Information for current masters

Viewing your timetable

If you do not know your timetable and do not have a physical copy you can find your timetable by logging into SDS. Once here click on "Details & Study" and on the next screen click on "My Timetable". This will allow you to see your current timetable.

Note that the postgraduate timetable may not be available on SDS at the start of the academic year until after lectures have begun. A printed copy of the draft timetable is provided in the Welcome Pack. Details are subject to change especially for practical classes as arrangements depend on the numbers of students choosing each module

back to top

Programmes

Please see below the Master's programmes accompanied by the programme director

• MSc Computer Science [Dr Peter Kenny]
• MSc Advanced Computer Science [Dr Alex Freitas]
• MSc Advanced Computer Science (Computational Intelligence) [Dr Alex Freitas]
• MSc Advanced Software Development [Dr Alex Freitas]
• MSc Computer Security [Gerald Tripp]
• MSc Future Computing [Professor Frank Wang/Dr Dominique Chu]
• MSc Networks and Security [Gerald Tripp]
• MSc Computing and Entrepreneurship [Dr John Crawford]
• MSc IT Consultancy [Dr John Crawford]
• International Masters programmes [Dr Julio Hernandez-Castro]
• Pre-Masters (Graduate Diploma) programmes [Dr Julio Hernandez-Castro]

back to top

Module levels

Each module you undertake will have a credit value as well as the term in which it is taught written in your student handbook. As well as this there will also be a letter. These letters denote the level of difficulty which are as follows:

• Masters (M, level 7)
• Honours (H, level 6)
• Intermediate (I, level 5)
• Certificate (C, level 4)

Masters programmes consist primarily of level M modules.

Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma programmes (including the first year of an International Masters) are mostly level H or below.

For more information on module levels and what to expect from these modules see qualification level descriptions.

Module credits

Modules you take during your programme all have a credit value, those that run over 1 term tend to be worth 15 credits, those that run over both the Autumn and Spring terms tend to be worth 30 credits. 30 credit modules are significantly larger than 15 credit modules in terms of learning and work necessary for completion. In order to attain the credits for a particular module you must acheive at least a passing grade.

For more information on a specific modules please search for it in the module catalogue or refer to your course handbook. You can find a copy of this under "student handbooks" at the bottom of the modules and programmes page.

Further notes:

• Credit by compensation or condonement will not be awarded for the placement year CO790, or the project modules CO600/CO620/CO650

back to top

Optional modules

Most programmes allow you some choice in the modules taken. The number and selection available depend on the programme. Optional modules count towards your degree.

Extra modules

It is not possible to take additional modules beyond the requirements of your programme for extra credit. If you would like to sit in on lectures for another module purely for interest (not credit) then please contact the lecturer in advance. Permission will normally be granted unless the room is already full.

back to top

Progression

Standard Masters

The Standard Masters programme consists of a taught component in the autumn and spring terms, exams in the summer term and a major project during the summer "vacation". If you are registered on a programme that includes an industrial placement this usually commences after the major project.

Student progress is reviewed in June after the exams have been marked. If you fail a taught module then you will be offered an opportunity to retrieve the credit during the summer. This is known as a resit. Resits may involve supplementary coursework or exams depending on the module and which elements were failed. Students with resits are granted extra time for their project. If you have arranged an industrial placement and you have resits amounting to 45 credits or more then you will need to retrieve the credit before starting the placement. This generally means postponing the placement because resit marks aren't formally confirmed until the examination board in late October.

Note that we can't guarantee every student will find a placement. If you are unable to secure a placement then your registration will be transferred to the corresponding MSc programme without a placement.

Pre-Masters (Graduate Diploma)

The Pre-Masters programme is delivered during the autumn and spring terms followed by exams in the summer term. Results are reviewed in June and the arrangements for credit retrieval are similar to the Standard Masters.

International Masters

The International Masters programme is equivalent to a Pre-Masters (Stage 1) followed by a Standard Masters (Stage 2). Progression to Stage 2 is conditional upon passing Stage 1 with an overall average mark of at least 50%. If you pass Stage 1 but your average is below 50% then you will be awarded a Graduate Diploma and your registration will end. For the International Masters in IT Consultancy there are additional progression requirements relating to English language, technical and interpersonal skills. These will be tested by an interview at the end of Stage 1. If you are unable to meet the additional requirements then you will be permitted to transfer to another International Masters programme.

back to top

Degree awards

To pass a degree programme you must normally pass all of the modules. A narrow margin of failure is permitted for a limited proportion of the credits subject to certain conditions. This is known as compensation. Compensation is allowed for most taught modules but not for the Masters project. See your programme handbook for further details.

For the Standard Masters programmes if you achieve an overall average mark of 60% or 70% then your degree will be classified as "with Merit" or "with Distinction", respectively.

For the International Masters programmes only the Standard Masters stage counts towards the final classification.

Pre-Masters degrees are not classified but your transcript will record the marks achieved for each module.

back to top