100% online MSc Computer Science

Gain the skills to succeed in a computer science career. Study an online MSc with a university rated 5-star for teaching and with internationally excellent research

Apply By 31 December 2024

To Start 7 January 2025

180 credits •
Complete within 12 months •
£6,983 total fees •
Internationally Excellent Research

Why Sunderland?

100% online MSc – complete within 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
5 star rating for teaching, inclusiveness, employability and facilities*
Learn programming languages including Python, R, CISCO and Oracle
Top 40 UK University**
70% of university research rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’***
£6,983 total fees, option to pay £582 per module

*QS Stars World University Rankings 2023
**Guardian University Guide 2025
***Research Excellence Framework 2021

An online master's that equips individuals from different backgrounds for career success in computer science

The 100% online MSc Computer Science from the University of Sunderland has been designed for ambitious individuals who aren’t from a computer science background and who want to launch a new career in computer science or want to incorporate computer science expertise and knowledge into their current field as a means of accelerating their employability and career progression. This online computer science master’s is also open to professionals who work in computer science roles and want to gain an academic qualification to enhance their credentials and career prospects. Studying the postgraduate course, you will gain the knowledge and skills required to effectively specify, design, implement and support IT systems in the real world.

Benefit from the national recognition of excellence teaching and research

A key reason for choosing to study a computer science master’s at the University of Sunderland is the University’s nationally recognised excellence in teaching and research. The University of Sunderland received the Silver award in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the ‘very high quality’ of the teaching and learning (TEF 2023).

We have been ranked internationally as a leading university, receiving five stars for teaching, inclusiveness, employability and facilities in the QS World University Rankings 2023, the highest rating that can be awarded to a university. A special recognition of our practical focus on developing the skills that enable career progression for our students all over the world.

What will you study?

Studying the online MSc Computer Science, you will gain practical skills in areas including networking, databases, programming, and web design and development. Through our taught modules, you will develop fundamental knowledge in cyber security, data science and machine learning, essential assets in today’s computer science and IT employment market. You will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of current cutting-edge research and technical developments in the field, as well as the chance to develop computing solutions to real-world problems.

You will also learn programming languages including Python, R, CISCO and Oracle.

Key knowledge and skills taught on this course:

Computer science principles and practice
Computer architectures
Web design and development
Data science
Machine learning and data mining
Secure database system development
Cybersecurity
Networking
Software engineering

Flexible study from anywhere, entirely online

If you have work or family commitments, this master’s course can be the perfect fit for your lifestyle. Because of its flexible design, it can be studied at any time, with the learning material accessed on demand, at times that are convenient for you.

If you opt to study part-time, you can complete the programme within 24 months, continue working and earn whilst you learn, avoiding a study break. If you opt to study full-time, you can complete the programme within 12 months and start progressing towards your career goals sooner.

With six start dates a year, you’re not restricted to the traditional academic year and can begin postgraduate study within weeks.

Once enrolled, you will join a community of peers in an interactive online learning environment that features discussion boards, forums and group learning activities. You will learn with professionals based all over the world and will be presented with a unique opportunity to greatly expand your global professional network.

The high level of quality academic support that you will receive is exemplified by the allocation of a dedicated Student Success Coordinator, who will proactively offer you targeted support throughout your studies, from enrolment through to graduation.

A University with global ambitions and a fast growing global presence

There is a high percentage of international students at University of Sunderland, and we have students studying by distance learning around the world. Sunderland is also one of the UK’s leading widening participation Universities and is 7th in the UK for social inclusion (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).

This reflects the global outlook, culture and capabilities of the University. With campuses in Hong Kong, Sunderland and London, and many global partnerships including in the Caribbean, Greece, Kenya, Malaysia, Lanka, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tashkent and Vietnam, our approach is focused on encouraging diverse learner cohorts where students can interact with and learn from fellow students and professionals from different backgrounds. We firmly believe that this provides a far richer and more meaningful learning experience.

Admission requirements

Applicants must be of age 19 and above and should have or be about to complete:

At least a UK 2.2 undergraduate degree

A UK master’s degree (or international equivalent)

A third-class honours degree or an ordinary degree (without honours) or UK equivalent professional qualification with a minimum of two years’ appropriate work experience

Applicants who do not hold a recognised degree will be asked to provide evidence which demonstrates a minimum of three years’ relevant organisational experience

The work experience must be at a graduate level, in either a managerial or professional capacity which may include voluntary work, placements, internships, or project management

Fees

Total course fees: £6,983
Per 15-credit module fee: £582

If you are based in the UK, you may be eligible for a government-backed postgraduate loan to cover the full costs of the course.

In addition, if you have successfully completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Sunderland, you are eligible for a 10% tuition fees reduction on our postgraduate programmes.

You pay tuition fees for each module taken, either module-by-module or in full at the start of your course.

If you pay module-by-module, you will pay in instalments of £582.

Modules

Computer Science Principles and Practice

The module introduces you to the foundational principles and concepts of computer science upon which the rest of your programme is built. You will learn about the traditional concepts, techniques and notation in the subject with both a practical and theoretical basis. Starting with the birth of counting systems in ancient civilisations and transitioning through to the present day you will explore several key themes including number theory, algorithms, Boolean algebra, logic, state machines, sets, functions, graphs and trees. Thus you will understand the development of the discipline as an academic subject as well as its social, ethical and professional impact and implications in today’s digital world.

