Our MSc Cloud Computing programme aims to provide students with an extensive learning experience that equips them with the cutting-edge skillsets required within the fast-growing cloud computing industry. Students will have the opportunity to gain in-demand skills for professional roles such as Cloud Developers, Solution Architects, DevOps, and Data specialists.
The programme provides a considered balance of computer science principles, along with a strong focus on the conceptual knowledge and industry practices for cloud computing. Students can gain a rigorous conceptual understanding of state-of-the art, scalable cloud systems across multiple cloud service providers.
A distinct feature of the programme is the integration of cloud vendor certification that is aligned with programme and module outcomes. This approach gives students the opportunity to demonstrate industry-transferable competencies in core areas whilst enhancing their employability attributes.
The School of Computer Science has also built a strong partnership with Microsoft through a student-focused Shared Goals Agreement that provides opportunities for students to develop digital skills for cloud computing and access to industry cloud certifications. These initiatives are designed to enhance the student learning experience, ensuring students are equipped with the skills required to launch and develop their cloud careers in a digital-first economy.
A focus on cutting-edge skillsets required by the cloud computing industry
Integration of cloud vendor certification
Partnership with Microsoft through a student-focused Shared Goals Agreement
Complete an independent research project in a specialist area
Emphasis is placed on the broad concepts of cloud computing for understanding cloud-based compute, storage, and networking, whilst providing the opportunity to develop practical skills around cloud architecture design and deployment, as well as cloud development.
Cloud development is an important topic threaded throughout the programme and is delivered through topics such infrastructure-as-code and serverless computing. The programme modules assume a familiarity with programming concepts and supporting mathematical frameworks where appropriate.
Each module consists typically of 12 weeks of study, which includes a supporting lecture programme, a series of supported workshop sessions, and time for the completion of assignment exercises and/or examinations. The final research project module is separate and carried out over the last three months of the programme.
Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and workshops. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend at least two to three hours in independent study.
This module explores core cloud computing technologies and their application in a wide range of use cases. The virtualisation of compute, storage, and networking is discussed and how such resources when deployed on cloud platforms provide high-performance and global scalability. Students will have the opportunity to create, deploy, and monitor cloud resources and applications. Particular attention is given to understanding the differences between on-premise resources and cloud, the economic benefits, as well as data governance and service-level agreement implications.
Data storage is a fundamental component of IT systems, applications, and devices, with the volume of data generated increasing significantly every year. Cloud storage platforms provide a means to store and process vast volumes of structured and unstructured data that enable large scale analytics for insights. This module will explore and critique cloud-based relational and non-relational databases, and how data is managed and processed, such as transactional processing, batch, and streaming data processing. Students will have the opportunity to design and deploy a cloud data storage solution.
This module introduces cutting-edge topics in computer science research areas, including both theory and practical applications. The module follows a research seminar format, involving input from colleagues across the University. Additionally, guest lectures from industry representatives and leading international researchers may be offered. Students can further benefit from opportunities to discuss potential research topics that they can explore to build and enhance their research and critical thinking skills.
This module provides insights into the management of company and personal data with an emphasis on security. Impact on organisations and individuals resulting from attacks is explored. The application of security elements including but not limited to, passwords, certificates, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems are considered. The scope for security is explored, taking into account the implementation of theoretical models and considering identity access management.
This module is focused on networking in the cloud, specifically on how to design and deploy secure, software defined networks (SDNs) as part of a cloud application or infrastructure framework. Public and private IP addressing will be explored as well as the important role of firewall rules and routing. In addition to IP addressing, load balancing plays a critical role in cloud network systems and will be critiqued in the context of external and internal approaches, as well as geographical load-balancing. Cloud network security will be discussed throughout the module and how resources such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) connecting on-premise networks to cloud networks can further enhance network security.
This module is designed to cover the fundamental skills and background knowledge that students need to undertake research related to the title of the award being studied, including: surveying literature; selecting and justifying a research topic; planning of research; selection of appropriate research methods; evaluation of research; presentation and reporting of research; and legal, social, ethical and professional considerations.
This module presents students with the opportunity to carry out a significant inquiry-driven research project, focusing on a topical area of interest that is aligned with their programme of study. This is primarily realised through the development of a dissertation and substantive research and/or software implementation output.
The research project is an individual piece of work, which enables students to apply and integrate elements of study from a range of modules, centred on a specific research question. The student will undertake work that is relevant to the ongoing research in either one of the established research centres within the School of Computer Science or through the development of a project concept in consultation with their allocated academic supervisor.
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of advanced concepts of software engineering principles and practices. The course focus on developing the skills necessary to design and deploy sophisticated modern software systems in a range of application areas. You will develop your practical software engineering skills and learn new theories of software development.
This module explores contemporary approaches for the design and development of data-driven web services. Students will be given the opportunity to design and develop 'server-side' web services using RESTful architectures to create an Application Programming Interface (API). RESTful implementations make use of web standards such as HTTP, URI, JSON, and XML to build data-driven API services that utilise a database. Database design and development will also be covered. Students will demonstrate industry-transferable skills by developing RESTful web service endpoints that are connected to a suitable data source for the consumption and publishing of data.
† 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, and contact hours.
The programme is assessed through a variety of means, including in-class tests, coursework, presentations, posters, and examinations. The majority of assessments are coursework based, reflecting the practical and applied nature of computer science and cloud computing.
The final stage research project enables students to further specialise in cloud computing and complete a piece of work of significant complexity. Communication and presentation skills will be assessed by an informal oral presentation (viva voce) with poster presentations in various modules.
The School of Computer Science is a Microsoft Learn for Educators programme member and Cisco Academy member, which gives students on the MSc Cloud Computing programme the opportunity to gain industry recognised qualifications such as Microsoft cloud-focused Fundamentals certifications. Image: An Azure Kinect device. This new generation device is natively connected to the cloud for vision and speech analysis, with Industry 4.0 companies piloting it for use in manufacturing.
Our postgraduate teaching is underpinned by world-leading research. Academic strengths lie in computational neuroscience, machine learning, data analytics, robotics, medical imaging, AI in healthcare, and many aspects of human–computer interaction and games computing. From optimising the treatment of cancer patients to spearheading the development of next-generation robots for agri-food production, computer scientists at Lincoln are working at the forefront of new technologies.
Students on the MSc Cloud Computing have the opportunity to gain cutting-edge industry certification in areas such as Cloud Data and Cloud AI services. Examples of the certification exams and digital badges you can achieve as part of the programme include Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals and Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals.
Postgraduate Application Support
Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.
Students should hold a first or second class honours degree in Computer Science or a related area such as Software Engineering, Computing, Games Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or Distributed Systems and Networking. In addition to the degree requirements, students must be competent in programming as evidenced in their academic degree transcript through programming-based classes.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
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-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.
The University offers a range of merit-based, subject-specific, and country-focused scholarships for UK and international students. To help support students from outside of the UK, we 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.
Postgraduate Funding Options
Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
There is a global skills shortage of graduates with Cloud Computing skillsets. Upon completion of the programme, graduates are well positioned to fill cloud-focused roles such as a Cloud Developer, Data Engineer, DevOps Engineer, and Cloud Consultant.
For more information about this course, please contact the Programme Leader.
Dr Derek Foster
defoster@lincoln.ac.uk
To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the University of Lincoln, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.
