Advanced Computer Science (Cloud Computing) MSc

Developments in cloud computing technology are transforming the way we live and work. This Masters degree will equip you with specialist knowledge in this fast-growing field and allow you to explore a range of advanced topics in computer science.

Our Advanced Computer Science MSc will build on your existing knowledge of computer science, giving you a foundation in topics like systems programming and algorithms, as well as specialist modules in advanced distributed systems – especially cloud techniques, technologies and applications.

The programme will give you the theoretical and practical skills required to design and implement larger, more complex systems using state-of-the-art technologies. You’ll even have the chance to work as an integral member of one of our research groups when you develop your main project.

Studying in our School of Computing gives you access to a whole range of specialist facilities, whilst being taught by academics who are experts in their fields. We are also responsible for producing internationally excellent research and have excellent links with the Cloud Computing industry including Atos, Alibaba Cloud and Microsoft meaning you’ll be learning the most up-to-date practices and techniques needed to pursue an exciting career in industry.

Why study at Leeds:

• Learn the latest innovations in computer science from research produced by the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics and our School’s world-leading research conducted right here on campus that feeds directly into the course.

• Benefit from studying at a university that is a partner of the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.

• Advance your knowledge and skills in key areas of computing including software engineering, whilst focusing on both theory and practice so you can understand and implement cloud computing applications and architectures.

• Tailor the degree to suit your specific interests with a selection of optional modules to choose from such as data science, artificial intelligence, algorithms and machine learning.

• Build industry experience and conduct your own individual project which focuses on a real-world topic of your choice, giving you the chance to develop professional skills in research and critical thinking.

• Access a wide range of industry-standard specialist facilities including a state-of-the-art cloud computing lab, a large High Performance Computing (HPC) resource and a visualisation lab including a Powerwall, benchtop display with tracking system, WorldViz PPT optical tracking system and Intersense InertiaCube orientation tracker.

• Experience expert theoretical and practical teaching delivered by a programme team made up of academics who specialise in a wide range of computing topics.

• Enhance your career prospects and join our successful alumni who have secured jobs in many excellent organisations worldwide.

• Study in the Sir William Henry Bragg building, a brand-new development providing excellent facilities and teaching spaces for an outstanding student experience.

During the first half of the year, you will study core modules which will lay the foundations of the programme by giving you an understanding of the key topics of software engineering and systems programming.

From there you’ll have the chance to tailor your studies to suit your own preferences. You’ll choose from a wide range of optional modules on diverse topics such as machine learning, big data systems, and scientific computation.

In the second half of the year, over the summer months, you’ll also work on your research project. This gives you the chance to work as an integral part of one of our active research groups, focusing on a specialist topic in computer science and selecting the appropriate research methods.

Research projects include various topics such as edge computing, serverless architectures, big data, energy efficiency and resource management.

Project work

The professional project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.

Recent projects for Advanced Computer Science (Cloud Computing) MSc students have included:

• Intelligent services to support sensemaking

• Machine Learning based cloud resource scheduling

• Energy-aware resource management

• Google cloud data analysis

• Cloud Computing auto-scaling

• Scalable serverless workflows

A proportion of projects are formally linked to industry and can include spending time at the collaborator’s site over the summer.

Want to find out more about your modules?

Take a look at the Advanced Computer Science (Cloud Computing) module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Advanced Computer Science (Cloud Computing) MSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with them through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings.

Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

Specialist facilities

You’ll benefit from world-class facilities to support your learning, including:

• a state-of the art cloud computing lab with a 10-node cluster

• a large High Performance Computing (HPC) resource consisting of several clusters which are used for all forms of predictive modelling, data analysis and simulation

• a visualisation lab including a Powerwall, benchtop display with tracking system, WorldViz PPT optical tracking system and Intersense InertiaCube orientation tracker

• Ascension Flock of Birds tracking systems, three DOF and 6DOF Phantom force feedback devices

• Twin Immersion Corp CyberGloves

• rendering cluster and labs containing both Microsoft and Linux platforms, among others.

• You'll study in the Sir William Henry Bragg building, a brand-new development providing excellent facilities and teaching spaces for an outstanding student experience.

It’s an exciting environment in which to gain a range of skills and experience cutting-edge technology.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.

Programme team

The programme leader, Professor Karim Djemame, has undertaken research in distributed systems that have developed fundamental principles and practical methods for problems that are computationally challenging and/or require unusual kinds of computing resources. It focuses on Edge, Cloud and HPC-based services to enable organisations to efficiently manage their high-end computing resources with Quality of Service support.

• Professor Karim Djemame

• Professor Jie Xu

• Dr Evangelos Pournaras

• Dr Zheng Wang

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques which may include case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessment methods.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in computer science. Other Computing based degrees may be considered on a case by case basis.

We require all applicants to have studied a breadth of relevant modules including significant programming, systems development, data structures and algorithms, with strong marks across all these modules.

Relevant work experience will also be considered.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

We operate a staged admissions process for this course with selection deadlines throughout the year.

Please read our Staged Admissions page for full details, including application deadlines and what to include with your application.

Apply

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

• UK: £12,750 (total)
• International: £28,000 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Computing is an essential component of nearly every daily activity, from the collection and processing of information in business, through to smart systems embedded in devices, image processing in medical diagnosis and the middleware that underpins distributed technologies like cloud computing and the semantic web.

This course will give you the practical skills to enter many areas of applied computing, working as application developers, system designers and evaluators. Links between the taught modules and our research provide our students with added strengths in artificial intelligence, intelligent systems, distributed systems, and the analysis of complex data. As a result, you’ll be well-prepared for a range of careers, as well as further research at PhD level.

Plus, the University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2022 report.

Here’s an insight into some of the job positions and organisations previous advanced computer science graduates have secured:

• Technical Graduate, Thomson Reuters

• Engineer, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

• Senior Software Engineer, Funding Circle

• Technical Developer, Reading Room

• Head of Audience Development, Al Jazeera Media Network

• Systems Engineer, Systematic

• Software Engineer, THG

• Programmer, Alibaba

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability team — are on hand to offer guidance and support, ensuring you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles. 

• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.

• Qualified careers consultants — gain guidance, support and information to help you choose a career path. You’ll have access to 1-2-1 meetings and events to learn how to find employers to target, research before interviews and brush up on your interview skills.

• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Find out more about career support.