MSc Degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology

Graduate Diploma in Information Technology

The F2GD programme prepares overseas graduates without an honours degree for admission to our MSc programmes in Computing or IT. They can also study English over the same period on the programme, if that is needed.

Satisfactory progress on the Graduate Diploma and adequate English skills will let such graduates to do one of our MSc degrees in Computer Science or Information Technology in the following year:

• MSc Advanced Internet Applications
• MSc Artificial Intelligence
• MSc Business Information Management
• MSc Computer Systems Management
• MSc Creative Software Systems
• MSc Information Technology (Business)
• MSc Information Technology (Software Systems)
• MSc Software Engineering

Entrance Requirements

Applicants for this programme must have

• good ordinary 3 year bachelor degree or 3 year diploma
• English level of at least IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, speaking and listening
• reasonable academic knowledge of IT or Computer Science

Suitable applicants include Chinese students who have a good 3 year diploma degree in IT, Indian students with a good bachelors in computer applications and Pakistani students with an excellent 3 year BSc degree in IT.

Duration of Programme

The programme starts in mid September. It lasts until June for those with adequate English for MSc admissions (IELTS 6.0). For students with an IELTS level of 5.5, the programme continues until August.

Fees

The fees for the Graduate Diploma in IT are £11950 for 2013/14. IELTS 5.5 students taking 3 English courses as well pay an extra £2700.

Structure

The programme structure consists of an individual honours level software development project, a group software development project and some associated teaching, 3 computing courses and 3 English courses if they are needed.

Semester 1 is a 14 week period that begins in mid September and continues until the third week in December. Semester 2 is a 16 week period that begins in early January and continues until mid May with a 3 week break for Easter. Semester 3 is the 14 week period that begins near the end of May and lasts until the end of August.

Students entering with an IELTS level of 6.0 would study the programme as follows:

Students entering with an IELTS level of 5.5 would take IT and English language courses as follows:

The English language courses C47CW, C47CR, C48BW and C48PP are non-credit bearing parts of the Graduate Diploma programme. They must be completed when taken, but don't contribute credits towards the degree award.

Computing courses available for being taken:

The major project consists of 3 courses (450 hours of student effort) and is assessed by written work including a substantial dissertation.

Students are appointed an individual supervisor with whom they have regular meetings. They produce various written documents that contribute towards a substantial dissertation of around 15000 words.

Assessment

The group software development project courses F29SO and F29PD are assessed in groups by coursework and by some small exams. The 3 computing courses are assessed by coursework and exams while the individual project is assessed by written coursework, an oral presentation and a substantial written dissertation. Full support is given to students throughout their study and each student has an individual supervisor as well as a programme director.

To obtain a Graduate Diploma in Information Technology students must obtain credits on all 8 IT courses and do so at the level of 40% or more. They must also complete any English courses taken. To qualify for admission to one of our MSc programmes, students must pass the Graduate Diploma, pass every IT course, and score an average of at least 50% over all 8. MSc admission also requires students to achieve the required level of English for MSc study which is IELTS 6.0 or an average level of C on English courses taken in our School of Management and Languages.

Further Information

For further information on the programme or to enquire about admission, contact the admissions officer.