Computer Science (MSc)

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

First Class Honours degree or a high 2:1 undergraduate degree. The degree must be in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, or another relevant quantitatively focused degree.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band A
• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Academic References

We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses.

You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.

View our guide to academic references.Link opens in a new window

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

You will study three core modules in your first term. These will cover the foundations of computer science and introduce you to the research environment:

In addition, you must choose two optional core modules which will give you the opportunity to pursue a specialism, should you wish, in your second term:

In the second term, those wanting to specialise will take an additional advanced core module to work towards recognition of their specialist status in their award title:

All students will be required to complete a dissertation with specialist supervision in the second and third terms:

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

Students wishing to specialise will take two optional modules in their second term and those who do not wish to specialise will take four optional modules.

Teaching

The course has two components - a taught component and a dissertation. The taught component will allow you to acquire expertise and industrially relevant technical skills in cutting edge areas of computer science, including agent-based systems, high performance systems, game theory and bioinformatics, as well as experience of project management, academic writing, and scientific methods.

The taught component is complemented by a dissertation project, undertaken primarily in the second half of your course, which offers the opportunity to specialise and explore areas of interest in greater depth. Your dissertation may be entirely research focussed or directed towards the application of advanced topics.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of methods; exams, coursework, presentations, and a dissertation. Exams take place at the beginning of the second term and in the third summer term; usually in January, May and/or June with dissertations expected to be completed in September.

Reading lists

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window.

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue.

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department. 

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, core and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your core modules will be registered for you, and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career

Our degrees equip you with the skills and experiences needed to excel in your career. With access to exceptional career services, industry connections, and global opportunities, we’ll inspire and help you to aim high and achieve your goals. Our guidance ensures you graduate as a well-rounded professional ready for lifelong success.  

The median salary for University of Warwick 2021/22 postgraduates from the Department of Computer Science whose main employment was full-time work in the UK was £45,000.  

Postgraduate graduates from the Department of Computer Science have gone on to work for employers such as:  

• Vodaphone  

• Arup  

• AWE  

• BGC Partners  

• Birmingham City Council  

• d-fine  

• Dorset Software  

• EY  

• ONS  

• Stratasys  

• Think Research  

  They have pursued occupations such as the following:  

• IT Managers  

• Data Analysts  

• Business and financial project management professionals  

• Business and related research professionals  

• Higher education teaching professionals  

• Information technology directors  

• IT business analysts, architects and systems designers  

• Management consultants and business analysts  

• Natural and social science professionals  

• Programmers and software development professionals  

Derived from the Graduate Outcomes survey  

Derived from the Graduate Outcomes survey, 2021/22, carried out approximately 15 months after completion of studies.   

Median salary figure based on 19 Warwick Department of Computer Science graduates that participated in the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes survey and provided salary details (20% of the eligible Warwick Department of Computer Science postgraduate population).  

Conducted annually Graduate Outcomes collects information on the activities and perspectives of graduates. Contains HESA data: Copyright Jisc 2024. Jisc cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data.  

Helping you find the right career  

Your career path is unique to you. Our university careers team offer personalised support to help you develop your skills, plan your career path, and get experience at any point during your time at Warwick, and after graduation.  

Our department also has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant. They offer impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:  

• Computing Your Career  

• Careers in Tech  

• Computer Science SME and Alumni Event  

• Women in Tech  

• CVs and applications for Computer Science students  

• Working in the Computer Games Industry  

• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year  

Discover more about postgraduate careers support at Warwick.

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including BAE Systems Applied Intelligence; Barclays; Brainlabs; Dell EMC; Huawei Technologies Co Ltd; JPMorgan; KPMG; Play Station; and UBS. 

Our graduates have pursued roles such as: business and related associate professionals; finance and investment analysts and advisers; IT business analysts, systems designers; management consultants and business analysts; programmers and software development professionals. 

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include: 

• Computing Your Career 

• Technology in Professional Services 

• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year 

• Working in the Computer Games Industry 
• Computer Science Alumni Event 

Computer Science at Warwick

Computer Science at Warwick offers you a community of excellence across the breadth of the use of computational techniques in practice and research. Join like-minded thinkers and friends who relish the challenges of shaping future technology. 

You will study the theoretical foundation in established areas of the discipline. You will then apply your learning to industrially relevant problems, developing technical and transferable skills which will position you excellently for your future career. 

Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

• Computer Science (MSc)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• Computer Science (MSc by Research)
• Computer Science (PhD)

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee statusLink opens in a new window

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2025/26 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding