Ranking
1st
Daily Mail Uni Guide 2026
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Course overview
Explore computer science and open up an exciting world of advanced tech career possibilities. Our MSci Computer Science with a Year in Industry will prepare you for success as a leader in our ever-evolving digital world, backed with real workplace experience and industry skills.
Study with us and you’ll explore the key components of computer science, computational systems, software engineering and programming. From apps and robotics to software and AI, you’ll be ready for leadership roles in many industries. You'll spend a year working in industry to test-drive career options.
Accredited degree
This undergraduate programme is fully accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS).
Why Study Computer Science at Birmingham?
You don't need to know anything about computer science to study it. It's a super easy course to get into, but it's a lot of work at the same time. Stay on top of your weekly work and you'll have a blast learning everything you could possibly want to about the subject.
Course structure
Our comprehensive MSci Computer Science with a Year in Industry degree enables you to gain a thorough grounding in the theoretical foundations of the subject. You'll delve into specialist areas of your interest, and use your skills during a year in industry.
Year 1
Year 1
Your first year is made up of compulsory computer science subjects, and you’ll receive a comprehensive education in fundamental, relevant subjects.
You’ll be given an overview of the subject and gain a firm foundation in the principles of algorithms, artificial intelligence, software engineering and relevant maths.
Year 2
Year 2
In your second year, you’ll move on to study more fundamental subjects in computer science, including enabling technologies such as databases, and the formal basis of programming languages.
This combined learning will allow you to put the theory into practice, giving you a much deeper understanding of the subject.
Year 3
Year 3
Year in Industry
You'll spend your third year undertaking a year long placement in a directly related industry. You'll use the knowledge you have learnt so far in the real world environment, and will gain further skills directly from the industry.
Year 4
Year 4
Your fourth year will allow you to choose from a wide range of optional modules, from subjects relevant to industry, to more research based areas.
Year 5
Year 5
In your final year, modules from our range of Masters programmes will be open to you to choose from. You'll also undertake a much more in-depth 60 credit software project.
Your choice of modules alongside your choice of project will allow you to specialise in many fields such as Computer Security, Human Computer Interaction, Robotics or Natural Computation.
Course highlights
- 1st
in the UK for Computer Science
Daily Mail University Guide 2026
- 4th
in the UK for Computer Science
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
- 5th
in the UK for Computer Science
The Complete University Guide 2026
National Student Survey
We are committed to providing the high-quality teaching, learning and support. Our strong results in the most recent NSS (2025) show that our students are happy with their experience. We have been ranked Top 10 in the UK and Top 3 in the Russell Group across all seven themes:
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5th in the UK for Theme 1 ‘Teaching on my course’ (3rd in Russell Group)
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4th in the UK for Theme 2 ‘Learning opportunities’ (1st in Russell Group)
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6th in the UK for Theme 3 ‘Assessment and feedback’ (1st in Russell Group)
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8th in the UK for Theme 4 ‘Academic support’ (3rd in Russell Group)
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2nd in the UK for Theme 5 ‘Organisation and management’ (1st in Russell Group)
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4th in the UK for Theme 6 ‘Learning resources’ (2nd in Russell Group)
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2nd in the UK for Theme 7 ‘Student voice’ (1st in Russell Group)
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You’ll combine analytical knowledge and technical skills as you research and develop software solutions to real-world challenges. Our flexible programme means you can specialise in topics that most interest you and suit your career plans.
You’ll work in teams to produce software and learn new styles of programming. With lectures and labs, you’ll develop analytical and practical problem-solving skills ready for graduate roles.
Your placement year will show you how to apply your knowledge, develop professional skills and build your networks. In your final year, you’ll deepen your specialist knowledge with a project that will help you establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field.
- Benefit from our links with industry including IBM and ARM
- Kickstart your future career by developing experience, links, and networks during your year in industry
- Choose your own topics and prepare for your future career
- Benefit from high performance computing through the University's supercomputer BlueBEAR
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Course delivery
Our programme is taught by academic staff at the forefront of their fields. You'll be taught using a combination of lectures, labs and tutorials, and have the opportunity to tailor your degree, learning skills and knowledge that will equip you for an outstanding future.
Lecture
Tutorial
Projects
Practical assignments
Laboratory
- Study in our state-of-the-art facilities including research labs for Medical Imaging, Intelligent Robotics, HCI and Security.
- Learn about cutting-edge developments in your chosen areas of interest, with lectures delivered by industry-leaders
- Develop a range of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, time management, and communication through project work
- Participate in laboratory work that offers practical, hands-on experience that allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in the real-world
Assessment
Your modules will be assessed independently through examinations, written assignments, oral and poster presentations, computer-based tests, marked exercises, and laboratory and project reports.
You'll receive plenty of feedback to help you progress, ranging from written feedback on your assessments to class feedback sessions and discussions with your tutor. The feedback will highlight the positives of your work as well as any areas that need more attention.
You'll be assigned a personal tutor who'll remain with you throughout your studies to help you in three important areas: supporting your academic progress, developing transferable skills and dealing with any welfare issues.
