MEng Distributed Computing: The University of Manchester

Course description

The internet, wireless networks and handheld devices have rapidly made distributed computing an everyday part of modern life. Such personalised distributed computing is complemented by the increasingly ubiquitous use of distributed computing within and between commercial organisations. For example, in Enterprise Computing, applications are provided by a network of individual servers, each providing specific services on demand.

This programme aims to provide you with a thorough grounding in the nature of distributed computer systems and in the general principles and practice of software development for such systems. The programme provides a background in the network infrastructure underpinning such systems, but the emphasis is on the software that runs on such systems, including middleware for developing distributed applications, and the design and evolving nature of web applications.

This four-year full-time MEng programme enhances the contents of the equivalent three-year BSc programme by enabling you to study specialised topics to a greater depth and broaden your skills and experience with a period in industry, enterprise related courses, and industrially-focused project work.  The enhancements enable you to develop an in depth specialist knowledge across a range of computing subjects, including some covered by the MSc in Advanced Computer Science.  They also allow you to understand the business skills needed to develop and manage a successful business exploiting computing technology.

Career opportunities

Increasingly, employers are seeking graduates with high-level computing skills, and the ability to apply them in innovative ways to solve the problems facing their organisations. Opportunities exist in fields as diverse as finance, films and games, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer products, and public services - virtually all areas of business and society.

Employers, from large multinational firms such as EA Games, IBM and Microsoft to small local organisations, actively target their students, recognising that Manchester Computer Science graduates are equipped with the skills that enable them to excel in a whole host of positions, including many that are not traditionally associated with computing graduates.

Entry requirements

• A level: Grades AAA.
• BTEC: Partially fulfils entry requirements. Contact us for further information.
• Scottish:
  Highers: AAAAA, including grade A in Higher Mathematics and a scientific bias to other subjects studied.
  Advanced Highers: AAA, including grade A in Advanced Higher Mathematics and a scientific bias to other subjects studied. Minimum of five grade 1's in academic subjects at Intermediate 2 including English, Mathematics and a Physical Science.
• Irish: Grade A in higher level mathematics and grades AAAAB in five further higher level academic subjects. A scientific bias to the subjects studied.
• International baccalaureate: 37 points overall including 6 in Mathematics and 5 in two further subjects with a scientific bias at Higher level.
• GCSE: Six academic subjects at grades A or B including Mathematics, English Language and dual science.
• English language requirements: IELTS average of 6 (minimum of 5 in any component), TOEFL 550 (TWE of 5), Internet Based TOEFL 79 (minimum of 19/30 in each component), Computer Based TOEFL 213 (TWE of 5).