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Students
Tuition Fee
Start Date
2026-09-01
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Electrical Engineering | Computer Science | Data Analytics
Area of study
Information and Communication Technologies | Engineering
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2026-09-01-
2027-01-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Internet of Things with Industrial Placement - MSc

Overview

Creating the next generation of high-quality practitioners for the IoT industry.


Summary

The Internet of Things is expected to have a significant impact on industry with predictions of its success and growth constantly rising.


The MSc Internet of Things is an intensive one-year specialist programme that prepares you for an industrial career with skills in Computing Science, Engineering and Data Analytics. The course covers leading-edge knowledge of Sensor Technology, Networks, Security, Pervasive Computing, Big Data and Data Mining in IoT domain. The course is accredited (initial) by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, for Partial CITP (Chartered IT Professional) and Partial CEng (Chartered Engineer).


The delivery of the course is supported by multi-million pound infrastructure of a large-scale pervasive and mobile computing environment, a suite of contemporary sensing technologies and rapid prototyping facilities. The course content has been informed by internationally leading research being conducted by the School of Computing and the School of Engineering and by our strong industry partnerships, most notably with BT through the jointly established £28.6 million BT Ireland Innovation Centre.


The Internet of Things is an exciting and exponentially growing area both within industry and academic. The skills trained from the course are in high demand within the sector across the key verticals of Smart Cities, Industrial IoT, Connected Health and Smart Homes. The course also provides a platform to embark on further research studies.


About this course

About

The MSc award consists of six compulsory taught modules (totaling 120 credits), in addition to a substantial piece of independent Masters Project (60 credits). As part of the programme, students will be required to use various programming languages, including Python and R.


Data Science and Machine Learning

This module provides an overview of Data Science process/pipeline. It provides systematic understanding of mathematical and statistical knowledge for exploratory data analysis (EDA) and to understand the foundations of supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms, and with the practical programming skills to apply them to real world datasets. The module discusses the constraints that needs to be considered when designing, implementing, evaluating and visualising solutions to real-world complex problems.


Cyber Security

Cyber security, which has an impact on national security, infrastructure, and the global economy, is one of today's most pressing issues. Due to the enormous digital threat, cyber security knowledge is among the most in-demand globally. This course examines recent advancements in cyber security theory and practice. To enable critical cyber security decision-making, the students will develop the fundamental and advanced aspects of cyber security in terms of theory, practice, policy, and security standards. They will also learn about the threats to current and emerging systems and networks and how to effectively counter them in accordance with information security management standards. The students will learn about the social, legal, and ethical issues surrounding cyber security.


Big Data and Infrastructure

Within this module a variety of database and data storage paradigms will be explored, ranging from more traditional relational systems to NoSql and object stores, time series databases, semantic store and graph stores. Consideration will be given to big data and the problem with storing and querying high volumes of highly variable data which is stored and processed at a high speed. The cloud computing paradigm will also be introduced and how to avail of its power and resources. The core concepts of distributed computing will be examined in the context of a data lake. Students will be taught, practically and theoretically, about the components of Data lakes, workflows, functional programming concepts, use of MapReduce, Spark, Pig, and Hive.


IoT Networks and Protocols

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the interconnectivity of uniquely identifiable devices embedded in the environment through internet protocols and infrastructure. The module will evaluate and critically appraise IoT networking concepts, models, standards, protocols and practical skills. It will address Sustainability Development Goals, inform on the evolving IoT use cases, and appraise related issues such as the impact of IoT on a citizen’s privacy.


Pervasive Computing

The focus of this module is to provide an opportunity for students to gain an in-depth understanding of pervasive computing and to apply this understanding to a range of application domains through developing specific solutions for selected application case studies. The module surveys emerging hardware and software components associated with Pervasive Computing Systems, examining the technical and societal issues concerned with a pervasive infrastructure, wireless networks, protocols and emergent algorithms. In doing so a number of examples of innovative systems and applications are reviewed. The module includes a strong practical element where students will be asked to develop services providing support for wearable and smart home context-aware solutions.


Embedded Systems and Sensors

An embedded system is an electronic or computer system which performs dedicated control and data access functions in electronics-based systems and applications. Embedded systems play crucial role in modern communications, automotive systems, consumer electronics and medical devices and will provide the foundation for the next generation of inclusive and sustainable, smart and connected Internet-of-Things (IoT) solutions. This module covers the most important aspects of the embedded systems and will provide a successful student with theoretical and practical knowledge on the feasibility, reliability, and security of electronic systems, especially those important for existing and future IoT applications.


Attendance

Typically 15 timetabled hours per week Monday – Friday including lectures, tutorials and practicals in the computer labs for the taught components of the course. Research Project takes place in the third semester separately. The industrial placement is normally 12 months in duration in the second year of MSc programme.


Start dates

  • September 2026
  • January 2027

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching is delivered through lectures, directed tutorials, seminars, and practical sessions, some of which are by industry professionals / researchers.


The course is assessed by 100% coursework.


Careers & opportunities

Career options

The Internet of Things has become one of the most discussed technology trends of recent years, mainly due to the expected impact that it will have and, as a result, how it will change the way people live, work and travel. As the expectations of how IoT will redefine an organisation’s operations grow, so too are the expectations to have knowledgeable and skilled staff in the areas of computing, engineering and data science in addition to having an appreciation for business processes and market potential. Taking all of this into consideration, graduates from the course will be well placed to progress into a wide variety of careers, across a range of industrial settings within the sector across the key verticals of Smart Cities, Industrial IoT, Connected Health and Smart Homes. We have active Industry engagement and links with vibrant technology sector in Northern Ireland. Graduates from the course also have opportunity to embark on further research at the Ph.D. level.


Work placement / study abroad

Students who have successfully completed the taught modules and Masters Project of their MSc programme, and have secured an internship of twelve months duration with a suitable company, are eligible to proceed to the Industrial Placement pathway. This pathway provides masters students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience at an advanced level, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study at the University. This will allow students to further develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement opportunity should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, build confidence through further application of theory within the workplace and prepare them for a future career in computing. It also serves as an integrating mechanism for course content as well as developing analytical, evaluative and project management skills in an industrial context. The nature of the work will vary depending on the company providing the placement. The student will complete a reflective professional development report and learning journal as part of the assessment of this pathway.


Professional Recognition

Accreditations reflect the excellence of our teaching, research, and knowledge exchange and ensure our programmes realise the highest expectations. By studying at Ulster University you’ll gain insight and be at the forefront of current industry practices, while our many accredited degree programmes open doors to the world’s top professional organisations, making you more attractive to future employers and giving you a competitive edge in the job market.


BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.


BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.


Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.


Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).


2026/27 Fees

Postgraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.


Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.


Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.


Entry Requirements

  • An upper second class honours degree or better, in the subject areas of Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or closely related discipline, from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard;
  • An equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification excluding Conversion courses; and the qualification must be in the subject areas of Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or closely related discipline.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent). For applicants whose first language is not English the minimum English language requirement is an Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, Trinity ISE: Pass at level III or equivalent English language tests comparable to IELTS equivalent score.


Exemptions and transferability

The entry requirements facilitate accreditation of prior learning.


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