Computing with Professional Placement MSc



Learn practical key computing skills that are essential to the modern computing industry.

Overview

MSc Computing with Professional Placement aims to train and support (international) students who intend to work and live in the UK after graduation. Our goal is to strengthen our connections to relevant industry groups. Students will acquire technical knowledge in their chosen field and writing and interviewing skills in preparation for a job in the United Kingdom. It will allow you to further your undergraduate studies and/or work experience to the postgraduate level and will enable you to study areas of computing that interest you and may help your career. The program provides a unique opportunity to undertake work or research training in real-world settings. This allows students to implement their theoretical knowledge and gain valuable professional experiences collaborating with enterprises and research projects across Scotland. Edinburgh Napier University is committed to delivering an excellent personalised student experience. You will be allowed to acquire and develop valuable practical skills, such as collecting, analysing, interpreting and understanding data and information.

The course starts in both September and January.

Young Indian female client or candidate sitting at table, talking to senior male manager and smiling in office.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

2 years

Start date:

SepJan

Placement:

Yes

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Course details

This course is designed to prepare you for direct entry into the workplace with a solid understanding of how information systems operate in their many different forms.

Modules studied (September intake)

  1. Software Development 1
  2. Software Development 2 
  3. Web Design and Development 
  4. Programming for the Web
  5. Computer Systems
  6. Database Systems
  7. Group Project
  • Work-based Dissertation

Modules studied (January intake)

  1. Software Development 1
  2. Web Design and Development 
  3. Computer Systems
  4. Database Systems
  5. Group Project
  6. Management of Software Projects
  7. Digital Business Environments
  • Work-based Dissertation
  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    This course is studied full-time over three trimesters. It requires an intensive period of study, involving lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions and independent study. While classes for each module may account for only three or four hours a week, you'll be expected to commit at least 13 hours per week per module.

    This is a full-time course and is split up into two sections, including taught courses and work-based dissertation. Each section will split up into two trimesters. You can choose to start in either January or September (the course content varies slightly depending on when you start).

    Duration:

    • September starts: 18 months with a three-month break over the summer (after the second taught trimester)
    • January starts: 18 months with a three-month break over the summer (after the first taught trimester)
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     Assessments are a mixture of written coursework allowing you to develop your academic and business reporting skills. The more technical modules include demonstration or evaluation your work.
  • briefcase

    Work placement

     The placement, which may be either a collaboration with a company, business incubator, or a research project based at Edinburgh Napier University, will take place in trimester 4.
  • library

    Facilities

    Depending on chosen modules, our specialist labs may include:

    The Sensorium - A forward-looking User Experience (UX) Evaluation Lab utilising the next generation of real time human behaviour insight technology

    SOCLAB - Virtual Security Operations Centre

    Swarm Robotics - A custom-designed robot arena and laboratory

    Lions Gate - A locus of interdisciplinary research focusing on sustainability, digital interaction, health and well-being.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Masters Dissertation ( SOC11101 )

The work for this module comprises the completion of an individual research project. Each student is assigned a personal Supervisor, and an Internal Examiner who monitors progress and feedback, inputs advice, examines the dissertation and takes the lead at the viva.

There are two preliminary deliverables prior to the submission of the final dissertation:

(1) Project proposal
(2) Initial Report including time plan and dissertation outline

Further information

Professional Placement ( SOC11110 )

The module provides an opportunity to undertake work or research training in real world settings.

You will undertake a minimum of 180 hours placement within an appropriate organisation, where you will have the opportunity to apply your skills in order to reinforce the organisation’s existing practices.
This will allow you to implement your theoretical knowledge and gain valuable professional experiences as you collaborate with an enterprise, attempt to start own business, or undertake research projects.

You will negotiate, with your line manager, mentor, or a research supervisor, a learning agreement, which will identify relevant objectives. These, once agreed, will form the basis of a written piece of work, which will be based on a live placement issues.

This module is designed to develop critical reflective practice, specialist skills, and act as a focus for your continuous professional development.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Computing with Professional Placement? 

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:1 equivalent or above in any discipline. However, 30% of the modules studied in the degree must be Computing related.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional work experience within the industry.

Can I get admission into Computing with Professional Placement based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

 

 

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £10,280 £10,795
Overseas £10,980 £12,080
You study this course over two academic years, fees listed are per annum.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

With the new skills and work experience provided as part of this course, you can take advantage of the increased opportunities for advancement.

This course will prepare international students for employment and residency in the UK following graduation. It aims to enhance our ties with relevant industry associations. You will gain expertise in your selected field and develop writing and interview skills to prepare you for a job in the United Kingdom. Our Student Futures team will provide you with support and opportunities for personal growth to better engage with the professional environment. These offerings include workshops, CV reviews, and internships designed to enhance your qualifications and equip you for a prosperous career in your chosen field.

You could pursue a new role in your specialist area, take on a research, education, or start up a new business. Example career routes include:

  • Business analyst
  • Data analysist
  • Java developers
  • System administration or network administration
  • UX design
  • Web developer
Interior photo of atrium in Edinburgh Napier University Sighthill campus building.