Online MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering | Walbrook

Get your Master’s in Computer Science with Software Engineering, the Walbrook Way

Study 100% online, from anywhere
- Graduate in just 1 year.
- 12 starts per year – start within weeks.
- Competitive tuition – £7,680 total.
Graduate with tech skills in high demand
- Learn software and AI-assisted workflows.
- 89% of Walbrook graduates in skilled roles*
- 24/7 online Careers Hub and job portal.
For professionals balancing work, home and life
- A supported route into software engineering.
- No computing degree or experience required.
- Flex between full and part-time.

MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering online degree

Software engineering is the UK’s second-largest tech skills shortage, with 24% of organisations reporting a gap (2026 Tech Talent & Salary Report, Harvey Nash). As AI changes how software is developed, our MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering aims to prepare you to work alongside new technology without losing sight of quality, security and reliability.

Why this master's degree?

Graduate in as little as 1 year, with software engineering skills for current and emerging technology.
Built for career changers ready to engineer reliable software in the age of AI.
Created by experts in the City of London, at the centre of Europe’s largest tech and AI community (Dealroom Global Tech Ecosystem Index).

Meet Prof. Alastair Irons, Academic Lead for Computer Science

Your online MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering at a glance

Location:

‣ 100% Online, distance learning

Start dates:

‣ Start any month from October 2026

Duration:

‣ Full-time: 1 year

‣ Part-time: 2 years

Tuition fees and funding:

‣ Total programme cost is £7,680

‣ Secure your place by paying for your first one or two modules, depending on whether you choose full-time or part-time study.

Entry requirements:

‣ 2:2 honours degree and above (or equivalent) in a subject other than computing.

‣ Alternatively, you can apply with 2+ years’ relevant professional experience in one or more computing-related roles.

Why students choose Walbrook

Graduate in just 1 year, ready for future tech
Connected to top employers in London’s Tech city
Earn your MSc Computer Science 100% online
Competitive UK tuition – just £7,680
Build a skillset to keep pace as AI changes tech
No computer science degree or experience required

Tuition fees for your online Master of Computer Science with Software Engineering degree

Total programme cost
Full-time: 1 year | Part-time: 2 years

£7,680
in total
You'll study 10x 15-credit modules and 1x 30-credit Research Project module in total (approx. 17-30 hrs/week).
Apply now
Cost per module
Full-time: 1 year | Part-time: 2 years

£640
per 15-credit module
You'll study 10x 15-credit modules. Your final 30-credit Research Project module will be charged at £1,280.
Apply now

Total tuition fees: £7,680.  You can pay for your MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering degree per module, or in full before you start your studies.

If you choose to pay in full, you’ll receive a 15% reduction on your total tuition fees.

If you choose to pay per module, your payment schedule will depend on whether you choose full or part-time study:

If you apply as a part-time student, you’ll pay for one module upfront, then continue to pay per module before each one begins.
If you apply as a full-time student, you’ll need to pay for two modules upfront to confirm your place, then continue to pay in two-module instalments as you progress.

See your payment schedule

If you’re a UK student, you may be eligible for a government master's loan from Student Finance England for our online master's degrees. The Student Loans Company (SLC) will pay the loan directly to you after you start your studies. So, it’s your responsibility to make your module payments to us directly. Find out more about funding your Walbrook master's with a UK master's loan >

Entry requirements for your online MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering degree

New to tech or software engineering? Thinking about a master's, but don’t have an undergraduate degree in computer science? We've designed our master's degree for people with all levels of tech experience, and with support built in, so you're ready to take the next step.

To apply, you’ll need to meet the following entry requirements:
- A UK honours degree at 2:2 or above (or equivalent international qualification) in a subject other than computing.
Or
- 2+ years’ relevant professional experience in one or more computing-related roles.
Thinking of transferring institutions or have you studied before? You can apply to transfer up to 60 credits towards your master's degree. Please note that credits can’t be awarded for the research module of this programme.

