Skip to main content

Study information

Computer Science (January start) (2025)

1. Programme Title:

Computer Science (January start)

NQF Level:

7

2. Description of the Programme (as in the Business Approval Form)

The MSc Computer Science Programme at the University of Exeter is designed for individuals from diverse academic backgrounds seeking a seamless transition into the dynamic field of Interdisciplinary Computer Science. This one-year programme approaches the discipline through practical hands-on experience and is underpinned by theories of computation. It is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge demanded by the full range of computing application domains including in health, environment, and business.
 
The programme structure is designed to cover the core concepts in computer science in the first term, such as data systems, programming and security and introduction of ethical and governance frameworks. In the second term this foundation knowledge will be extended to cover machine learning and professional frameworks for software development, and optional modules in computer vision and algorithms and architectures. Term 2 will also help develop awareness of the organisational context of computer science, including how professional software development and security are used for robust computing systems in business. In your final term you will develop the capstone project of your degree. This will be an individual research project that you lead under supervision. The project might, for example, address an application of computer science to the study of the environment, health, or business.
 
By the end of the degree programme, you will have learned the core principles of computer science, mastered the practical skills to solve real-world problems and demonstrated your individual capabilities to apply computer science to the real world through a substantial individual research project.
 

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The MSc Computer Science will provide an interdisciplinary education in Computer Science. The course will assume no background in Computer Science and introduce the core mathematical and computational concepts underpinning the subject area as well as training students to develop the skills and use key tools for building software applications. This basis of Computer Science understanding will enable students to explore applications of Computer Science and tackle substantial interdisciplinary research problems. The aim of the programme is to produce graduates that are professionally competent in computer science with a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their practical abilities to solve problems by applying Computer Science techniques.
 
Content will be delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, individual self-study, and group work on Exeter’s Streatham campus.
 

4. Programme Structure

The MSc Computer Science programme is a 1-year full-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). Your programme is divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work. You will need to complete a total of 180 credits across your 12-month programme. This will be a mix of mandatory and optional modules, subject to change and timetabling requirements.  
 
 
Interim / Exit Awards
Faculty to provide details for this specific programme. Note: Guidance on Interim and Exit awards (and the difference between than can be viewed  here. 
 
If you do not complete the programme, you may be able to exit with a lower qualification.
 
A Postgraduate Diploma may be awarded when a student gains at least 120 credits from the compulsory modules.
 
A Postgraduate Certificate may be awarded when a student gains at least 60 credits from the compulsory modules
 

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the University website:

Modules/Programmes | Study Information | University of Exeter

You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

 

Stage 1

Code Title Credits Compulsory NonCondonable
150 credits of compulsory modules:
COMM514Research Project 60YesYes
COMM109Programming with Python15YesNo
SOCM033Data Governance and Ethics15YesNo
ECMM462Fundamentals of Security15YesNo
COMM108Data Systems15YesNo
ECMM422Machine Learning15YesNo
COMM110Software Development15YesNo
30 credits of optional modules:
COMM107Algorithms and Architectures 15NoNo
ECMM447Social Networks and Text Analysis15NoNo
COMM042Introduction to Computer Vision15NoNo

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning & Assessment Methods

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be accommodated & facilitated by the following learning & teaching and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

A Specialised Subject Skills & Knowledge

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and the ability to program applications.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and the ability to design and implement data storage and retrieval solutions.
  3. Show awareness of the social context of computer science, including key aspects of data governance, legal requirements, and ethical considerations.
  4. Show awareness of the organisational context of computer science, including how professional software development and security are used for robust computing systems in business.
  5. Apply computational methods to solve domain specific problems.
 

Learning & Teaching Activities

Lectures, workshops, seminars, practicals, online materials and formal training. Each module also has core and supplementary texts, or material recommended by module deliverers, which provide in-depth coverage of the subject and go beyond the lectures.

Assessment Methods

The assessment strategy for each module is explicitly stated in the full module description given to students. Group and team skills are addressed within modules dealing with specialist and advanced skills.
 
