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Advanced Computing MSc

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The Advanced Computing MSc provides knowledge and experience of computing at an advanced level. The programme allows students to select modules on a wide range of advanced computer science subjects, so that they can build a programme that suits their interests and career aspirations.

Offer Holders: Do you hold an offer for entry in the 2020/21 academic year? Visit your offer holder hub for the latest updates.


Key benefits

  • Located in central London, giving access to major libraries and leading scientific societies, including the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
  • The Department of Informatics has a reputation for delivering research-led teaching and project supervision from leading experts in their field.
  • 92 per cent of research outputs ranked as world leading or internationally excellent – confirming the department’s position as a world-class institution for research in Computer Science (REF 2014).

Key information

Application status Open

Duration One year FT, September to September.

Study mode Full-time

Credit value UK 180/ECTS 90

Course intake Up to 20-30 FT.

Course leaders

Further details

Course contact for further information

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences

Department Department of Informatics

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Course detail

Description

Rooted in the renowned research strengths of the Department of Informatics, this course enables you to study a wide variety of topics in advanced computing while allowing you to specialise through your choice of modules.  You will learn advanced practical techniques and implementation skills for solving complex computational problems.

Teaching

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.

You are expected to spend approximately 10 hours work per credit for each module you attend in your degree, e.g. 150 hours work for a 15-credit module. These hours cover every aspect of the module.

Assessment

The primary method of assessment for this course is a combination of written examinations, coursework, in-class tests, individual projects and oral presentations. The individual project will be assessed through a dissertation.

Further literature

 

Structure

Year 1

You will complete the course in one year, studying September to September. You must take modules totalling 180 credits to meet the requirements of the qualification, 60 of which will come from an individual project.

Required Modules

You are required to take:

  • Individual Project (60 credits)
Optional Modules

You are required to take 120 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

  • Cryptography (15 credits) *
  • Nature-Inspired Learning Algorithms (15 credits) *
  • Pattern Recognition, Neural Networks & Deep Learning (15 credits) *
  • Network Theory (15 credits)
  • Security Management (15 credits)
  • Artificial Intelligence Planning (15 credits) *
  • Agents & Multi-Agent Systems (15 credits)
  • Computer Vision (15 credits)
  • Security Engineering (15 credits)
  • Big Data Technologies (15 credits)
  • Software Measurement & Testing (15 credits)
  • Simulation and Data Visualisation (15 credits)
  • Software Engineering and Underlying Technology for Financial Systems (15 credits)
  • Distributed Ledgers and Crypto-Currencies (15 credits)

You will be able to select up to 30 credits from a range of level 6 modules but should note that there are specific regulations surrounding this option that must be carefully considered before making your module selection.  Modules may typically include:

  • Machine Learning (15 credits) *
  • Optimisation Methods (15 credits) *
  • Artificial Intelligence Reasoning and Decision Making (15 credits) *
  • Human-Computer Interaction (15 credits) *
  • Software Design & Architecture (15 credits) *
  • Formal Verification (15 credits) *
  • Compilers & Formal Language (15 credits) *
  • Computational Models (15 credits) *
  • Agile Software Performance Engineering in Industrial Practice (15 credits) *
  • Information Security (15 credits) *

* These modules are not available if you have previously studied in the Department of Informatics and have already taken this module at Level 6.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change.

Entry requirements & how to apply

Advanced Computing Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements   2:1

Bachelors degree with 2:1 honours degree in computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, or a joint degree in two such subjects. Competence in a high level programming language such as Pascal, C, C++, Java, etc, to the level expected at the end of the first year of a BSc honours degree in computer science. We may lower entry qualifications for students with substantial relevant work experience.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. 
International requirements   Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band D Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal https://apply.kcl.ac.uk/ and a non-refundable application fee of £100 applies. Your application will be reviewed by the admissions tutor and we aim to respond to applications within four weeks, although this may take longer during busy and holiday periods.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Personal Statement Yes A personal statement of up to 4,000 characters (maximum 2 pages) is required, explaining why you wish to apply for this programme and why you feel it matches your interests, academic background, and, if relevant, your career plans. 
Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
 Other Optional Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application

 

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 31 March 2020. After this date, applications will remain open if places are available, but programmes will be closed as soon as they are full. For programmes with spaces remaining, no further applications will be accepted from non-EU (Overseas) nationals after 31 July 2020 or from UK/EU nationals after 28 August 2020.

 

Students starting their programme in 2020/21 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2021/22.

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31 March 2020, payment is due by 30 April 2020.
  • If you receive an offer between 1 April 2020 and 30 June 2020, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 1 July 2020 and 31 July 2020, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer on or after 1 August 2020, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.

    If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Full time Home/EU fees: £9,990 per year (2020/21)
  • Full time overseas fees: £26,550 per year (2020/21)
  • Part time Home/EU fees: N/A
  • Part time overseas fees: N/A

Students starting their programme in 2020/21 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2021/22.

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer before 1 June 2020, payment is due by 30 June 2020.

  • If you receive an offer between 1 June 2020 and 30 June 2020, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer between 1 July 2020 and 31 July 2020, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer on or after 1 August 2020, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer in late August, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.


If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Additional costs/expenses

In addition to your tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for: 

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions 
  • Course packs, which are a vital part of your learning at King's and normally contain extracts from books and other useful documents that will inform your study.
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 
  • Graduation costs

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

The Careers Service and the Department of Informatics run a careers programme for Informatics students, which includes skills sessions and visits from top employers.

Our graduates have progressed to have very successful careers in general software consultancy companies, in specialised software development companies and IT departments of large institutions (financial, telecommunications and public sector). Their jobs involve specialist programming and problem-solving as well more conventional software development, maintenance and project management roles.

Some of our graduates have chosen to pursue academic and industrial research in software engineering, bioinformatics, algorithms and computer networks.

Testimonials

Dr Kathleen Steinhöfel

Dr Kathleen Steinhöfel

"At King's we have one of the largest research groups on algorithm design in the UK. It's truly amazing to see what difference these algorithms make with respect to finding solutions to a problem and the size of input data that they can handle."

Reader

Michael Luck

Michael Luck

"My research addresses various aspects of agent-based computing, which draws on a range of different areas including artificial intelligence, distributed systems, social sciences and economics."

Next steps

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