Program Overview

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Overview

Take your background in computer science to an advanced, research-led level and open up exciting career opportunities with global institutions and companies.

Application Deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Programme Details

Starts

September 2025

Duration

One year full time

School

School of Computer Science

Fees

• UK: £12,030
• Rest of the world: £29,990

Why Study This Course?

This course allows those with a strong undergraduate background in computer science to follow their interests in studying the subject at an advanced, research-led level. You will have the option to choose from a range of advanced topics including artificial intelligence, human computer interaction, networks and distributed systems, and software engineering.

• Enjoy the flexibility to pursue your own interests within computer science.
• Easily change to other specialist MSc programmes during your studies.
• Extend your specialist knowledge and critical thinking with a project involving a wide-ranging investigation and a substantial software development, leading to your dissertation.
• Access modern computing laboratories 24 hours a day.

Teaching

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Practical classes

Class Sizes

Typically range from 20 to 110 students.

Dissertation Project

A three-month project leading to a 15,000-word dissertation.

Assessment

• Practical coursework exercises
• Exams

Modules

The St Andrews degree structure is designed to be flexible. You study compulsory modules delivering core learning together with optional modules you choose from the list available that year.

• Compulsory:
  • Object-Oriented Modelling, Design and Programming
• Optional:
  • Critical Systems Engineering
  • Data Ethics and Privacy
  • Data-Intensive Systems
  • Digital Heritage and Preservation
  • Fundamentals of Software Engineering
  • Human Computer Interaction Principles and Methods
  • Information Visualisation
  • Interactive Software and Hardware
  • Knowledge Discovery and Datamining
  • Language and Computation
  • Machine Learning
  • Principles of Computer Communication Systems
  • Software Architecture and Design
  • Software Product and Project Management
  • Software Quality
  • Symbolic Artificial Intelligence
  • Uncertainty in Artificial Intelligence
  • User-Centred Interaction Design
  • Web Technologies
• Additional optional:
  • Advanced Communication Networks and Systems
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computer Graphics
  • Computer Security
  • Concurrency and Multi-Core Architectures
  • Databases
  • Distributed Systems
  • Logic and Software Verification
  • Programming Language Design and Implementation
  • Signal Processing: Sound, Image, Video
  • Video Games

What It Will Lead To

Careers

In an increasingly digital world, graduates in Computer Science are in high demand, and there are a wide range of meaningful, exciting, and well-paid career opportunities open to you.

• Access to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring
• One-to-one guidance covering everything from career choice to application support and interview coaching
• Employer connections, global vacancies, and practical experiences
• Academic and professional skills development

Elevate Your Career

Graduates from the School of Computer Science have taken up roles in a wide variety of organisations including:

• BT
• Civil Service
• Jaguar Land Rover
• National Security Agency

Further Your Education

The EngD programme in Computer Science is a four-year Engineering Doctorate involving an industrial partner. If you have already completed an MSc you may be able to proceed directly to the individual research component of the EngD.

Why St Andrews?

The School of Computer Science is highly rated for its theoretical and practical research in areas such as:

• AI
• Symbolic computation
• Networking
• Distributed systems
• Human computer interaction
• Systems engineering

Entry Requirements

• A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in Computer Science, or strongly related discipline.
• Applicants to this programme are expected to be competent programmers with prior practical experience in a programming language such as Java, C, Python, C++ or JavaScript.

English Language Proficiency

For direct entry to a Masters in Computing Science, you will be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency.

Application Requirements

• CV
• Personal statement (optional)
• Two original signed academic references
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates

Fees and Funding

• UK: £12,030
• Rest of the world: £29,990

Scholarships and Funding

We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:

• GREAT Scholarship
• St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
• St Leonard's funding opportunities
• Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)

Computing Science scholarships

Curriculum Development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience.