Computing Science

Year 1

You will take part in a multidisciplinary common Foundation Year to understand the breath of subjects offered by the School, form a network of colleagues beyond your course, and to be equipped with the technical abilities required for the more advanced years of your course. On this course, you get to kickstart your practical, technical, and professional development with advanced software development practices You will get to grips with the fundamentals of programming devices, problem solving and maths, databases, and web design, along with building your professional skills.

Year 2

You will study modules that reflect modern computing’s variety of target devices, including advanced software development techniques, data structures and algorithms, and dynamic web development. You will learn how to conduct research into problems, and the entrepreneurial skills necessary for creating innovative, computing based solutions to real world challenges.

Year 3

You’ll study more advanced computing concepts including modern programming paradigms, the Internet of Things, and learn how to create systems that utilise the latest artificial intelligence technologies. You’ll learn how to use your computing skills in collaboration with students from different backgrounds on projects focusing on problems provided by industrial clients, and further enhance your entrepreneurial skills while iteratively developing computing product ideas.

Year 4

You will undertake the unique MSci placement year. This stage allows you to choose to take one of three routes depending on your future career aspirations:

• An industrial placement: working for a company in the field of computing, applying your learning to a real company and developing new industry based skills.
• Study abroad: where you will advance your skills at one of our specialist international partner institutions.
• A research placement: where you will join one of the university research teams working on a real piece of cutting-edge research.

Year 5

The MSci year develops advanced skills in the latest Artificial Intelligence and programming techniques, and gain an insight into the latest trends in computer science research. Finally, you will apply your knowledge and skills to a large, self-directed capstone master’s project in Semester 2.

Learning Methods

Throughout Stages 1 to 3 of the course, students studying Computing Science will have a choice of elective modules in each Semester. This will provide students with the opportunity to study modules from the other specialist courses within the school, creating a unique pathway through the course, reinforcing skills, allowing students a chance to diversify their experience, and appreciate the wider context within which the related subjects operate.

You will be taught using a combination of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, tutorials and practical sessions.

Lectures with 30-100 students last no more than an hour and allow theoretical aspects to be explained. One-hour tutorials will discuss more complex materials with smaller groups of 5-20 students.

Practical sessions form the majority of our teaching. These sessions of around 30-100 students, allow you to gain hands-on experience of the techniques demonstrated. These sessions last 2-3 hours and in addition to the academic leading will have a number of additional demonstrators to help and offer advice throughout.

Activity Summary

Year 4

• Lectures - 40 students per group, 4 hours per week
• Seminars - 40 students per group, 5 hours per term
• Tutorial - 8 - 12 hours per week
• Project Supervision - 1 - 5 students per group, 1 hour per week
• Demonstration - 1 per term
• Practical class or workshop - 40 students per group, 8 - 12 hours per week

How long is an MSci Computing Science course?

A Computing Science degree can be completed over 5 years.

Independent Study

Students are expected to make use of time outside the course contact hours to further explain their knowledge of the subject area. This will include material provided as additional reading by the modules and independent research and development for project based assessments.

Staff Delivering on This Course

The majority of the staff on this course are fellows of the Higher Education Academy.

Staff on this course feature regularly in the Universities annual STAR awards. In the last 4 years this has included Lecturer of the Year (twice), continued excellence (twice), personal tutor of the year and a number of certificates of recognition.

Many of the staff on the course are research active and are involved in a number of industry facing applied research projects in the areas of AI, data science, IOT and cyber security.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 2 set exercises
• 4 practical skills assessment

Year 2

• 2 written exams, typically for 2 hours
• 1 report
• 1 set exercise
• 3 project outputs
• 2 practical skills assessments

Year 3

• 4 written exams, typically for 2 hours
• 4 project outputs
• 2 practical skills assessment

Year 4

• 4 written exams, typically for 2 hours
• 1 dissertation
• 5 project outputs

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

The MSci industrial placement module represents work-based learning at an appropriate placement partner company. Students on this module will be able to undertake a twelve-month period of paid work placement in a professional business/industrial environment. The period of supervised work placement, which precedes the final year of the MSci course will provide an important initial experience of professional practice and enhance the undertaking of further study by providing a realistic contextual awareness.

Students on the MSci either take an industrial placement, a research placement or study abroad period.

Study Abroad

The MSci study abroad module represents learning gained whilst with an equivalent exchange with partner institution.

Students who take this route will undertake the equivalent on 2 terms of study at one of the School’s partner institutions offering modules at the equivalent of SCQF level 10. Currently this includes universities in Finland, Belgium, Malta and The Netherlands. The period of international study, which precedes the final year of the MSci course, will not only allow the students to experience learning in another country but will also provide the opportunity to develop knowledge and learn technical skills not currently taught at RGU.

Job Prospects

The computing industry has always been a rapidly changing environment. In recent years, the rate of change within the industry has increased with the rise of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and processing technologies. These now established growth areas have introduced new development practices and approaches that require graduates to be much more resilient and adaptable to disruptive changes in the industry, which will be emphasised in the new modules taught on the course. The emerging data reliant fields of EdTech, FinTech, and HealthTech are primarily driving these changes.

Is Computing Science a good career choice?

The importance of Computing Science and coding skills in particular is even more evident when looking at the general digital industries sector. The major proportion of available jobs comes directly from computer programming and related fields. This growth has continued over the last 4 years with jobs in this area increasing by 18% since 2014.

The number of jobs in the UK Digital sector has risen 17% in the last 6 years, nearly twice the UK average growth rate of 9% (DCMS 2018). This growth is expected to continue into the future. The UK government is supporting this growth with a number of funding initiatives and strategic interventions including R&D funding, emergent technology support and supporting digital business and start-ups.

What are the entry requirements for a MSci Computing Science course?

Standard Entry Requirements

Year 1 entry

• SQA Higher: BBBB and two further passes to include English and Maths at National 5 grade C or above if not held at Higher.
• GCE A Level Year 1 entry: BCC to include either Computer Science or Maths plus an additional numerate subject. English at GCSE grade 5/C is required if not held at A Level.
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H2H3H3 and two further passes to include English and Maths at grade O3 or above if not held at Higher.
• IB Diploma Year 1 entry: 28 to include a pass in Standard Level English and Maths at grade 4 or above if not held at Higher Level.

Year 2 entry

• SQA Advanced Higher: BB at Advanced Higher plus CC at Higher (4 subjects), one of which must be Computing or another numerate subject. English and Maths at National 5 grade C or above if not held at Higher.
• GCE A Level: BBB to include Computing or another numerate subject at Higher. GCSE English at grade 5 or above is required if not held at A Level 

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

Year 1 entry

• SQA Higher: BCCC and two further passes to include English and Maths at National 5 grade C or above if not held at Higher.

Advanced Entry

Applicants who are interested in applying for advanced entry will be considered on an individual basis.

International Students 

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.