MSci Computer Science
About this course
MSci (Honours) in Computer Science, a computer science degree focusing on the theoretical basis of computer science and practical software engineering. Core topics include Programming, Systems Design, Computer Architecture, Signal Processing, Mathematical Modelling, Research Methods, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The curriculum includes a substantial individual masters project and a software engineering team project. The first year covers foundational concepts through modules such as Object-Oriented Programming and Programming with Data. The second year progresses to Computer Systems and Foundations of Computation. Optional modules allow students to explore advanced areas such as Computer Security, Databases, Operating Systems, and Video Games. The final fifth year includes modules such as Artificial Intelligence Principles, Critical Systems Engineering, and Data Ethics and Privacy, culminating in an independent project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA, including A in Mathematics and a pass in one of the following: Biology Chemistry Computing Science Further Mathematics Geology Geography Physics Psychology. IB: 38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in Mathematics and SL5 in one of the following subjects: Biology Chemistry Computer Science Geography Geology Physics Psychology.
What students say
Based on about 42 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 110 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 3%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 38 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 90%
- Working and studying: 5%
Most common jobs
- Information Technology Professionals: 90%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 95%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 35 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 20%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 60%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
Modules
- Logic and Reasoning : covers the foundations of logic that are relevant to computer scientists, with an emphasis on automatic reasoning and decidability. Topics include propositional and predicate calculus, various proof techniques, and Goedel's incompleteness theorem
- Computational Complexity : introduces Turing machines, non-determinism and pushdown automata, followed by study of decidability, simulation and the Halting Problem
- Software Engineering Team Project : gives a broad overview of software engineering, presenting the fundamental aspects as a collaborative professional activity including its concerns and approaches. Students apply these concepts and practices to a substantial software engineering project as part of a team
- Advanced Communication Networks and Systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Component Technology
- Computer Architecture
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Security
- Concurrency and Multi-Core Architectures
- Constraint Programming
- Data Communications and Networks
- Data Encoding
- Databases
- Distributed Systems
- Human Computer Interaction
- Logic and Software Verification
- Operating Systems
- Programming Language Design and Implementation
- Signal Processing: Sound, Image, Video
- Video Games
- Object-Oriented Programming
- Programming with Data
- Computer Systems
- Foundations of Computation
- Individual Masters Project : allows students to spend one semester dedicated to undertaking a major software engineering or research project in a specific topic in computer science, such as Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Human Computer Interaction or Networks and Distributed Systems under the guidance of an individual supervisor
- Artificial Intelligence Principles
- Artificial Intelligence Practice
- Critical Systems Engineering
- Data Ethics and Privacy
- Data-Intensive Systems
- Human Computer Interaction Principles and Methods
- Information Visualisation
- Interactive Software and Hardware
- Language and Computation
- Machine Learning
- Principles of Computer Communication Systems
- Software Architecture and Design
- Software Engineering Principles
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Computer Science at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £40,500 after 15 months, £51,500 after 3 years, £63,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £46,500 and £106,000. The £63,500 median after five years is £27,500 more than the UK median for Computer science.
What do graduates of MSci Computer Science at University of St Andrews do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MSci Computer Science at University of St Andrews?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Computer Science at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 216 UCAS points.
Does MSci Computer Science at University of St Andrews include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MSci Computer Science at University of St Andrews?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 3% left higher education.