MSCS — Master of Science in Computer Science

Overview

Computing now sits at the centre of every industry. The MSCS prepares engineers, scientists and technologists to architect modern software systems, reason rigorously about data and algorithms, and lead complex technical initiatives across global teams — all within a US graduate framework delivered in Italy.

2 yrs

Full-time blended programme delivered in English

10+

Core graduate courses spanning software, data and systems

USA

Westcliff University degree, awarded under WSCUC accreditation

Who it's for

Graduates in computer science, engineering, mathematics or a related quantitative discipline who aim to deepen technical expertise and step into senior software, systems, research or specialist roles in international firms.

What you learn

Advanced algorithms, software architecture, databases, networks, operating systems, machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity and distributed systems — integrated through Unicollege's Acquire / Apply / Amplify model and a capstone research project.

Outcomes

Graduates move into senior software engineering, DevOps, ML/AI, cybersecurity, data engineering and tech leadership roles, and qualify for further doctoral study (DCS, DIT, DDSci) in computing-related fields.

Curriculum — 4 Terms

A US graduate computer science framework structured across four terms over two years, combining core technical foundations with applied project work and an independent capstone research project.

Term I — Foundations Term II — Systems Term III — Applied Computing Term IV — Capstone

Algorithms & Data Structures3 CR

Advanced study of algorithm design and analysis — greedy methods, dynamic programming, graph algorithms and complexity theory — built on rigorous reasoning about data structures and asymptotic performance.

Software Engineering3 CR

Modern software engineering practice covering architecture, design patterns, testing, version control and agile delivery, framed around real engineering teams shipping production systems.

Database Systems3 CR

Relational and non-relational database design, query optimisation, transactions and indexing, with hands-on work in SQL and modern NoSQL platforms.

Computer Networks3 CR

Layered network architectures from physical transmission through TCP/IP and application protocols, with emphasis on performance, reliability and modern internet infrastructure.

Operating Systems3 CR

Process and memory management, concurrency, file systems and virtualisation, examined through the design of contemporary kernels and container runtimes.

Distributed Systems3 CR

Principles of consistency, replication, fault tolerance and consensus in distributed environments — from microservices and event streaming to geo-replicated data stores.

Machine Learning3 CR

Supervised, unsupervised and deep learning fundamentals with hands-on model development, evaluation and deployment using current Python ML frameworks.

Cloud Computing3 CR

Architecture and operation of cloud platforms — compute, storage, networking and managed services — with practical work on infrastructure-as-code and scalable application deployment.

Cybersecurity3 CR

Threat modelling, applied cryptography, secure software design and incident response, with focus on defending modern cloud-native and distributed systems.

Capstone Research Project6 CR

Independent research and engineering project supervised by faculty — students define a problem, design and implement a technical solution, and defend it before a final examination committee.

Advanced Elective — Specialisation3 CR

Focused elective drawn from the Westcliff graduate computer science catalogue, allowing students to deepen expertise in an area aligned with their capstone and career trajectory.

Faculty

The MSCS is taught by Westcliff University graduate faculty alongside Unicollege computer science instructors, blending US graduate pedagogy with the academic environment of an international university in Italy.

"A modern computer scientist needs more than code — they need the architectural judgement to design systems that scale, the rigour to reason about data, and the leadership to guide engineering teams through ambiguity." — Westcliff University · Unicollege MSCS Faculty

Career opportunities

MSCS graduates take on senior technical roles across multinational technology firms, R&D centres and innovation-driven SMEs — in Italy, across Europe and internationally.

Software Engineering

Senior backend, full-stack and platform engineering roles building production systems at scale.

DevOps & Cloud

Cloud architects and DevOps engineers designing CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code and reliable cloud-native deployments.

ML / AI Engineering

Machine-learning and applied-AI engineers shipping models and intelligent features into production systems.

Cybersecurity

Security engineers, application-security specialists and incident-response analysts protecting modern infrastructures.

Data Engineering

Data engineers and platform builders designing pipelines, warehouses and streaming systems for analytics and AI.

Tech Leadership

Technical leads, engineering managers and product-engineering leaders guiding teams through complex technical decisions.

Ready to apply?

1

Submit your application & CV

2

Academic interview & profile review

3

Receive your admission decision

4

Enrol & join the cohort

Start your application

Frequently asked questions

What background do I need to apply?

A bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, mathematics or a related quantitative discipline. Applicants from adjacent fields with strong programming and quantitative foundations are also considered.

Is the degree awarded by Westcliff University or Unicollege?

The MSCS is awarded in partnership with Westcliff University (USA), accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and delivered through Unicollege in Italy.

What does “blended” mean in practice?

Blended delivery combines on-campus seminars, project workshops and lab work with structured online graduate coursework in the Westcliff learning environment, allowing flexibility for working professionals.

Are courses taught in English?

Yes — the entire MSCS is delivered in English, in line with US graduate standards. International applicants may be asked for evidence of English proficiency.

How long does the programme take?

The standard duration is two years, structured across four terms covering foundations, systems, applied computing and a capstone research project.

Can I continue to a doctorate after the MSCS?

Yes. The MSCS qualifies graduates for doctoral study in computing-related fields, including the Westcliff DCS (Doctor of Computer Science), DIT and DDSci programmes offered through Unicollege.