Master’s in Social Computing
Introduction to the Program
The Master’s in Social Computing at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a one and a half year program for international students taught in English.
About XJTLU
Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a new international university jointly founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University China and the University of Liverpool UK as a joint venture. As an independent Sino-Foreign cooperative university, it captures the essence of both prestigious parent universities and is the first and only one of its kind approved by the Ministry of Education in China. The University offers undergraduate degree programmes in the fields of science, engineering and management, and awards both its own Chinese degree and a degree from the University of Liverpool.
About the Program
The internet revolution has generated a social interactive environment that creates new business opportunities for enterprises. Many international software-development enterprises such as IBM, HP, Microsoft, Google and SAS have their own social computing/media development teams. Other IT enterprises, such as Apple, Oracle, CISCO and Nokia own products with social computing functions. Similarly, many national and international companies successfully turn significant profits through social network sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Yahoo, Twitter, Google, Myspace, Amazon, Sina Weibo, TaoBao, RenRen and QQ.
The MSc Social Computing programme addresses market demand by providing you with training for understanding, managing, developing, implementing and commercialising interactive social media on the internet. It will train you for advanced technical or managerial roles in new interdisciplinary areas of social informatics and internet computing.
The department is equipped with specialist lab facilities for operating systems, networking, mobile computing and multimedia technology that will support your learning and research.
Graduates of this programme, as with all XJTLU masters degrees, earn a University of Liverpool degree that is recognised by the Chinese Ministry of Education.
About The Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
The Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering delivers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and many of our graduates take further studies at world-leading institutions or start their careers with prestigious employers.
Our highly qualified staff members have a diverse range of international experience in teaching, research and working with industry, which benefits our students in enhancing their learning experience and employability. We are active in research and business interaction and have funding support from various international, national and local sources, such as the European Union, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and industry. We are keen to continue our work with business and industry to serve society and further develop our expertise.
Careers
Graduates from the MSc Social Computing programme can find employment as research and development engineers, systems developers and project leaders in IT companies. Some students choose to go on to further study as a PhD candidate.
Knowledge and Skills
By studying MSc Social Computing, you will gain:
- theoretical and practical knowledge of key areas of social business and social computing in both industry and research
- key tools enabling you to enhance and apply your skills in management, design and implementation of IT-based solutions to social business and computation domains
- practical skills in research, analysis, realisation and evaluation of technical or research documents in social commerce and social computing.
Scholarships
XJTLU offers a generous scholarship of up to 50 percent of the total tuition fee for all full-time masters programmes based on academic merit.
Start Date of the Program
September
Entry Requirements
Minimum Entry Requirements
UK
Upper second class (2:1) honours
China
- 1st tier universities: 75 percent or above
- 2nd tier universities: 80 percent or above
Note: Chinese applicants are not required to take the MoE postgraduate entrance exam.
North America
3.0 Cumulative GPA (out of 4) or 3.2 Cumulative GPA in the final two years of your undergraduate programme
Other Regions
Equivalent academic qualifications
Academic Background
An undergraduate degree (UK 2:1 or equivalent) in computer science, engineering, information systems, e-business, or mathematics, with suitable programming and programme design experience.
English Language Requirements
If English is not your native language or if you have not studied in English at degree level, you will need to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You should normally possess one of the following qualifications:
- IELTS: 6.0 (minimum of 5.0 in all sections)
- TOEFL iBT: 80
In exceptional circumstances, individual cases will be considered on their own merits. You may be required to attend interviews or tests to further demonstrate your English proficiency.
If you miss the English language requirements by 0.5-1.0 of an IELTS band, or a similar number for other English language exams, you can be admitted to the programme after successful completion of our four- or six-week intensive English presessional course.
You can also apply to take the XJTLU English language test in lieu of an IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent. Based on the score, students may be admitted or may be required to take and successfully complete the four- or six-week intensive English presessional course.
Additionally, students may be required to complete English language courses on a pass/fail basis as part of the additional learning activity requirement during their studies at XJTLU.
Application Deadline
30 June
Curriculum
Core Modules
- Cloud computing
- Project management
- Research methods
- Social media marketing
- Social network analysis
- Social web programming
- Dissertation
Elective modules
- Computer systems security
- Data mining and Big Data analytics
- Interactive systems
- Object-oriented programming
- Social commerce
Additional learning activities
The completion of additional learning activities is required to complete your masters degree. Normally, required ALA hours will be distributed evenly across each semester, amounting to 200 hours per semester. Part-time programmes will normally require 100 to 150 hours per semester.
Tuition Fees
The tuition fees are RMB 90,000 for the entire 18 month full-time programme.
If you are a graduate of XJTLU, the University of Liverpool or Xi’an Jiaotong University, you will automatically receive a discount of 20 percent of the tuition fee.
Masters students have the option to pay tuition fees in instalments each semester. You can also choose to pay the fees upfront at the time of registration, in this case a discount of five percent of the total fees will be offered.
Accommodation
The accommodation facilities are located within the Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District, where the University is situated. All accommodation within this area is private and managed by the Suzhou Industrial Park Education Development & Investment Limited Company (SIPEDI), and also provides to students studying at other institutions.
For further information on the accommodation visit the accommodation page here.
Application
To apply complete the application form and pay the application fee here. It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for your application to be processed and before an admissions decision is given. After you have been accepted you will receive your official acceptance letter visa application form. If you have any questions contact us.
