MSc Advanced Computing

The MSc in Advanced Computing is a taught postgraduate course aimed at excellent students who have a substantial background in computing. 

This programme includes a wide range of elective modules on advanced computing topics, with opportunities for group work, individual research, and culminating in a large individual project.

The course will enable graduates to develop and master the skills in a broad range of advanced computing concepts and technologies. Participants are given liberty to tailor the programme to their own needs and interest whilst engaging in modules delivered by world-renowned professors and subject experts. Modules range from blockchain to quantum computing, from formal program analysis to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.  It is expected that the modules build upon knowledge gained in a good first degree in Computer Science. The expectation of graduates is that this course enables them to have rewarding careers in Computing or in a profession that has Computing as a core component.

This course is also suitable preparation for PhD studies.

If you have further questions regarding the degree which are not answered here or elsewhere on the website, please contact the admissions tutor for the MSc in Advanced Computing at doc-mscadmissions@imperial.ac.uk.

Advanced Computing in the Department of Computing

The Department of Computing at Imperial College London has leading research groups in Programming Languages, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Data Science, Theory and Algorithms and Visual Computing. Many groups and members of our research staff are at the forefront of research in their respective fields. Our modules are delivered by excellent researchers; 56% of the research in the Department of Computing ranked at 4*, for “Quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour.” in the last Research Excellence Framework exercise. The department has many collaborations with other faculties at Imperial, and leading international institutions, as well as with industry.

We also house dedicated research centres, including the Dyson Robotics Lab, the Data Science Institute, the Centre for Integrative Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, the Hamlyn Centre for Medical Image Computing and Robotics, and more.

Graduates of the on to work in leading companies as Microsoft, Amazon, DeepMind, Facebook, Google, and Twitter; many also progress to PhD research at Imperial and elsewhere. A graduate of the department recently had his company valued at $1 billion, and two other graduates sold their AI startup to Twitter for $150 million.

Throughout the year, leading companies visit the department to give presentations on the Applications of Computing in Industry. These are on a broad range of industrially-relevant topics including AI, Data Science, Programming Languages, Natural Language Processing and Software Engineering. We pride ourselves in presenting great opportunity to learn about the relevance and application of what you are studying, and speak directly with people working on industrial applications.  We also have dedicated extracurricular tutorials and seminars on computing from guest speakers.

Student Profiles

Entry requirements 

All applicants for this course must possess a degree with a substantial computing component. See MSc Advanced Computing entry requirements for more details.

Applying for the MSc in Advanced Computing

Applications for entry in October 2025 are now open, and will close no later than July 31, 2025.  However, we do reserve the right to close applications sooner.

Degree structure

The MSc Advanced Computing requires candidates to complete nine modules over two terms. The degree programme culminates in a large individual project supervised by a member of staff in the department. The individual project runs over the summer term.

The list of current modules is included below. Please note that the exact list of modules offered in a given year may be subject to change.