A postgraduate opportunity in

High Performance Computing

This MSc is offered by Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC), an institute at the University of
Edinburgh. EPCC is the UKs leading supercomputing centre and it operates HECToR, currently the
UKs most powerful supercomputer, which is a Cray XE system with more than 40,000 CPU cores.
The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the top 50 universities in the world*.
*Times Higher World University Ranking

www.epcc.ed.ac.uk/msc

High Performance Computing (HPC) is widely used in science, engineering and industry. Many branches of
modern science, such as climate research and nanotechnology, rely on complex computer models, which can
only be run on parallel supercomputers.
Companies involved in areas such as aerospace and automotive engineering, oil exploration, drug design and genetic
sequencing all run computer models on HPC systems. Furthermore, the parallel programming techniques that were once only
applicable to specialist machines are now essential for any software developer who wants to take full advantage of modern
multicore processors, graphics processors and computing clusters.
This MSc will equip participants with the multidisciplinary skills and knowledge to lead the way in the field of HPC.

Studying MSc High Performance Computing

Advanced Parallel Programming
Parallel Design Patterns
Software Development
Programming Skills
Courses include:
HPC Architectures

Project Preparation.

HPC Ecosystem

Selected optional courses from other MSc programmes in

Computer Science, Informatics and Mathematics at the
University are also available.

Message-Passing Programming
Threaded Programming
Parallel Numerical Algorithms
Parallel Programming Languages
Performance Programming

Entry requirements
Good honours degree (UK 2:1 honours degree, or its
equivalent if outside the UK) or equivalent work experience.
No prior HPC knowledge is assumed, but candidates must
be competent programmers in C, C++, Fortran or Java.
Course duration
One year (MSc) / nine months (Diploma) / two- or threeyear (MSc part-time)
Tuition fees
UK/EU students: 5,750 per annum
Overseas students: 17,200 per annum
Additional programme costs: 1,000
Scholarships
A number of scholarships are available for EU/UK
students. For more information, please visit
www.epcc.ed.ac.uk/msc. For information on
scholarships for overseas students, please visit
www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding.

After completing the taught courses students work on a

three-month individual project. These may be research or
work-based with opportunities for placements in the host
organisation.

Graduate Discount Scheme

University of Edinburgh graduates will receive a 10 per cent
discount on postgraduate tuition fees. The Graduate Discount
Scheme applies to both home and overseas students.
Contact us
MSc in HPC Administrator
School of Physics & Astronomy
University of Edinburgh
James Clerk Maxwell Building
Mayfield Road
Edinburgh EH9 3JZ
T +44 (0)131 651 7067
E msc@epcc.ed.ac.uk
W www.epcc.ed.ac.uk/msc

All information correct at the time of going to print. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the University.

November 2011

This 12-month MSc programme has a strong practical focus

and provides access to leading-edge HPC platforms and
technologies. It consists of 12 taught courses, followed by a
dissertation project.

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.

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