Web Design and Development

In this module you will gain the skills and capabilities to specify, design and develop data-driven web information systems, gaining a critical awareness of current problems and insights associated with modern web and database information systems development. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of appropriate methodologies for state-of-the-art web design and development, and gain the ability to use web development tools and technologies and a variety of web development languages and technologies (such as MySQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java and PHP) in order to develop interactive and professional data-driven websites.

Computer Architectures and Networks

This module examines the basic architectures of a modern-day computer system. It covers the functions and operations of all the key principle hardware and software elements as well as consideration of the many different types of computer systems available. This module also examines the fundamentals and concepts behind computer communications. This includes networking hardware, network physical and logical addressing, network topologies, network structured design, configuration and troubleshooting, protocols, and local and wide area network technologies. The module also teaches the fundamentals of the basic security of networks and network devices.

Software Engineering

In this module you will develop the essential knowledge and skills to design, implement and evaluate complex object-oriented software artefacts by using a range of appropriate software engineering methodologies. You will learn to use an industry standard language software development environment, primarily in Python language, and learn a range of conceptual design tools to effectively specify, visualise and document a complex software architecture.

Secure Database Systems

This module provides you with the ability to design and develop secure database systems using relational and advanced database technology. You will explore the fundamental topics of databases including data models, database selection, database design, security, integrity, transaction management, database performance, and client-server and web-based database architectures. You will also examine advanced database topics such as database security, big data systems, data warehousing, NoSQL, and NewSQL systems. The module focuses on how traditional and web-based database and information systems can be developed with cybersecurity as a fundamental design and development issue. You will learn how to develop secure database systems through developing SQL code and through database programming by, for example, creating stored procedures, cursors and triggers using a DBMS such as Oracle or Postgres.

Data Science Principles

This module provides you with a sound understanding of data science and data analysis. The general data science lifecycle (collect, clean, analyse, share, and act) will be used to integrate the skills and knowledge that you learn into a coherent whole. In this module you will learn how to tackle different types of data, and how to fuse more than one dataset together. You will develop an understanding of the core mathematical models, statistical analyses, and the principles and framework for intelligent analytics on a variety of datasets, making use of modern data science and data analytics platforms and languages. You will also examine techniques and tools for presenting and visualisation.

Cybersecurity Essentials

In this module you will learn how to analyse and evaluate the principles of cybersecurity, considering the concepts of risk, threats, vulnerabilities and attack vectors in systems security, information security and operational security. You will explore a range of governance and management topics which will enable you to determine, establish and maintain appropriate governance, delivery and creation of cybersecurity solutions for information security and operating systems security. You will learn to analyse the range of trade-offs in balancing the security properties of confidentiality, integrity and availability and the usability demands of computer and information systems. You will examine and evaluate the processes, procedures and protocols required to implement secure, reliable and effective systems security and identify suitable metrics to quantify and measure levels of security.

You will be introduced to information assessment methodologies such as ISO27001/2 and information risk management frameworks and standards, such as CHECK. They will also see the wide spectrum of tools and techniques which can be used to manage the operation of cybersecurity in a range of domains including internet security, network security, systems security and application security.

Machine Learning and Data Mining

This module gives you a critical understanding of two interrelated branches of artificial intelligence: machine learning and data mining. You will develop an understanding of the tools, trends and current developments as well as the relevant professional, ethical, social and legal considerations in their application. You will also learn about information and knowledge management, problems with data, and the approaches taken in the selection of machine learning and data mining tools.

Research Project Proposal

In this module you will learn about research and the processes involved in designing and carrying out research, developing your ideas to create a project proposal. The module is designed to give you flexibility in developing your proposal, enabling you to explore a work-based problem or one that is driven by your own research experience and interests. The module prepares you for your project in exploring and applying research, technical and grey literature for your area of interest and in formulating appropriate research questions. It will enable you to investigate and define the relationship between question, methodology and method in your project. You will also consider relevant legal, ethical, professional and social issues for your proposed project. The outcome of this module is an extended proposal for your project.

Research Project Management

In this module you will learn about planning and managing your research project from inception to completion. You will explore research project management methods, techniques and tools, applying them to your project proposal and creating an implementation and delivery plan. You will learn how to develop and apply a research design and how to plan and implement the delivery, considering risks and developing mitigation strategies to reduce these. You will investigate research methods to enable you to assess and evaluate your project outcomes and findings. The module is designed to give you flexibility in developing your project plans and research management, enabling you to explore a work-based problem or one that is driven by your own research experience and interests. It prepares you for execution of your project by providing research management and methods to enable you to plan and structure all stages of your project.

Research Project (30 credits)

In this module you will undertake a research project presenting your results in both written and oral forms. Your project will involve a significant piece of independent research exploring the forefront of your programme discipline. The module is designed to give you flexibility, enabling you to explore a work-based problem or one that is driven by your own research experience and interests. You will implement an artefact that involves practical activities related to your area of interest, such as implementing software, creating strategies and policies or analysing datasets to provide insights. You will execute your research project from inception to final evaluation, incorporating reflection and dissemination. You will consider and address the professional, ethical, legal and social issues related to your project. You will apply your expertise, project management and practical skills within your particular domain, demonstrating critical and innovative thinking and problem solving within a research context.