Wrexham Glyndwr University vs University of York (Online MSc Comp Sci)

Hi folks,

After scouring these forums for reviews on Wrexham's MSc in Comp Sci with Big Data Analytics (https://online.glyndwr.ac.uk/msc-computer-science-with-big-data-analytics/#admission-requirements), I can't seem to find anything. From what I understand based on York's MSc thread (https://online.york.ac.uk/study-online/msc-computer-science-with-data-analytics-online/), York's degree seems more theoretical.

I am a health research fellow (university-based). I don't need a comp sci degree to change careers as such—but rather—to understand data-related research within my own field. Some of the work that I do involves substantial overlaps with computing areas, particularly AI/ML applications in health. York would be more suitable since university reputation is important within academia—which is where I am situated—than it might be to someone wanting to work in the industry. That being said, I also don't want to get a degree that looks good on paper but doesn't really teach me anything usable, which makes me wonder if Wrexham is the better fit. I know there are better options out there, but I really need it to be a conversion course, and not too math-focused right away. So really, these are the two choices that fit my needs (and budget!)

Here are my key comparison takeaways. Wrexham: bad ranking, better student support, tuition 6000. York: good ranking, minimal student support, tuition 7800. Both take 2 years to finish and I think both run on a 'carousel' model, where you keep taking courses as they are offered. It might prolong your degree if, for some reason, you cannot take a course when it's offered—because then you have to wait till it is offered again, I think.

What I am curious about it is whether the York and Wrexham courses differ significantly in terms of their curriculum, examinations, grading, etc.

Some specific questions I have been wondering about:
1. Do either of them cover python and R?
2. How much math / stats do they really need?
3. How much prior programming skill do they assume?
4. What sort of format do Wrexham's exams have?
5. What does the teaching look like at Wrexham—is it reading vast amounts of text or more Coursera-like (ah, I wish).

The York thread is such a robust one. I wish there was a Wrexham thread like that. Makes me think, is absolutely nobody doing the Wrexham course at all? That would say a lot about it.

Hi folks,

After scouring these forums for reviews on Wrexham's MSc in Comp Sci with Big Data Analytics (https://online.glyndwr.ac.uk/msc-computer-science-with-big-data-analytics/#admission-requirements), I can't seem to find anything. From what I understand based on York's MSc thread (https://online.york.ac.uk/study-online/msc-computer-science-with-data-analytics-online/), York's degree seems more theoretical.

I am a health research fellow (university-based). I don't need a comp sci degree to change careers as such—but rather—to understand data-related research within my own field. Some of the work that I do involves substantial overlaps with computing areas, particularly AI/ML applications in health. York would be more suitable since university reputation is important within academia—which is where I am situated—than it might be to someone wanting to work in the industry. That being said, I also don't want to get a degree that looks good on paper but doesn't really teach me anything usable, which makes me wonder if Wrexham is the better fit. I know there are better options out there, but I really need it to be a conversion course, and not too math-focused right away. So really, these are the two choices that fit my needs (and budget!)

Here are my key comparison takeaways. Wrexham: bad ranking, better student support, tuition 6000. York: good ranking, minimal student support, tuition 7800. Both take 2 years to finish and I think both run on a 'carousel' model, where you keep taking courses as they are offered. It might prolong your degree if, for some reason, you cannot take a course when it's offered—because then you have to wait till it is offered again, I think.

What I am curious about it is whether the York and Wrexham courses differ significantly in terms of their curriculum, examinations, grading, etc.

Some specific questions I have been wondering about:
1. Do either of them cover python and R?
2. How much math / stats do they really need?

Hi,



I'm a mature student looking to study this course at either York or Wrexham. I have offered accepted at both universities but have no experience in this field. How does this course compare at the 2 universities? I aware aware Wrexham is 6000k and York 7800k ut is is worth going for the chaepr course at a lower ranked university?



I work full time and would really need to motivate to complete this course, especially with lack of previous knowledge or understanding. Any advice on this issue will be greatly appreciated

Good luck with your choice. I have no experience with computer science, so rather that specialise in something like cyber security, it may be better for me to learn the foundations on computer science first, through York or Wrexham. I'm assuming you already have some prior knowledge of computer science? What made you choose Wrexham over York if you don't mind me asking? On the other thread, some students are concerned over the university rankings, and future employability.

I live abroad, so don’t need to think so much about the ratings. I also already have a job. I work in an IT company, but don’t have an IT background. I have taken a few courses, but am still worried that these MSc courses will be tough.
I chose Wrexham over York because I liked the course modules better. As far as I can tell they cover a lot of the same topics, which is not really surprising! Wrexham is also cheaper which was another incentive for me to choose them.
I read the thread here on TSR about York and a lot of pepole were disatisfied with York. I haven’t found any reviews(good or bad) about Wrexham, but have chatted with a couple of students on the course who were satisfied.
As for cs or one of the «specialities» they should all suit your level, so go with what is most interesting for you! With 15 hours of teaching and 335 hours of personal study a student will have to be interested in the topics!

Good luck with your choice! I start on 7th Sept on the Wrexham course.

Thank you for your advice, it is appreciated. I am probably leaning more towards Wrexham after reading all the discussions! I may start the course but September may be too soon for me. The next intake is November so who knows, we may be in touch one way or another, soon!

Good luck with your start in September, and I may contact you in the near future to see how you are progressing. That is is you don't mind :-)

Hi all, how’s your experience so far?
Is there enough help / support for students with BA?

Hey, I'm starting the MSc Computer Science with Cyber Security on the 7th Sept. I chose York because I prefer the course.

Is the Wrexam online website down? I am supposed to be starting in November and went to pay for my module and it seems to have a certificate issue.

Three weeks in on the Critical reading and writing course and I am getting on ok. So far there has not been any technical subjects to learn so what UG degree you have has made no difference. This week is the first assignment. It doesn’t count towards the grade, but we should get feedback to help us with what we need to improve. The tutor is active on the forums and you are encouraged to take part in discussions, but not everyone does.

I have heard that quite a lot of students are struggling with the critical reading and writing module. I also heard from some data scientists/BI Professionals who are taking the module found it quite useful to develop one's critical thinking particularly data science way of thinking. Do you think it is a tough module? And what do you think of other modules?

I think the module is worth doing. It is definitely useful to have the critical reading and writing skills we are trying to develop whether you do an Msc or not. We haven't got our grades back from the previous assignment yet which means no-one knows how they got on. I was happy with the grade I got on the first assignment, but that didn't count towards the module grade, which the previous assignment did. The down side of taking courses that don't last long is that there isn't time to get much feed-back.
I wouldn't say it is a particularly tough module - I think it covers what you need to be able to do to complete the course, although the book and the first graded assignment weren't at all on the topic of CS. The second assignment is interesting - about the technological singularity. My biggest issue for me is that I haven't written academic papers for many years and it was quite tough to start again. There were a lot of practical things that I wish I had known - like Word has a citation function. I know a lot of people were in the same boat.
I am looking forward to starting the second module next week - Digital Forensics.

Hi,



I'm a mature student looking to study this course at either York or Wrexham. I have offered accepted at both universities but have no experience in this field. How does this course compare at the 2 universities? I aware aware Wrexham is 6000k and York 7800k ut is is worth going for the chaepr course at a lower ranked university?



I work full time and would really need to motivate to complete this course, especially with lack of previous knowledge or understanding. Any advice on this issue will be greatly appreciated