Program Overview
The Master of Science in Advanced Computer Science at University of York is a rigorous postgraduate programme delivered on-campus at University of York. Designed for graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise in computer science & it, the programme develops both theoretical foundations and applied skills essential for today's competitive environment.
Spanning 12 months, students engage with cutting-edge research, industry-relevant case studies, and practical projects. Instruction is delivered in English by research-active faculty with professional expertise.
The programme culminates in a dissertation or capstone project. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles, research careers, and doctoral study in computer science & it.
Key Program Features
- Immersive On-Campus Experience: In-person seminars, laboratory sessions, and professional networking at University of York.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Computer Science & IT.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 12 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Careers and skills
The course is well-rounded and will allow you to gain an advanced knowledge of current Computer Science either across a wide range of topics or with a more specialist knowledge according to the specified themes. This will prepare you for either a career in research or more senior roles in industry.
Career opportunities
- Programming engineer
- Software developerâ
- Higher education teaching and research
- Information analyst and app developer
- Systems architect
- Business analyst
Transferable skills
- Apply advanced computational thinking to complex problems encountered.
- Apply specialist knowledge in areas, such as Interactive Technologies, to complete research and development tasks requiring knowledge beyond that typically acquired in a first degree in Computer Science.
- Identify, evaluate and summarise cutting-edge research literature and apply as relevant to project goals.
- Improved communication and organisational skills.
Program Curriculum
Course content
This course is heavily based on research, and all optional modules are led by academic staff who are active in that particular research area. The modules build upon the work currently being undertaken within the Department, connecting you directly to our research.
Industrial practice also strongly influences the content of our courses. We have active industrial partners to ensure that what you learn will be relevant and applicable to the workplace, once you leave the University.
You will benefit from free choice across all the modules, subject to prerequisites. You will also take a mandatory module on Professional and Research Skills. The course concludes with an individual research project.
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules Research Methods in Computer Science Option modules You will study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Autonomous Robots High-Integrity Systems Engineering Quantum Computing AI Search and Logic High-Performance Parallel and Distributed Systems Human Factors: Technology in Context Network Security Interaction Design and Evaluation Cryptography Theory and Applications Engineering 2: Automated Software Engineering Computer Vision and Graphics Evolutionary Intelligence Professional and Academic Development Cloud Based Data Analysis Governance of Data Science Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation Individual Project in Advanced Computer Science The dissertation will form part of the assessment of your research project. You will write a 50-page report. You will have the opportunity to undertake an assessed individual research project as part of this course. This will take place over the summer semester and will be a culmination of the taught modules you have taken during the course, allowing you to focus on a specialist area of interest. The project will give you an introduction to independent research, as well as providing the context of a research group working on topics that will be allied to your own. You will develop the skills and understanding in the methods and techniques of research in Computer Science. In order to undertake the project you will be allocated a project advisor who will be a research expert and will guide you in your chosen area of interest.
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in Computer Science or a relevant discipline. Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong background in the following essential topics: programming, maths, software engineering and a knowledge of basic algorithms |
| Other qualifications and experience | We are willing to consider your application if you do not fit this profile, providing you are able to demonstrate that you have the required amount of Computer Science knowledge and experience to succeed on the programme. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer. The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements. After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 20,300/year (international)
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £13,900 | £32,900 |
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Additional costs
There are unlikely to be any mandatory additional costs associated with the course, although you may want to set aside £200 for optional photocopying and personal stationery over the duration of the course.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £13,900 | £32,900 |
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Additional costs
There are unlikely to be any mandatory additional costs associated with the course, although you may want to set aside £200 for optional photocopying and personal stationery over the duration of the course.
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Application Deadline 2018-06-15
- Start Date 2018-09-24
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)