These credits must be relevant, current, and aligned with the subject matter of your chosen MSc Computer Science pathway.
- Review our recognition of prior learning process.
- Speak to our Enrolment Team.
- Submit a recognition of prior learning form alongside your application.
Overseas qualifications may be accepted and will be subject to evidence of equivalency normally verified through ECCTIS (UK ENIC).
If English is not your first language, you’ll be asked to provide proof of your English language proficiency. Ideally, your test should be no more than two years old when your course begins. If your test is older, please still apply and our admissions team can review your circumstances.

We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. View our full list of accepted English language tests. Alternatively, you may be accepted if you have previously studied in English at an appropriate level and attended a recognised institution.

IELTS
- Evidence of a score of IELTS Level 6.0 or above with no element below 5.5.
TOEFL iBT®
- Evidence of a score of 79 overall (with 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 21 in writing).
Duolingo
- Evidence of an overall minimum score of 110 with no component score below 100.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English
- Evidence of a score of 170 overall, with 160 in each component.

My favourite part of studying with Walbrook is definitely the flexibility that the online degree offers. I think without that there wouldn't have been away for me to achieve this level of qualification. I haven't felt a massive change in my routine and don't feel like I have to give up much either to fit the studying in.

Dean Piper
Walbrook online degree student

I actually wanted to say how happy I am that I’m studying on this programme and how lucky I feel. The programme is very well structured, the study materials are solid, and it has helped me develop my skills and knowledge significantly. There are many online programmes available, but finding one that combined academic quality, accessibility and affordability was very important to me.

Marzie Hashemi
Walbrook online MSc Computer Science student

MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering programme details

Build the software engineering skills employers need now, while developing the judgement to keep adapting as technology and development practices change. On this MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering degree, you’ll work across the software lifecycle, while building wider knowledge across databases, networks, cloud computing and AI.

You’ll learn to design robust, maintainable and scalable software using modern architecture and development practices. You’ll also develop the critical thinking to validate what AI produces, recognise its limitations and maintain software quality. Throughout, you'll apply what you learn to solve real-world problems, finishing with an applied research project drawn from your own working life.

On this online MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering programme, you’ll study a series of carefully designed modules. With flexible monthly starts, you’ll join the next available module and study alongside a cohort of computer science master's students learning the same subject at the same time.
- Software Engineering
  Apply the software development lifecycle to build reliable, maintainable, high-quality systems. Use modelling techniques, software testing methods, and proven principles such as modularity and abstraction to make sound engineering decisions from the start.
- Principles of Software Engineering
  Engineer software for complex, real-world settings. Apply advanced practices including requirements engineering, software architecture patterns, version control, software testing, continuous integration, and quality assurance, while addressing cyber security, privacy and the professional and ethical questions that come with them.
- Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering
  Bring AI into every stage of the software development lifecycle. Apply AI, machine learning and natural language processing to requirements, design, code generation, and testing, learning to check AI-generated code and weigh the ethical issues it raises.
- Modern Database Systems
  Understand how database choices affect performance, scalability, and reliability. Design and build relational and NoSQL databases, work with relational databases and document stores, and handle data management including access and transactions using industry-standard tools such as MariaDB and MongoDB.
- Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  Discover how AI and machine learning drive value across business functions, from forecasting to fraud detection. Use industry tools such as Google Cloud AutoML for data analytics, and weigh up the value, ethics, and strategy of putting AI to work.
- Information Systems Development
  Turn user and organisational needs into working web-based systems through hands-on web development, building with web technologies including HTML and CSS alongside responsive frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind. Explore the development lifecycle, user-centred design, testing, and version control to deliver software people can actually use.
- Computer Networks
  Explore how networks work and how data moves across them. Study architectures, protocols, and performance, and get hands-on with command-line and GUI tools to configure and secure the computer systems that connect across them.
- Cloud Computing
  Learn to design and deploy solutions in the cloud, where platforms offer computing on demand. Work with service and deployment models, virtualisation, and containerisation while weighing up the benefits, challenges, and security questions cloud platforms bring.
- Project Management and the Computing Professional
  Build the essential skills to lead computing projects and work as a professional in the field. Explore systems development methodologies, professional standards, and ethics, covering project planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication alongside the industry tools to deliver projects well.
- Research Development
  This module aims to prepare you for your applied research project by building essential skills in research. Review the literature, sharpen your research question, plan your methodology, and think through the ethical and professional issues in your chosen area.
- Research Project
  Conduct your own research in an area of software that genuinely inspires you. This final research project is where you bring together your technical expertise, analysis and judgement to design and build a solution to a genuine challenge from your own professional world.
*Please note, module schedule and assessments are subject to change.
Across your MSc, you’ll complete a mix of assessments designed to stretch your thinking, strengthen your communication skills, and bring your learning to life. Each module (except your final research modules) includes three assignments – helping you build confidence, test ideas and apply theory in more than one way.

