Computer Science
If you have your sights set on becoming a programmer, our Computer Science course is perfect for you.
How to apply Apply Through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to Us/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/03-courses/computing/Computing-at-USW---Feb-2024_53347.jpg)
Key Course Details
-
UCAS Code
G40C
-
Start Date
September
-
Location
Pontypridd
-
Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£9,535*
International students
£16,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
-
UCAS Code
I101
-
Start Date
September
-
Location
Pontypridd
-
Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£9,535*
International students
£16,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
Ranked Top in Wales for student satisfaction by the National Student Survey 2023, our BCS-accredited Computer Science degree prepares you for a career in secure software development. Gain practical skills through real-world projects, developing safe and reliable solutions to real-life problems.
DESIGNED FOR
If you're fascinated by the inner workings of computers and enjoy creatively solving everyday problems, this is the perfect opportunity for you. You'll develop practical skills along with academic knowledge, paving the way for a successful career in computing.
Accredited by
- BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
Career paths
- Software Development
- Software Engineering
- Data Science
- Dev Ops
- Further study and research
Skills taught
- Creative problem solving
- Competency in media literacy
- Communications and collaboration
- Digital scholarship and information literacy
- Career and identity management
Course Highlights
Module Overview
Become a computer programmer through our BCS-accredited Computer Science degree. Developed by a team who love computing research, this course will teach you practical skills through real-world projects and by developing solutions to real-life problems.
Year One
Programming
Information Management, Assurance and Security
Computer Systems Concepts
Professionalism Employability Enterprise and Problem-Solving
Mathematical Tools for Computation
Year Two
Data Structures and Algorithms with Object-Oriented Programming
Secure Software Development
Operating Systems Concepts
Event Driven and Graphical User Interface Programming
Professional Practice and Employability, Team-Based Software Development Workshop
Databases and Data Modelling
Supervised Work Experience (Computing)
Study Overseas (Computing)
Year Three
Individual Project -Computer Science
Computer Networks
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Mobile Systems and Applications
Parallel and Concurrent Programming
Intelligent Systems
Start your computer science journey by mastering core concepts. Develop your programming skills and study computer architecture. Learn about information management and databases while sharpening your professional and study skills.
Programming
You’ll create a functional object-oriented programme in a commercially important language. Develop your programming skills and learn the vital concepts to design and build modern software.
Information Management, Assurance and Security
Learn the underlying concepts of databases – how data should be managed and protected to ensure systems work effectively and reliably.
Computer Systems Concepts
Get a deeper understanding of how computer systems are constructed and operated, and why this is essential for everyday use.
Professionalism Employability Enterprise and Problem-solving
Learn the essentials of being a computing professional, developing skills which will help your career, including the ability to present and analyse data and work towards a state project.
*Students can choose to study and be assessed for a portion of this module in Welsh.
Mathematical Tools for Computation
If you're feeling nervous or intimidated by maths and its concepts, this module is designed to support and boost your confidence. It's specifically targeted at Computer Science students.
Join team projects to develop your professional skills, data handling, and programming expertise. Take advantage of our exchange program to explore global opportunities and enjoy an exciting learning experience abroad.
Data Structures and Algorithms with Object-Oriented Programming
Explore object-oriented concepts and software engineering practices, where you'll expand your knowledge of data structures and algorithms.
Secure Software Development
Build on the development of reliable, safe software. You’ll build both the skills and the conceptual knowledge that ensures that the software you produce has no nasty surprises.
Operating Systems Concepts
Learn about the history and key components of an operating system both conceptually and practically, allowing you to gain practical familiarity with multiple operating systems.
Event Driven and Graphical User Interface Programming
Develop knowledge of, and skills in, the techniques associated with the Event-Driven Programming Paradigm where events control the flow of the program's execution.
Professional Practice and Employability, Team-Based Software Development Workshop
Explore professional practice in computing, and legal, social, ethical, and professional aspects of computing. A core module for your future careers in computer science.
Databases and Data Modelling
Learn all about relational database architecture, practical use of query language, security, and managing large volumes of data such as distributed/cloud and NoSQL database systems.
Supervised Work Experience (Computing)
Put your theory into practice with this paid work experience opportunity, applying the skills and knowledge you have learned so far, to boost your future career prospects.
Study Overseas (Computing)
You’ll have the chance to study overseas under an exchange programme. (This is optional).
Take on an individual project where you tackle a real-world problem or create an innovative solution. Choose your project or select one from our offerings. Showcase your work to industry experts at our final project event, where outstanding student projects will be awarded prizes.
