Computing and Information Technology MSc

Program Overview

Computing and Information Technology (MSc) 2025 entry

Overview

Gain a business-focused understanding of computing systems and learn modern programming skills in demand by global companies and research institutions.

Key Details

• Application deadline: Thursday 7 August 2025
• 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 is for those with and without experience in computing. You will develop a critical understanding of the issues associated with using computing systems and their impact on business processes and project management.

• Enjoy the flexibility to pursue your own interests in computer science.
• Acquire programming skills in a modern software development environment.
• 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

• A mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical classes.
• Class sizes typically range from 20 to 110 students.

Dissertation

• A three-month project leading to a 15,000-word dissertation.
• Dissertation projects may be group-based or completed individually (students are assessed individually in either case).

Assessment

• Practical coursework exercises and 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.
• You will choose six of the optional modules. Up to two of these may be taken from the 'Additional optional' list.

Compulsory Modules

• Fundamentals of Software Engineering: examines the key concepts in software engineering. Module does not involve programming.
• Masters Programming Projects: reinforces key programming skills gained during the first programming module of the programme and offers increasing depth and scope for creativity.
• Programming Principles and Practice: introduces computational thinking and problem-solving skills to students who have no or little previous programming experience.

Optional Modules

• The following modules are optional for Computer Science programmes. Not all combinations of modules will be available for all programmes, and some modules are subject to pre-requisites being satisfied.
• Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered:
  • Critical Systems Engineering
  • Data Ethics and Privacy
  • Data-Intensive Systems
  • 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 Modules

• Students may take up to two of the following:
  • Advanced Communication Networks and Systems
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computer Graphics
  • Computer Security
  • Concurrency and Multi-Core Architectures
  • Constraint Programming
  • 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

• Our graduates work in a variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, in roles ranging from AI programmers, consultants, and full stack AI developers, to:
  • data analysts
  • research scientists
  • integration engineers
  • cloud consultants
  • game developers
  • machine learning engineers and consultants

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 good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree.
• The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum.

Application Requirements

• CV which includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
• Personal statement (optional).
• Two original signed academic references.
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates. Please only provide certified copies, with official English translations if applicable.

English Language Proficiency

• If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.

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)