Computer Science (Masters) (with Placement) | University of Bedfordshire

Why choose the School of Computing, Engineering and Creative Industries

In the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2025, our computing courses rank 4th in their subject field overall; they rank 1st for support, student engagement and sense of community.

Our block delivery course structure gives you year-round entry points and intermediate qualifications so you can tailor your learning to fit around your life.

Prepare for work in the sector with an integrated 32-week placement and a specialist research project of your choosing.

About the course

If you are looking to explore the full extent of modern computer science without limiting yourself to one specialisation, then this broad-based course is for you. Our 22-month Computer Science with Placement MSc equips you with core theoretical knowledge, technical skills and invaluable practical experience while allowing you to explore new and developing technologies; hone highly coveted workplace skills; and gain real-world exposure through a 32-week, four-block industry placement.

Facilities and specialist equipment

Modern STEM building with purpose-built facilities, including a high-tech CCNA Academy computer networking suite and dedicated computing rooms
Industry-standard technology such as a cloud programming platform
Bespoke lecture theatres, presentation rooms and group study spaces

Student experience

Our faculty’s active involvement in real-world research and consultancy feeds directly into the course delivery, ensuring you are kept up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field.

Immerse yourself in sector-relevant field trips and seminars from external speakers.

Prepare for the workplace through practical experience and hands-on training as well as your integrated work placement.

Enhance your job prospects with employment-focused skill development, including in research methodologies; effective communication; critical evaluation; and project management.

Personalise your learning with flexible entry points, block teaching and your choice of MSc research project.

Benefit from your own personal academic tutor.

Course Leader - Dr Vitaly Schetinin

Vitaly has obtained a PhD in Machine Learning and worked as a postdoc researcher at the University of Jena in Germany and the University of Exeter. His research has been supported by the UK Leverhulme Trust, EPSRC and recently by the British Council of English language examination in part of AI based fraud detection. The research impact has been developed in assessment of new-born brain development, brain computer interaction, medical imaging, and Heathrow airport traffic management. In particular, the research in trauma survival prediction has demonstrated a significant improvement in reliability of the current technologies used in the US and UK emergency units. Students being engaged in research normally develop a high profile and publish conference papers allowing them to continue study in Imperial, UCL, and other top universities, undertake a PhD study, as well as develop outstanding careers in industry.

Find out more about Dr Vitaly Schetinin

Studying our Computer Science (with Placement) MSc will equip you with the core knowledge and skills around programming, the development of intelligent systems and networking with the opportunity for integrated work experience. You will have the opportunity to explore the area of Distributed and Parallel Computing Technologies where you will gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts of parallel and distributed computer systems. This unit will also allow you to develop your analytical skills to identify and evaluate parallel and distributed computational technologies while considering current and emerging trends in the field.

Another essential component in modern computer science is Intelligent Systems and Data Mining, and this unit will introduce you to the theoretical and practical concepts of designing intelligent and data mining technologies to solve real-world problems. These practical skills will allow you to work in roles for the design of industrial and business applications. In areas of business, you will critically review the design and implementation of network systems in the context of real-world business requirements in our Network Systems and Administration unit. You will also examine network technologies, managing and troubleshooting of network systems and emerging trends in the field.

Finally, you will have the opportunity to complete an MSc Project in Computer Science that will allow you to bring your acquired skills and knowledge together in practice. You can take this opportunity to work on a topic of interest to you that is relevant to your field of study. To help you with this, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge around Research Methodologies and Project Management that will prepare you to engage with scientific work, data analysis, establishing hypotheses and understanding research.

Alternatively, you may undertake an MSc Project with Placement in Computer Science where you will have the opportunity to develop your academic and professional skills during your work placement while also using this opportunity to apply these skills to your project and vice versa. At the same time, you will bring together your knowledge and skills acquired through the course of your study and work on a topic of your choice that reflects your field of study.

The assessment strategy used is a balance of written reports exams (coursework) assignments and computer-based assessment. The method used will depend on the nature of the subject being taught in the unit and the most appropriate method has been chosen. Coursework assignments typically incorporate formative feedback so that you can gain an insight into whether your work is meeting the necessary targets.

The feedback on your submitted assessments will be provided within 15 working days. The lecturers are expected to take every effort to provide you the feedback as early as possible before the next assessment if any. If you fail an assessment and need to retake or resit the assessment you can do so in the next available opportunity which is normally in the assessment week of the next block. If you fail a unit and need to retake this unit you can do so when the unit is run again.

Careers

On graduation, you will be equipped with the technical, practical and business skills needed to pursue a career in the technology domain. It opens up a wide range of IT careers such as system/data analyst; programmer; IT project manager; web application developer or manager; database architect; or system administrator.

Fees for this course

UK

The total fee for a 2-year taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £13,000. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk