MEng Computing (International Programme of Study)
Enrich your computing degree with the chance to study abroad in this professionally accredited, integrated Master’s course.
Key information
Award
MEng
Duration
4 years
full-time
Applications : admissions ratio
18 : 1
Based on 2021 entry data
- UCAS course code: G402
- ECTS: 270
- Start date: October 2023
- Department: Department of Computing
- Campus: South Kensington
Overview
Computing is a creative and wide-ranging subject that focuses on using sound underlying principles and logical thinking to design and build systems that really work.
You will learn how modern computer and communications systems function, and how they can be used and adapted to build the next generation of computing applications.
This course gives you the opportunity to spend your fourth year studying abroad at a leading European university, or the first two terms of your third year at the University of California.
Study programme
All of our Computing courses follow the same structure for the first two years. Core 
modules give you an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of computing. We also provide a solid background in discrete mathematics (logic, sets, relations and grammars), which is the basic mathematics of computing, and classical mathematics and statistics relevant to applications engineering and management.
The central core of our courses has been designed to give you an overview of computing, an understanding of the basic concepts and principles, the ability to appreciate and to adapt to changes in technology, and practical experience in applied computing.
We place special emphasis on the fundamental principles underlying computing and on the engineering considerations involved in computing system design, implementation and usage. We will also introduce you to computing architecture and hardware, alongside the software that can exploit them.
You will attend laboratory and problem-solving classes, as well as completing project and design work throughout the course.
As the course progresses, you will study advanced techniques and modules, many of which draw on current research taking place in the Department.
At the end of your third year you will gain valuable skills and experience by completing an industrial placement.
Your study reaches Master’s level in the final year, with a wide choice of optional modules and a substantial individual project on a subject of your choice.
You also have the chance to complete an integrated year abroad in your final year at one of our partner universities where you can challenge yourself in a different academic and cultural environment.
Transfer between courses
Due to the shared core content in the first two years of all Computing degrees, it is usually possible to transfer to a different Computing course within the Department until the beginning of the third year. Transfers from Computing to Joint Mathematics and Computing courses are normally not possible and are dealt with on a case by case basis.
If you wish to progress onto one of the MEng programmes in Year 3, you must achieve an overall average of 60% in your second year.
If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your student visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.
Structure
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about them.
Year 1
Core modules
- Introduction to Computer Systems
- Introduction to Databases
- Introduction to Computer Architecture
- Computing Practical 1
- Discrete Mathematics, Logic and Reasoning
- Graphs and Algorithms
- Calculus
- Linear Algebra
Year 2
Core modules
You will undertake all core modules listed below.
- Algorithm Design and Analysis
- Software Engineering Design
- Models of Computation
- Operating Systems
- Networks and Communications
- Compilers
- Probability and Statistics
- Computing Practical 2
- Computing Group Project
Optional modules
You will also choose one of the following modules.
- Symbolic Reasoning
-
Computational Techniques
Year 3
First two terms abroad
If you spend the first two terms of your third year abroad, your third term at Imperial will consist of the following core module. Your study programme abroad for the first two terms will vary by institution.
- Industrial Placement (First Part)
Full third year at Imperial
If you spend you third year studying at Imperial, you can expect the following structure.
Core modules
You will take all core modules listed below.
- Software Engineering Group Projects
- Industrial Placement (First Part)
- I-Explore
Your I-Explore module offers you choices from a range of subjects hosted outside of the department. You will be taught alongside students from other courses with options including business, management and many more.
The Industrial Placement does not contribute to your final degree classification.
Optional modules
You will also choose a total of six optional modules from the list below.
