I'm interested in doing an MSc. in Open Source Software at SHU next year. I've not quite got the entry grade degree for the course, but thought it would be beneficial to get up there, have a word with the course leader/make my presence known, but also to have a look around the campus/computer pools.

Anyone studying computing up there or know anything about the course?

you mean this course:

http://www2.shu.ac.uk/prospectus/op_pglookup1.cfm?id_num=CMS030&status=TN

sounds like a newish degree to me, not heard of it before... when you say you've not quite got the entry degree level what do you mean? do you have an BSc Honours in a computing?

sounds like an intersting degree to me, will most likely involve a lot of C/C++ and Python...

just pop up and talk to someone, I got on my BSc degree with really bad A level results due to the fact I have years of computing experiance behind me, Hallam are a great Uni especially for computing, one of the best in the country when it comes to computing :)

I've got a BSc. Software Engineering 2:2, rather than the 2:1 they want. That said, I've got evidence of an interest in the subject area.

The person in the admissions department that I spoke to didn't know who was going to be the course leader, so I'm just fishing about for who to talk to.

How well set up is it for computing? Can you fiddle with the computers/settings, etc. My previous university had computing students using a totally restricted computer pool that was only any good (and primarily intended for) people doing word processing.

They have restrictions... obviously... they aren't going to give students access to administrator type stuff as that would be stupid... I never had any reason to complain about settings really... what would you possibly want/need to change on a system?

there are test boxes and unix/linux boxes etc, and obviously your own system :P

To be honest, I think if you can prove experiance and a genuine interest in the field they'll let you on with a 2:2... but don't take my word for it, they might not, but it doesn't hurt to try :)

I was offered an unconditional place on a M.Sc. there and all I did was to speak with the Course Tutor who then invited me for an interview based on relevant work experience alone. I think this is increasingly normal.

Maxm, when you find out who's in charge of the course arrange an interview, I've just finished a degree in networking.
I have no A levels and average GCSE results, but was offered a place based on my work experience. :)