Advanced Computer Science

The MSc Advanced Computer Science has been developed with input from UK and international organisations to teach a wide range of advanced computing topics and equip you with the cutting-edge practical skills sought by employers.

Qualification(s) available: MSc

• Fees: Dependent on start date. See below.
• Scholarships available
• Entry requirements: 2:2
• Full-time: 1 year
• Part-time: Not available
• Location: Loughborough
• Start date: October 2025 or October 2026
• Department: Computer Science

Programme Description

Our MSc Advanced Computer Science ensures commercial relevance by drawing on the Department’s established industry connections and research strengths to deliver a programme that will appeal to students seeking to build on a first degree in Computer Science (or comparable discipline involving programming and networking).
This master's degree in computer science offers wide-ranging modules that reflect the expertise of our academic staff and combines both theory and practical elements on a range of advanced computing topics.

Who should study this programme?

Our MSc Advanced Computer Science is for students who want to build on a first degree in the subject by developing the knowledge and skills needed to become an effective specialist professional within the computing industries.

Why you should choose us

• Top 15 for Student Experience in Computer Science The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
• 100% of Computer Science research impact rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' REF 2021
• Top 20 in the UK for Computer Science Complete University Guide 2026

Why you should study this degree

• It is developed with input from UK and international organisations to ensure industry relevance.
• You will have opportunities to work on collaborative projects with industry partners.
• You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities within a £5million-refurbished building.
• It draws on the University’s research specialisms in computer vision, AI, human-centred systems, networks and systems, and theoretical computer science.

What you'll study

The following information is intended as an example only and is typically based on module information for the 2025/26 year of entry. Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes. Updated Programme and Module Specifications are made available ahead of each academic year.

Semester 1

Compulsory

• Research Methods (15 credits)
• Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
• Robotics and Intelligent Systems (15 credits)
• Applied Cryptography (15 credits)

Semester 2

Compulsory

• Computer Vision (15 credits)
• Network and System Security (15 credits)
• Agent-based Systems
• Professionalism, Ethics and Cyber Security (15 credits)

Summer

Compulsory

• ACS Project (60 credits)

How you'll be assessed

You will be assessed by a combination of exams, coursework and class presentations, as well as a dissertation on an agreed topic.

How you'll study

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Independent study
• Workshops
• Practical sessions
• Virtual learning
• Access to online material

Where you'll study

• Computer Work Area
• Robotics and AI lab
• Haslegrave Computer Lab
• Computer Science Suite

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.

Entry requirements for United Kingdom

A 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in a Computer related degree such as: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Information Security, Software Engineering. Modules in Networking and Programming must have been completed.

Country / region equivalent

• Afghanistan: Masters, 95%
• Albania: Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare (First Level (University) Diploma (from 2010)), 9.5
• Algeria: Licence (4 year) / Diplome d'Inginieur d'Etat / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures, 16
• Argentina: Licenciatura/ Licenciado (4 year), 8.5
• Armenia: Bakalavri Kochum required but typically a Magistrosi Kochum, 90% or 3.9
• Australia: Honours degree (AQF level 8), First Class, 80%
• Austria: Degree / Diplomstudium / Fachhochschuldiplom (Diplom (FH)), A (or 1.5) mit Auszeichnungbestanden
• Azerbaijan: Specialist Diploma (5Yr), 9
• Bahamas: Degree from University of the West Indies only, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Bahrain: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Bangladesh: 4 Year Bachelor of Science in Engineering (IEB and BAETE accredited courses up to 2024), 1st (70%) / 3.5
• Barbados: University of the West Indies, Honours degree, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Belarus: Specialist Diploma (5Yr), 9
• Belgium: Bachelor degree/Licenciaat/Licencie, 80% or 17
• Belize: Degree from University of the West Indies only, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Benin: Maitrise, 18
• Bermuda: Degree from University of the West Indies only, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Bolivia: A Licenciado, 4 years Private (public/private), 85/78
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Diplom Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani, 10
• Botswana: Master's degree, A or 80% or 4.0
• Brazil: Brazil - 4 yr Bacharel or Licenciado/Licenciatura or Título Profissional, 8.5
• Brunei: Brunei, First
• Bulgaria: 5 yr Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Higher Education), 6
• Burundi: Masters or Diplôme d'Études Approfondies or Diplôme Ingénieur (professional title) , 18
• Cambodia: Masters, 80% or B+ or 3.5
• Cameroon: Bachelor degree or Diplome d'Etudes Superiures de Commerce or Diplome d'Ingenieur or Diplôme d'Ingénieur de Conception or a Maitrise, 4 year Licence or Master 1 (M1), 1st / 3.6 or 15/Tres Bien
• Canada: GPA 4.0/Percentage, 3.7/85%
• Chile: Grado de Licenciado / Título de [subject area] (4 years), 6
• China: Students are required to have a bachelor degree (4 years) for entry to a postgraduate programme. The University uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark, as outlined on the table below:
  • Shanghai Rank Top 250, 83%
  • Shanghai Rank 251-500, 88%
  • Shanghai Rank 501+, 92%
• Colombia: Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 4.5
• Costa Rica: Licenciado, 9
• Croatia: Baccalaureus / Prvostupnik, 4.5
• Cuba: 4-year Titulo de Licenciado / Licenciatura, 5
• Cyprus: Cyprus, 8.5
• Czech Republic: Bakalár (after 2001) 6 yr integrated Magistr, 1
• Denmark: 5 year Candidatus/Candidata Magisterii or Bachelor degree (7 point scale), 12
• Dominican Republic: 4 year Licenciado or Título de [subject area], 3.8
• Ecuador: Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 8.5 / 85%
• Egypt: Egypt, 3.5
• El Salvador: 5 year Licenciado, Título de Ingeniero/Arquitecto, 8.5, 85%
• Estonia: Bakalaureusekraad or Magister or Magistrikraad, 5 or 91% or A
• Ethiopia: Masters (up to 2025), A / GPA 4.0
• Finland: Kandidaattii/Kandidat or the Maisteri/Magister, 3 (out of 3) or 4.5 (out of 5)
• France: Licence (3 years)/ Maitrise/ Diplôme d'Ingénieur, 14
• Georgia: 4-year degree (% = new system), 5 (95%)
• Germany: German Bachelor/ Diplom, Magister Artium / Zeugnis über den Zweiten Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung, 1.5
• Ghana: Ghana, First
• Greece: Universities, 8.5
• Grenada: Degree from University of West Indies - classification, 1st, 70% (GPA 3.6)
• Guatemala: Liceniado / Titulo de (subject area) - 4 years, 90% (public university) / 95% (private university)
• Guyana: Master's, GPA 4
• Honduras: Título de Licenciado / Grado Académico de Licenciatura (4 year degree) - GPA out of 5, GPA 5 or 90%
• Hong Kong: 1st or 3.5/4, 2:1or 3/4, 2:2 or 2.5/4
• Hungary: Alapfokozt or Egyetemi Oklevel / Bachelor, 4.5
• Iceland: Baccalaurreatus degree or Kandidatsprof/Candidatus Mag, 8.5
• India: Institutions listed on the National Institutional Ranking Framework, 65% (First)
• Indonesia: Sarjana I (S1) from accredited Universities, 3.3
• Iran: Iran, 17
• Iraq: Iraq, 80%
• Ireland: Republic of Ireland, First (70%)
• Israel: 3 yr Bachelor Degree, 90%
• Italy: Diploma di Laurea, 109/110
• Ivory Coast: Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures, 16
• Jamaica: For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by UCJ and CCCJ, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Japan: Gakushi – GPA 4.0 scale, 85% or A or 3.5
• Jordan: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Kazakhstan: GPA 5.0/percentage scale, 4.5 or 90%
• Kenya: Kenya, First / 70% / A
• Kosovo: Kosovo, 10
• Kuwait: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.6
• Latvia: Latvia, 9
• Lebanon: American, 90% (3.5)
• Liberia: Master's, 4.0 or 90%
• Libya: BSc Engineering, Architecture, Medicine, 85 (3.6)
• Lithuania: Lithuania, 9
• Luxembourg: Luxembourg, 18 (excellent)
• Macau: Macau, 1st or GPA 3.7
• Macedonia: Magistar Дипломиран / Баццалауреус / Баццалауреа (Bachelor degree), 10
• Malawi: Master's only , MSc 75%
• Malaysia: Classification, First Class
• Malta: Malta, 1st (80%)
• Mauritius: Mauritius, 1st or 70%
• Mexico: Licenciatura / Licenciado/ Título de [subject area], 8.5
• Moldova: Diploma de Licenţă (Diploma of Licentiate), 9
• Mongolia: Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) , 90% or 3.5
• Montenegro: Diploma of Completed Undergraduate Studies or Diploma of Professional Undergraduate Studies , 10 (or 5.0)
• Morocco: Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État, Diplôme d'Écoles Nationales de Commerce et de Gestion, Licence / Licence d'Études Fondamentales / Licence Professionnelle, 16
• Mozambique: Mestrado/ Grau de Mastre, 16
• Myanmar (Burma): 2 year Master's degree, 5 or 85%
• Namibia: 4-year Bachelor Honours (post 2008) or Masters, 80% or A
• Nepal: 4 -year professional degree or Masters (after 3-year Bachelor degree), 80% or 3.7 GPA
• Netherlands: Netherlands, 8
• New Zealand: 4 Year Honours degree (480 credits) - Level 8, First (7.0)
• Nicaragua: Licenciatura (4 year), 3.8
• Nigeria: 7 point Scale, 6
• Norway: Norway, A / 1.8
• Oman: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Pakistan: 4 Year degree only (the higher of the 2 options), A- or GPA 3.7
• Palestine: Bachelor (4-years), (85%) 3.5
• Panama: 4 Year Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 91 (A)
• Papua New Guinea: Bachelor (Honours) Degree, 1st
• Paraguay: 4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 4.5 (85%)
• Peru: 4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 14
• Philippines: Degree from prestigious state universities or Centres of Excellence (COE), Summa Cum Laude 4.0 / 96% / 1.0
• Poland: Bachelor Degree (post 2003) Magister (pre- 2003), 5
• Portugal: Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) or Licenciado, 18
• Qatar: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Romania: Diplom de Licenta/ Diploma de Inginer , 9
• Russia: Bakalavr/Specialist Diploma/Magistr, 4.5
• Rwanda: 4 -year bachelor (Hons) degree (480 credits), 1st, 16/20 (80%)
• Saudi Arabia: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Senegal: Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees, 16/20 or Tres Bien
• Serbia: Diplomirani/ Bachelor's degree, 9
• Sierra Leone: Honours degree or masters, 1st (70%)
• Singapore: Bachelor (Hons), First
• Slovakia: Bakalár (from 2005) Magister / Inzinier , 1.5 or B
• Slovenia: University Diplom, 9
• South Africa: Bachelor (Honours) or B Tech after 4 yrs study, 1st or 75%
• South Korea: GPA out of 4.5, 3.8 / B+
• Spain: Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto, 8.5
• Sri Lanka: 4 year Professional degree or Bachelor Special or Honours degree, 90%, GPA 3.70
• Sudan: 4 year degree , 1st, 70%, B+
• Sweden: Kandidatexamen or Magisterexamen, Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 120 credits at VG
• Switzerland: Bachelor Degree, Diplom or Lizentiat (10/6/5), 10 / 5.5 / 1
• Syria: State universities 4 years of study, 80%
• Taiwan: Category 1 (4 year degree), 80%
• Tajikistan: Диплом специалиста - Specialist Diploma, 5
• Tanzania: Tanzania, 1st
• Thailand: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Trinidad and Tobago: For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by ACTT, 1st or GPA 3.6
• Tunisia: Licence, Maîtrise, Diplôme National d'Ingénieu, 16 (tres bien)
• Turkey: Lisans Diplomasi or a Műhendis Diplomasi, 3.5
• Turkmenistan: 4 Yr Bakalavr, Specialist Diploma or Magistr , 5
• Uganda: Uganda, 1st or 4.4
• Ukraine: Dyplom Magistra or a Bachelors degree (11 / 5), 4.5
• United Arab Emirates: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• United States of America: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Uruguay: Licenciado (4 year), 9
• Uzbekistan: Majistr Diplomi / Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), 90% or GPA 4.5
• Venezuela: Licenciado/Professional title. (4 year), 18/20 or 8/9
• Vietnam: 10-point scale, 8.0
• Zambia: Master's, A or 4.0 or 80%
• Zimbabwe: 3/4 year degree, 1st or 75%

