Description
Build advanced skills and take your computing career to the next level. This masters degree allows you to tailor your studies through a broad route, or follow a specialist pathway – in software engineering or information security and forensics - accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. You’ll explore software systems, data management and information security, and learn to design effective solutions to real computing challenges. Practical and research-based study helps you apply your learning with confidence. You’ll graduate ready to take on senior roles in industry or continue your studies through research.
This course has routes with the following accreditations:
This course has routes with the following accreditations:
Key features of the course
- Bring together theory and practice and draw on your background and experience
- Choose a route and modules to fit your career needs and professional interests
- Build a platform for further research studies
The first two-thirds of this MSc is the same as our Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (E81).
Planning your studies
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Although this qualification has no entry requirements, we recommend you have
Our free course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, helps you develop the skills and confidence to manage the requirements and demands of postgraduate study.
How long it takes
Most students study the MSc in Computing part-time, completing 60 credits a year over three years. Typically, this means 12–13 study hours each week.
You must complete the MSc in Computing within six years.*
*You must complete the MSc in Computing (Networking) within six years or by 31 December 2030, whichever is sooner.
Career relevance and employability
The modules in the postgraduate computing programme are for professional computer specialists, engineers, technical managers and scientists who need to update their skills and knowledge in specific areas, and gain recognised qualifications to develop their careers. They have been developed to combine theoretical and practical aspects of computing, to enable you to become an effective professional in the computing industry.
In addition they aim to encourage you, through the provision of appropriate educational activities, to develop study and transferable skills applicable to your employment and your continuing professional development.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Accreditation
Information Security and Forensics route and Software Engineering route:
Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. BCS accreditation provides assurance that programmes of study meet high standards set by the profession.
Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, for the award of Euro-Inf Master Quality Label on behalf of EQANIE (European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education e.V.) as satisfying the outcomes of Second Cycle Programmes specified by the Euro-Inf Framework Standards and Accreditation Criteria for Informatics Degree Programmes.
Modules
You’ll choose one of three routes:
- Broad route
- Information Security and Forensics
- Software Engineering
Broad route
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
At least 60 credits from:
| Core modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Data management (M816)
Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Digital forensics (M812)
M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Information security (M811)
Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Project management (M815)
This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Software development (M813)
Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Software engineering (M814)
Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
Up to 60 credits from:
| Option modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)
This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Network security (T828)
This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)
This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Systems security (M817)
This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Technology innovation management (TB801)
This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
| Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810. |
Stage 2 (60 credits)
60 credits from:
| Modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- MSc project: researching in context (T803)
T803 is the capstone module of multiple masters qualifications, during which you’ll complete a small research project.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
| Plus 30 credits from any modules at OU Level 3 or above. |
30 |
|
| Subject to regulations, if you’ve passed the discontinued module T847, or you complete T802 before April 2028, you may count one of these instead. |
Information Security and Forensics
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
60 credits from:
| Compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Information security (M811)
Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Digital forensics (M812)
M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
60 credits from:
| Option module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Data management (M816)
Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)
This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Network security (T828)
This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Project management (M815)
This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Software development (M813)
Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Software engineering (M814)
Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)
This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Systems security (M817)
This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Technology innovation management (TB801)
This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
| Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810. |
Stage 2 (60 credits)
60 credits from:
| Modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- MSc project: researching in context (T803)
T803 is the capstone module of multiple masters qualifications, during which you’ll complete a small research project.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
| Plus 30 credits from any modules at OU Level 3 or above. |
30 |
|
| Subject to regulations, if you’ve passed the discontinued module T847, or you complete T802 before April 2028, you may count one of these instead. |
Software Engineering
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
60 credits from:
| Compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Software development (M813)
Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Software engineering (M814)
Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
60 credits from:
| Option modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Data management (M816)
Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Digital forensics (M812)
M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Information security (M811)
Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)
This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Network security (T828)
This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Project management (M815)
This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)
This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Systems security (M817)
This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Technology innovation management (TB801)
This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
| Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810. |
Stage 2 (60 credits)
60 credits from:
| Modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- MSc project: researching in context (T803)
T803 is the capstone module of multiple masters qualifications, during which you’ll complete a small research project.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
| Plus 30 credits from any modules at OU Level 3 or above. |
30 |
|
| Subject to regulations, if you’ve passed the discontinued module T847, or you complete T802 before April 2028, you may count one of these instead. |
Networking
The networking route is no longer available to new students. Current students must complete it by 31 December 2030.
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
90 credits from:
| Compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Network security (T828)
This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
| And the discontinued module, Advanced networking (CCNP Enterprise) (T829) |
60 |
|
30 credits from:
| Option module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Data management (M816)
Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Digital forensics (M812)
M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Information security (M811)
Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)
This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Project management (M815)
This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Software development (M813)
Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Software engineering (M814)
Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
- Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)
This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Systems security (M817)
This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
- Technology innovation management (TB801)
This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2026 |
| Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810. |
Stage 2 (60 credits)
60 credits from:
| Modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- MSc project: researching in context (T803)
T803 is the capstone module of multiple masters qualifications, during which you’ll complete a small research project.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2026 |
| Plus 30 credits from any modules at OU Level 3 or above. |
30 |
|
| Subject to regulations, if you’ve passed the discontinued module T847, or you complete T802 before April 2028, you may count one of these instead. |
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible as it may affect your choice of OU modules. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.
Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.
On completion
On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Master of Science in Computing. You’ll be entitled to use the letters MSc Comp (Open) after your name.
If you choose a specialist route, your degree title will show that:
- MSc in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)
- MSc in Computing (Networking)
- MSc in Computing (Software Engineering)
If your masters degree is awardable with a distinction or a merit, the qualification regulations explain how you can achieve these.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification