BSc (Honours) Computer Science

All our courses are designed around key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

During your first year, you will be introduced to programming and the principles of mathematics before moving on to algorithm design and software engineering. You will be assigned an academic member of staff as an academic adviser who will give you guidance and support on academic issues.

One of the main themes of this course is problem solving and you’ll achieve this fundamental skill by working on projects in the software industry using industry-standard tools and techniques. This will allow you to work with others in small teams, helping to prepare you for the world of work after you graduate.

During your second and final year, you’ll have the opportunity to choose elective modules, allowing you to tailor the degree to suit your interests.

During your final year, you’ll then complete a project in an area of computer science of your choice, allowing you to follow an area of interest and build skills relevant to your future career.

The combination of learning methods across the course allows you to develop a range of skills through problem-solving activities, applied learning, and teamwork, providing a practical approach to learning and encouraging self-development.

You learn through

• lectures
• practical lab sessions and tutorials
• regular feedback
• teamwork and group-based learning
• applied learning
• independent study

You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly-skilled, graduate-level employment. This includes:

• access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development
• access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars, and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
• Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments, and networking opportunities

Applied learning

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long work placement between your second and third years. A placement is widely recognized as the gold standard opportunity to gain personal and professional development through real-world experience.

You will be encouraged to take up this opportunity, as it will benefit your long-term career prospects and salary level, as well as your academic achievements and degree classification. Your course will prepare you to succeed in your placement and you will be supported throughout it.

Your placement will allow you to apply the knowledge and skills gained on your course, in areas such as web development, mobile applications, backend software, and desktop solutions.

Students from this course have worked with companies such as

• 3Squared
• CSE Servelec
• IBM
• Intel
• SN Systems

Your placement year will allow you to gain an Applied Professional Diploma in addition to your degree which will enhance your graduate profile and give you the edge with future employers.

You’ll also be supported to take advantage of work experience opportunities throughout your course, through access to a range of support activities, resources, and employer events from your Employability Team. This will further enhance your employability skill set, confidence, and opportunity awareness to help you succeed in your career after graduating.

Live projects

In your first and second years, you’ll work in a group on a real client-based project. You’ll analyze their requirements, then design, implement, and test a prototype that you will present to your client. This will allow you to experience the types of demands faced by commercial software developers and increase your confidence while you’re applying for your work placements.

Students have worked on live projects with industrial collaborators such as Next, XLN, Elanco, and Elaros (Digital Health). These projects have involved the use of augmented reality and 3D technologies, machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, cloud services, and mobile development. Students have often found placements as a result of being recognized for the excellent work they have done for these live projects with the host company.

Networking opportunities

Throughout the course, there’ll be numerous opportunities for you to engage with career management, career fairs and workshops, employer presentations, visits, and professional advisers.

Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Databases And The Web: 20 Credits
• Fundamentals Of Mathematics And Computer Architectures: 20 Credits
• Programming For Computer Science: 20 Credits
• Software Projects: 60 Credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Advanced Programming: 20 credits
• Algorithms And Data Structures: 40 credits
• Professional Software Projects: 40 credits

Elective modules

• Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 1: 20 credits
• Game Development: 20 credits
• Handling Data In The Cloud: 20 credits
• Mobile Applications Development: 20 credits

Final year

Compulsory modules

• Development Project: 40 credits
• Software Architecture And Design: 40 credits

Elective modules

• Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 2: 20 credits
• Contemporary Software Engineering: 20 credits
• Functional Programming: 20 credits
• Machine Learning Algorithms And Heuristics: 20 credits
• Robotics: 20 credits
• Secure Software Engineering: 20 credits

This course prepares you for a career in

• software development
• web-based applications
• mobile app development
• systems and IT support
• project management
• IT consultancy

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as

• 3Squared
• Capita
• Plusnet
• Raspberry Pi Foundation
• SkyBet