Fees and funding

Fees for the academic year

• UK fee: £13,250 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee: £29,950 Full-time degree per annum

Fees for the academic year

• UK fee: £13,700 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee: £30,900 Full-time degree per annum

Scholarships and bursaries

• Loughborough University Alumni Bursary: 10% off tuition fees
• Excellence Scholarship: Up to 20% off tuition fees

Your development

Your postgraduate degree has been designed to equip you with industry-relevant skills and attributes required to progress successfully in your chosen career.

Your future career

With module content influenced by industry, and specialist equipment supporting experiential learning, our MSc Advanced Computer Science is designed to support future careers in both industry and academia.

Recent graduate destinations

• Google
• Credit Suisse
• Ocado
• Rolls-Royce
• Winton Capital
• AVG Technologies

Related master's degrees

• Artificial Intelligence MSc
• Cyber Resilience MSc
• Data Science MSc
• Computer Science MSc

Loughborough University

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Overview:

Loughborough University is a public research university located in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in sports science, engineering, and business. The university boasts a vibrant campus life and a strong focus on research and innovation.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Loughborough University offers a diverse and engaging campus experience. Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, societies, and volunteering opportunities. The university has a strong sporting heritage and is home to world-class facilities. Students can also enjoy a vibrant social scene with numerous bars, restaurants, and events happening on campus.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class facilities:

Loughborough University boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated sports village, a modern library, and cutting-edge research labs.

Strong academic reputation:

The university is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK for its academic excellence.

Vibrant campus life:

Students can enjoy a lively and diverse campus community with numerous opportunities for social interaction and personal development.

Focus on research and innovation:

Loughborough University is a leading research institution, with a strong focus on tackling real-world challenges.

Excellent career prospects:

Graduates from Loughborough University are highly sought after by employers, with strong career prospects in various fields.

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Academic Programs:

Loughborough University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Engineering:

Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and more.

Business and Economics:

Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, and more.

Sport Science:

Exercise Science, Sports Coaching, Sports Management, and more.

Humanities and Social Sciences:

Psychology, Sociology, History, and more.

Science and Technology:

Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and more.

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Other:

Loughborough University has a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The university is actively working towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions and promoting inclusivity and diversity within its community.