Big Data and High Performance Computing with a Year in Industry MSc

University of Liverpool

The MSc in Big Data and High Performance Computing provides students with an in-depth understanding of big data analysis and processing using high performance computing technology. Run in conjunction with the STFC Hartree Centre, this MSc programme enables students to gain a specialist qualification in an area of computing that is in great demand worldwide.

The two-year MSc programme shares the same taught modules with its one-year equivalent. However, unlike the one-year MSc which includes an MSc project over the summer, the two-year programme includes an industrial project and placement in year two (either in the UK or overseas). The placement is typically 30 weeks from September to June.

This opportunity to work in industry will help you strengthen your career options by:

• Undertaking the project work in an industrial setting

• Applying theory learnt in the classroom to real-world practice

• Developing communications and interpersonal skills Building networks and knowledge which will be invaluable throughout your career.

During the placement year you will spend time working in a relevant company suitable for the MSc. This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical engineering experience which will boost your CV, build networks and develop confidence in a working environment. Many placement students continue their relationship with the placement provider by undertaking relevant projects and may ultimately return to work for the company when they graduate.

The University of Liverpool has a dedicated team to help students find a suitable placement. Preparation for the placement is provided by the University’s Careers and Employability Service (CES) who assist students in finding a placement, help students produce a professional CV and prepare students for placement interviews.

The University has very good links with industry and several companies work with us to offer our MSc students competitive placements. Although industry placements are not guaranteed, the University offers you opportunities and support throughout the process to ensure that the chance to find a placement is high.

If you are unable to secure a suitable placement by the end of April during year one, you will be transferred onto the one-year MSc to undertake the MSc project over the summer and graduate after one year.

This programme is also available without the Year in Industry as Big Data and High Performance Computing MSc/PGDip/PGCert.

Internship opportunities To meet the increasing demands for MSc students with industry experience, the Department of Computer Science has introduced a 2-year MSc programme for graduates of the highest calibre, to develop advanced knowledge and skills in microelectronic systems and give students the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice through valuable work experience during a one year industrial placement.

The programme is organised as two taught semesters followed by an individual project undertaken over either the summer or, if desired, during the following year of study. Within each semester students study a number of modules adding up to 60 credits per semester (120 in total). This will be followed by a project dissertation, also 60 credits, making an overall total of 180 credits.