Program Overview

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About this course

On this computer science master's course you’ll learn how to design, build and deliver software programs and systems. You’ll find out about the latest advances in areas such as machine learning, cyber security and computer vision, preparing you for success in a fast-moving industry. You’ll cover the main areas of computer science, then study advanced topics that suit your career plans.

We offer superb facilities and a wide choice of modules taught by expert researchers.

On this accredited 4-year degree course, you’ll study topics such as:

• algorithmics
• data management
• software design
• modelling
• interaction design
• cyber security

You’ll study in computer science labs that include teaching labs with the latest equipment and high-quality displays, as well as dedicated labs for project work. For modules with an electronics component, you’ll have access to our superb electronics teaching labs.

This MEng Computer Science degree is accredited by the British Computer Society.

We're also accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Year in industry

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial studies placement year.

Apply using:

• Course name: Computer Science with Industrial Studies
• UCAS code: 10II

You'll spend this extra year at one of our partner companies, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.

The fee is 20% of the standard annual tuition fee.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Entry requirements

A-levels

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A).

A-levels additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed.

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Applicants who have not studied mathematics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 38 points overall, with 19 points required at Higher Level including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation)

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

BTEC

RQF BTEC

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics.

DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics or DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

Access to HE Diploma

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2, to include mathematics and applied mathematics

Irish certificate additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Cambridge Pre-U

D2, D3, D3 in three Principal subjects including mathematics

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-Us can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A-levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D2 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A or D3 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of A-level grade B.

Welsh Baccalaureate

AAA including mathematics (minimum grade A) or AA from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) and A from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed.

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

T-Level

A Distinction* overall, with A* in Core and Distinction in the Occupational Specialism, and grade A in A-level Mathematics.

The following T levels are accepted:

• Digital Business Services
• Digital Support Services
• Science
• Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
• Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

The following Occupational Specialisms are required:

• For the T level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing: either "Electrical and electronic engineering” or "Control and instrumentation engineering".
• For the T level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing: either "Maintenance engineering technologies: Electrical and Electronic" or "Maintenance engineering technologies: Mechatronic" or "Maintenance engineering technologies: Control and Instrumentation" or "Light and Electric Vehicles".

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

Course structure

This accredited course is designed to give you industry experience alongside our research-led teaching. We encourage you to take summer work placements in an industry of your choice or even add a full year in industry to help you gain the experience you need for accreditation.

All our computer science degree courses share the same compulsory modules in years 1 and 2, making it easy to switch between them. In the third year, you can tailor your degree by choosing optional modules.

Year 1 overview

You’ll study the logical and mathematical theory underpinning computer science. You’ll also gain an understanding of the fundamentals of computer hardware.

As an introduction to software engineering, you’ll cover data structures and algorithms. You’ll also look at the principles of programming, including using an object-oriented approach and software engineering processes.

You’ll apply your knowledge by working on practical projects. For example, you’ll build algorithms and data analysis tools, and develop software user interfaces.

Year 2 overview

You’ll deepen your understanding of computer science by studying topics, such as artificial intelligence, communication protocols and the TCP/IP layered model.

A group project will give you first-hand experience of working in a team, and of communication and scale in software engineering.

Year 3 overview

An individual project is a chance to conduct in-depth research in an area of computer science that interests you, under the supervision of an academic with expertise in your chosen field. This could involve designing, building and testing software or a computer system. Themes covered by past projects include:

• smart home cyber security
• fake news recognition
• the medical applications of gesture sensing technology

You’ll take a compulsory module in engineering management and law. Optional modules, cover topics such as machine learning, multimedia, web infrastructure and the cloud.

You could also study a language, take modules from other disciplines such as psychology or chemistry, or choose from a range of innovative interdisciplinary modules.

Year 4 overview

You’ll take part in a group design project, working in a team that may include students from other engineering disciplines. You’ll work with a real industry or academic customer. Past projects have included:

• an automated colouriser for digital images, for a company that specialises in large-scale 3D scanning
• smart clothing to help patients with physical rehabilitation, for the university’s health sciences researchers

Optional modules, cover a wide range of specialist topics such as, cryptography, agent-based computing, e-business and image processing.

There is also the chance to study abroad for a semester.

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4

Year 1

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

• 30% Scheduled learning & teaching
• 70% Independent learning

How we'll assess you

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• design and problem-solving exercises
• individual and group projects
• oral presentations
• written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

• 54% Written exam
• 37% Coursework
• 9% Practical exam

Year 2

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 2:

• 29% Scheduled learning & teaching
• 71% Independent learning

How we'll assess you

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• design and problem-solving exercises
• individual and group projects
• oral presentations
• written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 2:

• 50% Written exam
• 47% Coursework
• 3% Practical exam

Year 3

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 3:

• 21% Scheduled learning & teaching
• 79% Independent learning

How we'll assess you

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• design and problem-solving exercises
• individual and group projects
• oral presentations
• written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 3:

• 22% Written exam
• 78% Coursework

Year 4

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 4:

• 22% Scheduled learning & teaching
• 78% Independent learning

How we'll assess you

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• design and problem-solving exercises
• individual and group projects
• oral presentations
• written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 4:

• 35% Written exam
• 65% Coursework

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Commercial awareness
• Self-management
• Confidence
• Leadership
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Networking
• EDI leadership
• Adaptability
• Problem solving
• Resilience

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Information and Communication
• Manufacturing
• Education
• Finance and Insurance
• Public Administration and Defence
• Scientific and Technical

Careers directly related to this course:

• Computer scientist
• Data scientist
• Software engineer
• Software developer
• Cyber security engineer
• Technical consultant
• Technology analyst
• Web developer
• Game developer
• Systems engineer

Wider career opportunities:

• Software developer
• Data scientist
• IT project manager
• University lecturer
• Patent attorney
• IT consultant
• Investment banker
• Technical sales manager
• Cyber security specialist

Example job titles of Southampton MEng Computer Science graduates:

• Software engineer
• Software developer
• Computer scientist
• Technical consultant
• Data scientist
• Machine learning engineer
• Game programmer
• Business development engineer
• Cyber security consultant
• Process engineer

Job prospects for MEng Computer Science graduates

• £40k Average professional salary
• 98% In a skilled profession or further study
• 99% Graduate employment rate

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,535.
• EU and international students pay £29,400.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: G401
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [insert email] Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]