Computer Science
If you have your sights set on becoming a programmer, our Computer Science course is perfect for you.
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UCAS Code
G40C
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
112
International students: £17,600*
UCAS Code
I101
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
112
International students: £17,600*
Course overview
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.
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.
Accreditations
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We’re accredited by the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
Why study this course?
What you'll study
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.
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.
Learn the underlying concepts of databases – how data should be managed and protected to ensure systems work effectively and reliably.
Get a deeper understanding of how computer systems are constructed and operated, and why this is essential for everyday use.
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
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.
Explore object-oriented concepts and software engineering practices, where you'll expand your knowledge of data structures and algorithms.
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.
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.
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.
Explore professional practice in computing, and legal, social, ethical, and professional aspects of computing. A core module for your future careers in computer science.
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.
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.
You’ll have the chance to study overseas under an exchange programme.
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.
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.
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.
This optional module introduces concepts, techniques, and terminology needed to design and apply artificially intelligent solutions in the field of robotics and cybernetics.
This optional module develops the skills required to design, implement, test, and critically evaluate applications for mobile platforms.
Address both theoretical and practical issues by designing and building parallel and concurrent 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.
We regularly review our courses to keep pace with changing skills and employer needs. If a review leads to significant changes, we’ll contact you to explain what’s changing for the coming year.
Teaching and Assessment
This hands-on course gives you the chance to build practical IT skills by learning through real projects and activities. You’ll spend lots of time in our computer labs using industry-standard hardware and software to create websites, develop software, design databases and solve real-world problems. Most of your assessment will be coursework, so you can show what you can do through practical tasks rather than exams. You’ll learn from experienced and supportive staff who will know you by name and help you build the skills and confidence you need for your future career.
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.
There are no formal examinations. Assessments range 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.
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.
You will use modern computer labs equipped with the latest hardware and software throughout your course, supporting both practical classes and independent study. Alongside lecture theatres and classrooms, you’ll have access to a dedicated Internet of Things teaching space and a robotics lab, giving you hands-on experience with emerging technologies. You can also use the labs outside of taught sessions to practise your skills, complete assignments, and build confidence with industry-standard equipment.
From September 2026, our Computing, Engineering, Technology and Built Environment courses will move into their brand-new home: the Calon building.
This £60m investment will feature more than 40 new innovative teaching, learning and research spaces, including electronics and hydraulics labs, a flight simulator, a robotics lab, clean and industrial research spaces, collaborative teaching spaces, as well as virtual reality capability, and a range of exhibition spaces.
Calon will give you access to the technology, facilities and opportunities needed to shape the future.
Course Leader
Dr Christopher Tubb
Meet Dr Christopher Tubb, an engineering and computer science specialist and Course Leader. Christopher leads the course with a strong focus on practical application, encouraging students to tackle real-world challenges through creative problem-solving and innovation. Alongside contemporary industry practice, he and the course team foster curiosity and exploration, helping students develop the skills to create novel solutions that shape the future. His research interests include robotics, pathfinding, and the application of computational techniques to areas such as modelling human behaviour in computer games, bringing cutting-edge insights directly into the learning experience.
Have questions about the course, what you'll study, or whether it's the right fit for you? Get in touch with Christopher directly via email.
"I am now NCSC certified, so employers look at that, and it gives that professionalism aspect to the course."
Niamh McConville, Computer Science graduate
Entry Requirements
Additional
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.
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.
How to applyContextual admissions policyAsk us a question112 UCAS points 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
If you don’t reach the entry requirements at Year 1, this course also offers a Foundation Year alternative.
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.
International studentsPre-Sessional EnglishEnglish 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 4 overall and a minimum of 4 in each component 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.
Fees and Funding
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.
Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.
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.
per year
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.
Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.
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.
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Explore our facilities
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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).
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Apply direct
Computer Science
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Full-time, 3 years
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September
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Pontypridd
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Apply direct
Computer Science
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Sandwich, 4 years
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September
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Pontypridd
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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.
Applicants accepted through advanced entry may study a different combination of modules to those advertised, as they will be joining a course already in progress. You will be contacted and advised about these modules once your application has been processed and an offer made.
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.
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