Welcome to your Computer Science course

Welcome to the Masters course Computer Science at University of Staffordshire!

If you're starting your postgraduate journey with us, we're thrilled to have you. If you're continuing your studies, welcome back! You are now part of the Department of Computing within the School of Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business.

We have over 50 years of experience delivering computing degree courses and this course is delivered by enthusiastic and highly qualified academics with extensive commercial and research backgrounds. We are dedicated to helping your acquire subject-relevant knowledge and develop skills that will unlock your potential and pave the way for a successful and rewarding career.

Remember we are here to support you. If you encounter any issues, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Course Delivery

For full-time on-campus students

Lectures and tutorial sessions will be delivered live on campus, with class sizes designed to enhance your learning experience. Formal lectures will be accompanied by electronic materials available on our learning system, allowing you to pre-read or follow along with downloaded content. The most crucial aspect of your learning will be our labs, where you can deepen your understanding through practical work and discussions.

For distance learning students

Lecture materials will be pre-recorded and accessible on our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Blackboard, along with tutorial materials.

Semester one activities

We run two taught semesters each academic year. Semester one begins in September, and Semester two starts in January. In Semester one, you will take two core modules: Research Methods and Dissertation Proposal, and Software Engineering Principles and Practices, each worth 20 credits. Additionally, you will choose one optional module worth 20 credits.

Pre-course reading

Research methods

We recommend starting with research methods, and Saunders' Research Onion is an excellent starting point. There is a wealth of information available online, and you can begin with this link from GradCoach. This topic will also be covered in one of your modules.

Academic writing and referencing

If you have been out of education for a while, it might be beneficial to review academic writing and Cite-Me-Rite referencing. Our library services offer excellent guides and workshops for individual support. Explore these additional resources to aid your studies:

Useful links:

  •  

Equipment and software

Software

The software requirements will vary based on the individual modules you are studying. The University provides software at no extra cost to all students, which you can access from our University Software Portal.

Hardware

All of our labs are equipped with powerful computers, and additional computers are available in various areas for student use.

For personal hardware, we recommend a laptop with at least an i5 processor (or equivalent), at least 16GB of RAM and a minimum of 500GB of Solid State Drive (SSD). This setup is recommended to efficiently run computing-intensive applications such as virtual machines, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), data analytics, and digital forensic tools.

Using Apple-based laptops is perfectly fine, but please note that not all software has a compatible version for macOS. This is particularly true for some freeware utilities that might be used in your modules.

Trips and activities

We may offer several optional trips, which will be communicated to you closer to the time. These trips are very affordable for students and provide fantastic opportunities to visit tourist locations in the UK and meet fellow students.

Clubs and societies

While studying with us, we encourage you to engage with at least one of our numerous clubs or societies. Joining a club or society offers you the chance to meet and connect with like-minded peers, enriching your student life and experience.

For more information on the types of clubs and societies available here at University of Staffordshire please visit our Students Union website.

Welcome Week

We host a Welcome Week at the start of each semester before teaching starts featuring several important sessions. These include an overview of the course structure, module choices and an opportunity to meet your course leader. We also offer sessions on topics such as plagiarism and competitions. Attending these sessions is crucial to understanding the requirements for your masters course including attendance, expectations, and assessments.

Meet the team

Dr Russell Campion

Head Of Department - Computing & Esports

Russell started at the University in 1990, studying a BA, then MRes, and finally a PhD before going into full-time teaching. He currently runs the Department of Computing. Previously he has managed the Information Systems group at Stafford befor…

Russell's profile

Dr Mohammad Hasan

Senior Lecturer

Mohammad is a Senior lecturer who is involved in PG research, MSc course management, PG and UG teaching. He is the course leader for MSc Computer Science and has experience in Erasmus project management.

Mohammad's profile

Christopher Howard

Course Director

Chris is a networking professional with over 30 years’ experience in the technical and academic field. He is currently the course director for Cyber Security and Networks.

Christopher's profile

Tomasz Bosakowski

Senior Lecturer

Tomasz has obtained his MSc in Computer Engineering and is currently close to completing his PhD degree. He currently lectures in Computer Networks and Security at Staffordshire University. Tomasz is also a member of the university's Cisco teach…

Tomasz's profile

Robin Oldham

Course Director

Robin Oldham is Course Director for Computer Science and Digital Apprenticeships at Staffordshire University having worked in Higher Education for 20+ years as a Lecturer, Manager and Technology Professional

Robin's profile

Dr David Dyke

Course Director

David's expertise focuses on control engineering, electrical circuit analysis, analogue electronics and hardware-based digital electronics. His research interests focus on social implications of technology and the use of AI for power systems design.

David's profile

Tomasz Bosakowski

Senior Lecturer

Tomasz has obtained his MSc in Computer Engineering and is currently close to completing his PhD degree. He currently lectures in Computer Networks and Security at Staffordshire University. Tomasz is also a member of the university's Cisco teach…

Tomasz's profile

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025 & TIGA Best Games Intuition 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021