Advanced Computer Science
MSc or PGDip or PGCert
Start dates: September 2025 / January 2026 / September 2026
Full time: MSc - September Start - 1 year (12 months); January Start - 1.5 years (18 months); PG Dip - 6 months; PG Cert - 3 months
Part time: MSc - 2 years (24 months); PG Dip - 18 months (12 months study time); PG Cert - 6 months
Location: Headington
Overview
Delve into cybersecurity as you learn different ways to assess and secure modern networked computers against hacking threats. Secure Networking then teaches you the principles and practice of secure computer networking as you learn how to create complex systems at scale.
Get hands-on with machine learning and data mining as you discover how data science is revolutionising our world from medicine to industry.
You will explore how to develop and manage software, including testing, maintenance, and scalability. All of these are essential skills for a career in computing. Your final module develops CV-boosting agile expertise through group projects, while your dissertation lets you build a project related to your work or research interests.
Why Oxford Brookes University?
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Industry connections
You can build connections by attending expert talks, working on real client projects, and meeting advisory board members from BMW and Sophos.
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Practical focus
Turn theory into CV-friendly practice through case studies and coursework-based assessment.
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Research groups
We have active research groups in areas from cybersecurity and augmented reality to visual and ethical AI. They offer exciting opportunities for postgraduate students such as yourself.
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Robotics and AI
You can seize opportunities to participate in our robot dog research or join the winning Formula One autonomous vehicle team.
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Brand new facilities
All Computing courses are based in our brand new, custom designed buildings at our main Headington site. These buildings open in the 2024/25 academic year. You'll benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including a VR cave, digital, computing and robotics labs, as well as social learning spaces, teaching rooms and cafe space.
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Accreditation(s)
The British Computer Society
Course details
Course structure
Delve into cybersecurity as you learn different ways to assess and secure modern networked computers against hacking threats. Enterprise Networking then teaches you the principles and practice of computer networking as you learn how to create complex systems at scale.
Get hands-on with machine learning and intelligent systems as you discover how robots and autonomous systems are revolutionising our world from medicine to industry.
Big data is computing’s new frontier. You’ll learn how to create the algorithms at the cutting edge of computing as you discover how big data and cloud systems work and get to grips with developing software for the cloud.
Advanced Software Development explores software, including testing, maintenance, and scalability. All of these are essential skills for a career in computing. Your final module develops CV-boosting agile expertise through group projects, while your dissertation lets you build a project related to your work or research interests.
Start this course in January or September
You can start this course in January if a September start doesn't suit you or is not currently offered for this course.
If you start in January you will study a range of modules between January and May. During the summer months of June, July and August you will study further modules and begin work on your dissertation. Between September and December you will complete your final modules and focus on your dissertation.
Study modules
The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Research
We have a vibrant and growing research community with a wide range of activities:
- model-driven system design
- empirical software engineering
- web technologies
- cloud computing and big data
- digital forensics
- computer vision.
Staff and students collaborate on projects supported by the EPSRC, the EU, the DTI, and several major UK companies. Our course design is informed by state-of-the-art research undertaken in the school.
Students on this course can be involved with research in the following research groups:
Careers
Our MSc Advanced Computer Science opens doors for you to specialised roles across various industries. Many of our alumni now hold job titles like:
- software developer
- project manager
- data analyst
- product engineer
- IT manager.
Across the course, we offer regular guest talks so you can discover more of the paths available to you and build connections to launch your career. Staff and students also collaborate on projects supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the European Union (EU), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and several major UK companies, where you may be able to meet potential employers.
We’ll encourage you to get involved in our research. It enhances your employability and can launch your academic career towards a research PhD or another specialised master’s. Our current research areas currently include:
- model-driven system design
- empirical software engineering
- web technologies
- cloud computing and big data
- digital forensics
- computer vision.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
To join this course you'll need a 2:2 UK bachelor's degree in a computer-related subject. Those without a computing degree, but have worked in the computing industry can also be considered. If you have no experience or a degree in a computing related discipline then you should consider our MSc in Computing Science.
For entry onto the Postgraduate Certificate Research Project you should be able to provide evidence of experience in research and study methods at an appropriate level.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 with 6.0 in all components.
OR
An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
International qualifications and equivalences
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Optional costs
| Additional costs | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. |
From £30 |
| You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. | £20-60 per book |
Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) |
£94-265 per week |
Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) |
£122-180 per week |
Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. |
Typically £0-200 |
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. |
From £10 |
Funding your studies
Financial support and scholarships
Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
All financial support and scholarships
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.