Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) with an Industrial Placement Year

Be at the forefront of humanity's journey into intelligent systems with our four-year BSc. You will work in industry for one year, gaining practical experience and building a strong network for the future.

This course provides a strong foundation in computer science, equipping you with the essential skills in software engineering, programming, algorithms and data structures. This essential knowledge will prepare you to delve into the captivating world of AI, where you will explore areas like machine learning, natural language processing and robotics.

As well as learning to program and think critically, you will be encouraged to work in teams, develop your communication skills, and think about the impact of your work in a real-world context. These are essential for a career in industry or research, and demonstrate the well-rounded education our programme will provide you.

You will not only graduate with technical skills of a computer scientist, but also a solid team player, effective communicator and system designer.

Core modules in years one and two will provide you with the foundations of computer science, while in the final year a range of optional modules will allow you to tailor your studies to your own interests. On top of these specialised modules, the focus of your final year is a dissertation project, where you will have scope for creative and intellectual exploration through a year-long individual project. Whether you're drawn to the complexities of speech recognition or intrigued by the applications of robotics, you will be able to specialise in different themes of AI.

This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS). It fully meets the requirements for Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP) and partially meets the requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Why study this course?

• Industrial placement year: You have the option to either study abroad for a year or spend a year working in industry, gaining real-world experience and building a robust network. Be inspired by top companies who join us on campus for employability fairs and networking sessions, plus our very own students who have done placements with industry leaders including Deloitte, The Walt Disney Company, PayPal, and Samsung SDS Europe.

• Learn the fundamentals of AI: Study the core techniques and applications of AI, ranging from data-driven computing through to state-of-the-art speech and text processing.

• Work for real clients: Working in a team to engineer a software system for a real client will give you experience of what it’s like in industry.

• Specialist teaching and facilities: You will have access to the latest hardware, software and operating systems, high-spec graphics computers, and a robotics arena in our dedicated computer labs. Plus, our lecturers are renowned computer scientists, and their research shapes our teaching.

• Professional skills and group work: Professional, communication and presentation skills help to create more employable computer scientists and software engineers. These are extremely valuable to companies, making you a well-rounded and highly prized candidate.

• Flexible study options: Transferring between our courses is possible. This provides an opportunity to understand which modules and areas of computer science spark your interest and flexibility to your education.

• Support throughout your degree: Our dedicated student welfare advisor is available to provide support, for example, if you are feeling down, overwhelmed or struggling to adjust to student life.