Individual Project
Your project will imitate a real-world need and give you the chance to show off your creative research, analytical abilities, and practical skills in management.
Computer Networks
Develop your understanding of the principles, protocols, and technologies that underpin modern computer networks. Learn the skills required to design, implement, and manage computer networks.
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
This optional module introduces concepts, techniques, and terminology needed to design and apply artificially intelligent solutions in the field of robotics and cybernetics.
Mobile Systems and Applications
This optional module develops the skills required to design, implement, test, and critically evaluate applications for mobile platforms.
Parallel and Concurrent Programming
Address both theoretical and practical issues by designing and building parallel and concurrent systems.
Intelligent Systems
Study a range of techniques and technologies used to build artificial intelligence systems. You’ll use practical examples to help you select techniques and apply them to solving problems.
Course Highlights
How you'll learn
We’ve created an accredited course where all three years intertwine and support one another. You’ll experience a mix of teaching techniques ranging from formal lectures, with supporting practice sessions, to team-based projects, which are managed in simulation. Your learning is supported by online material, including video, audio, and text-based resources, exercises, and tasks.
You’ll be happy to hear there are no formal examinations. Assessment ranges from drafting formal reports to video demonstrations. We aim to draw heavily on real-world issues, presenting you with realistic working challenges to build your skills.
/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/03-courses/computing/msc-computer-science-1.png)
Teaching staff
We’re not just academics; we’re computing researchers. Researching in a range of fields, from data science, how best to develop the essential computer science, robotics, to the medical applications of Artificial Intelligence. As a team, we have a wide range of interests and a wealth of experience to help you on your way to becoming a computer programmer.
When you graduate, you'll have the knowledge and skills you need to start your career confidently. Our course includes both practical and theoretical modules, offering you an engaging and innovative learning experience.
/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/03-courses/computing/Jennifer-Whewell---BSc-Computer-Science_53331.jpg)
Placements and work experience
Choose to study full-time across three years, or as a Sandwich degree, where you’ll experience at least nine months of work placement. We’ll help you find a placement and supervise to make sure it has experiential value. This can be completed through summer and weekend placements – we’ll make it work for you. Second-year students can choose an overseas placement through an exchange programme. Recent placements include E-Finity, IBM, Fujitsu, GCHQ, and the Welsh Government.
/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/03-courses/computing/msc-advanced-computer-science-1.png)
Facilities
The course is supported by specialist computing labs with PCs and Macintosh computers, which are available outside of teaching hours, giving you study flexibility. Specific modules are supported by the Robotic Intelligence lab with a range of arms, mobile robots, and related technologies. We also have a flexible learning space that provides a community hub for the BSc Computer Science students where you can work together, or study solo, in a relaxed atmosphere.
In your third year, the careers service will facilitate a six-week course, where you and your classmates will decide what you want to hear about regarding future careers.
/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/08-subjects/computing/subject-computing-facilities-classroom-44989-3-800X800.jpg)
/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/03-courses/computing/bsc-computer-science-1.png)
/prod01/channel_2/media/event-graduation-cardiff-28660-857X857-1.jpg)
/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/01-campus-and-facilities/12-campus-spaces/campus-spaces-newport-library-27766-3-785X785.jpg)
/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/01-campus-and-facilities/12-campus-spaces/campus-spaces-newport-library-27717-3-857X857.jpg)
/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/01-campus-and-facilities/15-newport-facilities/newport-facilities-library-27769-2-579X533.jpg)
/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/07-student-life/71-study-spaces/student-life-study-spaces-newport-27770-3-785X785.jpg)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
UCAS points: 112 (or above)
Typical qualification requirements:
- A Level: BBC
- Welsh BACC: Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales Grade C and BB at A Level.
- BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit.
- Access to HE: Pass the Access to HE Diploma and obtain a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points
- T Level: P
Additional requirements include:
The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
International applications welcomed:
We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.
English language requirements
International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.
Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.
If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.
If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.
USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.
We're here to help
Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.
Fees and Funding
£9,535
per year*£16,200
per year*£16,200
per year*Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
There are no specific additional costs associated with the programme, although students should expect to incur occasional incidental expenses, for instance for printing, stationary or transport. Students may, optionally decide to support their studies by providing additional equipment such as a laptop. Although recommended this is not required.
/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/08-subjects/stem/comet-building-west-view-entrance.jpg)
Introducing Calon
We are investing in the future of STEM with the exciting new Calon building at the heart of our Pontypridd Campus.
University Quality Assurance
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
How to apply
All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)
Advanced entry
If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.
International admissions
International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.
