Suraj Ajit
Associate Professor in Computer Science
level:PG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:September, February;location:Waterside
Computing MSc
Key Facts
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Duration
Full Time: 1 Year
Part Time: 2 Years
Full Time with Placement: 2 Years
Part Time with Placement: 3 Years -
Level
Master'sPG MSc
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Full Time: £8,500
Part Time: Year One: £4,725 Year Two: £3,780
Placement: £1,000* -
International: £17,495
Placement: £1,000*
Updated 20/11/2025
Updated 20/11/2025
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
With the computing field evolving rapidly around the world, the need for good quality professionals and specialists is increasing. Our MSc Computing course has been designed to build on your existing computing skills and take them to the next level. It has a significant programming component and is different from other IT programmes in preparing you for your future career by equipping you with the advanced skills and knowledge you need.
Our masters in computing provides you with the additional option to apply for a ‘work placement’ opportunity. The ‘work placement’, which if secured, is designed to further develop your skills, knowledge and professional experience with the aim of maximising your employability prospects.
Highlights
- Tailor your degree by spending more time studying what areas of computing you are interested in.
- Specialist or broad pathway available.
- Industry Placement Option available where you can put taught theory into practice in a real-world setting.
- Interactive Teaching with small classroom sizes.
- September and January Starts.
- Focus on Practical Skills Development.
- Approachable Staff from Diverse Backgrounds.
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Entry Requirements
Applicants will normally hold a recognised first or second class honours degree from a UK university or international equivalent in a relevant subject. We expect that you will have a working knowledge of computers and networks and it is essential that you have practical hands-on experience of at least one programming language.
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent)
for study at master’s level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
What You'll Learn
There are two ways to study this course. You can take the general pathway, giving you a rounded computing education and a broad qualification, or you can take the specialist pathways to focus on a defined section of computing and meet your career aspirations. While the pathway option is mostly technical in focus, you will also learn about the business context and develop interpersonal skills that are vital to problem solving in business.
Whichever option you take, you will study six modules and complete a dissertation. Some of the optional modules are only offered according to staff availability and student interest.
Compulsory Modules
Optional Modules
This module emphasises the importance of sound design using appropriate data modelling techniques (e.grelational modelling, entity-relationship modelling).
This module provides the student with the opportunity to learn appropriate research techniques in order to carry out independent, relevant and in-depth research in a topic of specific interest.
This module concentrates on creating object-based solutions to software problems within a contemporary integrated development environmentIt focuses on the concepts of object technology and the syntax and semantics of the underlying model while promoting good practice in software construction and testing.
This purpose of this module is to consider the structure and behaviour of the various functional modules of the computer and how they interact to provide the processing needs of the userThis module covers systems ranging from PCs through multiprocessors with respect to hardware design and instruction set architecture.
To teach students the fundamental theory and practical applications of search methods and agents.The underpinning concepts will be introduced, followed by examples of how intelligent systems are used in applications on the Internet.
This module gives students a deeper understanding of the software, programming, design, specification, architecture, implementation and applications of distributed computer systems.
This module describes the way in which each media is stored and manipulated within a computer system. The module guides the student through the techniques used which are all demonstrated by practical examples.
This module focuses on creating client and server side software as well as web applications for the World Wide Web usIt concentrates on the technologies used to allow such software to be designed, implemented and deployed.
The module introduces the key concepts of Computer and Internet Security. The module is designed to provide the student with the necessary theoretical and practical understanding of the technology available to manage and implement secure computer applications in an Internet environment.
This module is designed to give the student an awareness of programming using a commercially available portable language. Experience will be gained to understand and implement graphic applications, consisting of two-dimensional graphics, three-dimensional graphics and animation.
The module aims to: Provide the student with a comprehensive appreciation of the importance and process mechanics of requirements engineering and system specification. Present the student with an assortment of methodologies and techniques that will allow system analysis and development of sound system designs for a variety of applications.
