Computer Science BSc(Hons)

Course in brief

Our Computer Science BSc(Hons) develops your understanding of software development, software-hardware interface design and artificial intelligence (AI) as you learn the processes for making applications efficient, reliable and secure.

With a focus on employability and developed in collaboration with our Industrial Advisory Board, the course is both current and relevant. You will develop practical skills through project work, and opportunities for paid work experience put your learning into practice. Guest lecturers from industry share their expertise with you, giving you professional insight and enhance your learning experience.

Brighton is one of the most important areas in the UK for digital technology businesses, and you will keep up-to-date with the latest industry trends.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

UCAS code G400

Full-time 3 years
With placement year 4 years

Accredited by the British Computer Society

Book your open day place

Apply now with UCAS

Start in 2018: how to apply

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level BBC–CCC (112–96 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DMM–MMM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

We will generally make you an offer if your predicted grades are at the top of this range. If your predicted grades are towards the lower end of this range we may still make you an offer if you have a good GCSE (or equivalent) profile or relevant non-academic achievements.

International Baccalaureate
28 points, with three subjects at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. Level 3 units in computing required. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 24 credits at merit or above.

GCSE (minimum grade 4 or grade C)
Must include English language, maths and a physical science.

Foundation degree/HND
May enable you to start the course in year 2 or 3. HNC may also count towards direct entry.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country

Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For academic preparation courses.

Course in detail

Course structure

This course is part of the computing undergraduate programme which offers a variety of specialist degrees. If you develop a particular specialism during year 1, you will be able to switch to a degree which accurately reflects your interests.

You will learn independently through guided activities such as reading, practical skills development, assessed coursework, and project work supported by a supervisor. You will make use of websites, social media and blogs, and specialist software.

In your final year, you will have the opportunity to explore other areas through your option choices and your major project.

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 our applicant portal.

Year 1

Beginning with a broad introduction to computer science and software engineering, you will study topics that cover programming, databases, web development, human computer interaction, maths, professional legal and ethical issues, and professional skills.

Modules

Programming
Introduction to Databases
Mathematics
Embedded Architecture and Programming
Introduction to Web Development
Human-computer Interaction
Introduction to Requirements Analysis
Perspectives on Computing

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 computer systems architecture, object-orientated software design and implementation, operating systems, data structures and algorithms, and project planning.

Modules

Object-oriented Software Architecture, Design and Implementation
Computer Systems Architecture
Project Planning and Control
Logic and Formal Specification
Integrated Group Project in Computing
Operating Systems
Data Structures and Algorithms

Options*

Databases II
Intelligent Systems
Professional Experience and Learning
Placement Learning
Introduction to Functional Programming

*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 in industry. This enables you to develop your specialist skills and provides invaluable experience.

Our students have been on placement with companies including Lighthouse Systems, IBM, AstraZeneca, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, EDF Energy and 15below.

Final year

In your final year, you will study programming languages concurrency and client server computing, specification and refinement.

You will consolidate what you have learnt by embarking on a major project, and can also specialise in the subjects that interest you most through a range of option modules.

Modules

Individual Project
Specification and Refinement
Programming Languages Concurrency and Client Server Computing

Options*

Object-oriented Design and Architecture
Intellectual Property Law and IT
3D Dynamic Modelling
Mobile Computer Engineering
Computer Graphics Algorithms
Software Verification and Validation
Internet Game Design and Development
Data Management
Usability Evaluation
Applied Intelligent Systems
Web and Network Management
Mobile Application Development
Information Retrieval

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

Brighton's Digital Economy

Home to over 1,000 companies in the digital sector, Brighton is well established as one of the UK’s leading centres for creative media technology.

The university is the lead academic partner of the Digital Catapult Centre Brighton, which helps entrepreneurs and small businesses bring their digital services and products to market. Innovative projects developed by the centre include a national 5G testbed, backed by the University of Brighton, to help small businesses across the UK develop new products and services that can benefit from 5G technologies.

The testbed further enhances Brighton's growing international reputation for creativity and innovation, particularly in the digital sector which now contributes to over £1bn per year to its economy.

