also develop a number of valuable research skills through completion of the dissertation.
Furthermore, graduates will be expected to demonstrate:
- A systematic understanding of general computing concepts, both theoretical and practical.
- An understanding of the methods, techniques, and tools available to specify, design, implement and manage computer based systems.
- An understanding of the principles and characteristics of computer and communications hardware and software and of how these support the development of computer systems.
- A critical awareness of current trends in selected research areas of computing, and discuss their contribution to developing computer based systems.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Due to the duration of this programme only Welsh and EU domiciled students who meet residency requirements (English domiciled students are excluded) are eligible for a postgraduate loan. See more information about eligibility for UK Government Postgraduate loans.
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £5,850 | None |
| Year two | £5,850 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £15,850 | £2,500 |
| Year two | £15,850 | None |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
No specific equipment is required.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
Recent graduates have gained employment in roles such as software developers, systems analysts, business analysts, IT consultants, and support engineers.
MSc Computing graduates are employed by organisations of all sizes locally, nationally, and internationally. For example, recent graduates have taken up positions with local NHS Trusts, Logica, Sun Microsystems, BT, and the National Library of Medicine in the USA, as well as undertaking further doctoral study.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
