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Overview
Master contemporary tools and frameworks used to solve real problems of the modern world in this MSc Computer Science. You'll build on your scientific curiosity and technical understanding with a powerful toolkit of skills and knowledge across data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and networking.
As you learn to analyse and implement complex computer systems, you'll explore the ways your technical skills and knowledge of theory can align with future trends. You'll be prepared for senior roles in industries including software, commerce, medicine or finance, or you could go into further computing research in universities or business.
You'll study with academic staff who are undertaking funded research in their fields of expertise, and can contribute to their projects through your work. You'll also have access to a network of professional computer scientists through their industry contacts, and your fellow students.
When you graduate, you'll bring a critical understanding of current developments to your chosen industry, ready to progress or enter your computer science career. In a market seeking professionals with advanced technical expertise, you'll be set to steer a path through future developments, and to shape those developments in line with your vision for tomorrow.
Course highlights
- Use modern, industry-standard equipment and software in our computing and networking laboratories
- Access a private cloud infrastructure
- Prepare for technical and managerial roles in multiple industries
- Cover a range of computer science topics, without compromising on in-depth understanding
- Explore the latest innovations within the field, through research-informed lectures and dissertations aligned to current funded research projects
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
January 2025 start
- A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent) with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
September 2025 / January 2026 start
- A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent) with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (January 2025 start)
-
Full-time: £10,400
-
Full-time: £10,400 with EU Scholarship applied
- Full-time: £19,200
September 2025 / January 2026 start
-
Full-time: £10,900
-
Full-time: £10,900 with EU Scholarship applied
- Full-time: £19,200
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. On this course you'll study 6 modules worth 30 credits each.
Modules studied
Core modules
Applying advanced techniques like semantic analysis and clustering algorithms, you will uncover hidden patterns across text, speech and multimedia to solve real-world challenges.
You'll explore multi-core CPUs, GPUs and national lab supercomputers, as you learn how parallel programming techniques interact with processor architectures. You'll identify which computational tasks parallel programming is appropriate for, estimate the improvements parallelism will bring, and deliver effective parallel programs that operate on the architectures available to you.
Using mathematical and heuristic techniques such as adversarial learning, genetic algorithms and advanced reasoners, you'll explore unreliable data sources and manage uncertainty. You'll learn to select appropriate machine learning tools for business demands and deliver optimized, trustworthy AI solutions.
In this hands-on module, you'll work with the Open Nebula platform as you build and evaluate applications for common business needs. You'll learn to analyse the requirements of a given scenario, apply cloud computing concepts to meet those requirements, and optimise your solution in line with user feedback. You'll emerge from this module ready to support virtualisation projects for industry.
In this module, you'll study the computer science, mathematics, and physics you'll need to work in this interdisciplinary field. You'll learn to handle quantum computing's unique and sometimes counterintuitive concepts, applying quantum principles, such as superposition and entanglement, to harness powerful algorithms.
Whether you're developing novel software or pursuing theoretical advances, you'll formulate robust aims backed by methodical data gathering/analysis. Once you've reached your findings, you'll present polished written and oral reports that show your knowledge of ethical and professional considerations, demonstrating your abilities to direct projects advancing industry or academia.
Optional modules
You'll dig into algorithms, probability models and ways to perform "risky inference" as you build a data model. Using concepts such as cross validation, Bayesian inference and regularisation, you'll prepare for careers or further research in machine learning, with advanced understanding of the theories that power it.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Apply
Ready to apply?
When you're ready to begin your application, choose your start date.
Start this course in January 2025
Start this course in September 2025
Start this course in January 2026
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.