PgDip in Computer Science with Industrial Experience
This PgDip is designed to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills of computer science to enable you to contribute immediately on graduation to ICT companies operating in the Digital Economy. This unique single year M level qualification unifies the academic depth, contextual breadth, industrial experience and development of transferrable skills necessary for employees of modern ICT industries. The PgDip incorporates a series of 2-3 placements with 1 or more UK companies, preparing you for a role in industry and introducing you to potential employers.
This scheme aims to:
- Deepen students’ academic knowledge and understanding of fundamental computer science through taught Masters-level content.
- Broaden students’ awareness of contemporary technologies, platforms and architectures in common use in industry today through industrial placements supported by taught material.
- Gain direct work experience with industry drawn from a range of local and national employers.
By the end of this course students will have gained a broad understanding of the challenges of applying computers science principles to industrial problems, an awareness of the architectures currently employed in industry to address these challenges and developed deeper knowledge and understanding of two topical areas of advanced computer science.
New industrially focused modules on Software Innovation, Enterprise Architectures and Computer Science in Industry will help prepare you for each placement and offer important, cutting-edge industrially focused skills, covering social, legal and professional issues; Innovation and commercialisation; Contemporary Technologies in Industry and Small Project Management. Through a number of guided practical project based placements, you will gain knowledge and experience of defining project plans and practical management of small projects.
Dedicated staff in the Infolab21 Knowledge Business Centre will offer assistance in placing you with appropriate companies to suit your aptitude and expertise.
Students will study three compulsory modules, and an additional two from the list of optional modules. There is also a For the full MSc you are required to complete eight taught modules from the eleven available plus a project dissertation and a self study research methods module.
Note that a self study "Introduction to Programming" course, supported by "programming clinics" is also offered during the 1st term. This course is offered as an aid to the students and is not assessed.
Compulsory Modules
- Software Innovation
- Enterprise Architectures
- Computer Science in Industry
Optional Modules
- Systems Engineering
- Mobile Computing
- System Dependability
- Network and System Security
- Advanced Networking and the Internet
- Contemporary Operating Systems
- Aspect-Oriented Software Development
At least a second class honours degree, or its equivalent, in Computer Science or a closely related discipline. Applicants who do not meet this criterion but who have significant industrial experience will also be considered subject to individual circumstances.
Overseas Students
For students whose first language is not English, there may an additional requirement to demonstrate fluency in English. The department requires IELTS 6.5 min or TOEFL 580 (paper-based test), 238 (computer-based test), 93 (internet-based test).
You will require a visa to be able to study with us in the UK (you do not also need an ATAS certificate). From April, the UK Border agency will be scoring applications against a new points based system. There is more information on the Home Office website
To get a visa you will need to show that you have the money to pay the course fees (£) and to support yourself for 9 months (£5,400). You must have held the funds for 28 days when you apply for the visa.
Tuition fees
| For UK & EU students | £3,900 |
|---|---|
| For overseas students | £12,200 |
Fees are normally payable on Registration Day. Alternatively, you may opt to pay the fees in three instalments with the first instalment being due on Registration Day.
Course fees do not cover residential accommodation or living expenses. However, as a campus based University, Lancaster is a relatively inexpensive place to study. As a guide, a reasonable estimate of living expenses is about £8,500 for 12 months including rent.
Additional information is available on the University website.
Many students choose to work during their studies to help make their studies here more affordable. Normally the visa permits part-time work of up to 20 hours per week and full time over the vacations. More information about this can be found on the University website.
The Post-Study Work Visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 2 years after your degree to work full time. Starting salaries of a Software Engineer in UK are approx. £20K (~1.5m INR, ~223K CNY). Our ICT centre of excellence (InfoLab21) can help you find full and part-time work using their ICT JobShop.
Now is an excellent time to be studying in the UK, the current downturn in exchange rates make this cheaper than ever for International students and you will find that both the fees and the cost of living significantly reduced. Being in the North West, you will also find that the cost of accommodation, food and entertainment are all cheaper than more major cities like London and Birmingham.