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University of Birmingham (MSc Computer Science)

Hello. I recently received an offer for MSc Computer Science (Conversion) from the University of Birmingham and am considering it. I'd really appreciate it if a current student in the program can let me know the course curriculum. In particular, I'm interested in knowing what language they would be teaching during the software workshops. I did some research and it seems to be Java. However, I just wanted to verify that information. Thanks!
Hi young man,
The main language taught when I did my masters in CS at bham.ac.uk was java [software workshop] together with pretty complex sql. in the databases module.

To find out the current syllabus/modules you could book a place at the open day in 2 weeks' time and speak to current students + lecturers in the bespoke CS building opposite Learning Centre [short walk from University Rail Station [see link below]]:-
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/open-events/campus-events

M
Reply 2
Thanks so much for the awesome tip I booked a space for the Postgraduate Open Day and hope to talk to some students in the course. Also connected with a student via the chat feature. Could you expound on the databases module? From my understanding, it's bundled together with DS&A. I'm not sure how comprehensive the module would be. From the description of it, the DS&A module seems a bit rudimentary. Thanks!
Original post by uktherebel
Thanks so much for the awesome tip I booked a space for the Postgraduate Open Day and hope to talk to some students in the course. Also connected with a student via the chat feature. Could you expound on the databases module? From my understanding, it's bundled together with DS&A. I'm not sure how comprehensive the module would be. From the description of it, the DS&A module seems a bit rudimentary. Thanks!

Hi sorry for delay - have not visited TSR site foe a while - have you already had the open day?!

The content/slant of the databases module will depend on the lecturer - one lecturer covered sql in great detail & complexity i.e. aggregate queries, multiple nested queries, queries with several tables, relational algebra, entity relationships, JOINS & UNIONS, etc. Another concentrated on database theory of e.g. associativity, exclusivity, normalization of tables, database design and implementation, etc. with less emphasis on sql, so you will need to check who teaches the module.

Might sound ignorant, but I am not sure what DS&A stands for - Data Science & Analysis? we had a module called Intelligent Data Analysis, which covered e.g. the maths of large data sets, including quite advanced algebraic matrices to condense multidimensional datasets into fewer dimensions, etc. but not databases much at all.

Hope this helps!

M
Is there a discord or something for the incoming cohort? (2024/2025)
Reply 5
Hi - I am just finishing this course. The language was changed to Python for us so we ended up not doing Java.
Original post by rev1221
Hi - I am just finishing this course. The language was changed to Python for us so we ended up not doing Java.

Lucky I've stumbled across your comment lol.

Would you say the course was worth it? Has anyone in your cohort received job offers? How much programming experience did you have prior or need ahead of the course?

Thinking of applying for next year, currently doing the CS50x.
Reply 7
Original post by rev1221
Hi - I am just finishing this course. The language was changed to Python for us so we ended up not doing Java.

Yes, could you provide more info about programming on the course?
Reply 8
Hi - sorry I was a bit absent on TSR due to finishing my dissertation! The programming modules assume no prior knowledge. I did a lot of prep before coming and found the first term module quite straightforward. This wasn’t a bad thing though as there is lots to learn in the other two modules that kept me busy.

The second programming module was on using Flask to develop web applications. I found this module very useful as I had literally no clue how to build a web app before coming and now have built a couple! The other modules are more theoretical but I found the info I learned from them useful for informing my decision making when programming. For instance, it is useful to know how computer store numbers and how computers work when thinking about your code!

I have accepted a job on a grad scheme in software engineering for a tech company. The thing about this course is there are students from different backgrounds who will be looking to use the degree in different ways. Some want to be software engineers, others want to use the skills learned in the industry they work in currently etc. I will say it was a TOUGH job market and I started applying super early (when I had barely started the course) which was difficult as I was interviewing for grad roles in CS having not done much of the course. Maybe the market will pick up but I would be prepared to work hard, be resilient and do everything you can to learn as much as you can over the year to put yourself in the best possible position for future success.
Reply 9
Original post by ethereal-crypto
Lucky I've stumbled across your comment lol.
Would you say the course was worth it? Has anyone in your cohort received job offers? How much programming experience did you have prior or need ahead of the course?
Thinking of applying for next year, currently doing the CS50x.

Just in response to this, I would say CS50 is excellent prep for this course from what I have heard! There are also free online coding modules in Python by the University of Helsinki I would recommend if you want to really dive into Python before hand!
Reply 10
Original post by rev1221
Hi - sorry I was a bit absent on TSR due to finishing my dissertation! The programming modules assume no prior knowledge. I did a lot of prep before coming and found the first term module quite straightforward. This wasn’t a bad thing though as there is lots to learn in the other two modules that kept me busy.
The second programming module was on using Flask to develop web applications. I found this module very useful as I had literally no clue how to build a web app before coming and now have built a couple! The other modules are more theoretical but I found the info I learned from them useful for informing my decision making when programming. For instance, it is useful to know how computer store numbers and how computers work when thinking about your code!
I have accepted a job on a grad scheme in software engineering for a tech company. The thing about this course is there are students from different backgrounds who will be looking to use the degree in different ways. Some want to be software engineers, others want to use the skills learned in the industry they work in currently etc. I will say it was a TOUGH job market and I started applying super early (when I had barely started the course) which was difficult as I was interviewing for grad roles in CS having not done much of the course. Maybe the market will pick up but I would be prepared to work hard, be resilient and do everything you can to learn as much as you can over the year to put yourself in the best possible position for future success.

