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

Student stories

Read stories from students of Edinburgh Napier's Computing study area

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
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    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)
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    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.
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    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.
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    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

Computer Systems ( CSN11108 )

Key features of PC-based systems: Motherboards, hub chips, processors, RAM and cache.Basic processor operation: the fetch execute cycle and interrupts.Principles of operating systems: virtual memory and multitasking.Case study: the Windows operating system.Main features of local area networks and the Internet: Ethernet, wireless networks, the Internet Protocol. Introduction to some of the main network devices, such as switches and routers.

Further information

Database Systems ( SET11101 )

Database architecture and functionality
Data analysis and entity-relationship modelling
Normalisation (to third normal form)
SQL – theory and practical skills
The role of a Database Administrator (DBA)
Practical exposure to current software tools
Current trends in database technology

Further information

Digital Business Environments ( INF11114 )

Digital business models and revenue models.Digital business strategy process models and their use.Online marketplace analysis.The role of ‘Search? and ‘Social? ecosystems in the online environment.Assessment of e-Procurement and digital supply chains.Mobile platforms and location-based services.Design approaches for online channels and touchpoints.Privacy and trust issues.Legal and regulatory frameworks for digital business.

Further information

Group Project ( SOC11103 )

The main purpose of this module is to develop your teamworking skills by applying your technical knowledge in a group situation. Your team of four or five students will work together to deliver a working prototype of a software system relevant to your programme of study.

The module is also designed to develop your skills in critical analysis and reflection. In the first few weeks, your team will review existing work related to your chosen project which will inform the production of a formal system specification. The review and specification will form the first piece of coursework along with a reflective statement from each team member that discusses personal issues and insights arising from the project up to that point.

The second submission is a second group report and presentation (via teleconferencing or equivalent for distance learning (DL) students) on the implementation of the design and the evaluation of the final prototype. This is accompanied by a second personal statement that reflects on the processes and potential conflicts of teamwork.

Each group will be allocated a supervisor with whom you will have weekly meetings (online for DL students). However the management and progress of the project will remain the responsibility of the team; the supervisor’s role is to provide advice and feedback where appropriate, and to monitor the contribution of team members. Management and direction of the project must come from the team and not the supervisor.

Further information

Management of Software Projects ( INF11103 )

Managing project start-up through project requirements evaluation and project planning techniques.Comparing and contrasting big up front and appropriate design approachesComparative analysis of software project management approaches and Bodies of Knowledge (BoK) applied to software development projectsThe assessment of project risk management approaches and metrics for project monitoring and control within an agile project management approach.Analysis of software development process improvement approaches through Agile software standards and maturity modelsEvaluation of software development teams and group dynamics as key factors in the successful delivery of projectsUtilisation of a tailored project management methodology such as Scrum or XP to manage the delivery of an assessment instrument

Further information

Programming for the Web ( SET11105 )

In this module you will learn how do design and implement dynamic web sites, from the basics to modern frameworks and current professional practice.
Covered topics are:
* General client-side technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
* Client-side frameworks: Bootstrap, jQuery, jQuery-Mobile
* A general overview of server-side development frameworks (such as PHP and ASP.NET) as well as how HTTP connects everything together
* Data handling/persistence mechanisms: Databases, Entity Framework, Sessions, JSON
* In-depth knowledge of ASP.NET MVC and related technologies (e.g. Razor, Linq). We will be using the framework with C#
In doing so you will gain a good understanding of and ability to critically evaluate and select an appropriate framework for various kinds of web applications.

Further information

Software Development 1 ( SET11102 )

Program Environment: Use of an interactive development environment.

Basic Programming Skills: Variable declarations, printing to the
screen, reading from the keyboard, simple arithmetic operations,
sequence, selection and iteration, functional decomposition, arrays,
simple GUI's.

Introduction to object-oriented programming.

Program testing and documentation.

Further information

Software Development 2 ( SET11103 )

Object-oriented design: identifying architectural relationships of associations and aggregations, recording results of a design, system building, reasoning about a design, development lifecycles.
Documentation: Produce detailed user and technical documentation for programs.
Design, implement, test and document a non-trivial software application
Save and retrieve data from sources external to Java
Develop interfaces to Java programs

Further information

Web Design & Development ( SET11112 )

Current ideas on web page design; Document Object Model (DOM); Document Type Definitions (DTD); web page construction using appropriate IDE tools such as Eclipse; HTML coding; client and server side scripting; database connectivity using PHP & MySQL; Cascading Style Sheets

Further information

Work-based Dissertation ( SOC11112 )

Identifying projects The material will be available on the Moodle dissertation module page setting out the requirements and expectations:1. Employers: information on hiring a Masters's student to work on a dissertation project with a link to the MyFuture employment opportunity site. (University will arrange a career fair for Msc students who plan to join the module before the particular trimester)2. Students: information on undertaking a WBL project and being proactive in undertaking initial research at the application stage, with links to the Moodle resources and the MyFuture site. Matching Projects to Students A formal interview process is being established to match students and projects/employers though the ML must ensure the project and organisation are suitable for a Master-level dissertation.Project SupervisionWe would recommend the following responsibilities for the student and supervisor: 1. The student must contact their academic supervisor once per week. This typically takes the form of online or in-person meetings. 2. The student should briefly summarise what has been achieved that week and indicate if they are feeling OK with the project as a whole. 3. The supervisor must acknowledge receipt of the student's progress and support the student with dissertation writing.

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 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £10,795 £tba
Overseas £12,080 tba
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

What can you do with a MSc Computing with Professional Placement degree?

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
  • Computer software engineer
  • Data analysist
  • Java developers
  • System administration or network administration
  • UX design
  • Web developer

From programming and software development to Information Systems Engineering, you'll delve into the foundational concepts that underpin modern computing systems. Through hands-on projects and collaborative learning experiences, you'll gain practical expertise in designing and implementing scalable and efficient solutions to complex problems.

Over time, you will emerge as a proficient and resourceful computing professional, ready to tackle the challenges of the digital age. Whether you aspire to work as a software engineer, systems analyst, or technology consultant, our MSc in Computing will provide you with the tools and confidence to succeed in any computing-related field.

What does a Software Developer do?

As a software developer, you'll be at the forefront of innovation, designing and developing software applications that power various aspects of our lives. Whether it's crafting intuitive user interfaces, optimizing algorithms for efficiency, or building scalable backend systems, your contributions will have a profound impact on how people interact with technology.

You will be collaborating with diverse teams of fellow developers, designers, and stakeholders to bring ideas from concept to reality. Your days will be filled with coding, testing, and refining software solutions to address real-world challenges across industries. From mobile apps that streamline daily tasks to enterprise software that drives business operations, your work will enhance efficiency, improve user experiences, and propel organizations toward success.

As a Software Developer, you will constantly push the boundaries of what's possible, staying abreast of the latest technologies and methodologies to stay ahead in this dynamic field. Your passion for innovation and problem-solving will drive you to create software that not only meets but exceeds expectations, leaving a lasting impact on the digital world.

Interior photo of atrium in Edinburgh Napier University Sighthill campus building.