Loughborough University

What you'll study

The programme builds on undergraduate fundamentals and emphasises advanced theoretical and practical topics. Study combines compulsory advanced modules with a range of optional specialisms and a substantial individual project or dissertation.

• Core topics: advanced algorithms and complexity, formal methods and verification, advanced software engineering, and research methods in computer science.
• Optional specialisms (examples): machine learning and deep learning; data science and big data analytics; cybersecurity and privacy; distributed and cloud computing; high-performance and parallel computing; human–computer interaction; computer vision and natural language processing.
• Project: an individual research or development project supervised by academic staff, allowing students to apply methods from taught modules to a substantial piece of work, often aligned with active research groups or industry partners.
• Teaching and assessment: teaching methods include lectures, laboratory classes, seminars, and group projects. Assessment is typically a mixture of coursework, practical assignments, examinations and the final project report and presentation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a UK upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or international equivalent in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a closely related subject. Applicants with a lower second-class degree plus relevant professional experience may also be considered.

• Technical background: demonstrated competence in programming (e.g. Python, Java, C++), data structures and algorithms is required. Knowledge in mathematics (discrete maths, linear algebra, probability) is highly desirable.
• Prior learning: candidates without a directly related degree but with substantial relevant experience or prior study may be asked to demonstrate competency through a portfolio or pre-sessional study.
• English language: international applicants whose first language is not English must meet the University's English language requirements.
• References and personal statement: a clear personal statement outlining motivations and relevant experience, plus academic or professional references, are required as part of the application.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of technical and research-focused roles across industry and academia. The programme develops skills sought by employers in software development, data-driven decision-making and systems design.

• Common roles: software engineer, machine learning engineer, data scientist/analyst, systems architect, cloud engineer, cybersecurity analyst, research developer.
• Further study: many graduates proceed to PhD study or research positions within university groups and research labs.
• Industry pathways: careers span technology companies, financial services, engineering firms, consultancies, public sector and start-ups. Project work and industrial collaborations often support transitions into professional roles.

Why study at Loughborough University

Loughborough offers a research-active computer science environment with strong links to industry and applied research groups. The department provides modern computing facilities, specialist laboratories and access to high-performance computing resources. Students benefit from hands-on teaching, opportunities to collaborate with academics on current research, and careers support services that connect graduates with employers. The campus setting also delivers a compact, student-focused experience with extensive extracurricular and professional development opportunities.