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Computer Science

Study level:
Undergraduate

Course summary

Technology has revolutionised the way we live, build, work, shop, learn and even access medical  care. On this forward-looking degree, you’ll get hands-on skills across a range of topics including coding, algorithms, database and software development, cyber security, networks and social, legal and ethical aspects of IT. You will study advances in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, virtual reality and smart devices for our homes.

  • Project work starts from week one. Through large individual and group projects, you will graduate with a large portfolio of evidence for potential employers. Our practical focus means that you will create tangible assets, which showcase your technical skill and innovative mind-set.

  • Get a head-start in the industry. The agile methodology – which is a common approach to development – is inherent during your project work. You will mirror the industry when collaborating with other students to create a complete system from concept to delivery.

  • Benefit from our strong industry connections. Our students have a track record for securing high-quality placements and jobs at large companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Cisco, Intel, Apple, Nvidia and many more. From year one, we support you to find and prepare for a placement year at a leading company.

  • Make use of cutting-edge facilities. Students in engineering, science and the arts have access to a range of specialist equipment and innovative laboratories in our new engineering and design facility.

  • Learn to solve real problems. Even without completing an optional placement year, there may be opportunities to make a difference to real businesses by creating useful applications or by providing consultancy for clients.

  • Gain professional accreditation. Distinguish yourself with a degree that is accredited by, and entitles membership to, the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT. You may also gain registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and will partially meet the educational requirements for Chartered Engineering (CEng) registration.

Modules

In your first year, you’ll engage with the foundations of computer science from programming to algorithms and mathematics. We’ve structured the curriculum to accurately reflect the industry and its many areas of specialisation. You’ll study programming techniques, database development, how to capture requirements and what happens inside a computing operating system. A hands-on course from the outset, you’ll benefit from a number of practical workshops as well as preparing for your third year work placement.

In the second year, you’ll build on the knowledge you’ve already acquired, engaging with new subjects that will help you identify possible career paths. Students will explore artificial intelligence and machine learning. You will learn how to navigate different processor architectures with low level programming for IoT devices. An integrating project combines all the skills you have learnt so far, and allows you to undergo a full software lifecycle, starting with a concept and ending with a product.

In the third year you’ll do your optional industry placement –which you’ve been preparing for over the past two years – aided by our network of industry contacts. This extensive training period allows you to learn within a professional context, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in the real world, as well as learning from those around you. Over 48 weeks you’ll gain experience and confidence, as well as a host of contacts – all essential in readying you for employment on graduation.

In the final year, you’ll now be ready to demonstrate all that you’ve learned over the past three years by undertaking a substantial problem-solving individual project focused on a specific area of personal interest, or one that relates to your intended career. Students will explore computational problem solving with GP-GPUs and expand upon machine learning knowledge to analyse real datasets and control real-time systems. Cloud computing is examined to understand the deployment and performance of Internet services.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website

Assessment method

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
G407
Institution code:
P60
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

International applicants

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated Student Immigration Advice (SIA) service who will support you from the day you accept an offer at the University, right through to graduation. They will offer help and advice so you can get the most out of your studies, and your time in the UK, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/international-students/international-student-advice for more information. Once you have applied through UCAS, your conditional offer letters will also be sent to you by email, so be sure to enter your current email address on your application and to check this email regularly. You'll need your unconditional letter, and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that we'll send you, when applying for your student visa to the UK. A tuition fee deposit will be required before we'll send you the CAS. We're a licenced Sponsor under the Points Based System. To comply with our duties as a Sponsor, we're required to check other aspects of your application in addition to your academic achievements, for example any previous studies, financial status and your immigration history in the UK. For course entry requirements (inc. English requirements) please refer to the specific page for the course you are interested in (www.plymouth.ac.uk/study). A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of the University's pre-sessional English Language courses. Check our country pages to find out more about application from your specific home country www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/study/international-students-country-guides. International fees, please visit our fees and funding pages www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees. If you have any questions please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points

To include a minimum of 2 A Levels Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths. If you hold a Grade C/4 in GCSE Maths, please contact the institution

A level

104-120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths. If you hold a Grade C/4 in GCSE Maths, please contact the institution

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM - DDM

Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths We will consider Maths modules within the BTEC alongside Grade C/4 GCSE Maths - enquire at institution.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access to Higher Education Diploma in a relevant subject (e.g. Computing, IT, Science, Humanities, Engineering) with at least 33 Level 3 credits at Merit and/or Distinction

Scottish Higher

Considered in combination with Advanced Highers

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination. Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths We will consider Maths modules within the BTEC alongside Grade C/4 GCSE Maths - enquire at institution.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination. Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths We will consider Maths modules within the BTEC alongside Grade C/4 GCSE Maths - enquire at institution.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination. Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths We will consider Maths modules within the BTEC alongside Grade C/4 GCSE Maths - enquire at institution.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination. Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths We will consider Maths modules within the BTEC alongside Grade C/4 GCSE Maths - enquire at institution.

Scottish Advanced Higher

104-120 UCAS points to include 2 Advanced Highers Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths or an equivalent

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 - 30 points

Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Considered in combination

Extended Project

Considered in combination

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

104-120 UCAS points from Higher Level Maths and English considered within as GCSE equivalent at H1-H7 or O1-O4

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)

Considered in combination.

City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics (Core Maths)

Considered in combination.

OCR Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving (MEI) (Core Maths)

Considered in combination.

OCR Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning (MEI) (Core Maths)

Considered in combination.

Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context (Core Maths)

Considered in combination.

T Level - M - D

Merit to Distinction Overall depending on the Mathematics units studying within the T Level pathways

All applicants are required to have GCSE C/4 at English and B/5 at Mathematics. If you hold a Grade C/4 in GCSE Maths, please contact the institution

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At the University of Plymouth, we believe in building a welcoming and inclusive community that supports every student to achieve their full potential.

With our contextual offer scheme we may extend offers below our standard entry criteria to those applicants whose circumstances and experiences could have impacted their education and academic performance. You can check your eligibility for a contextual offer using our online postcode checker.

Learn more on the University of Plymouth website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

100% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

80 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

95 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees

  • Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
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