Computer Science with Integrated Master's

Program Overview

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Computer Science with Integrated Master's MCOMP

Year of Entry

• 2026 - for 2026 entry see here - for 2025 entry see here

UCAS Code

• G402

Duration of Study

• 4 years

Course Summary

Gain the advanced technical, practical and research skills needed to fast-track your career in today’s fast-paced, tech-focused business world. Covering everything from foundational Python programming to Cloud Computing and employability focused modules, you’ll graduate ready to pursue PhD study or gain a competitive edge in the graduate employment market.

Why Study Computer Science with Integrated Master's at Keele University?

• Accredited by the British Computer Society - The Chartered Institute for IT
• Extensively develop your research skills and subject knowledge by undertaking a substantial research project in your final year
• Explore advanced topics including Cloud computing and Collaborative Application Development
• Gain the professional, transferrable and employability skills that are highly valued by employers
• Pursue an advanced fourth year computer science research project in a topic of your choice, closely supervised by an expert academic

Studying Computer Science at Keele

Hear from our students and staff – who share their personal experiences of what it's like to study Computer Science at Keele

Course Overview

Computer systems are now vital to business, government, science and society, and there is pressing need for graduates with the professional understanding, practical skills, and theoretical foundations to harness software and hardware technologies to solve real-world problems and develop the systems of the future. Our four-year MComp programme allows you to immerse yourself in the tools, techniques, and foundational theories that drive innovation in science and technology, offering the widest scope of learning in the field.

Course Structure

During your first year, we will support you in gaining a robust grounding in computational problem-solving skills, programming and fundamental mathematics, to equip you with the skills required for further study. Building on these foundational topics, you will explore current and emerging areas in the field, including data science, artificial intelligence and software engineering. You can also explore new topics or deep dive into areas you are passionate about by studying optional modules.

Throughout the programme, you’ll engage with real-world scenarios to enhance your learning. You can hear from industry guest speakers, develop employability skills, spend time in industry with a year-long or modular placement, and even pursue a personal interest in computer science by proposing a project that showcases your knowledge and skills.

In your third year you will unleash your creativity and undertake a substantial piece of research, applying theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills to a technical, software, research or business problem. Your research project is an excellent opportunity for you to draw together skills in experimental study design, critical interpretation of data, presentation and project management.

In your final year, you will also explore master's level research-led topics, in the development of software and the critical evaluation of scientific literature. You will also complete a substantial final year project. This will allow you to integrate and apply your theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills to an identified design and implementation need and/or an advanced research problem within the discipline. To equip you with the skills needed for your final year project, you will learn how to develop a novel research idea and plan for a research proposal in addition to exploring advanced analytics and statistical modelling techniques - to enable you to make sense of the exponential growth of big data.

Modules for Computer Science with Integrated Master's

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are subject to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Year 1

Compulsory Modules

• Introduction to Programming
• Computer Systems and Fundamentals
• Mathematical Foundations of Computing
• Introduction to Algorithms
• Object-Oriented Programming
• Professional Practice in Computing

Optional Modules

• Cybercrime
• Computer Graphics and Animation
• Computer Games Development
• Flexible Work Placement (Level 5)

Year 2

Compulsory Modules

• Database Systems
• Web Technologies
• Data Science Techniques
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Software Engineering
• Computational and Artificial Intelligence I

Optional Modules

• Individual Study Topic in CS
• Computer Graphics and Animation
• Computer Games Development
• Flexible Work Placement (Level 5)

Year 3

Compulsory Modules

• Computer Science Project

Optional Modules

• Machine Learning Applications
• Cyber Security
• Advanced Programming and Software Design
• Software Development Management
• Programming for Virtual Worlds
• Professional Experience in Education
• Flexible Work Placement (Level 6)
• Advanced Databases and Applications
• Communications and Networks
• Advanced Web Technologies
• Computational and Artificial Intelligence II
• Data Ethics and Security

Year 4

Compulsory Modules

• MComp Project

Optional Modules

• Mathematical Techniques for Computational Sciences
• Foundations of Programming and Software Engineering
• Ethics, Governance, and Professionalism in AI and Data Science
• Cryptography and Network Security - Theory and Applications
• Data Management and Cloud
• Advanced Applications of AI and Machine Learning
• Agile Web Engineering
• Usable Cyber Security - Analytics and Management

Entry Requirements

These are the typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If your qualifications aren't listed, please contact us to check if we can accept them. If you don't think you'll meet the stated requirements, you may be able to access this course via a Foundation Year.

Typical Offer

Please ensure you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and/or English language requirements.

• A Level: BBB Subject specifics apply
• BTEC: DDM Subject specifics apply
• T Level: Merit Subject specifics apply

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year

• UK: £9,535 for the 2025/6 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval).
• International: Band 1, £17,700 for the 2025/26 academic year

Supporting You

Throughout your studies we will give you plenty of support and guidance, to help you reach your full potential. From an academic mentor to module leaders, our open-door policy makes it easy to reach us when you need help. Based within the Faculty of Natural Sciences, you will also have access to a team of Student Experience & Support Officers (SESOs). Whether you need advice, guidance or one-on-one support, you can talk to our dedicated team throughout your time at Keele, whether it’s about your studies or life outside of them.