You'll also need to undertake a considerable amount of self study. It's an essential part of the programme, which requires self motivation and enthusiasm for your subject. It also allows you to pursue your own lines of enquiry and become an independent thinker.
Any modern laptop running MacOS, Windows or Linux, with 8–16GB RAM, a recent x86 or ARM processor and standard storage will be adequate for studying with us. We do not recommend using Chromebooks or tablets as your primary device because of software limitations. You will not be disadvantaged if you cannot bring your own device. We will ensure suitable resources are available for anyone who needs them.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
In your first two years, you'll study 12 core modules in total that equal 20 credits each. In your third year, you must meet the academic requirements in order to spend a year in industry. In your fourth year, you'll choose 120 credits worth of optional modules (20 credits each). In your last year, your personal project will be worth 60 credits, and you'll also choose three optional modules (20 credits each).
Year 1
Year 1
2026/27
Year 2
Year 2
2027/28
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence 2 | 20 |
| Databases and Web Programming | 20 |
| Functional Programming | 20 |
| Operating Systems and Systems Programming | 20 |
| Security and Networks | 20 |
| Software Engineering | 20 |
Year 3
Year 3
2028/29
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Computer Science Industrial Placement | 120 |
Year 4
Year 4
2029/30
Select 120 credits:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Advanced Cryptography | 20 |
| Advanced Functional Programming | 20 |
| Advanced Networking | 20 |
| Algorithms and Complexity | 20 |
| Computer Vision and Imaging | 20 |
| Computer-Aided Verification | 20 |
| Dependable and Distributed Systems | 20 |
| Evolutionary Computation | 20 |
| Game Theory | 20 |
| High Performance Computing | 20 |
| Human-Computer Interaction | 20 |
| Intelligent Data Analysis | 20 |
| Intelligent Interactive Systems | 20 |
| Intelligent Robotics | 20 |
| Intelligent Software Engineering | 20 |
| Machine Learning | 20 |
| Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing | 20 |
| Natural Language Processing | 20 |
| Neural Computation | 20 |
| Programming Language Principles, Design, and Implementation | 20 |
| Security of Real-World Systems | 20 |
| Teaching Computer Science in Schools | 20 |
Year 5
Year 5
2030/31
Core module
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Project - Masters 60 | 60 |
Optional modules
Select 60 credits of options. Examples of optional modules:
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
A*AA to to include A-level Mathematics grade A.
- IB
7,6,6 at Higher Level to include 6 in Mathematics, with a minimum of 32 points overall. We also require 5 in Standard Level English.
- BTEC
only accepted in combination with other qualifications, see below.
Number of A-levels required: 3.
Required subjects and grades: A-level Mathematics grade A.
General Studies or Critical Thinking not accepted.
It is desirable, but not essential, to have some experience of writing computer programs.
Please note that Access qualifications are not suitable for this programme.
BTEC
Only accepted in combination with other qualifications, which must include A-level Mathematics (or equivalent). BTEC IT is not accepted in combination with A-level Computer Science.
Foundation Year
Would you like to study this course but lack the entry qualifications? If you are not studying A-level Mathematics, you can consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses. Learn more:
- UK students (not eligible if studying A-level Mathematics)
- international students
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
- TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
- IELTS*: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)***: C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
- Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Presessional English courses
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Am I likely to receive an offer for 2026?
Stay up-to-date with news and updates from the University of Birmingham including events, our courses and studying with us by registering your details. If you do so, you will be able to use our Offer Calculator.
Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
ABB to include A in Maths or Further Maths.
- Contextual Offer
AAA to include A in Maths or Further Maths.
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
- £9,535*
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2026/27
*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Financial support for Home students
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2026, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
Financial support for International students
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Apply
The UCAS code for this course is I103.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
- 14 January 2026
Application deadline for September 2026 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
Career opportunities
Achieve a successful career in industry or research with our degree. You'll gain essential skills and knowledge, through our carefully designed programme. You'll be able to apply the concepts and theories you've learnt during your studies with us, and start your professional journey as a confident and essential new talent.
Our Computer Science graduates are making an impact across a wide range of sectors such as Information Technology, Computer Software, Education Management, Management Consultancy and Financial Services. They have gone on to work for leading employers such as EY, Vodafone, PwC, Kainos and Squarepoint Capital.
Benefit from our own Computer Science Careers Officer, who offers a range of support such as CV writing, skills workshops, interview coaching and much more
Your career could be as a Artificial Intelligence Engineer, Cyber Security Analyst, Systems Designer, Applications Developer...
Meet Llion Jones - Graduate story
Llion studied BSc Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science followed by MSc Advanced Computer Science. He is now the co-founder of Sakana AI, a pioneering company at the forefront of AI innovation and research. Utilising the skills gained during his MSc, Llion went on to join Google, where he helped create the ‘T’ in ChatGPT, co-authoring the influential Transformer paper.
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Upcoming events
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Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Flexible programmes to suit you
Not sure what you want to study?
Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.
Student stories
Find new perspectives. Hear first-hand about life at Birmingham from our students, past and present.