Computer Science BSc(Hons)

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Top reasons to choose this course

• Build a portfolio of project work.
• Showcase your work to potential employers at the final year degree show.
• Work with programming languages including Python, JavaScript, Java and C++, and operating systems including Linux, iOS, Windows and Android.
• Specialist facilities such as our robotics lab, VR lab, CISCO-certified communications and cybersecurity lab, usability lab and Simulation Suite.
• Learn with innovative researchers and experts from industry.
• Accredited by BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT.

Year 1 

Beginning with a broad introduction to computer science and software engineering, you will study topics that cover programming, databases, web development, artificial intelligence, maths and professional skills. 

In your first year your classes will be over three days each week and they will not start before 10am. You may have other activities on campus on other days.

Modules

• Introduction to Programming

  This is an entry-level programming module that will introduce you to the fundamental concepts and skills required to write simple programs in a high-level language. It will provide you with a basis of understanding from which to learn other programming languages and paradigms.

• Computing Technologies

  This module will give you an understanding of the basic principles underlying the architecture and operation of a computer system, including the storage and retrieval of data. Content covers computer organisation and architecture; computer arithmetic, binary and hexadecimal number systems; system software; software tooling; data storage and management; relational database implementation; and an introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL).

• Introduction to Cyber Security

  This module will provide you with an understanding of cyber security and privacy. You will also learn the skills and mechanisms needed to build and maintain secure information systems that can protect people, business and data from malicious attacks.

• Introduction to Web Development

  During this module you will explore a range of current web technologies and gain practical experience in designing, making and maintaining standards-compliant static and interactive web pages. You will be provided with your own space on the Brighton Domains web server on which to host and test web pages online.

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

  During this module you will learn about the basic concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and explore AI principles, techniques and technologies using real-world examples. You will look at areas including intelligent reasoning, problem-solving strategies, machine learning and applications of AI.

• Working in the Computing Industry

  This module explores the professional roles and working practices in computing and business information technology (IT). You will learn employability skills such as how to plan and work in a group and as an individual and how to communicate using different media, as well as study skills like academic writing and referencing and how to find and use information to investigate a topic.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Year 2 

In your second year, you will study software hardware design in more depth. You will apply your foundation knowledge to more specialised areas of computer science, including intelligent systems, object-oriented software design, operating systems and data structures.

The university teaching hours are between 9am and 6pm. In year 2 the days and times you will need to be on campus will depend on a number of things including the option modules that you choose.

Modules

Core modules

• Introduction to Functional Programming

  Functional programming is widely recognised as an essential tool in tackling the challenges of twenty-first century computing. With a focus on avoiding side effects, it uses functions instead of objects to build programs. By incorporating powerful abstractions that are difficult to achieve in other programming styles, functional programming can make programs shorter and easier to understand, test and fix. During this module you will develop your understanding and experience of functional programming, its distinctive abstractions and effective problem-solving techniques.

• Integrated Group Project

  The group project is an opportunity to work as a group and run a software project to develop a usable software solution. You will bring together what you've learned so far and put this all into practice in a project environment through tasks from planning and management to requirements gathering, design, code and demonstrating the solution. 

• Object-oriented Development and Testing

  The module introduces you to an object-oriented approach to the development and testing of a software system. You’ll cover the specification, implementation, testing and documentation of object-oriented software systems.

• Data Structures and Operating Systems

  On this module you'll learn to recognise and understand standard data structures and algorithmic approaches to diverse problems so that you can make effective use of them in your own work. You will also be introduced to the basic facilities provided by modern operating systems to develop your understanding of one of the foundations of computer science. 

Options*

• Database Management Systems

  This module explores the relational database model. You will gain practical experience in building database systems using this technology and explore the functions and features of database management systems and their role as part of an effective information system. 

• Security and Dependability

  During this module you will develop your understanding of computer security, software vulnerabilities, web security and security controls. You'll gain hands-on experience of security evaluation techniques and explore topics from both a security engineer perspective and from the perspective of someone who aims to bypass security protections. 

• Intelligent Systems 1

  On this module you will learn the theory and the skills needed to develop AI applications to solve real-world problems and explore different AI techniques. Topics covered will include information filtering, text mining, knowledge representation, neural networks and data mining. A programming language, such as Python, will be used to demonstrate examples of AI applications.

• Embedded Systems

  This module introduces the architecture of embedded computer systems. You will explore the fundamental concept of low-level processor functionality and develop your C and assembly language programming skills.

• Network Security

  In this module you will gain a theoretical and practical grounding in all aspects of networking. You will study areas related to security that will allow you to act professionally in the design, analysis, implementation and reporting of network security strategies. You will learn about the threats and attacks which may be perpetrated on computer networks and the security controls designed to protect them. 

• Web Application Development

  This module introduces you to the basic concepts, protocols and technologies used in building standards compliant client-server web applications. Practical exercises in both client- and server-side development enable you to put this knowledge into action.