Your Future Career

You will explore advanced topics and techniques at the leading edge of computer science research, allowing you to pursue a more advanced academic or industrial career. You will also graduate with a wide variety of advanced subject specific and transferrable skills across many areas including leadership, problem solving, computational thinking, integrity, team working, modelling, critical thinking, communication, adaptability, reflective practice and time management.

Jobs that a graduate of this course may pursue include:

• AI data analyst
• Cyber security analyst
• IT consultant
• Software engineer
• Research scientist

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching

We embrace a modern approach to learning that includes a balanced mixture of immersive lectures and lab-based sessions. Each taught module will include traditional lectures with support material provided via our virtual learning environment. Our labs also offer remote accessibility. You will also benefit from a variety of teaching and learning activities informed by and involving our partners from industry. This includes a series of guest lectures from organisations such as Microsoft, the BBC, and CapGemini, as well as grouped and individual projects, potentially involving real-world data from industry.

Assessments

Our assessments often connect to the real-world working environment, putting your understanding of the subject matter to the test in real-life situations. Assessments include examinations, class tests, coursework, short reports, dissertations, project reports, oral and video presentations.

Research

Keele is at the forefront of research and our academics in Computer Science are internationally recognised leaders in research on synthetic biology, wearable technologies, health and cultural informatics, responsible artificial intelligence, computer vision, evolutionary robotics, automata theory, formal languages, and theory of computation. We focus on research that has the potential to create a significant impact on the computational understanding and engineering of complex systems, to improve people’s quality of life and to pave the way for world leading innovations that improve the security, reliability and quality of computing devices and services used in industry.

Foundation Year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, offering preparation for your chosen degree with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, build your confidence, and provide a better understanding of higher education.

On our Foundation Year, you'll join our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

International Foundation Year

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

Program Outline

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Computer Science with Integrated Master's at Keele University

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Degree Overview:

Keele's four-year Integrated Master's program is ideal for those seeking a career in research or aiming for a competitive edge in the graduate employment market.

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Key Objectives:

• Develop advanced research skills for specialized roles in the computing industry or further study.
• Gain first-hand industry experience through the optional Placement Year program.
• Access a wide range of equipment, including supercomputer facilities and a VR lab.
• Learn theoretical underpinnings and advanced skills in research, practical computer programming, and software development in your final year to prepare for a career in a constantly evolving industry.

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Outline:

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First Year:

• Introduction to fundamental concepts and techniques for modern, professional programming.
• Courses designed to bring everyone up to speed regardless of their coding experience.
• Gentle introduction to the key skills required for effective academic study.
• Advanced programming concepts applicable to areas like games programming, artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security.
• Focus on the human aspect of computer science, including user interaction, user interface design, software engineering methodologies (SCRUM, Agile), and cutting-edge research in AI and machine learning.

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Third Year:

• Further specialization in advanced topics such as games computing, AI and software engineering project management.
• Hone research skills through a third-year project, applying your learned techniques to address real-world problems.

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Final Year:

• Master's level, research-led topics like Cloud computing to gain specialist knowledge for research or career in your chosen field.
• Completion of a substantial research project integrating theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills with practical application in a research area.

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Modules:

Modules are subject to change, but examples include:

• Introduction to Programming
• Discrete Mathematics
• Systems and Architecture
• Communication, Confidence and Competence
• Introduction to Algorithms
• Object-Oriented Programming

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Assessment:

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Assessment methods include:

• Class tests
• Coursework
• Dissertations
• Oral presentations
• Posters
• Project reports
• Short reports
• Unseen examinations
• Video presentations

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Teaching:

• Each module includes traditional lectures with supporting materials provided through virtual learning environment.
• Labs are accessible remotely.
• Teaching methods vary according to subject matter and level of the module.
• Methods include group project sessions, practical sessions, lectures, tutorials, and web-based learning.

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Faculty:

• Keele lecturers are experts in various fields, including synthetic biology, wearable technologies, health and cultural informatics, responsible AI, computer vision, evolutionary robotics, automata theory, formal languages, and theory of computation.
• Research expertise is integrated into modules in later years of study.

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Careers:

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Examples of possible careers:

• AI Data Analyst
• Big Data Engineer
• Cyber Security Analyst
• DevOps engineer
• Forensic Computer Analyst
• Games Developer
• IT Consultant
• Multimedia Programmer
• Network Engineer
• Research Scientist
• Software Engineer
• Systems Analyst
• UX Designer

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Other:

• The program is accredited by the British Computer Society - The Chartered Institute for IT.
• Students have access to state-of-the-art computational teaching facilities, including the Central Science Laboratories (CSL) and the Colin Reeves Building.
• Keele has a strong emphasis on equality, diversity and inclusion, fostering a welcoming environment for all students.