As a student you can find internships and a doorway to job opportunities across the city through Wired Sussex, a local membership organisation for companies and individuals working in the digital sector.

Each year you’ll also get to enjoy the Brighton Digital Festival which brings together the city’s arts and digital cultures and communities. The festival welcomes around 47,000 visitors and features more than 150 events.

Student View

Umair Khalil

“I chose to study at Brighton because the curriculum taught at the University reflects what is being used and practiced within the current industry.

My experience here has been exceptional, challenging and rewarding. I would definitely recommend the course to anyone with a technical background who is not afraid to challenge themselves and who aspire to be involved in a hugely prosperous industry.

The course remains up-to-date with the current technologies and theoretical approaches. The guest lectures have been crucial in understanding how some of the content taught at the University can be instrumental to some of the tasks undertaken by large companies.

The staff have been extremely supportive since the minute I arrived at the University. They have all helped to push me out of my comfort zone and have always provided me with the advice and tools to help me succeed in a very demanding industry and shown me how I can maximise the opportunities open to me in and out of the university.

The knowledge I have gained here has been invaluable in equipping me for life outside of University.”

Course statistics

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Careers and employability

This course is accredited by BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT. Accreditation means that the course meets the high standards set by the profession and partially meets the academic requirements for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status.

Computer science graduates are sought after in a variety of professional settings including science, engineering and business.

The placement year experience significantly enhances your CV and puts you at a significant advantage when approaching the job market after graduating.

Project work on this course makes your learning experience challenging and enjoyable and helps prepare you for your chosen career.

Brighton graduates have gone on to become software developers and real-time system designers.

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,040 GBP

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,230 for home students and £2,000 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2018–19.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Brighton

Forward-thinking and welcoming, the city of Brighton & Hove is a community of creative and diverse people who share values like sustainability and inclusivity – just like its university.

Miles of pebble beaches, hundreds of bars, restaurants and clubs, a packed calendar of culture, music and sport and great independent and high street shopping attract visitors from all over the world. By the end of your course you’ll still be finding new things to enjoy about the city.

The Brighton Festival, England’s largest arts festival, takes place every May – as does the Great Escape Europe’s leading industry showcase for new music, 300 bands perform over three days at venues across the city. Major events celebrate Pride, digital culture, cinema, photography, food and the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate show is a highlight, turning the university into the largest exhibition space in the south east as we celebrate the outstanding creativity of our students.

As a student here you’ll have a unique opportunity to experience what the city has to offer. Volunteering and placement opportunities enable you to play your part in the events, organisations and communities that make Brighton such a compelling place to be.

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Just two miles north of Brighton city centre and the seafront, Moulsecoomb is the largest of our five campuses with more than 8,000 students. A wide variety of subjects are taught here, from engineering and product design to business and law.

Students benefit from many professional-standard facilities, including a flight simulator, design and digital media suites, and specialist research laboratories. The campus library, Aldrich, offers long opening hours and a diverse collection of books and journals for students from all subject areas.

Sports enthusiasts will enjoy our basketball and badminton courts, fitness suite and climbing wall. The campus is also a few minutes walk from the South Downs National Park, providing a great place to relax during the summer months.

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Accommodation

Brighton

Our Brighton halls of residence are located across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

Grand Parade is in central Brighton and has one hall of residence, Phoenix Brewery, within walking distance.
Moulsecoomb is two miles from the city centre and also has one hall of residence, Moulsecoomb Place, on campus.
Varley Park offers the biggest choice of student accommodation with ten halls of residence.
Falmer campus has two halls of residence: Great Wilkins and Paddock Field.
Varley Park and Falmer are around four miles from Brighton centre; there are good public transport services nearby.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. We recommend Unihomes and House Share when you’re balancing learning with placements, shifts and other commitments, because they give you more choice and flexibility.

You can also choose to join the many students who live away from campus in private rented accommodation. We have a list of high-quality, university-endorsed private sector accommodation and can help you find housemates to move in with.

Find out more on our accommodation webpages and if you have any questions, our accommodation team will be happy to help. You can contact them by email at accommodation@brighton.ac.uk or by telephone on 01273 644100.

Paddock Field

Moulsecoomb Place

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map

Find out more

Computing news

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