Advanced Computer Science with a Professional Placement Year (MSc)
- Duration: 2 years
- Mode: Full time with sandwich year
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
The ‘with a Professional Placement Year’ programme provides the opportunity to undertake a 7-12 month experience for students who successfully find a suitable placement.
Distinguish yourself
Designed for those who wish to differentiate themselves through an advanced mastery of the discipline
Cutting edge facilities
You'll be taught in our newly-built flagship building Abacws.
Specialise your degree
Choose from three research topics in which to specialise: complex systems, visual computing, and data and knowledge engineering.
Develop your CV
Complete a paid 7-12 month experience for students who find a suitable placement.
The MSc Advanced Computer Science with a Professional Placement Year will offer you exposure to key topics that are driving emerging technological developments and trends.
Computer Science is one of the fastest moving academic disciplines and the outcomes of research and innovation in this field are likely to have a significant social impact.
The subject spans all aspects of modern life, and this programme offers you the opportunity to apply new skills and advanced techniques to the area of your choice, whilst allowing you to demonstrate that you are at the forefront of your discipline.
Core to this programme is the opportunity to further develop the scope of your problem solving skills by studying advanced programming languages and programming paradigms, and to gain knowledge and skills across a breadth of topics in Computer Science.
You will choose to study optional, research-led modules that allow the freedom to build a distinctive personal portfolio of skills and knowledge.
This is a specialist Masters degree programme which will require strong technical, mathematical and programming skills from day one of the course.
You will apply for a paid 7-12 month professional work placement to be undertaken on completion of the taught phase of the program. This provides valuable work experience to develop your IT Professional skills.
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
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 a relevant subject area such as computer science, 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.
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.
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 taught modules to a total of 120 credits during the Diploma stage of your degree. All taught modules are worth 20 credits
You will undertake a placement following the taught stage of the course and prior to undertaking youtr individual project and dissertation. Most students start their placement in the summer of Year 1
The Master’s stage of your degree will be an individual project (worth 60 credits) which you will write up as a dissertation, after the Diploma stage. This project will be carried out during the summer under the supervision of a member of academic staff.
This is a full-time course undertaken over two academic years. It is also available as a full-time course over one year or a part-time course over three years, both without 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
You will take one compulsory 20-credit module on programming paradigms providing you with experience of both the depth and breadth of programming skills, and you will be guided in choosing five optional 20-credit modules from a range of carefully selected modules focusing on contemporary and relevant topics currently emerging within the discipline.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Programming Paradigms | CMT304 | 20 credits |
Year two
Your work placement will normally last between 7 and 12 months, usually taking place at the end of the taught phase of the course, before your final dissertation, allowing you to practice the new skills you have learned and apply the knowledge you have acquired, in the workplace.
You will return to university following successful completion of your work placement at the start of the Summer the following year to undertake your individual project and complete your dissertation, with the aim of completing the course within 24 months of entry.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | CMT305 | 120 credits |
| Dissertation | CMT400 | 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..
Modules are delivered through a series of either full or half-day contact sessions, which include lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and laboratory classes.
Most of your taught modules will have further information for you to study and you will be expected to work through this in your own time according to the guidance provided by the lecturer for that module.
How will I be assessed?
Modules will be assessed either by coursework, examination, or a combination of both.
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.
How will I be supported?
We pride ourselves on providing a supportive environment in which we are able to help and encourage our students.
At the start of your course you will be allocated a Personal Tutor who is an academic member of staff in the School and serves as a point of contact to advise on both academic and personal matters in an informal and confidential manner. Your Personal Tutor will monitor your progress throughout your time at university and will support you in your Personal Development Planning.
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.
During your placement year you will continue to be supported by the School, with a placement supervisor allocated to you for the duration of your placement, and continued communication with the School placement team.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:
Knowledge & Understanding:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- an understanding of the broad range of concepts, principles and theories underpinning advanced computer science
- an understanding of the methods, techniques, and tools available to specify, design, implement and manage computer-based systems
- an understanding of the representation of data in structured forms and its interplay with the implementation of algorithms
- a critical awareness of current trends in selected research areas of computer science, and an ability to discuss their contribution to developing computer based systems
Intellectual Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- a mastery of the practical methodologies in key areas of computing; their application to well-established areas of software development and their use in selected specialised application areas
- an ability to objectively analyse computational problems and develop appropriate, creative solutions
- an ability to model complex scenarios to design computer systems that meet stated requirements
- an appreciation of how skills and concepts encountered in the degree are implemented and used within industry
Professional Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- an awareness of professional, legal, social, cultural and ethical issues that arise in the implementation of existing and future computer systems and an awareness of societal and environmental impact
- an ability to pursue opportunities for career development and lifelong learning and appreciate the importance of commercial awareness
Transferable/Key Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- an ability to critically review the literature, and to effectively communicate ideas, principles and theories by oral, written and electronic means
- an ability to work effectively as team member or leader in a team and as an individual
- an ability to make effective use of a range of IT systems
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
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 | £11,700 | None |
| Year two | £2,340 | 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 | £31,700 | £2,500 |
| Year two | £2,340 | 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.
Costs for sandwich years
During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, placement year or year abroad) a lower fee will apply. Full details can be found on our fees pages.
Additional costs
You will need to cover the cost of travel to and from your placement employer and/or accommodation during your placement, although this is usually offset by the income from your paid placement.
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
You will need to provide your own laptop. Information regarding the particular laptop specification required will be provided in advance of enrolment. You will be provided with access to all required software at no additional cost.
Various support schemes are available to ensure all our students have access to the necessary equipment, subject to eligibility.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Careers and placements
Graduates from this course will be ideally placed to pursue a number of careers, such as systems architects, programmers and software developers, and could also pursue a research career via doctoral studies.
The selection of modules on offer aim to enhance your transferable skills and boost employment prospects.
Placements
You will apply for a paid 7-12 month professional work placement to be undertaken on completion of the taught stage of the course.
Whilst you are responsible for finding your own placements, the School will give advice on applying for placements, keep you informed of a variety of opportunities, and ensure that you receive support and guidance throughout the whole process from our dedicated placement support officer. If you are unable to secure a placement you will be transferred to the non-placement version of the programme.
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.