- Systems Verification
- Logic-Based Learning
- Concurrency
- Computer Vision
- Computer Graphics
- Custom Computing
- Advanced Databases
- Computer Architecture
- Communicating Computer Science in Schools
- Network and Web Security
- Advanced Computer Architecture
- Robotics
- Simulation and Modelling
- Pervasive Computing
- Performance Engineering
- Operations Research
- Distributed Algorithms
- Information and Coding Theory
- Type Systems for Programming Languages
- Introduction to Machine Learning
- Mathematics for Machine Learning
Year 4
Opportunities
The third year consists of an agreed programme of study at an approved university in either France, Germany, Switzerland or the USA. We currently have exchange agreements with:
- University of Grenoble, France
- RWTH Aachen, Germany
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- MIT, USA
- University of California, USA
This is an integrated year abroad so the grades you achieve will count directly towards your Imperial degree.
Conditions
Language proficiency
Teaching is in the language of your host country in France and Germany, so you will need to reach an acceptable proficiency in the relevant language before you go. Free language classes are available at the College to help you prepare.
Availability
There are limited places available on the Year Abroad programme, which means that competition for selection is strong and a placement cannot be guaranteed.
Normally only students who are on track for at least a 2:1 will be eligible for placements in France and Germany. Only students on track to achieve a 1st will be eligible for placements in the USA.
Other
- Please note the above is an illustrative list of universities located abroad which the Department is currently partnered with. Partnerships with universities are subject to continuous review and individual partnerships may or may not be renewed.
- There may be limitations placed upon your ability to live and study in these locations. If applicable you will need to successfully apply for the relevant visa. This applies to all students, including Home students, in light of the UK's decision to leave the European Union. Find the latest information on Imperial and the EU.
- Study abroad placements in Europe are currently available through the Erasmus scheme. Imperial College now has approval to continue implementing its 2020-21 Erasmus project into 2021-22. Find the latest information on the Erasmus scheme.
- This department is taking part in the Imperial College London–Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) student exchange pilot. Find out more about the study abroad opportunities that will be created through this two-year pilot, which launched in 2018.
Download the programme specification [PDF] – this is the most up-to-date version available for this course. It may change for your year of entry. If/when changes to this course are approved by the College, we will update this document and the information on this course page.
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
Associateship
As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI) on completion of this course.
The City and Guilds of London Institute is one of three historic Colleges that came together to form Imperial College London in 1907.
Find out more about our Associateships.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
You can expect the following teaching methods:
- Lectures
- Class-based tutorials
- Small-group tutorials
- Laboratory-based teaching
- In-class problem solving
- Personal supervision of project work
Assessment
You can expect the following assessment methods:
- Programming exercises
- Online programming tests
- Written coursework
- Computer-based coursework
- Written examination
- Computer-based examinations
- Software demonstrations
- Group working
- Written reports
- Research summaries
- Oral presentations
Summer internships
You will have the opportunity to apply for summer internships from the first year. Internships often lead to industrial placement opportunities for MEng students and job offers for BEng students.
Balance of assessment
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 10% | 10% | 7.5% | 9% |
| Examination | 84% | 57% | 42.5% | 50% |
| Practical | 6% | 33% | 50% | 41% |
| Based on the typical pathway through the course; percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number | ||||
Staff expertise
The Department of Computing is among the largest in the country when it comes to the number of teaching and research staff. We strongly value the quality of our teaching and you can expect to be taught by experienced teachers as well as well-known leading researchers from across the various fields of computer science.
The focus is on individual attention and you will receive a personal tutor to advise you throughout your degree. The Department places importance on small group teaching which allows you to pose plenty of questions aiding your personal development. Later in your degree, individual and group projects are supervised by a dedicated member of teaching staff.
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis – see selection process below.
For advice on the requirements for the qualifications listed here please contact the Department (see Contact us).
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. If the requirements for your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page for guidance on which qualifications we accept.
A-levels
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2023 entry is A*A*A – A*AAA overall, to include:
- A* in Mathematics
- A*, A in two further subjects or AAA in three further subjects
ICT, Business Studies, General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Recommended subjects
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Further Mathematics
Useful subjects
- Ancient Language
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Electronics
- English Literature
- History
- Languages
- Law
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Psychology
Recommended and useful subjects are those that the Department deems to be very useful knowledge foundations to undertake a computing degree at Imperial. The department may still consider applicants with other subject combinations.