Here’s a snapshot of the main types of assessments you’ll complete across your core modules.
- Technical report: produce a detailed, well-structured analysis of a technical problem, solution, or system, often with screenshots, code snippets, or configuration evidence.
- Design or implementation project: plan and design a solution (or document one you've built) using industry-standard tools and practices, from data models to system architecture.
- Case study analysis: evaluate a real or simulated scenario, identify challenges, and propose solutions grounded in computing principles and current best practice.
- Discussion board contribution: engage in structured, tutor-led online debates, demonstrating critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.
- Portfolio: reflect on your development as a computing professional, capturing the knowledge, skills and competencies you've built and how they relate to your career goals.
- Ethics or strategy briefing paper: advise an organisation, client, or committee on a complex technology issue, balancing technical, ethical, and commercial perspectives.
- Presentation or video demonstration: explain your project or technical findings in a recorded or live presentation, sometimes paired with a live or narrated system demo.
- Research dissertation: complete an in-depth research project that tackles a significant computing challenge, presenting your findings, methodology, and technical recommendations in a formal dissertation.

How you'll study

Studying online with Walbrook is designed to be flexible and engaging, giving you access to everything you need to succeed:

Full-time students should set aside around 30 hours per week.
- You'll start a new 8-week module each month, so while you’re beginning your learning in one module, you’ll be preparing for assessment in the other.
Part-time students should set aside around 17 hours per week.
- You'll start a new 8-week module every other month, making it easier to fit your studies around work, family and everyday life.
Your self-study will include:
- Engaging programme content delivered via our online study platform.
- Case studies and applied tasks that link theory to real business scenarios.
- Preparation for assessments including reports, proposals and project work.
Our support is built around you and your success. From enrolment to graduation, you’ll have access to digital academic tools that help you study in a way that works for you, and people who are here to help.

You'll benefit from:
- Digital learning materials including key readings, videos, and research resources.
- Access to a digital library to support your independent research.
- Support to help you stay on track and direct you to the right teams when needed.

Apply to start your MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering degree this October

Applying to study an online master's at Walbrook is simple, and you can do it directly.

1. Check programme entry requirements
Review our entry requirements to make sure you meet them.
2. Complete your application online
Apply through our secure online application portal and upload your documents as you go.
3. Accept your unconditional offer
By paying for your first module (part-time) or first two modules (full-time).

Contact us about our online degrees

Any questions about our online degrees or studying at Walbrook? Our Enrolment Advisors are here to help.

Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.30pm UK time (excluding UK public holidays).

Woman talking with user over a headset

Career opportunities: MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering

Software engineering is the UK's second-largest tech skills shortage, behind only AI, with 24% of employers reporting a gap (Harvey Nash, 2026 Tech Talent & Salary Report). What's more 86% of employers expect AI to reshape their business by 2030 (World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025), and the engineers who can work confidently alongside AI will be highly sought-after.

If you're considering switching into tech and software engineering, or looking for master's degree that can evidence your experience in the field, you don't need a computer science background to study a Walbrook master's degree. You’ll develop practical skills across software requirements, architecture, testing, version control and cloud technologies, while learning how to use and critically evaluate AI throughout the development lifecycle. So, when you graduate, you’ll be ready to take your next step into software engineering – or work towards senior roles, if you’re already working in tech.

UK annual permanent salaries sourced from2026 Tech Talent & Salary Report, Harvey Nash.

Software Engineer
Average UK salary: £70,000

Software Engineer: job description

Design, build, test and improve the software systems and applications organisations rely on. As AI becomes more involved in writing and testing code, skilled software engineers increasingly need the judgement to validate what it produces and maintain quality, security and reliability. This MSc develops skills across requirements, software design, testing, version control and continuous delivery, while teaching you how AI can be used responsibly throughout the development lifecycle.

Average UK salary: £70,000
Application Architect
Average UK salary: £80,000

Application Architect: job description

Design the structure of complex applications, deciding how software components, data and services fit together to meet technical and organisational needs. As applications become more cloud-based and AI-enabled, architects need to make informed decisions about scalability, integration, reliability and emerging technologies. This MSc develops knowledge of software architecture patterns alongside databases, cloud computing and AI – helping you build towards this more experienced technical role.

Average UK salary: £80,000
Chief Technology and Product Officer
Average UK salary: £180,000

Chief Technology and Product Officer: job description

Set the technology and product direction of an organisation, connecting what it builds with user needs, business priorities and long-term growth. As AI and other technologies create new opportunities, senior technology leaders need enough technical depth to judge where to invest, what risks to manage and how systems should evolve. This MSc builds broad expertise across software, AI, cloud and database management alongside project planning, risk and professional decision-making – useful foundations for experienced professionals progressing towards executive technology leadership.

Average UK salary: £180,000

FAQs: Why study for an MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering degree?

Yes. In fact, that's exactly who this programme is built for. It's a conversion MSc designed for graduates whose first degree is in a subject other than computing, so you're not expected to arrive with any software engineering or programming experience. You'll gain knowledge of the fundamentals of computer science and software engineering – including working with programming languages – building a comprehensive understanding as your confidence grows.

Our typical academic requirement for applicants is a UK second class honours degree at 2:2 or above, or an equivalent international qualification, in any subject other than computing. If you don't hold a degree but have more than two years of relevant professional experience, we will still consider your application.
Computer science is a broad field. It covers the theory and fundamental concepts behind computing: how systems work, how data is structured and managed, and the principles that underpin everything from databases to artificial intelligence. Software engineering is a discipline within computing, focused on how software actually gets designed, built and maintained to a high standard.

On this programme you get both. You'll build a critical understanding of computer science through core modules in databases, networks, cloud computing and AI, and specialise in key concepts of software engineering. It means you graduate with the theoretical knowledge to understand the field and the practical skills to engineer reliable software within it.
Our Computer Science with Software Engineering master's degree is a fully online MSc, built for digital from day one. There are no fixed lectures or timetables. You study around your work and life, accessing everything through our virtual learning environment whenever it suits you.

Online doesn't mean studying alone. You'll join a cohort working through the same module at the same time, take part in tutor-led discussions, and get academic feedback and career support throughout. With flexible monthly starts, you can begin when you're ready rather than waiting for a September intake.
An MSc in Computer Science tends to cover the field broadly – theory, algorithms, data structures and a wide range of computing topics. A dedicated MSc Software Engineering, like other Software Engineering degree programmes, usually focuses more closely on building software: methodologies, architecture, testing and delivery.

