BSc Computer Science
University of Bradford
Key Information
Campus location
Bradford, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* home (UK) students |international: £23,290 per year
Introduction
Learn how to develop the next generation of software tools and systems, and gain the knowledge and techniques required to design and exploit computer technology.
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the British Computer Society for full CITP (Chartered IT professional) and partial CSci status.
Admissions
Curriculum
This programme is designed for those with a passionate interest in technology, and wish to progress to careers such as software engineer, system administrator, data scientist, financial analyst, app developer, or IT consultant.
The placement year in the industry enables you to build contacts whilst developing your skills and professional confidence.
The BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (with placement year) draws on our outstanding research strengths and expertise. As one of the oldest computing departments in the UK, we have a strong heritage within the subject.
This programme shares a common first year with all our other Computer Science programmes (Computer Science for Games, Business, Cyber Security, and Software Engineering), allowing you to transfer between them before the start of the second year if you feel an alternative course suits your emerging interests or career aspirations better.
The aim of the programme is to provide you with a sound grounding in the fundamentals of computer science, software development (programming) and the tools and applications that modern computer scientists use.
First year
Core
- Mathematics for Computing (COS4014-B)
- Technical and Professional Skills (COS4015-B)
- Fundamentals of Programming (COS4016-B)
- Computer Architecture and Systems Software (COS4001-B)
- Internet Technologies (COS4018-B)
- Software Design and Development (COS4017-B)
Second year
Core
- Database Systems (COS5020-B)
- Data Structure and Algorithms (COS5021-B)
- Numerical Analysis (COS5018-B)
- Enterprise Pro (COS5019-B)
- Computer Communications and Networks (COS5025-B)
- Computational Modelling and Artificial Intelligence ( COS5022-B)
Final year
Core
- Final Year Project (COS6006-D)
- Neural Networks and Fuzzy Systems (COS6004-B)
- Large Scale Data-Driven Applications (COS6009-B)
Option
- Numerical Methods and Computer Graphics (COS6021-B)
- Mobile Application Development (COS7025-B)
- Software Verification (COS6020-B)
Elective*
- Foundations of Cryptography (COS6007-B)
- AI for Games (COS6017-B)
- Principles of Security Technologies (COS6025-B)
* Choice for Elective is one 20-credit module at level 6 or 7 with no timetable clashes once in the programme.
Sandwich year
This 4-year BSc (Hons) Computer Science programme offers you the opportunity to take up a placement year working in the industry in your third year.
The placement year is an excellent way to develop your professional experience, build industry contacts, and gain insight into the day-to-day work of a professional computer scientist.
Placements are predominantly salaried positions and may lead to offers of employment upon graduation if you excel during your placement.
Support for placement applications is plentiful, with a dedicated Faculty Career Development Advisor and academic staff members overseeing placement students.
All students on placement are assigned an academic supervisor who will visit them during their placement year and can provide advice and guidance.
Recent placement destinations have included IBM, Intel, and Microsoft as well as many companies in the West Yorkshire region.
After completing your placement you’ll return to complete the final year of the programme, and apply all you’ve learnt to your final project.
Learning and assessment
Most modules use a mixture of formal lectures, practical lab sessions, tutorials and seminars. Some modules involve supervised group work, usually with an assigned academic staff member for each group. All modules require students to undertake independent study, supported through distance learning technologies such as our Virtual Learning Environment.
Reading lists and suggested resources for independent study provide further direction for students to undertake this work, and regular contact hours and informal feedback throughout the courses provide opportunities for further guidance for learners. Some modules offer the opportunity to work on live industry projects through our Computing Enterprise Centre, where your learning and assessment are strongly linked to a real word project with all the benefits to your CV and experience that you would expect.
Assessments for modules mostly take the form of practical coursework, lab tests and written exams, with all forms being well represented throughout all years of the course across all modules.
Study abroad
All of our programmes offer the opportunity to study abroad at an international partner institution.
Study support
We have a commitment to strong pastoral care for all of our students, which includes a Personal Tutor for all students, regular contact hours for tutor groups and our supportive student service teams who are always ready to help with any questions and provide advice that you need. In addition to standard study support through taught sessions, our Virtual Learning Environment allows students to access resources, participate in group work and submit work from anywhere in the world 24/7. Our Personal Tutor system provides students with a specific academic staff member to support them through regular meetings and interactive activities, acting as an independent source of advice and guidance on making the transition to Higher Education and assisting them with any questions or problems they encounter. University central services are rich with support teams to assist students in every aspect of their journey through our degree courses. From our Career and Employability Service, through our strong Students' Union, to our professional and efficient Student Finance team, there are always friendly faces ready to support you and provide you with the answers that you need.
Research
Most of our staff are research active and contribute to the cutting edge of their disciplines.
Bradford has a strong pedigree of world-leading research, and our aim is to ensure that students benefit from our staff’s insight into the future of their subject.
The integration of new and innovative research findings into our curriculum, known as research-informed teaching, is a core value and one of the key principles driving the design of our courses and our modules. Particularly in the final year, but throughout their course from the very first day, students are given insight into the future of Computing and Business, and the opportunities presented when they come together.
Career Opportunities
Career support
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies.
Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans by exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes, there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.
Career prospects
Computer Science is a subject that is constantly growing and fast-changing in a modern, knowledge and technology-based world and is in great demand. It concerns the understanding of computer systems and networks in great depth. Computers are what underpin, support and transform science, business, society and every aspect of modern life.
Our graduates have been highly regarded and sought after. Recent graduates have gone on to work in a varied range of positions, working for companies such as IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Hewlett- Packard (HP), Cap Gemini, FDM Group, Centrica, BBC, British Sky Broadcasting, Rolls Royce, JP Morgan, NHS trusts and a range of other local and regional companies.
Employment statistics
87.5% of our 2017 Computing graduates found employment or went on to further study within six months of graduating.*
*These DLHE statistics are derived from annually published data by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), based on those UK domiciled graduates who are available for employment or further study and whose destinations are known.
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Over £4m invested in scholarships every year
The University of Bradford offers a wide range of financial help to assist you on your university journey and invests over £4m annually in the Access Agreement and other scholarships to support students from all backgrounds.
Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU, and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances, or economic hardship. Some of our scholarships are also linked to studies in a specific subject area. You can apply for more than one type of scholarship but you can usually only be granted one award.