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Advanced Computing

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, on campus

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

This MSc Advanced Computing is designed to deepen your knowledge of cutting-edge computing technologies and applications.

  • Why choose this course?
    • On this course you will gain advanced programming, software development and data science skills.
    • It offers you hands-on experience in the latest industry techniques, helping you to stand out in the highly competitive tech industry.
    • You will have the chance to engage with research groups such as the Computational Intelligence Research Group, a pioneer in cutting-edge AI and machine learning topics, to ignite your passion for innovation and ensure you gain up-to-date knowledge in the field.
    • Alongside expert teaching, this course covers emerging technologies and research developments in areas of growing importance in the IT industry.

  • What will I learn?

    This MSc Advanced Computing is designed to meet current industry demands, ensuring you are ready to tackle complex computing challenges. Throughout the course you will learn advanced techniques and practical skills in:

    • software engineering
    • data management
    • data science
    • data analytics
    • machine learning
    • artificial intelligence.

  • How will I learn?

    You will be able to choose between full- and part-time study. Both involve a mixture of daytime and evening classes, although part-time students may choose evening only where options permit.

    You will be taught through lectures, laboratory sessions, practical coursework and hands-on projects that allow you to apply advanced computing concepts in real-world scenarios.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two days/evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One to two days/evenings a week, October to July.

  • Pathways

    This course has additional Pathways to offer you the chance to specialise depending on your interests and career goals.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • This course offers significant coverage of emerging technologies and research developments in areas of growing importance in the IT industry.
  • We host various research groups including the Computational Intelligence Research Group which is leading research in cutting-edge AI and machine learning topics. 
  • We have several laboratories of networked PCs with a range of language compilers, database and other application software that you can access daily from morning till late in the evening. We are also connected, via the SuperJANET network, to the computers of other academic institutions in London, elsewhere in the UK and abroad.
  • The Birkbeck Knowledge Lab draws on multi- and interdisciplinary perspectives and methodologies from across the sciences, social sciences and the arts, to investigate how digital technologies and digital information are transforming our culture and how we learn and work.
  • Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Computer Science and Informatics research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Modules and Teaching

School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences

A world-leading centre in algorithms, data science, artificial intelligence, and logical methods, and a centre of excellence in research.

Visit the school

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above or MSc in computer science, with the syllabus containing a substantial amount of programming, preferably in an object-oriented language. Joint honours computing graduates may also be eligible, provided they have covered a substantial amount of programming, or have equivalent professional experience in the IT industry.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

If your application meets the above requirements and a potential supervisor is found for you, then you will be invited to an online or in-person interview.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £11,490 per year
Full-time international students: £22,980 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successful completion of this MSc Advanced Computing, you will have developed the following valuable skills:

  • advanced problem-solving and critical-thinking skills for complex computing tasks
  • proficiency in programming languages, system design and data analysis
  • teamwork and leadership skills through collaborative projects
  • research skills, preparing you for further academic study or R&D roles in industry.

Graduates can pursue career paths in software engineering, information systems management, consultancy and research. This MSc prepares you for roles such as:

  • software engineer
  • systems architect
  • data scientist
  • IT consultant
  • researcher in academia or industry.

Graduates have gone on to work at prominent technology companies and institutions, including Microsoft, IBM, Accenture, Google, and various academic and research institutions.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Advanced Computing (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time