Course summary

Our four-year, year in industry programme will give you the ideal foundation for a high-flying career, with professional experience that will set you apart. During your extended work placement you will gain skills and awareness that can only be acquired in a real work environment. Our progressive curriculum will give you the knowledge and technical skills that employers need, and introduce you to pioneering technologies in computer science. You will graduate with transferrable skills such as problem-solving, coding, team working, analytical skills, time management and self-motivation. In years 1, 2 and 4 we cover all the fundamentals of computing and application development, from programming to software engineering, databases to web development, computer graphics to robotics, and information security. You will learn about technologies such as computer games, digital sound and music, concurrent and parallel programming, machine learning, bioinformatics and computational finance. From the outset you will be experimenting with programming games, robots, Gadgeteer kits, Subversion, JUnit testing, Scrum-based Agile software and more, in our well-equipped laboratories. The programme’s modular structure gives you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests. Your year in industry will start at the end of year 2. We are located in the famous M4 corridor, known as 'England's Silicon Valley', and we enjoy close links with many of its leading technology companies. If you are unable to complete your year in industry you can transfer onto our standard three-year BSc programme. At the end of year 1 you will have the option of transferring onto one of our specialist pathways (Artificial Intelligence, Information Security or Distributed & Networked Computing), or onto our longer and more advanced integrated masters programme. Transferring onto the Software Engineering pathway requires previous programming experience and early permission to take the Software Development course in year 1, rather than Object-oriented Programming. We are a highly respected, research-focused department, with a friendly approach and award-winning teaching. You will have a personal adviser to guide you through your studies. You will also be welcome to join our thriving Computing Society. We are one of only seven departments in the UK to hold the Athena SWAN bronze award for our commitment to increasing female participation in computer science. A flexible degree structure allows you to keep your options open and follow your study interests and career ambitions. You will acquire problem modelling and analysis techniques, as well as knowledge of and practical experience in modern software development methodologies and techniques. You will develop extensive team-work skills, excellent coding skills, good communication skills, and a strong professional ethos. You will have access to a very wide range of optional modules, including those highlighted in the specialist pathways.