You can find out full details about how to apply, entry requirements, and fees for the three masters’ degrees on the main University website: MSc in Software Engineering, MSc in Software and Systems Security, and MSc in AI for Business. Please find a summary of the information below.

How to apply

You will apply using the University's graduate application form. You will need to upload supporting documents relevant to your course and pay a £75 fee to submit your application. Please note that if you are unable to obtain a transcript of previous higher education, you should simply upload a document containing a statement to that effect.

A range of assistive measures are in place to support applications from students with disabilities. For example, a paper application will be accepted where necessitated by a disability. See the University application guidance for more information. For international students, further information regarding visas can be found here: Visa and Immigration. The application form gives you an opportunity to select a College. The role of Colleges in Oxford is explained under College Life.

Who can apply

You are welcome to apply if you have sufficient experience or proven ability in software, security, or data engineering. You should have an appreciation of the challenges and practices facing professionals in the field, together with an appropriate level of logical, mathematical, or analytical skills. You will typically have at least two years' experience in a professional environment, and an undergraduate degree in a related subject. However, more extensive experience may compensate for a lack of formal qualifications, and a strong, relevant qualification may compensate for a lack of professional experience.

A good command of written and spoken English is expected. If your first language is not English, you would usually be required to provide evidence of your English proficiency at the higher level required by the University.

When to apply

You can apply from 1 September each year, for admission in October of the following year. The deadline for applications is in early January. After this deadline, you will need to wait until the following September to apply. You will need to provide basic supporting evidence regarding previous study, language proficiency, and current employment, and obtain at least two references, so we advise you to start the process well in advance of the deadline.

References

We will consider references from anyone in a position to comment on your readiness for postgraduate study. It would be useful if one of your referees is able to comment on your academic ability or previous education, and the other is able to comment on your professional experience. A reference from your current employer or line manager is always welcome.

Interviews

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process within eight weeks of the application deadline. They last between 20-30 minutes, either in person or online.

Completing your Master's

Following your successful application, you will be admitted as a student on the MSc in Software Engineering or the MSc in Software and Systems Security, and will be awarded a Master of Science qualification on the successful completion of the programme. To achieve this, you will need to complete ten courses in total, undertake a project, and submit a short dissertation. Six of your ten final courses will need to correspond to your chosen master’s - see list of courses.

It usually takes two to four years to complete the modules, typically at a rate of three modules per year. You should aim to complete your master's within four years. If circumstances prevent you studying for a while, you can ask for your student status to be suspended for up to a year. If you still need more time at the end of the four years, you can ask for an extension. If you are making good progress, then your request will normally be granted immediately.

If you need to withdraw for any reason, you may be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate or a Postgraduate Diploma. For the Certificate, you need to have completed four courses and eight for the Diploma. The Certificate and Diploma will either be in Software Engineering or Software and Systems Security, depending on the topics of the courses taken.

College Life

As the University of Oxford is a collegiate university, all students studying for a degree and all permanent academic staff are associated with one of the University's 38 colleges. Colleges are independent, self-governing units, providing you with the benefits of a small, tightly knit, interdisciplinary community within the larger, internationally renowned University. For postgraduate students, colleges provide some accommodation, meals, sports and social facilities, and pastoral care, while the department provides your teaching and supervision.

Not all of the colleges have capacity and facilities for part-time students. The University Course Pages have a 'College Preference; tab for each degree, showing which colleges accept students for that degree. If you state a preference for a particular college, this will be taken into account, but any eventual offer might come from a different college. The majority of students on this programme are members of Kellogg College, which was established particularly to support part-time study.