Why Choose Lincoln
Access to a range of specialist equipment
Focus on cutting-edge topics
Gain industry recognised qualifications at no extra cost
Optional placement year
Undertake individual projects on a topics of interest
Society is in the midst of a digital revolution, from the smartphones we use to navigate our daily lives to the advances in artificial intelligence set to transform global industries.
The MComp Computer Science degree is a four-year, integrated Master's degree designed to develop the experience, skills, and knowledge to research, design, and develop a variety of software and hardware computing solutions for real-world problems.
Particular attention is paid to cutting-edge topics, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, in addition to core computer science disciplines. As an integrated Master's student you can undertake advanced studies in topics such as artificial intelligence, programming, and computer vision. This aims to ensure that your studies are at the forefront of research in the field and meeting the needs of the computing industry. In addition, students are encouraged to work with academics on research projects as well as developing research skills that contribute toward independent project work with a significant research component.
This degree aims to provide a broad foundation in computer science and provides students with the chance to develop the mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills required to succeed in the challenging and exciting modern computing industry. The degree covers digital technologies such as big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and robotics, which are currently driving advances in all aspects of the modern world. As such, those with expertise in these areas of computer science may find employment and develop careers in a wide range of sectors such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, power and energy, and cyber security.
Access to a range of specialist equipment
Focus on cutting-edge topics
Gain industry recognised qualifications at no extra cost
Optional placement year
Undertake individual projects on a topics of interest
In the first year, students have the opportunity to study the fundamental areas of computer science. This includes operating systems, maths for computing, and computer architectures.
The second year aims to build on this foundation, covering artificial intelligence, database systems and networking, with industry certification opportunities available to students for topics such as database systems, networking, and software development. Students will also have the opportunity to work on a group project in the Team Software Engineering module.
In the third year, students study topics such as machine learning, big data, and parallel programming. Additionally, students can choose a number of optional areas of study that are of specific interest, such as autonomous mobile robotics, logic and computation, cross-platform development, or cyber security. Third-year students will also have the opportunity to undertake a substantial individual project on a topic of interest under the supervision of an expert in the field.
Students who choose this four-year MComp programme also have the opportunity to study a range of optional modules at Master's level and to complete a research-driven project with real-world applications in an area of individual interest.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
The course is assessed through a variety of means, including in-class tests, coursework, projects, and time-constrained assessments. The majority of assessments are coursework-based, reflecting the practical and applied nature of computer science, and in many instances are informed by the types of tasks currently undertaken in industry.
There is a range of equipment for loan, including Raspberry Pi devices, smartphones, robots, and virtual reality equipment such as HTC Vive and Oculus Quest.
Students on this course are taught by academics whose research has been internationally recognised. Researchers in the School include Marc Hanheide, Professor of Intelligent Robotics and Interactive Systems, and Nigel Allinson MBE, Distinguished Professor of Image Engineering, who has been supported with a £3.3 million grant from the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for advances in medical imaging.
The School is also a Microsoft Imagine Academy member and Cisco Academy member, which gives students the opportunity to gain industry recognised qualifications such as Microsoft Technology Associate and Cisco certification at no additional cost.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in various extracurricular activities such as hackathons, game jams, and summer research projects.
This programme is optionally available in a sandwich mode variant. If students choose the sandwich placement option, they take a year out in industry between the second and third year. This provides the opportunity to gain industrial experience. Students are supported throughout their placement, which can be overseas. A Placement Year Fee is payable to the University of Lincoln during this year for students joining in 2025/26 and beyond. Students are expected to cover their own travel, accommodation, and living costs. There are also opportunities to take shorter work placements, for example over the summer period, and to be involved in systems development projects for real industry clients.
This degree aims to equip graduates with the mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills that make them well-placed for computer and technology-related roles across a range of sectors. Recent graduates have secured roles at GCHQ and major companies including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Fujitsu, CGI, Sky, Samsung, BT, and Accenture.
104 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels.
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit.
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff points.
International Baccalaureate: 28 points overall.
GCSE's: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English and Maths. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, EPQ etc.
We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page:
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
For applicants who do not meet our standard entry requirements, our Science Foundation Year can provide an alternative route of entry onto our full degree programmes:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/sfysfyub/
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk.
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
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