MComp vs MSc vs BSc (Computer Science)

Trojan Horse · 29 Nov 2015 at 09:19

I would like some help in knowing the differences between an MComp, MSc ( is an MSci different) and a BSc.

I've been told by uni that the MComp is taught at masters level but it isn't as much as the masters. MComp's 120 credits and a MSci is 180. Doing the MComp puts me at a financial advantage as its paid on student loan - but do employers discriminate MSc and MComp, for example would I be denied if job required MSci and I had MComp?

Also are avg starting salaries higher at Masters level?

I've got my offers from all my universities
Now and have opted for the BSc wth a year in industry but can also add MComp (extra year) at any time. I think I will probably make this decision after my Industy year or second year as there is room for flexibility but I want to understand the differences now.

Thank you, any useful advice is appreciated!

Trojan Horse · 29 Nov 2015 at 09:48

The Craig said:
Do you have an existing degree?

Masters degrees are normally post graduate education ie after your 1st degee (bsc)

I don't but the MComp is an undergrad Masters and I just want to know whether employers care or not about the distinction between MComp and MSc.

Trojan Horse · 29 Nov 2015 at 10:13

Kenai said:
I think it would be industry specific about how bothered employers are by the difference between undergrad or postgrad masters. I've not observed much difference in Engineering and an undergrad masters is sufficient for professional registration etc.

What a postgrad masters will give you though, is opportunity for specialisation. So in a specific sub set of Engineering, the guy with BEng Mech Engineering and an MSc in Suspension Systems, would probably stand better chance at getting the Suspension Engineer job compared to the guy with MEng Mech Engineering.

Nothing to say you can't do both an undergrad and postgrad masters though.

Personally, having graduated with a Bachelors, the only thing I would change if I could do my time at uni again, would have been to do the undergrad masters instead.

Thanks for this, it confirms what I thought so that's all good ;D

Do you mind if I ask why you would do an undergrad masters? The only thing putting me off is that I would be at uni for 5 years (4 for MComp, 1 for Industry Work Placement). Is it because you'd rather spend another year in Uni and get a better degree, over work? What's your reasoning behind this? It is also an additional 9K of debt that would go out of my wage, forever.

I'm someone who has just received uni offers and so even far from getting into uni, just wanting to know about the steps ahead beforehand.

Trojan Horse · 29 Nov 2015 at 10:49

jsmoke said:
If your get good enough exam results(assume your at school) some unis will admit you to second year initially.

This is only for Scottish unis because they all do 4 Years as their first year is always a foundation (BSc), so effectively entry into 2nd year of Scottish uni is the same as first year of British unis anyway

Trojan Horse · 29 Nov 2015 at 10:57

dowie said:
That is putting you off? Seriously, university is fun! Or at least it is for most people, make the most of it - I wouldn't see spending an extra year there as a negative, you'll likely look back on it fondly and frankly some of your mates who've joined grad schemes already will be slightly jealous that you've got another year of it.

Well, I've never actually started yet - just worried I won't like higher ed but chances are I love it. Only reason I dislike school is that the people are ****** people and subjects are uninteresting, but they are unrelated to Comp Sci anyway.

I think the route of Oxbridge or London MSc would probably be perfect (rather Oxbridge because it's not in London!). My first choice is Newcastle and I suppose that's what most consider to be a decent red brick. I don't think it's worthwhile looking much into master courses right now as in 4 years most of it will be updated anyway - but what are the things I should be doing in Uni to increases chances of getting into an MSc course at the top institutions?

Trojan Horse · 29 Nov 2015 at 14:02

dowie said:
you'll apply for MSc courses before you've even started your third year dissertation - the things you should be doing are 1) getting good grades on your exams in 1st and 2nd year 2) making sure you've got at least two (in some cases three) lecturers/tutors who have a good impression of you and are willing to write a good reference for you.

Thank you for that, the lecturers so far I've seen, for about 5 hours (like nothing), are real down to earth people so I don't think I'll ever have problems with them.

Also are there any other additional things that would support me, I'm thinking of perhaps taking some MCP exams or the CCNA, find out what interests me and self-study on the side, would this be something that they'd look favourably towards, or are they more interested in experience and uni grades?