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Emerging Digital Technologies MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Emerging Digital Technologies MSc at UCL merges technology and the management of technology. Students will develop hands-on skills in areas such as data science, blockchain technologies and information management systems, which will prepare them for careers in emerging technology-centric roles in complex business environments.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£32,100
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£32,100
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 31 Mar 2023

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper-second class UK Bachelor's degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, or a similarly quantitative subject.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

As a student on the Emerging Digital Technologies MSc, you will develop a comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of emerging technologies and how to apply them. You will gain an understanding of their limitations and current boundaries as well as their opportunities and risks. This is supplemented with business strategies and management knowledge on how you can effectively deploy these technologies to innovate within the business environments.

Who this course is for

This programme is designed for students pursuing emerging technology-centric careers, combining technology and the management of technology-led complex business environments. This programme is aimed at students with strong science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds looking to enrich their technology-related skills and gain a management toolkit.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL is ranked 8th globally and 5th in Europe in the 2023 QS World University Rankings, giving you an exciting opportunity to study at one of world's best universities.  

UCL Computer Science is recognised as a world leader in teaching and research. The department was ranked first in England and second in the UK for research power in Computer Science and Informatics in the UK's most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021.) You will learn from leading experts with an outstanding reputation in the field.

This programme was created by the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies, a multidisciplinary research centre which focuses on how blockchain and other emerging technologies are impacting the world’s socio-economic systems.

The UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies leverages numerous partnerships with some of the largest technology companies in the world. These relationships exist, for instance, with Fidelity, Ripple, State Street, NatWest, Santander, R3, UN, Oracle, DXC Technology and many other firms. It will also utilise its expertise in blockchain technology to create further blockchain modules in the future and make these available to the entire Computer Science department and others.

London is a global financial centre and technology hub. You will benefit from proximity to top technology companies, entrepreneurial projects and practitioners in central London.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

As this is a new programme, alumni information is not available yet. It is expected that students will be in great demand in the financial industry, particularly data analytics, computer security, fintech and digital policy, or to pursue further study or a career in academia.

Employability

The programme is designed to equip you with demonstratable skills in forecasting current and future trends in technologies, business strategy and management of emerging technologies, data science and machine learning, and blockchain technologies. Depending on the optional modules chosen, you may also gain skills in digital innovation and policy, fintech, cybersecurity and network analysis.

Teaching and learning

You will be assessed through a range of methods across the programme, which will vary depending on any optional or elective module choices. The programme’s core curriculum is typically assessed by methods including coursework, lab work, individual and group projects, class tests, written examinations, oral assessments, and, in all cases, culminating in a final research project/ dissertation.

Contact time takes a variety of forms, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervisions, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, visits, placements, office hours (where staff are available for consultation), email, videoconference, or other media, and situations where feedback on assessed work is given (one-to-one or in a group).

Each module has a credit value that indicates the total notional learning hours a learner will spend on average to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is typically described as being equal to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.

The contact time for each of your 15 credit taught modules will typically include 22-30 hours of teaching activity over the term of its delivery, with the balance then comprised of self-directed learning and working on your assessments. You will have ongoing contact with teaching staff via each module’s online discussion forum, which is typically used for discussing and clarifying concepts or assessment matters and will have the opportunity to access additional support via regular office hours with module leaders and programme directors.

Your research project/ dissertation module is 60 credits and will include regular contact with your project supervisor(s), who will guide and support you throughout your project. You will dedicate most of your time on this module to carrying out research in connection with your project and writing up your final report.

Modules

The Emerging Digital Technologies MSc is a one-year programme.

In term 1, you will study topics in digital technologies and business strategy, blockchain technologies, and the fundamental of database systems. You will choose from specialist optional topics, including machine learning and computer security.

In term 2, you will study data science. You will choose further optional topics, which may include entrepreneurship, networks and systemic risk, further machine learning, people and computer security, digital finance, innovation and strategy, and matters relating to digital technology policy. You will also begin preparation for your final research project/ dissertation.

In term 3, you will primarily focus on your final research project/ dissertation and any examinations that take place in the main examination period.

Compulsory modules







Optional modules














Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £32,100
Tuition fees (2023/24) £32,100

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Students will require a modern computer (PC or Mac) with minimum specifications 8GB RAM and 500GB SSD storage. A computer with the stated specifications is estimated to cost £500 or greater.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For more information about funding opportunities for Department of Computer Science taught postgraduate programmes, please see the department's scholarships webpage.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Brown Family Bursary

Deadline: 8 June 2023
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver. Your application will be judged entirely on the evidence you provide.

When we assess your application we wish to learn:

  • why you want to study Emerging Digital Technologies at taught postgraduate level
  • why you want to study Emerging Digital Technologies at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • what programming experience you have
  • here you would like to go professionally with your degree

Programming experience in a language such as Python, C++ or MATLAB is an advantage but is not mandatory. Some programming experience means that you have experience of working on projects deploying code or have taken modules/assessments in your previous education with coding components. If you do not have this knowledge, there will be tutorials offered at the beginning of the programme, but you will be expected to get up to speed rapidly. A self-assessment test will be available to determine if you will need additional support for coding. A good knowledge of linear algebra, statistics and probability theory will be assumed. Relevant work experience will also be taken into account. Examples of relevant work experience include roles that require working with, applying and understanding digital technologies in roles such as product management, development, management and operations.

Due to competition for places on this programme, no late applications will be considered. Students with visa requirements or applying for scholarships are advised to apply early.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2023-2024

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Computer Science
Computer Science

cs.pgt-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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