This module will provide consolidation and an extension of the skills, understanding and knowledge derived from an earlier module. More advanced topics will be studied in pursuit of robust re-usable and sophisticated design mechanisms. The main aim of the module will be to study in depth some of the major aspects of the various Design issues which impact on the building of the software systems.
The module aims to equip students with the concepts and techniques so they can begin as practitioners in formal methods software engineering.
Computer Networks module focuses on developing practical networking skills alongside deeper understanding of network principles and protocols (wired and wireless). Although the necessary background is introduced as appropriate, the course on the whole deals with problem-solving using current and emergent network hardware and protocols along with the development of applications to exploit these technologies
This module focuses on creating software for mobile computing devicesIt concentrates on the necessary technologies used to allow such devices to communicate and how to develop software to allow them to do so.
Immersive Technologies
20 Credits
Code: CSYM031
20 Credits
Modelling for Enterprise
20 Credits
Code: CSYM032
20 Credits
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
- Specialist or broad pathway available
- Industry Placement Option available to enhance your Computing work experience
- Access to approximately 150 PC and Linux workstation computers housed in six bespoke computer laboratories, all with digital projection facilities, and maintained by two technicians.
- We enrol small cohorts of students to ensure that you receive personalised support that will enable you to develop your computing skills and enhance your knowledge through this computing MSc course.
Do you offer a placement option on this course?
You can elect to participate in a Work Placement – completing the modules ‘Career Futures: Employability Skills’ and ‘Work-Based Project’. The year in industry will develop your real-world Computing work experience, and you will undertake an applied research project that identifies and provides a response to an industry-specific problem in this MSc Computing course.
Your placement will last between six and 12 months, it will need to be appropriate to your level of study and subject area; you should also be paid for this work. We will support you in finding and securing a suitable placement opportunity. However, it must be noted that placements are highly competitive and there is no guarantee of a placement offer being made by an employer. If you cannot secure a placement, you would join the non-placement route instead.
You will also complete a work-based Research Project before going on placement.
What is Computing MSc?
A Masters in Computing will not only supply you with the sufficient knowledge needed to enter into the IT and Technology sectors, but you will also have the room to develop your existing expertise and practice gained from previous levels of undergraduate study. This will be an opportunity to explore the necessary thought process and practice applicable within the IT and Tech business and industry.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £8,500
- UK – Part Time: £4,725 (Year One 100 Credits) £3,780 (Year Two 80 Credits)
- International: £17,495
- Year 2 Placement Fee: £1,000* (for placements starting in September 2025 or January 2026)
* Year Two fee may be subject to an inflationary increase for 26/27. The placement fee amount will only be charged to you after you secure a placement and are enrolled on the work based project in year 2 of your course. You will not be charged this fee if you do not secure a work placement.
There are currently no additional costs anticipated for this course for 2025 entry.
If you are starting a master’s course either full-time or part-time* you may be able to apply for a master’s loan through Student Finance England
*Please note that the maximum period of study allowed for part-time courses is two years.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £8,250
- UK – Part Time: £4,600 (Year One 100 Credits) £3,680 (Year Two 80 Credits)
- International: £16,995
- Year 2 Placement Fee: £1,000* (for placements starting in September 2025 or January 2026)
* Year Two fee may be subject to an inflationary increase for 25/26. The placement fee amount will only be charged to you after you secure a placement and are enrolled on the work based project in year 2 of your course. You will not be charged this fee if you do not secure a work placement.
Staff
Careers and Employability
After studying this course, you will be well prepared for a career in Computing, with the various types of graduate jobs available, and put your transferable skillset to practice.
Whether it be Web Development or IT, your knowledge and computing work experience will provide a strong portfolio as you enter into your profession of choice. When you graduate from this Computing degree, you will be able to embark upon a range of careers in the broad IT and Computing industry.
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Previous Masters in Computing students have gone on to do a variety of areas including, but not exclusive to:
- Research
- Data analysis
- Software Engineering
- Computer Support