• Mobile Application Development

  This module introduces you to basic concepts, patterns and technologies used in building mobile applications. You will apply this knowledge in practical exercises involving the development of mobile user interfaces and applications, learning to work within the constraints of mobile platforms and also to exploit their possibilities.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year

You have the option of a year’s paid placement after your second year. Going on a placement builds confidence, can help you decide what how you want to specialise in your final year and strengthens your CV.

Our students have been on placement with companies including:

• Lighthouse Systems
• IBM
• AstraZeneca
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• EDF Energy
• 15below.

Final year

In the final year of your computer science degree you consolidate what you have learned in a major computing project and will specialise in the subjects that interest you most by choosing option modules.

The university teaching hours are between 9am and 6pm. In your final year the days and times you will need to be on campus will depend on a number of things including the option modules that you choose.

Modules

Core modules

• The Computing Project

  The Computing Project brings together everything you’ve learned during your degree in a major piece of work on a topic of your choosing. It’s your opportunity to put your understanding of theory into practice. All projects must include practical work of some sort using computing/IT technology. A series of workshops will support each step of the project process, from proposal to presentation. 

• Programming Languages, Concurrency and Client Server Computing

  This module will prepare you to advise on issues arising from the design and implementation of systems that contain real-time and client server components. You will cover areas including the historical development of programming languages; programming paradigms; modern trends and developments in programming languages; and an overview of and mechanisms for achieving client-server computing.

• Object-Oriented Design and Architecture

  On this module you will explore the principles and standards of alternative object-oriented and component-based architectures and standards, and apply them as you develop an architectural design for a software system.

Options*

• Marketing for Software Products

  During this module you will study business models used for software products and by software businesses. You’ll explore the ways in which these products are marketed, look at marketing strategies and examine the role of data in product design and marketing. You’ll also take a look at funding options for start-ups.

• Usability Evaluation

  On this module you will develop the knowledge and skills to perform a usability evaluation of a system or device – specifying requirements, choosing the best ways to evaluate usability and accessibility, planning and carrying out the evaluation and presenting the results. You’ll also explore the latest research in the broader field of evaluation. 

• Data Mining

  This module will help develop your understanding of data mining concepts and how they can be applied to solve real-world complex problems. You will explore areas including text mining, information extraction and information indexing, with specific algorithms and techniques for feature extraction.

• Cyber Security and Intellectual Property Law

  You will evaluate key legal cyber security challenges during this module and explore how cyber security and intellectual property laws are used to protect the interests of developers of computer-related products. Topics will include the threat landscape and associated legal challenges; the legal framework regarding privacy, data protection and security in the UK and EU; and surveillance, forensic computing and the gathering of evidence.

• Enterprise Data Management

  Through this module you will gain the knowledge and skills to manage and tune enterprise database systems. You’ll also develop your abilities to exploit an enterprise’s data resources to maximise business advantage and explore new architectures and technologies for enterprise data. 

• New Horizons in Computing

  This module gives you the opportunity to carry out independent, guided research into current trends and future innovations in computing technologies which you will be able to present to the local and wider computing industries. The module will also highlight the potential for, and the processes involved in, postgraduate studies.

• Advanced Mobile Application Development

  You will further develop your skills in designing and developing Android mobile applications during this module. You will conduct independent research in related topics and apply your knowledge to a project specifying, designing and developing an Android mobile app. 

• Advanced Web Application Development

  On this module you will develop the knowledge and skills to design and implement advanced, standards-compliant web applications. You will independently research related topics and use web technologies and APIs in a development project to design, implement and deploy an advanced web application.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Staff profile

Dr Goran Soldar, course leader

“I’m the course leader for Computer Science BSc(Hons). I teach first year students programming with Java as well as computing technologies with an emphasis on using Linux, how to interact with databases using SQL and MySql DBMS, together with Microsoft’s Sql Server. I also teach data structures and operating systems and development of enterprise and web applications with Jakarta frameworks to our second-year students.

“Our students have the opportunity to get involved in exciting activities such as Codefests and Game Jams. Codefests are an example of gamified work-based learning and are supported by industry, promoting teamwork and peer learning through team-based challenges. The team that solves the most challenges win the event. It’s a great opportunity for students to experience typical activities from industry and to build a strong network of developers. Game Jams are similar events, more focused around students on our games-based courses.

“Students also have opportunities to get involved in research at the university. For example, a group of students recently participated in a project led by Dr Almas Baimagambetov. The project was related to safe and reliable human-robot interaction (HRI), aiming to address the key challenges of building a robust integration between the human and the robot by allowing touchless interaction to perform daily tasks.

“The thing I enjoy most about teaching is the ability to pass your knowledge to students and see them succeed in their professional career.”

Course fees

This course offers a professional placement (sandwich) year in year 3. If you choose to take this placement you will pay a reduced fee during this year. For students starting their undergraduate degree in the 2025–26 academic year, the fee for the professional placement year is £1,500 for UK students and £1,850 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases in line with inflation.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Brighton Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more...
• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf) for more on University of Brighton tuition fees.

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