Students taking English exam board science A-levels will be required to pass the practical endorsement.
Typical offer range
As a guide, here are the typical offers made to at least 80% of A-level applicants for 2021 entry:
- Three A-level offer: A*A*A
- Four A-level offer: A*AAA
Typical offers may include STEP requirements.
Language requirement
A language qualification may be required for the International Programme of Study.
Practical endorsement (practical science assessment)
If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.
The practical endorsement is part of the reformed English linear A-levels.
Additional Mathematics support
Our A-level Mathematics online course covers a range of key topic areas to help you gain a deeper understanding of the skills and techniques required to succeed in your A-level Mathematics exams.
This optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus with the aim of developing your thinking skills, fluency and confidence.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is available free of charge via the EdX website. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
International Baccalaureate
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2023 entry is 41 points overall, to include:
- 7 in Mathematics at higher level
- 7 in another relevant subject at higher level
Typical offer range
As a guide, the typical offer made to at least 80% of IB applicants for 2021 entry was 42 points.
Typical offers may include STEP requirements.
Language requirement
A language qualification may be required for the International Programme of Study (G402).
Mathematics Higher Level
The Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level, but students taking Applications and Interpretation will also be required to take STEP.
Additional Mathematics support
We have launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Advanced Placements
The grades detailed below are the minimum requirements for students offering only Advanced Placements as their exams for entry to Imperial.
If you are studying a High School Diploma that is accepted by Imperial alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both your Diploma and Advanced Placements.
Please consult our country index to check whether we accept your High School Diploma programme for admission.
Our minimum requirement for this course is grades 5, 5, 5 to include:
- 5 in Calculus BC
- 5 in two other subjects
You may also require a relevant language qualification for this year abroad degree.
Additional Mathematics support
We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Selection process
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
Post-application test and interview
Applicants demonstrating sufficient potential will be invited to complete an online admissions test, which will test their logical, reasoning and problem-solving skills. No prior preparation is required for the test. The test will include a practice session, and should not take more than 90 minutes.
The test must be taken on a computer with an internet connection.
If your online test performance is sufficient, this will be considered in conjunction with your UCAS application form. Your test score performance in combination with a full assessment of your application form will then inform the decisions of those invited to join us for a series of activities. This enables us to get an impression of your motivation, your suitability for the course and your potential for success in an engineering career. Equally importantly, it gives you a chance to find out more about the courses and about Imperial in general.
Online activities may include:
- a welcome presentation from the Admissions Tutor
- a tour of the facilities at the Department and College
- demonstrations of undergraduate projects
- a 1-1 interview with one of our lecturers
Foundation programmes
A foundation course is a one-year preparation course, designed for international students, which leads to undergraduate programmes in the UK. Foundation programmes are normally for school-leavers who have studied a non-British curriculum but wish to pursue a degree at a UK university.
Foundation programmes are offered by many UK universities, but only two would be considered for entry to Imperial:
- UCL’s Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE), and
- Warwick’s International Foundation Programme (IFP) in Science & Engineering
UCL UPCSE
A year-long programme for international students whose school leaving qualifications do not allow them direct entry to UK universities. Students must complete four modules across the year – two compulsory and two elective modules:
| Module | Status |
|---|---|
| Research and Academic Skills: Science and Society | Compulsory |
| Academic English | Compulsory |
| Biology | Elective |
| Chemistry | Elective |
| Mathematics | Elective |
| Physics | Elective |
| Information correct at time of publishing, but subject to change | |
To be considered for admission to the Department of Computing, international students studying UCL UPCSE must achieve:
- 80% overall
- 80% Mathematics
- 80% Biology, Chemistry or Physics
Warwick IFP Science and Engineering
A year-long programme for international students whose school leaving qualifications do not allow them direct entry to UK universities.
