MSc Computing

The MSc in Computing is a taught postgraduate course aimed at individuals who have not formally studied computing but who are keen to acquire core computing skills or deepen their existing knowledge of computing. Applicants who want to add computing qualifications or who want to retrain as computing professionals are the natural target for this course.

The programme is structured to support and develop students with a diverse range of non-computing undergraduate degrees. Each module offers a variety of skills development. We have designed these modules to impart a broad range of the skills required by modern computing experts. The assessment will support the development of these skills through working individually, in pairs and in groups. These experiences will enhance your communication, leadership and interpersonal skills as well as your technical competence, time and project management skills.

After graduation, you will be qualified to undertake work in Computing-related industries that require computing skills as part of their job description. Many graduates of the course also go on to embark on a PhD within the department and other universities in the UK and internationally.

Applying

The minimum entry requirement for the MSc in Computing is a First-class honours degree (or equivalent) in any subject outside Computing or Computer Science, ideally with sufficient quantitative or analytical elements to be able to complete this MSc. You will also have a demonstrable background or motivation for this conversion degree programme. At least an A in Mathematics at GCSE-level (or equivalent) is required at a minimum for non-STEM degrees - please provide your GCSE/A-level results (or equivalent) with your application if this is the case. This requirement ensures an ideal amount of preparedness to complete the MSc.

Applications for entry in October 2025 are now open, and will close no later than July 31, 2025.  However, we do reserve the right to close applications sooner.

You can apply for the MSc in Computing on the official Imperial College London Study page. 

Scholarships

Scholarships for MSc degrees in the department can be searched for using the Imperial Scholarships Search Tool. 

Example scholarships applicable to the MSc in Computing degree include the Women in Computing Scholarship and the India Future Leaders Scholarship.

Degree structure

The programme is full time and is taken over 12 months, with a single entry-point in October. The first term (autumn term, October-December) focuses on the fundamentals, builds a good foundation, and introduces key concepts. The second term (spring term, January-March) provides the opportunity for both depth and breadth and for specialisation. In the third term (summer term, May-September) you will undertake a major individual project, culminating in a dissertation and oral presentation.

You will study several compulsory modules focusing on the foundations of computing. These include:

• learning the fundamental principles and practices of programming (with C++);
• understanding computer architectures and how operating systems work; and
• learning about fundamental technologies for designing and building modern, complex software systems and applying and demonstrating what you have learnt via a practical group project.

You will also choose from five selective modules covering specialised topics in Computing, including Algorithms, Software Engineering Design, Databases, Computer Networks and Distributed Systems, Introduction to Machine Learning, and Computer Vision. The degree also includes an opportunity to hone entrepreneurial skills, focused on AI, in a selective module called AI Ventures shared with Imperial College’s Business School. The programme also offers a selective module on Logic and Mathematics if you do not have a sufficient mathematical background to tackle the specialised modules in the spring term. The list of selective modules is subject to change depending on the availability of staff and resources.

Please see the official programme specification for more details.

Representative module list

The following are the list of modules currently offered on the programme. Click on a module name to be taken to a detailed syllabus for the module.

Please note that the exact list of modules offered for 2024/25 may be subject to change.

Research and Industry Links

The Department of Computing at Imperial College London has leading research groups in Programming Languages, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Data Science, Theory and Algorithms and Visual Computing. The department has many collaborations with other faculties at Imperial, and leading international institutions, as well as with industry. We also house dedicated research centres, including the Dyson Robotics Lab, the Data Science Institute, the Centre for Integrative Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, the Hamlyn Centre for Medical Image Computing and Robotics, and more.

Throughout the year, leading companies visit the department to give presentations on the Applications of Computing in Industry. These are on a broad range of industrially-relevant topics including AI, Data Science, Programming Languages, Natural Language Processing and Software Engineering. We pride ourselves in presenting great opportunity to learn about the relevance and application of what you are studying, and speak directly with people working on industrial applications.  We also have dedicated extracurricular tutorials and seminars on computing from guest speakers.