Everything you need to know...
-
What is the fee?
Home: £10,620 for the course
International/EU: £17,725 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
-
Where will I study?
-
When do I start?
January 2026
Course summary
- Gain knowledge in key computing topics relevant to the current job market.
- Explore industry-based case studies to enhance your professionalism.
- Cultivate an adaptable approach towards new and emerging technologies.
- Develop the skills to undertake Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification.
- Gain up to 12 months of industry work experience.
Designed for graduates without a computing background, the course builds your fundamental computing skills to help you succeed in the advanced field of cloud development. You’ll explore topics including the fast-growing field of cloud technologies, programming, web development, databases and artificial intelligence.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
This course is taught around a professional software development lifecycle, developing both the technical and professional skills needed in the industry. You’ll take ownership of your applied projects while being fully supported throughout your learning. We also encourage our students to contribute their diverse backgrounds to their applied projects.
You’ll then develop your research skills alongside your specialisation into cloud technologies, learning how to develop and deploy techniques and technologies. These range from deployment models and system architectures, to virtualisation, user interface and version control.
Our teaching strategy integrates critical thinking, analysis and synthesis to systematically devise solutions. You’ll use industry-based projects to enhance your learning while continuously developing professional skills that prepare you for real-world challenges.
You learn through:
- project-based learning
- hands-on lab sessions and tutorials
- regular feedback
- individual and group activities
- presentations and discussions
- personal research and development projects,
- technical development work
- portfolio creation
- self-directed learning
Key themes
Through hands-on learning, you’ll develop essential cloud computing skills to design and develop scalable applications. These can drive innovation in web, data and artificial intelligence, empowering you to shape the future through cloud development.
You’ll also focus on machine learning, using programming to create solutions for businesses. This includes an exploration and understanding of ethical and responsible AI deployment, which is especially important in recognising data bias in solutions.
Finally you’ll undertake a research-led project that facilitates your continued development – further specialising in a particular part of the course or building more awareness in a parallel topic. You’ll be supported by a supervisor while reinforcing your confidence in undertaking an independent piece of work.
Applied learning
Work Experience
This course also has a work experience route that offers a placement in industry of up to 12 months. For further information, please see MSc Computing with Cloud Technologies (Work Experience).
Network opportunities
You’ll be able to develop your career through career fairs and workshops, employer presentations and visits, and by seeking guidance from professional advisers.
The course provides a unique blend of academic and practical exposure by integrating guest lecture talks and networking opportunities within the curriculum. This offers insights into the practical application of cutting-edge technologies and best practices.
Course leaders and tutors
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Final year
Compulsory modules
This module develops a comprehensive understanding of cloud services/features and deployment models. This includes virtualisation, containerisation, and microservices to implement efficient and cost-effective solutions. Critical examination of contemporary development frameworks (e.g. MVC and service-oriented architectures) will be applied to design and deploy cloud-based solutions to address real-world business needs.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Cloud Computing and the relevance of cloud deployment models for business organisations
- Critically evaluate the impact of cloud computing for designing resilient cloud-based solutions, considering advantages, risks, and disadvantages
- Industry trends for streamlined development and release management by utilizing APIs and DevOps to seamlessly integrate diverse cloud services
- Implement and manage comprehensive security measures, including identity and access management, encryption, and compliance
- Plan and deploy a business solution on a major Cloud provider platform
This module will apply the technical knowledge and understanding developed across the course into an original research project. This will include critical and ethical analysis of literature, synthesising the findings and tailoring them to the specific context of their research projects using a suitable research methodology.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Critical and ethical review of the literature
- Selection and application of appropriate research tools, techniques, or methods
- Design and development of the artefact/prototype
- Testing and user evaluation
- Critical reflection – evaluating the project deliverables and project success/failure
- Legal, social, and ethical considerations in the design and development of computer-based systems
- Sustainable development and deployment
This module examines full-stack software development, covering technologies need for both front-end and back-end development.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Programming
- Web-based systems such as protocols used for communication in the client/server model
- Client-side technologies used to create document structure (HTML) with dynamic styles (CSS)
- Server-side technologies used for handling business logic
- Database design and development using industry standard techniques
- Foundations of object-oriented programming
- Software evaluation using appropriate testing methods
This module will explore professional practices for successful software projects. This includes key principles, methodologies, and ethical considerations that guide software development in a professional context through real-world software challenges.
You’ll study topics such as:
- The software development lifecycle
- Software development methodologies and documentation
- Management of IT projects
- The ethical landscape of technology
- Effective communication and collaboration techniques
This module develops the programming skills needed to develop intelligent systems through machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms. This covers relevant algorithms, tools and techniques to address current business needs for AI solutions such as Microsoft Azure machine learning studio and Google AI studio to maximise development opportunities and to support new technologies including AI prompt engineering.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Artificial Intelligence concepts and approaches
- Benefits and limitations of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms in a business context
- Machine learning programming libraries
- Understanding and present results and through suitable evaluation techniques
- Making recommendations based on machine learning outputs
- Consideration of security and sustainability issues, as well as social, ethical, legal, and professional dimensions of AI
This module develops skills to design and conduct rigorous research projects in computing.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Identify research problems: Explore current challenges and opportunities in computing to uncover relevant research areas
- Formulate research questions: Craft precise questions, aims, and objectives aligned with identified problems
- Review literature and artifacts: Critically analysing existing research to synthesize knowledge and identify gaps
- Propose research methods: Evaluate and select appropriate research techniques specific to your computing area
- Communicate research proposals: Craft comprehensive proposals that meet professional, legal, and ethical standards
Future careers
The course prepares you for computing employment by integrating technical content that’s aligned with industry demands, ensuring relevance. We continuously adapt to industry advancements, collaborating with subject matter experts and industry connections to keep up to date with the latest industry trends and requirements.
You’ll gain fundamental computing and cloud development skills for career pathways such as:
- database design and development
- web application development
- software consultancy
- software development
- Cloud development
- machine learning engineering
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- Amazon
- Sky
- PlusNet
- Sumo Digital
- Jet2.com
- Sheffield City Council
Equipment and facilities
You’ll learn across our Extended Campus, which offers a dynamic blend of physical and digital spaces for applied learning, collaboration and career preparation. The Computing Department will be your on-campus hub, providing dedicated areas to connect with classmates, take part in course activities, and network with faculty and potential employers.
You'll master essential tools and technologies widely used in the computing industry:
- Cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure
- industry-standard IDEs like Visual Studio
- programming languages like C# and Python
- database technologies like MySQL and MongoDB
- web development using PHP, HTML and CSS
- system architectures like N-tier, Monolithic and Microservices
- the MVC design pattern for structuring application code
- virtual machines and containerisation
- frameworks like Django, a Python web framework
- user interface tools like React
- version control tools like GitHub
- Microsoft Azure cloud services
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEntry requirements
All students
This is a conversion course for those without a background in computing or IT.
Normally an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above, in an unrelated field.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course.
Scholarships and financial support
Find information on scholarships, bursaries and postgraduate student loans.
International scholarships up to £3000 ›
Alumni scholarships up to £2000 ›
Postgraduate loans for UK students ›
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for School of Computing and Digital Technologies (PDF, 131.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
