CDP is a reach-out project of the School of Computer Science, where we work on real commercial software for real clients. With the support of academic and specialist staff, our software development teams provide commercial software development services to customers with bespoke software development needs.

This excellent opportunity gives you critical experience of working professionally with clients across the entire software project lifecycle from customer brief through to specifying, designing, developing and testing software using industry-standard technologies and techniques. Employers tell us they are actively looking for candidates with experience applying the project management methodologies, frameworks and tools that you will explore, use and hone during your time in CDP.

Graduates tell us that their experiences are highly sought after in industry, and you will certainly end up with lots to put on your CV and talk about in job interviews!

Your MSc Dissertation is your chance to spend a full third of your study time working on a topic of interest to you, and producing something major as a result. You can design your own project, working with a member of staff to develop an idea. Perhaps you will develop an AI program, do some research in virtual reality, or build a new robot butler – the choice is yours.

With regular support from a supervisor, you’ll learn to create, undertake, evaluate and report on a significant individual project which you’ll be proud to show off to an employer or perhaps provide a stepping stone into further research.

This module enables review of cutting-edge and emerging concepts and methods across the spectrum of computer science. We will meet as a reading group to select, review and discuss academic publications of high quality, that take topics beyond the curriculum and into the current state of the art; students will learn how to read and review academic materials critically.

Modern large scale software development can be improved through utilising advanced approaches such as component based development. Reliable and secure software can be supported through managed programming environments. This module will be your chance to look deeper at these virtual machines beneath and see what makes it all work, and to develop solutions utilising component libraries.

This module introduces the key principles and techniques for building secure, reliable, and privacy-preserving computing systems. It examines the nature of security risks in modern IT systems, including how vulnerabilities arise and why they occur.

Students will explore fundamental concepts such as trust, authentication, and access control, together with the principles of cryptography and common cryptographic algorithms. The module also covers language-based security and the role of virtual machines in supporting system security.

A strong emphasis is placed on secure software development, highlighting the relationship between coding flaws, system correctness, and security. Students will learn how software errors can lead to vulnerabilities and undermine trust in a system.

In addition, the module addresses security policies and approaches for securing distributed systems, as well as ethical, legal, and professional considerations.

By the end of the module, students will understand how to design systems that are both functionally correct and secure, ensuring they can be trusted in real-world applications.

This module provides an in-depth, practical understanding of modern cyber security operations, focusing on both offensive and defensive strategies for protecting digital systems. Students will explore core concepts in cyber defence and threat intelligence, gaining insight into how cyber attacks are planned, executed, detected, and mitigated.

A key feature of the module is hands-on experience in red teaming, blue teaming, and purple teaming approaches. Students will simulate real-world attack and defence scenarios, learning to identify vulnerabilities, respond to incidents, and strengthen system resilience.

The module also introduces the phases and techniques of digital forensics, enabling students to investigate security breaches, analyse evidence, and support incident response activities.

Delivered through a fully lab-based, practice-driven approach, students will work in realistic cyber security environments, using industry-standard tools and platforms. This immersive experience ensures that graduates develop the technical skills and operational awareness required to tackle real-world cyber security challenges.