Assessment methods will include essays, technical reports, closed book tests, practical exercises in programming and data analysis, project work, and individual and group presentations.
 

B Academic Discipline Core Skills & Knowledge

  1. Critically analyse and interpret relevant academic and technical literature.
  2. Demonstrate competence in underpinning mathematical and computational techniques.
  3. Effectively design and implement software to solve practical problems.
  4. Use appropriate designs for algorithms and computing architectures.
  5. Understand the implications of version control, testing, deployment and maintenance.
  6. Use appropriate tools for software version control, testing, deployment and maintenance.
  7. Appreciate the basic legal and regulatory requirements for data privacy, ethical use of data, and data governance.
 

Learning & Teaching Activities

Lectures, workshops, seminars, practicals, online materials and formal training. Each module also has core and supplementary texts, or material recommended by module deliverers, which provide in-depth coverage of the subject and go beyond the lectures.

Assessment Methods

The assessment strategy for each module is explicitly stated in the full module description given to students. Group and team skills are addressed within modules dealing with specialist and advanced skills.
 
Assessment methods will include essays, technical reports, closed book tests, practical exercises in programming and data analysis, project work, and individual and group presentations.
 

C Personal / Transferable / Employment Skills & Knowledge

  1. Effectively communicate methods and designs of computing solutions based on decomposition of complex problems in both written reports and oral presentations.
  2. Demonstrate awareness of tools and technologies relevant to computer science.
  3. Design and manage a computer science project from initiation to final report.
  4. Work effectively independently or in a team.
 

Learning & Teaching Activities

Lectures, workshops, seminars, practicals, online materials and formal training. Each module also has core and supplementary texts, or material recommended by module deliverers, which provide in-depth coverage of the subject and go beyond the lectures.

Assessment Methods

The assessment strategy for each module is explicitly stated in the full module description given to students. Group and team skills are addressed within modules dealing with specialist and advanced skills.
 
Assessment methods will include essays, technical reports, closed book tests, practical exercises in programming and data analysis, project work, and individual and group presentations.
 

7. Programme Regulations

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook.

Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

In accordance with University policy, a system of personal tutors is in place for all students on this programme. A University-wide statement on such provision is included in the University's TQA Manual. As a student enrolled on this programme, you will receive the personal and academic support of the Programme Coordinator and will have regular scheduled meetings with your Personal Tutor; you may request additional meetings as and when required. The role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties, such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. In addition to this, a Pastoral Mentor is also available for all students on this programme to engage with. The Pastoral Mentor can offer further support around wellbeing and academic concerns, and offers regular opportunities for students to engage with them, such as bookable meetings. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff. Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

Online Module study resources provide materials for modules that you are registered for, including recording of lectures, as well as useful subject and IT resources. Generic study support resources, library and research skills, past exam papers, and the 'Academic Honesty and Plagiarism' module are also available through the student portal.

Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Help may be obtained through the Helpdesk, and most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.

Additionally, the department has its own dedicated IT support staff, helpdesk and computer facilities which are linked to the wider network, but which also provide access to some specialised software packages. Email is an important channel of communication between staff and students in the department  and a student handbook is available with relevant information for your studies.

The department has dedicated access to two new state-of-the-art computer labs (Lovelace and Babbage), where practical sessions of modules are typically held and that students can also use for self-studying and group work.

 

 

10. Admission Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

 

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed Faculty assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both Faculty and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

 

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).

 

14 Awarding Institution University of Exeter
15 Lead College / Teaching Institution Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
16 Partner College / Institution N/A
17 Programme accredited/validated by
18 Final Award(s) MSc
19 UCAS Code (UG programmes) PTS1COMCOM05
20 NQF Level of Final Awards(s): 7
21 Credit (CATS and ECTS) 180/90
22 QAA Subject Benchmarking Group (UG and PGT programmes)
23 Origin Date July 8th 2025 Last Date of Revision: October 2nd 2025