Thank you so much! So in short, it’s worth it? I want to be able to build full fledged applications! Also what was doing the research project like? Did you have any lectures at all during summer? Lastly, how did you land your grad scheme? Congratulations btw!
Reply 11
Worth it for me definitely! But it all depends on you and your goals and ambitions.

Summer project was fun! I really enjoyed it. There were like 5-6 lectures over the summer but that was it.

Landing my grad scheme came down to having a strategy and applying a lot and being persistent, then practicing interviewing. The entry level job market in tech is tough atm so i think all you can do is be resilient and work as hard as you can!
Reply 12
Original post by rev1221
Worth it for me definitely! But it all depends on you and your goals and ambitions.
Summer project was fun! I really enjoyed it. There were like 5-6 lectures over the summer but that was it.
Landing my grad scheme came down to having a strategy and applying a lot and being persistent, then practicing interviewing. The entry level job market in tech is tough atm so i think all you can do is be resilient and work as hard as you can!

Thanks so much for your replies! I have a question regarding the interviewing. What did the companies expect from you? Did they ask a lot of technical questions? If so, how difficult were they (esp. given you had barely started the course)?
Reply 13
Original post by uktherebel
Thanks so much for your replies! I have a question regarding the interviewing. What did the companies expect from you? Did they ask a lot of technical questions? If so, how difficult were they (esp. given you had barely started the course)?

Really depends on the company regarding the complexity. I did some Leetcode practice to prepare for mine and tried to learn a bunch of algos and data structures. There was also a lot of online job simulation tests lik there are with other grad schemes and then an added coding test as well.

I would say interviewing defo got easier as I progressed through the course as I started to accrue more knowledge, but I think applying early was still a good thing to do as it meant I could get lots of practice in, even though in the early days it was unlikely any of the jobs I applied to were going to accept me! Hope that makes sense.
What was the timetable like for semester 1 and semester 2? Are the lectures recorded? Is attendance at the lectures in person necessary for 100% of the time. I work Mondays and Tuesdays and live in Nottingham so will be commuting for the other 3 days.. Thanks
Reply 15
Original post by lewisricketts
What was the timetable like for semester 1 and semester 2? Are the lectures recorded? Is attendance at the lectures in person necessary for 100% of the time. I work Mondays and Tuesdays and live in Nottingham so will be commuting for the other 3 days.. Thanks

We had roughly a lecture a day for terms 1 and 2, 1 lab in term 1 and 2 labs in term 2. Roughly 10-12 hours contact time maybe? Attendance codes are taken for everything so you will have to be there for lectures.
Reply 16
Original post by uktherebel
Hello. I recently received an offer for MSc Computer Science (Conversion) from the University of Birmingham and am considering it. I'd really appreciate it if a current student in the program can let me know the course curriculum. In particular, I'm interested in knowing what language they would be teaching during the software workshops. I did some research and it seems to be Java. However, I just wanted to verify that information. Thanks!

Hi I am considering taking this course next year. If you have begun your workshops yet could you confirm the language being used is now Python?
Reply 17
Original post by Elsigood
Hi I am considering taking this course next year. If you have begun your workshops yet could you confirm the language being used is now Python?

Yes it’s python!
Reply 18
Original post by rev1221
Hi - sorry I was a bit absent on TSR due to finishing my dissertation! The programming modules assume no prior knowledge. I did a lot of prep before coming and found the first term module quite straightforward. This wasn’t a bad thing though as there is lots to learn in the other two modules that kept me busy.
The second programming module was on using Flask to develop web applications. I found this module very useful as I had literally no clue how to build a web app before coming and now have built a couple! The other modules are more theoretical but I found the info I learned from them useful for informing my decision making when programming. For instance, it is useful to know how computer store numbers and how computers work when thinking about your code!
I have accepted a job on a grad scheme in software engineering for a tech company. The thing about this course is there are students from different backgrounds who will be looking to use the degree in different ways. Some want to be software engineers, others want to use the skills learned in the industry they work in currently etc. I will say it was a TOUGH job market and I started applying super early (when I had barely started the course) which was difficult as I was interviewing for grad roles in CS having not done much of the course. Maybe the market will pick up but I would be prepared to work hard, be resilient and do everything you can to learn as much as you can over the year to put yourself in the best possible position for future success.

Hi im considering taking this msc course though theres not much information on the dissertation. I understand dissertation expectations vary by course and university; could you help shed light on the requirements eg length of dissertation?

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