Course Information course information
About
We are offering a limited number of free places on our Postgraduate Certificate in Computer Science, fully funded by the Department for the Economy.
Computer Science has been identified as a fast-moving domain with a recognised demand for talented graduates. The PgCert Computer Science is a specialist programme which aims to train computing professionals to follow a career where they can apply leading edge programming, networks and security and data analytics skills across a range of application domains.
Further motivated by evidence of demand from industry and business for upskilling of staff in the areas of Computer Science, the course will strive to address the growing demands in the sector by training a new kind of Computing Specialist.
The course content has been informed by internationally leading research being conducted in the School and by our strong industry partnerships.
There are also opportunities for graduates from the PgCert Computer Science to embark on further research by enrolling for PhD study affiliated with the research centres within the School of Computing.
The School of Computing at Ulster University holds Athena Swan Bronze Award since 2016 and is committed to promote and advance gender equality in Higher Education. We particularly welcome female applicants, as they are under-represented within the School at postgraduate taught courses.
Campus
Belfast
Start Date
September 2025 (Part-Time)
Duration
Part-Time: Two semesters (8 months study)
Attendance
Each module is timetabled 5 hours per week, typically starting mid-afternoon on a weekday including lectures, tutorials and practicals for the taught components of the course. Student can undertake 1 or 2 module(s) to study per semester.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching is delivered through lectures, directed tutorials, seminars, and practical sessions, some of which are by industry professionals / researchers.
The course is assessed by 100% coursework.
Career options
Graduates from the course, with the advanced computing skills, will be well placed to progress into a wide variety of careers, across a range of industrial settings and application domains.
There are also opportunities for graduates from this course to embark on further study by continuing to MSc in Computer Science or enrolling for PhD study affiliated with the research centres within the School of Computing.
Contact
Dr. Shuai Zhang - Course Director
Email: s.zhang@ulster.ac.uk
Modules
The Postgraduate Certificate award consists of three compulsory taught modules (totalling 60 credits)
Scalable Advanced Software Solutions
This module aims to explore a range of modern development and deployment concepts in the context of scalable and high-performance computing services. Within this module concepts such as containerisation, Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, cloud architectures, scalable solutions and infrastructure will be explored. Additionally, advanced programming/development concepts facilitating high performance solution development will be examined.
Cyber Security
Cyber security, which has an impact on national security, infrastructure, and the global economy, is one of today's most pressing issues. Due to the enormous digital threat, cyber security knowledge is among the most in-demand globally. This course examines recent advancements in cyber security theory and practice. To enable critical cyber security decision-making, the students will develop the fundamental and advanced aspects of cyber security in terms of theory, practice, policy, and security standards.
They will also learn about the threats to current and emerging systems and networks and how to effectively counter them in accordance with information security management standards. The students will learn about the social, legal, and ethical issues surrounding cyber security.
Data Science and Machine Learning
This module provides an overview of Data Science process/pipeline. It provides systematic understanding of mathematical and statistical knowledge for explorable data analysis (EDA) and to understand the foundations of supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms, and with the practical programming skills to apply them to real world datasets.
The module discusses the constraints that needs to be considered when designing, implementing, evaluating and visualising solutions to real-world complex problems.
Entry Requirements
Academic qualifications
Applicants must:
(a) have gained
(i) a second class honours degree or better, in the subject areas of Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or closely related discipline, from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification excluding Conversion courses; and the qualification must be in the subject areas of Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or closely related discipline.
and
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent). For applicants whose first language is not English the minimum English language requirement is an Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, Trinity ISE: Pass at level III or equivalent English language tests comparable to IELTS equivalent score.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are over 18 years of age;
- are eligible to work in Northern Ireland;
- are ‘settled’ in Northern Ireland, and has been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years; or
- are a person who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements
Applications will open on 2 June and will close on 22 June
There are a limited number of places on the course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended.
When creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:
- Passport
- Evidence on meeting three year residency in NI/ROI
- Degree Certificate
- English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else)
- Statement of Purpose*
- BRP - If applicable
* Statement of Purpose - this should be no more than an A4 page and should provide details of what you hope to gain from studying this course. This may be to used to assist the course team in the allocation of places, in the event that the number of applicants who meet all other requirements exceed the number of available funded places.