This programme is designed so you can develop expertise in both. It pairs a broad computer science core with a specialist software engineering focus through two dedicated modules: Principles of Software Engineering and AI and Software Engineering. You'll also complete a research project applied to a software engineering problem.
A MEng (Master of Engineering) is usually a four-year degree course that combines bachelor's and master's level study in one. An MSc (Master of Science) is a standalone postgraduate degree, taken after you've already completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

That difference matters if you're already working or have graduated. This MSc is built for exactly that situation: a postgraduate degree you can study online, around a job, whatever your first degree was in. You don't need an engineering or computing bachelor's to join: you'll develop your software engineering practices here at Walbrook.
Software engineering is the UK's second-largest tech skills shortage (Harvey Nash, 2026 Tech Talent & Salary Report), and employers consistently struggle to find people with the right skills. A postgraduate degree that builds both advanced computer science breadth and software engineering depth puts you in a strong position.

What makes it worth it is the practical application. You won't just gain theoretical knowledge – you'll apply it to real-world problems across every module, finishing with a research project rooted in your own working life. Paired with professional experience, it's designed to open up genuine career paths in a field where highly sought-after skills command strong salaries.
Salaries depend on your role, experience and location, so we can't promise a figure. As a guide, the average software engineer salary in the UK is £70,000, and senior and specialist roles regularly climb past £100,000 – architecture roles, for example, reach £105,000 to £130,000 at the upper end reaching £100,000 (Harvey Nash, 2026 Tech Talent & Salary Report).

A master's degree alone doesn't set your salary, but combined with relevant experience, it can help you move towards senior, specialist roles where earning potential is higher. The potential career paths from this programme include systems architect, reliability engineer and software engineering advisor, all of which sit at the well-paid end of the field.
Yes. You can complete this master's degree in just 1 year when you study full-time. Or, if you'd prefer to study over a longer period, you can also study part-time over 2 years.
Your MBA is delivered through an online study platform, where you’ll study either one or two modules at a time depending on your study mode. Full-time students take two modules in parallel (with a short gap between start dates), while part-time students complete one module at a time.

Here’s what you can expect:
- Weekly learning units to guide your progress
- Readings and case studies
- Videos and narrated presentations (mini-lectures)
- Online discussion forums
- Quizzes and tasks to check your understanding
You’ll have the freedom to plan your study time around work and life – but within a guided schedule that helps you stay focused, connected, and on track to succeed.
To get the best learning experience, you’ll need a reliable computer, internet, and audio setup. We recommend a laptop or desktop with at least an Intel i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 500GB storage (Windows is our primary environment, though you can use Mac or Linux). A stable internet connection (5Mbps download, 2Mbps upload), webcam, and microphone are essential, and we strongly suggest using headphones for online sessions.

For smoother study, extra resources like a second monitor, noise-cancelling headphones, 16GB+ RAM, SSD storage, and an external hard drive are recommended. Walbrook provides access to the required software, though some programmes may ask you to set up a VPN. Our technical support is Windows-based, but you’re welcome to work on Linux or macOS if you prefer.
Yes – both home and international students are welcome to apply. If your first language isn’t English, you’ll need to meet our English language requirements – further information can be found in the 'entry requirements' section above. This 100% online MSc allows you to study from anywhere in the world, connect with a diverse network of fellow students, and develop the data science skills to excel in a global job market.
Yes, our MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering degree is an excellent foundation for doctoral study. You'll be taught by research-active staff with PhDs who understand the pathways to doctoral research and can offer guidance as you plan your next steps. What’s more our programme builds your research foundations and practical skills in computer science, giving you a strong platform for postgraduate research.

Many of our students bring professional backgrounds in tech or related fields, which is also valuable. If you don't have that experience, or want to develop your research ideas further before applying, you might consider an MRes or additional professional experience as an additional step after your MSc, to strengthen your research background further.

The Walbrook Way: Digital from day one. Designed for your career.

Graduate in just 1 year, or flex to part-time.
Ranked 12th for employment outcomes in the UK*
Total fees: £7,680 – pay in full or pay per module.

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