Program Overview

Cloud Computing MSc, PGDip

Course Description

Cloud computing offers scalable computing resources on demand, providing solutions and challenges for science and business. Amongst others, the opportunities include a low cost entry point for small companies, more economical use of computing resources and the capability of handling very large data sets. Challenges for practitioners include the design and use of suitable algorithms, the design and implementation of suitable architectures and understanding of risks and opportunities. This MSc will provide a sound understanding of designing, analysing and engineering of systems for handling big data in a distributed environment based on dynamically scalable architectures.

What's the Difference?

The PGDip includes the same modules as the MSc but without the final project.

Duration

The regular degree takes 12 months if you start in September, or 16 months if you start in January. The 'With Industry' degree takes 24 months if you start in September, or 28 months if you start in January.

Entry Requirements

• 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject with a substantial element of Computing.
• Relevant work experience may also be considered.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
• If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
• If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

• Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Fees and Funding

UK Students

• MSc: £10,950
• PGDip: £8,760
• MSc with Industry: £10,950
• An additional fee of £3,520 will be charged if a placement is secured.

International Students

• MSc: £23,650
• PGDip: £18,920
• MSc with Industry: £23,650
• An additional fee of £3,520 will be charged if a placement is secured.

Careers and Employability

All our postgraduate Informatics degrees are available 'with industry': stimulating your creativity and capacity to innovate, and ensuring that you acquire key transferable skills. These courses will allow you to develop into a highly skilled professional, well versed in advanced methods and tools.

Related Courses

• Advanced Software Engineering
• Browse all courses

Course Structure

Semester 1

• Core modules:
  • Internet and Cloud Computing
  • Mobile and Web Applications
  • Personal and Group Skills
• Option modules:
  • Choose two option modules from:
    • Computational Intelligence and Software Engineering
    • Software Measurement and Quality Assurance
    • Advanced C++ Programming
    • Technology and Innovation Management
    • Agile Cloud Automation
    • Internet and Cloud Computing
    • Interaction Design (ID) and User Experience (UX)
    • Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing
    • Operational Research

Semester 2

• Core modules:
  • Service-Oriented Architectures
  • Personal and Group Skills
• Option modules:
  • Choose three option modules from:
    • Analysis and Design of Algorithms
    • Big Data and Predictive Analytics
    • Foundations of Cybersecurity
    • AI for Space
    • Algorithms for Bioinformatics
    • Service Design
    • Generative Development

Optional Industry Placement

• The ‘With Industry’ variant of this degree gives you the opportunity to gain professional experience through an industrial placement as part of your Masters course.
• This is a work placement with an employer where you can apply your skills in a real-world setting.
• Placements last between nine and eleven months and are normally paid, full-time roles with a formal contract between you and the employer.
• Placements begin after the taught part of your course finishes. After your placement has finished, you will return to the University to complete your dissertation or individual project.

Individual Project

• Your course will conclude with an individual project (after your industry placement, if you have taken one).
• Using the experience gained during your course/placement, you will choose a challenging problem to work on and explore it by privately studying under the supervision of a member of the academic staff.
• (Students studying for a PGDip don't complete a project.)

Why Leicester?

• Most of our members of staff are actively engaged in research and are frequently guests of universities both in the UK and other countries to lecture on their work.
• The School has three Staff-Student Committees - for undergraduates, postgraduates and PhDs - consisting of student representatives and members of staff.
• Computing at Leicester is a thriving academic community with extensive experience in delivering high quality courses and undertaking pioneering research.

Teaching and Learning

• Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, self-paced learning and practicals.
• Assessment is a mix of coursework - computer-based practicals, essays and small group projects - and exams.
• The compulsory 'Personal and Group Skills' module combines seminars, group discussions and collective essay writing on selected topics, as well as a series of workshops on transferable skills and career planning.
• Your project and, where relevant, industry placement will be assessed separately.

Key Dates

• September 2025 start:
  • Application deadline: 8 September 2025
  • Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
  • CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
  • 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025

Applying for

• Where are you studying?: Country
• When would you like to start?: Start date
• How would you like to study?: Attendance

Course

• Cloud Computing: MSc
• Cloud Computing with Industry: MSc
• Cloud Computing: PGDip

Duration

• Cloud Computing: 12-16 months full-time
• Cloud Computing with Industry: 24-28 months full-time
• Cloud Computing: 9-12 months full-time

Start Dates

• Cloud Computing: September each year
• Cloud Computing with Industry: September each year
• Cloud Computing: September each year

Availability

• Cloud Computing: Apply Now
• Cloud Computing with Industry: Apply Now
• Cloud Computing: Apply Now