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Course type: Masters degree
Credits: 180

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes: 3 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Course cost: Postgraduate loan available
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Entry requirements: Find out more about; Entry requirements

MSc in Computing

: Course code: F66

Build advanced skills and take your computing career to the next level. This masters degree allows you to tailor your studies through a broad route, or follow a specialist pathway – in software engineering or information security and forensics - accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. You’ll explore software systems, data management and information security, and learn to design effective solutions to real computing challenges. Practical and research-based study helps you apply your learning with confidence. You’ll graduate ready to take on senior roles in industry or continue your studies through research.

This course has routes with the following accreditations:

Core modules	Credits	Next start
Data management (M816) Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Digital forensics (M812) M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Project management (M815) This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Software development (M813) Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Software engineering (M814) Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026

Option modules	Credits	Next start
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Network security (T828) This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Systems security (M817) This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Technology innovation management (TB801) This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810.

Modules	Credits	Next start
MSc project: researching in context (T803) T803 is the capstone module of multiple masters qualifications, during which you’ll complete a small research project. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Plus 30 credits from any modules at OU Level 3 or above.	30
Subject to regulations, if you’ve passed the discontinued module T847, or you complete T802 before April 2028, you may count one of these instead.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Digital forensics (M812) M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026

Option module	Credits	Next start
Data management (M816) Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Network security (T828) This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Project management (M815) This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Software development (M813) Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Software engineering (M814) Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Systems security (M817) This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Technology innovation management (TB801) This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810.

MSc in Computing

Modules

Broad route

Information Security and Forensics

Software Engineering

Networking

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

How long it takes

Career relevance

Accreditation

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