Computer Science BSc

Computer scientists design and create search engines, social networking applications, software applications used in the financial world to map customer profiles and expose credit card fraud, and software applications used in the medical sector to identify cancers through the analysis of medical images.

During this BSc computer science course, you will learn about all kinds of computational systems, their theory, design, development and application. This includes programming languages, software engineering, artificial intelligence, operating systems, databases, nature-inspired computation, concurrent computing, robotics and the theory of computation. Our BSc computer science course incorporates concepts from fields as diverse as mathematics, engineering, linguistics and psychology.

Dr Nick Hawes

Reader, Computer Science

“ Computer Science is the study of computational systems and their applications. Fundamental to this is the study of information, and how to understand, represent and manipulate information mechanistically and automatically.”

Course details

First year

Your first year of our BSc computer science course is common to all of our Computer Science undergraduate students, so at the end of the year you’ll be able to grasp a good  understanding in a number of areas. You’ll be given an overview of the subject and gain a firm foundation in the principles of algorithms,  artificial intelligence and relevant maths. You’ll also learn computer programming in Java – a language widely used in business and industry.

In as early as your first year of our BSc computer science course you’ll be given a chance to pursue your  own interests, via work within Robot programming and image processing. These both include group work as part of our commitment to preparing you for the world of work.

Second year

In your second year of the BSc computer science course you’ll move on to study enabling technologies such as databases, graphics and the formal basis of programming languages. Teaching these together with programming allows you to put the theory into practice, giving you a much deeper understanding.

In the second year, you’ll also learn to work in a team to produce software, and you’ll learn new styles of programming in Java and a second language. The modules on the Bsc computer science course also include Computer Systems and Architecture, Introduction to Computer Security and Software Engineering.

If you are interested in studying in the UK, you can apply to spend the second year of your BSc computer science course in Birmingham. Find out more about spending your second year in the UK.

Third year

In your final year of our BSc computer science course you will obtain a huge amount of training and experience so you can maximise on your degree to achieve your ambitions and interests. You’ll spend one third of your time on a project, either developed from your own idea or from a wide selection offered by staff members. This usually involves writing a large piece of software and gives you the freedom to extend and demonstrate your skills in your own way.

View the  Computer Science BSc Dubai campus brochure (pdf 473 KB)

Modules

All modules listed are compulsory.

Year one

Year two

Year three

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2019. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees and funding

We charge an annual tuition fee which is set at AED 103,780 per year of study.

Scholarships

We have a number of scholarships available for 2019 entry. Find out more.

Entry requirements

UK

3 A Levels. Typical offer AAA. A Level Mathematics grade A. If you are taking any reformed A levels, which include Biology, Chemistry and Physics taught from 2015, you must pass the practical element. General Studies or Critical Thinking not accepted.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

6,6,6 at Higher Level to include 6 in Mathematics with a minimum of 32 points overall. 

GULF

Please view the Middle East section on the international country page for further information on entry requirements. 

India

  • AAA = 85% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 80% West Bengal or 90% Other State boards. Mathematics must be taken with a A grade equivalency achieved.

Please view our India page for further information on entry requirements.

Pakistan

  • The University will consider students who have taken A Level examinations and/or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Requirements for each of these qualifications is listed above.

Please view our Pakistan page for further information on entry requirements. 

American System

Either a total of 3 distinct subject tests from APs and/or SAT subject tests or one year at a Community College or USA University.

Other entry requirements can be found on our international students pages.

How to apply

To find out more information about our application process please visit our 'How to apply page' before starting your application.

OverviewLearning and teaching

Learning and teaching methods on our BSc computer science course will take the form of lectures, classes, case study work, online assignments and quizzes, presentations and self-directed study.

All work will be assessed via exams, coursework, presentations and a dissertation.

"Overall, the teaching in the Computer Science department is fantastic. Nearly all the lecturers are very helpful and will go out of their way to support you. The course content is very well structured and contains very applicable knowledge and skills for the Industry."

Aaquib Naved, Computer Science student

Read Aaquib's full profile

Course detailsEmployability

As the University of the Year for Graduate Employment in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2015-16, Birmingham is the UK’s number one university for securing a graduate-level job.

A degree gained through completing our BSc Computer Science course provides the skills required for a wide range of careers.  It will give you a disciplined approach to analysing problems, with the ability to design creative solutions and critically evaluate the results. Employers are impressed by the combination of technical and transferable skills offered by computing graduates, and as such, you might find yourself in a variety of environments in academia, industry, research and commercial organisations.

These qualities, plus the prestige of a degree from a leading World Class University, make our graduates attractive  to companies in the engineering sector worldwide as well as those in finance, consultancy and commerce.

Examples of companies where our graduates have gone on to work include Microsoft, Google, Apple, Sony, IBM, Siemans, Honda, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and the Bank of England.

"The skills that I am gaining; the course does not just teach knowledge, it trains us in certain skills which can be applied outside of the course, for example many students develop software that has been published, gained them an internship or enhanced their CVs".

Hung Hoang, Computer Science student

Read Hung's full profile

"The University of Birmingham do a great job with regards to student employment. I'm currently undertaking a summer placement with IBM (The Extreme Blue Summer Internship) and that has helped me learn a lot of new skills and gain experience in a fast paced agile development environment.".

Aaquib Naved, Computer Science student

Read Aaquib's full profile

Your Birmingham Degree

Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness, and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. 

Learning and teaching