To be considered for admission to the Department of Computing, international students studying Warwick IFP Science and Engineering must achieve:
- 80% overall
- 80% Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science or 80% Mathematics, Statistics and Further Mathematics, and Computer Science or 80% Mathematics, Statistics and Further Mathematics, and Mathematical Modelling and Interdisciplinary Mathematics
To meet these requirements, students should choose from the following IFP pathways:
- Computer Science
- Mathematics & Statistics
- Engineering
Contextual admissions
We want to make sure that the Imperial learning community is as diverse as the society we serve. So to make our admissions process as fair as possible, we have introduced admissions schemes for Home students that allow us to consider your application in the full context of any additional barriers you may face.
Find out if you meet the eligibility criteria for our contextual admissions schemes.
If your predicted grades meet the minimum College entry standard of AAA at A-level or an equivalent level qualification in the relevant subjects, the Department of Computing will guarantee you access to the first selection stage of its admissions process: an online test.
Read more about the contextual admissions scheme in this department and others.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for undergraduate applicants.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students who apply for this course.
For more information about the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), please see the International Student Support website.
View our terms and conditions on visas.
Tuition fees and funding
We charge tuition fees for every year that your course lasts. The fee you will be charged is based on your fee status, which is determined by government regulations.
Home rate of tuition
2023 entry
£9,250 per year.
Please note, this fee is set by the UK government and is subject to change until it has passed into legislation. We will update this page when this happens.
Year abroad
For the 2022-23 year abroad, the fee was £1,385 for that year.
Read more about funding for year abroad placements.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts.
For example, the RPIX value in April 2023 will apply to fees for the academic year 2023–2024.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee or not depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
Home fee eligibility
You can find the conditions you need to meet to pay the Home rate of tuition fees from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). These apply to higher education courses in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand, noting that these are subject to amendment.
Because of the UK’s exit from the European Union, some frameworks of eligibility have been amended. Individuals affected by the amended frameworks should refer to the UKCISA publication, Who pays ‘home’ fees for higher education in England [PDF].
Government funding
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Overseas rate of tuition
2023 entry
The fee for Overseas students has not been confirmed for the 2023-24 academic year. The fee is controlled by the College and we will update this page when it is announced.
As a guide, the Overseas fee for 2022-23 was £35,100.
Year abroad
For the 2022-23 year abroad, the fee was 100% of the relevant fee for that year.
Read more about funding for year abroad placements.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts. For example, the RPIX value in April 2023 will apply to fees for the academic year 2023–2024.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee or not depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
Home fee eligibility
You can find the conditions you need to meet to pay the Home rate of tuition fees from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). These apply to higher education courses in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand, noting that these are subject to amendment.
Because of the UK’s exit from the European Union, some frameworks of eligibility have been amended. Individuals affected by the amended frameworks should refer to the UKCISA publication, Who pays ‘home’ fees for higher education in England [PDF].
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
Most Imperial undergraduates choose to live in our halls of residence in their first year. You can compare costs across different accommodation options.
Bursaries and scholarships
Careers
Computing graduates are highly sought after and our degrees open the door to a wide range of careers in industry and academia. Some of our graduates join large companies or start their own business. A number of our graduates have pursued careers in management consultancy, computer gaming, and special effects, while others have followed careers in banking and finance.
Recent graduates have become:
- Software Engineers at Amazon, Facebook UK, Google and Microsoft
- Applications Developer, Apple
- Cyber Security Specialist, BP
- Technology Analyst, Goldman Sachs
- Co-founder, video games startup
How to apply
UCAS key information
- UCAS course code: G402
- UCAS institution code: I50
Apply on UCAS
You can start and track your application on UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices.
Application deadlines
25 January 2023 at 18.00 (UK time).
If your application includes a medicine course, the deadline is 15 October 2022 at 18.00 (UK time).
Any questions?
Explore our step by step guide on how to apply. You can also find answers to your questions about admissions.
Related departments
You may also be interested in the following related departments and the courses they offer:
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