Computer Science BSc (Hons) BSc (Hons)

UCAS code I722, I746

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Our established computing degrees have been at the forefront of technology for over 50 years and are now hitting the networking hub of London. Be a part of the new-age computing scene with a degree that hits multiple disciplines of computer science and prepares you for careers in a variety of sectors of industry.

Our Computer Science degree combines a solid grounding in computer science fundamentals and our teaching facilities are supported by specialist computing labs with the latest software which you’ll need to exploit the discipline. The course is designed with input from Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Cisco, and in choosing modules you can elect to study for certifications from both AWS and Cisco, as well as from Microsoft.

The course will prepare you to enter a range of employment roles related to the wider area of computer science. Between your second and final years there is an opportunity for you to take a work placement year, where you will apply and improve your skills and knowledge and ultimately enhance your employability.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Computer Science

Duration

University of Staffordshire undergraduate courses are usually 3 years for full-time study.

Courses which offer other study options have longer durations:

Full-time with a placement year, 4 years
Full-time with a foundation year, 4 years
Part-time, 4-9 years

Course content

This course will give you the chance to become a computer science specialist in many areas of the discipline.

The University has extensive links with companies such as Microsoft, CISCO, Merakai, Juniper, Google, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), as well as many others. You will find on the course that we arrange regular visits from such companies to introduce new technologies and equally to deliver guest lectures for you to attend.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Algorithms And Programming Concepts	20 credits
Cloud And Cyber	20 credits
Computer Architecture And Operating Systems Design	20 credits
Data And Distributed Systems	20 credits
Networks And Communications	20 credits
Software Development	20 credits

Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Advanced Programming	20 credits
Cloud Infrastructure And Design	20 credits
Data Analytics	20 credits
Hardware, Micro-Controllers And Sensors	20 credits
Interface Design And User Experience	20 credits
Professional Practice And Project Management	20 credits

Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Cloud Architecture	20 credits
Computer Graphics	20 credits
Data Science And Databases	20 credits
Dissertation	40 credits
Negotiated Studies	20 credits

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Communications And Cyber	20 credits
Computer Systems And Data	20 credits
Individual Project	20 credits
Programming And Artificial Intelligence	20 credits
Study Skills And Data Analytics 1	20 credits
Study Skills And Data Analytics 2	20 credits

Entry requirements

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

Facilities

Data Junction

Housing our Computer Science and Cyber Security programmes, this mega laboratory is truly ‘plugged in'. Read more

This is one of our new units and is designed to accelerate our commitment to digitally-focused academic areas. Housing our Computer Science and Cyber Security programmes, this mega laboratory is truly ‘plugged in’. In addition to advanced wireless casting and presenting facilities, new teaching and learning technology will allow for synchronous delivery of different classes and activities and encourage working across subject areas so that students benefit from peer-to-peer working, as reflected in industry. We also have a dedicated cyber and networking laboratory as well as additional meeting spaces.

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The Den

The perfect space to chill out with comfy sofas and booths and food prep spaces if you want to bring your food from home. Read more

The Den includes:

Lockers to store your personal items
Comfy booths to sit, chat and eat in
Electrical sockets to plug in your devices
Wireless pads that charge the latest smartphones
A prep area for food and drinks
Fridges to keep snacks in
Low, soft seating for kicking band and unwinding

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The Hall

Integrate yourself with the buzz of digital technologies in The Hall, a space dedicated to discussion and meetings. This flexible space can be configured to suit the needs of up to 30 students, with electrical points and multiple seating areas.

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Careers

Software Engineer
Forensic Computer Analyst
Application Analyst
Data Analyst
Web Developer
Applications Developer
UX Designer
Systems Analyst

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Teaching approaches can include for example formal lectures, group work, tutorials/practical sessions, seminars, workshops, directed and self-managed study, and research projects. Each of these will be used on your modules so you get the chance to learn as effectively as possible.

Assessment

This course is mainly assessed via coursework, but does include a small number of exams. We have carefully designed assessments in order we use the best methods available to assess the integrated approach to theory and practice that you’ll engage in within the Computer Science discipline.

Your coursework, carried out in response to assignments, project briefs or self-initiated proposals, will be presented in forms appropriate to that in the workplace, and will require you to work both individually and in teams in generating computing solutions to set problems. To back up your work you will also write reports and deliver presentations. Formative assessment is carried out in tutorial and practical sessions and feedback is usually provided to you orally.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally (through formative feedback) before you complete the formal assessments. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark, but are essential for you to develop academically as a student.

There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module and the grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark. You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. The feedback you receive will help to focus you to achieve better grades on the next set of modules you study.