Computer Science MSci/BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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Computer Science is at the forefront of technological advancements. Our course offers you the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to be successful in this fast-paced, ever-changing sector.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
MSci:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich
Condensed first year available

UCAS codes

G400 / I108

Start date

September 2025
January 2026 - condensed


Course overview

Whether you see your future self as an app developer, a systems administrator, or an information technology specialist, our computer science course equips you with the knowledge and skills you will need to help drive the digital revolution.

  • Master the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to develop software solutions that address demanding user expectations and complex customer requirements.
  • Explore fascinating fields, such as artificial intelligence, parallel programming, and data science, and learn how these areas continue to drive major change in the domain of computer science.
  • Gain industry-relevant experience as you apply real-world, software development practices within peer groups, preparing you for your career after graduation.

The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.

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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • Activity-led learning helps you consolidate what you’re taught through practical application of everything you’re covering in lectures.
  • You could choose to do a placement year and have the chance for further experience and skills development2.
  • Strong professional skills focus.
  • Hybrid, online, and asynchronous learning to support you with different needs across a range of locations4.

If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.


What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

We want your degree to fit around you, so upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first-year courses

  • Computer Science MSci/BSc (Hons)
  • Computer Science with AI MSci/BSc (Hons)
  • Information Technology Management BSc (Hons)
  • Interactive Media and Web Technologies BSc (Hons)
  • Software Engineering BSc (Hons)

Modules

In your second year, you can expect to develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with artificial intelligence, theory of computation and advanced algorithms, amongst others.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the Fees and Funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

In your final year, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with mobile application development, web application programming interface (API) development, and parallel and distributed programming, amongst others.

Modules

If you meet the criteria, you could choose to take an additional fourth year master's option (subject to additional fees – please refer to the Fees and Funding section for further information), which will deepen your knowledge and expertise.

The additional MSci year aims to consolidate and strengthen the skills you’ve developed over the course of your first three years of study. Building on your existing knowledge, you’ll explore a series of highly advanced subjects in the field of computer science which lie beyond the scope of undergraduate study, from computer vision to graphics processing unit (GPU) programming, equipping you to undertake employment or postgraduate research at the leading edge of digital technology.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Our teaching is active, applied, social and inclusive.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

  • individual coursework
  • group coursework
  • exams
  • tests
  • essays
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • vivas
  • core assessments (these are pass/fail and can be attempted multiple times).

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

The degree aims to offer access to a range of international experiences2 including:

  • COIL projects – online internationalised learning, working with university students based in other countries (subject to availability).
  • Field trips – short trips of one or two weeks to visit other countries for cultural and learning experiences.
  • Study abroad optional extra year – live and study abroad for a year between your second and final years.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed2.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points BSc (Hons): 120
MSci (Hons): 128
A level BSc (Hons): BBB to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies.
MSci (Hons): ABB to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies.
GCSE 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.
BTEC BSc (Hons): DDM in IT or a technical subject.
MSci: DDD in IT or a technical subject.
IB Diploma BSc (Hons): 29 to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or IT at Higher level.
MSci: 31 to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or IT at Higher level.
Access grades BSc (Hons): The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits in either Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Statistics. Plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.
MSci: The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits all at merit or above in either Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Statistics. Plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

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Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Computing will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5 (BSc Hons)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
  • any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Condensed course – January start date

If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.

If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.

Cisco Lab

Cisco Lab

The Cisco lab is used for working with general networking and towards accreditation by CISCO. Optional modules allow students to work in the lab to develop skills in preparation for the CISCO certification exam.

Virtual Laboratories

Virtual Laboratories

Provide a cutting edge virtualisation environment that can be used to create entire virtual networks, complete with services, users and even attackers. Students can access this environment from anywhere on or off campus.

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sigma Centre

The sigma centre provides a wide range of learning resources dedicated to mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or one-to-one appointments.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

The computer science degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge, technical skills, and professional skills for a career in the computing industry.

Upon successful completion of the degree, you should be able to:

  • program - you will create working solutions to a variety of computational and real-world problems using an appropriate programming language (or languages) for the task
  • think computationally - you will be able to create, develop and evaluate algorithms, and measure and optimise algorithm complexity
  • develop software - you will develop a product from the initial stage of requirements all the way through development to its final stages of testing and evaluation
  • solve problems in a range of key application areas including web and app development, machine learning, data science and artificial intelligence
  • work professionally - you will understand the professional practice of technical, social, ethical and legal responsibilities
  • think critically, contribute confidently, communicate effectively and collaborate collegiately.

Computer science is changing the world. Technologies produced by computer scientists now support and enhance all areas of our modern lives, from e-commerce, through social networking, to smart cities. Ongoing technological developments, innovations and breakthroughs depend crucially, on skills in computer science. The computer science degree teaches these skills, and, equipped with them, you’ll should be able to pursue your preferred career in the computing industry: software developer, web developer, mobile application developer, IT specialist, network analyst, data scientist, and AI programmer are just some of the exciting opportunities that could be available.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates of this course have worked with a variety of companies ranging from start-ups through SMEs to large familiar names. These companies and the roles taken have included:

  • Test Consultant at TSG-Consulting
  • Tech Grad – IBM
  • Technical Writer at Red Hat
  • Graduate IT Engineer at PPS
  • Technical Analyst at National Grid
  • Consultant at Swiss FTS
  • Digital Project Manager at Pfizer UK
  • Application Support Engineer at Motorola

Further study

The computer science degree includes an optional MSci year. Alternatively, the BSc (Hons) degree serves as a basis for a range of standalone master’s degrees, both at Coventry University, nationally and internationally. It might also be possible to take a PhD (all subject to meeting all progression requirements).

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